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Ghostly Manor Thrill Center Is SUPER Fun For Kids – Sandusky Ohio

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ghostly manor review

While staying for the weekend at Sawmill Creek Resort, my family had the opportunity to check out Ghostly Manor Thrill Center in Sandusky, Ohio.  This gem is filled so many activities that my family was able to spend the whole afternoon and as we left my boys begged to come back!

Ghostly Manor Thrill Center has a full sized skating rink, 3-D mini golf, XD Theater, arcade games, year round haunted house, and bounce houses.  With so many activities all under one roof, it’s the place to be for families with a wide age group of kids.  Ghostly Manor allows you to pay individually for each activity or offers money saving package deals.

As soon as we walked in, the kids ran straight to the 4D XD Theater.  This ride allows you to pick from five action-packed movie experiences from an under the sea adventure to a trip down a snowy, pine-covered mountainside.  Before the movie starts you are given 3D glasses and are belted into an oversized seat but since this ride can get bumpy, children need to be over 40″ tall.

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We split up the group and choose two different movies to watch.  While the first group went in, we stayed right outside of the enclosed curtain and hear a lot of giggling and laughing.  In fact, my mom, who never rides roller coasters said their ride, Canyon Coaster, was downright thrilling.  This attraction is a must-see on your next trip to Ghostly Manor.

Next up we headed over to Wizard’s Journey which is a 3D blacklight mini-golf adventure.  It starts unlike most golf games as this one has a video at the beginning where you learn about your quest and are given 3D glasses to wear (some of the kids chose not to wear them but still had a blast).  I think the attention to detail in this attraction was simply amazing and the sound effects made it extra fun.

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Even with all the fun we had already had, we were just getting started!  Ghostly Manor just recently added a huge addition to their building and created a place where kids can jump, slide and bounce.   With five inflatables to choose from (some have height restrictions) kids can play the day away.  This area also boasts a HUGE 3 level play area with bridges, tunnels, and slides, oh my!  I’ve never seen such a structure before.

While supervision is required in this area I appreciated that there were staff members to help keep an eye on the kids also.  Staff members while young, seemed to really love their job and interacted very well with the kids. Later in the day, I was so happy to see them wiping down not only the play structure but also the bounce houses with a mild cleaning detergent.  When asked, they said that they did this each day.

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Are you ready for this?  Even after all of that, we still weren’t done at Ghostly Manor because we still had to check out their full sized skating rink!  What is absolutely unique here is that not only can you skate but you can also use 2 or 3 wheeled scooters which were perfect for my two youngest boys.  In fact, for a small fee, they even rent a roller bar which makes skating a breeze.

For those of you who dare, you may also want to check out their year round haunted house full of haunts and spooks.  In fact, this haunted house is one of the most highly rated ones in the United States and has been featured on several TV shows, including The Travel Channel.  Since we had five children under 8 with us we chose to save this attraction for a few years from now.

In the end I was blown away by the amount of activities that Ghostly Manor Thrill Center offered.  As a mom of three boys who like to venture out on their own, I really loved that we didn’t all have to be doing the same thing.  So will we be back? ABSOLUTELY!




Sawmill Creek Resort Huron, Ohio – Snow Fest

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sawmill creek resort snow fest
Sawmill Creek Resort Review ~ Snow Fest

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Last weekend my family braved the cold weather and took a short drive to Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, Ohio to learn more about their Snow Fest.  As avid Cedar Point fans, we drive right by Sawmill Creek countless times each summer so I was really excited to finally check it out!

Sawmill Creek Resort is a short 30 minute drive from our home in Lorain County so it was far enough away to feel like a weekend getaway without an unnecessary long drive.  When we arrived, we drove a bit around the property and I was amazed how large it was.  While most of the  property was covered with a few inches of snow, I could clearly see how well kept up the property was.  It was absolutely serene and I could only imagine how beautiful it would look in the summer.

sawmill creek resort huron oh
When stepping into the lobby, we felt right at home, as we were greeted by a friendly staff member.   The cozy fireplace located right at the front door added to the charming decor which reflects the North American Woodland Indian.  As we walked to our room my boys got a kick out of looking at the “outdoorsy” decorations such as a mounted moose head and animal skins, they even had a large fish tank.

We were told when checking in, that the resort was full that weekend with a group of over 100 teens.  While I hardly heard a peep from them once in our room, I was happy to see that they were all enjoying the expansive public areas playing card games, chatting on the comfy couches, or playing pool with friends.  What a perfect place for a teen retreat.

sawmill creek resort huron ohio

As we walked into our room, I noticed right away the amazing view we had from our expansive window.  Our large room had updated furnishing and new carpet and I was pleased to see that each bed had 4 pillows and upgraded linens.  Even the bathroom was inviting with Bath & Body Works toiletries. hair dryer and comfy bathrobe.  To make you feel right at home, each room comes with a coffee/tea maker, clock radio, work space and high speed internet.

Since my husband had to work that weekend, my mother came with us.  I was happy to see that we were given adjoining rooms as with 5 kids under 8, this made our trip much more relaxing.  Sawmill Creek offers many other types of rooms bound to fit anyone’s budget including deluxe guest rooms, jacuzzi/fireplace suites, and large two room suites.

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While we loved our room, we were there to enjoy Snow Fest after all so we bundled back up to check it out.  Snow Fest is held at Mulligan’s Pub which is one of the restaurants on the property and just a short distance from the lodge.   Here, in this family friendly restaurant, you can rent equipment to enjoy ice skating, ice hockey, snowshoeing and cross country skiing.  Snow Fest is held each Saturday from noon-9, while the weather cooperates.

sawmill creek snow fest

My kiddos were excited to ice skate for the first time and even more pumped that it was on a ice covered pond, so we grabbed our skates and headed out to the ice.  What a treat it was the weather cooperated for us to be able to skate for quite a while on the large pond.

The cost to skate is only $5 with an additional skate rental of $3.  Sawmill Creek has a nice assortment of skates available including trainers with double blades for little ones and hockey and figure skates for the more advanced.  Sawmill Creek also offers snow shoes rental or for a small fee you can bring your own skis and go cross country skiing.

sawmill creek resort

 

sawmill creek snow fest
After a bit of ice skating we came back into Mulligan’s Pub to warm up. Mulligan’s Pub offers an assortment of easy to eat food such as soups, sandwiches, and appetizers as well as both alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks. As we sat drinking our hot chocolates and enjoying our snack, we were able to look out the big window to see all the skaters outside.  In fact soon after we left the ice a large group of boys came out to play ice hockey…of course, I had to stop their game and grab a picture!

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Once we were done skating the kids couldn’t wait to check out the pool, and boy was it worth the wait.  Located on the ground floor of the lodge, Sawmill Creek offers a large Olympic sized pool complete with a hot tub decorated by a large mural.  There are towels offered at the pool as well as changing rooms, restroom and a ping pong table.  I did notice that the hot tub wasn’t very hot but since my kids like to get in, I’m glad that it was the right temperature for them.

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Whether you are stopping in just for Snow Fest or you are staying for the weekend, be sure to check out Sawmill creeks shops located towards the front of their property.  Since we had all the kiddos with us I wasn’t able to shop long so I can’t wait to come back.

As soon as we stepped into the shop, I was blown away by how much they had to offer!  From ladies clothes, to kids toys, to gourmet foods, this place has it all.  They also carry Vera Bradley and many other boutique gifts inside their two story shop.  If you are a hotel guest don’t forget your $5 coupon in your room…you know I grabbed mine!

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I’d highly recommend Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, Ohio.  They offer a variety of specials including overnight deals for Snow Fest, Valentines Day, and even winery tour packages.  With Sawmill Creek Resort, you are bound to find the perfect romantic excursion or even a weekend getaway for your family.




Dinosaurs Alive at Cedar Point – Review

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Most of you know how much my family loves Cedar Point! In fact we love it so much that each year we get season passes for the whole family. Not only are Cedar Point Season Passes a frugal summer activity but since the Cedar Point season lasts through the fall you’ll get almost 6 months of action-packed fun.

While we visit Cedar Point almost weekly we had not checked out the Dinosaurs Alive exhibit until just recently. Dinosaurs Alive is located inside Cedar Point and near the entrance of Camp Snoopy. With more than 50 life-size animatronic dinosaurs there is so much to see.

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My three boys were amazed to find dinosaurs hiding among the trees and in areas that looked like their natural habitat.  While we have been to a dinosaur exhibit before we have never seen dinosaurs quite like this.    These gigantic dinosaurs are life-sized and some soar high above.  I felt quite small standing next to a few of them and it made me thankful that they are now extinct.  Cedar Point has done an amazing job in creating such a true-to-life exhibit.

Cedar Point’s Dinosaurs Alive is not scary at all and geared towards kids of all ages.  With interactive consoles, for you to interact with as well as placecards at each area you’ll not only have a fun time but also learn a little along the way.  The animatronic dinosaurs that move as you walk by will really make you feel like you’ve just stepped back in time. 

 

Dinosaurs Alive

One of my boys favorite areas was the Dino Dig Site which was conveniently located half way through.  This large area sand play area for kids has plenty of sand toys for kids to uncover a life-sized dinosaur skeleton. To make this area even more exciting, each day through August 31st a K’NEX classic white connector is buried in this area.  If you or your child finds it they will win a K’NEX K’NEXosaurus Rex Building Set.  Keep in mind that there is one winner per day.

Dinosaurs Alive

With an easy to navigate walkway this exhibit is open to strollers and wheelchairs.   I found that most of the exhibit was covered with trees so it was truly relaxing to stroll along even though it was a HOT day.

If you are in need of a little assistance or have a dino question there are several tour guides located throughout the exhibit that would love to help you out.  They are easy to spot in there tan uniform (see below).  My two oldest boys were full of questions and asked quite a few to each guide we encountered.  In fact they they even requested a picture with one.

PicMonkey Collage

Our family LOVED our time visiting Dinosaurs Alive and plan on making it a yearly stop.  With it only being $5 a ticket (with a paid Cedar Point ticket), it’s a frugal summer fun idea too!

Next time you head off to Cedar Point step back in time and check out the prehistoric island adventure called Dinosaurs Alive!

** Buy Cedar Point tickets

Single Day Adult
Online: $44.99 / Gate: $54.99 / You Save $10

Single Day Junior/Senior
Online: $29.99

** Buy Dinosaur Alive tickets

Only $5 with paid Cedar Point admission

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This is an unpaid post.  All opinions are my own.  A huge thanks to Cedar Point who provided my tickets to Dinosaurs Alive so that I could faciliate my review.




Splash Harbor Review ~ Bellville, Ohio

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Splash Harbor Review ~ Bellville, Ohio

Recently my family was able to stay overnight at Splash Harbor in Bellville, Ohio and boy did we have a blast!
This well maintained Comfort Inn has a super fun pool area that is filled with a large pool, dumping buckets, shooting geysers, water basketball hoops, a floating raft and kiddie pool area.  For those of you seeking a bit of a thrill you can also take a ride down their 49-foot looping water slide.  Don’t be shy, give it a try…it’s not just for kids!

If you’re looking for a bit of relaxation you’ll want to check out their HUGE hot tub.  It was quite warm and oh so inviting. While I find that many hotel hot tubs are barely warm, Splash Harbor’s adult hot tub is perfect temperature…HOT!  For those of you with little ones they have a second hot tub for families.  The water temperature in this smaller version is perfect for the little ones.

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Another area that we spent a lot of our time in was the kiddie pool.  This area is sloped just right for the littlest ones and the perfect depth.  I brought a few toys so my youngest happily played here while my older ones were able to enjoy the other areas.  At the end of this area there is a large staircase (see below) leading into the deeper water.  This made it a great spot for me to sit so I could keep my eyes (and hands, if necessary) on all three of my boys even though they were in two different parts of the pool.

Your kids will also have a ball in the splash pad area complete with dumping buckets and shooting geysers.  Since all of my boys are obsessed with pirates they got a kick out of the partial pirate ship that is located here.  It was nice to let the kids have a place to play when mama needed take a break.  Since there is no standing water here, I knew they were safe without me being right next to them.

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For those of you with older kids, they will definitely want to try their hand at water basketball.  This part of the pool was one of the busiest with everyone, young and old,  playing a little b-ball.  There were more than enough balls to go around though, so the boys and I were even able to shoot a few baskets.

Before we settled in for the night we headed over to the Der Dutchman for dinner.  This restaurant is located conveniently right next door to Splash Harbor so we were able to walk over, even on a cold night.    I loved that we didn’t have to get in our car.  If you want to stay in for dinner, Marco’s Pizza is nearby and they’ll deliver straight to your room.

Our room was a nice size with 2 queen sized beds, desk and large TV.  For those of you with larger families who will need two rooms, you may want to request on of their adjoining rooms.  This is the type we had and it gave us more than enough space.

The rooms were very clean and the beds extremely comfortable.  I loved that each bed had many pillows.  The pillows weren’t the usual motel pillows either, instead they were fluffy with just the right amount of support.

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The bathroom was stocked with complimentary toiletries such as shampoo, lotion, soap and makeup remover wipes.  Best of all, if you forget a standard item such a a toothbrush, no problem, they’ll give you one for FREE!

The next morning we were able to fill up with a FREE hot breakfast.  There were many choices including make-your-own waffles, cereal, sausage gravy, fresh fruit and much more.  They even had a nice sitting area with a TV that kept my boys entertained while we were eating.

After another day of swimming, I let the kids play a bit in game area.  They were happy to pick one game each and were ecstatic to each win a bouncy ball.  It’s the small things in life isn’t it?

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Looking for a fun getaway?  I’d highly recommend Splash Harbor in Bellville, Ohio!   Check out what more it has to offer:

    • Smoke free Hotel and Waterpark
    • Splash Harbor Indoor Waterpark with retractable roof
    • Video game room with pool table, air hockey and more
    • Free high-speed wireless and hard-wired internet access
    • Free putting green
    • Two Meeting and banquet rooms
    • Electronic security door locks
    • Interior hallways
    • Free HBO & full cable including Speed Channel
    • In-room coffee makers, hair dryer, iron and board
    • Volleyball, basketball, shuffleboard
    • Deer Ridge championship golf course – adjacent to hotel
    • 700 seat Amish restaurant and gift shop – adjacent to hotel
    • Miniature golf and ice cream store – adjacent to hotel
    • Three fast food and three sit down restaurants next to hotel

Looking for an little getaway?  Splash Harbor offers a “Family Fun Package”.  This package includes overnight lodging in a standard double queen, 1 large 2 item pizza, $10 in game money for game room, 1 dive-n-glide pool toy and complimentary breakfast. Prices can vary by date.

Be sure to stay up-to-date on any specials by following them on Facebook!

Disclaimer:  This is not a paid post.  My family was offered an overnight stay to help facilitate my review.  All opinions are my own. 




Our Trip to Canton, Ohio! A Fun Place For Families!

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GIVEAWAY is now over. 

If you’re from Ohio you probably remember the snow storm that we had last week.  You know the one where we were all told to stay off the roads?  Well, our family likes to live on the WILD side. Since we had already accepted an offer from Canton and Stark County Convention and Visitor’s Center to come spend two fun-filled days in Canton, Ohio, we decided to head on down; snow and all.

While our family loves to travel we are always looking for ways to save.  This is where short trips can be a huge money saver!  What’s great about Canton is that not only is there so much to do but it’s only a one tank trip from most cities in Ohio.  On our quick trip to the area we were able to visit a local eatery, stay in a beautiful hotel, and visit the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.


We stayed overnight at Hampton Inn & Suites and just loved it.  We felt pampered as soon as we walked in the door.  The little, FREE extras such as evening cookies, exercise room, a huge hot tub, cool pool, a full self serve breakfast and a 24-hour beverage center with tea, hot chocolate, and coffee, made us feel so special.  The whole hotel was spotless and very clean and I was impressed that they wash the duvet covers after every guest.  It was nice not to worry about the blankets


As with most kids, my children love to swim.  After a few hours at the pool we headed out to eat.  Thanks to all the suggestions left on my Facebook page with local restaurants, it was easy to find a place for dinner.  Papa Bear’s Italian Restaurant was not only well priced but also was one of the best dinner’s we’ve had in a long time.  The interior was quaint, the service superb, and the prices fit out budget.  My husband and I both remarked that we will definitely have to visit again next time we are in town.

McKinley Presidential Library & Museum.

The next morning after a full FREE breakfast in the hotel lobby and another quick swim, we headed out to visit two area museums.  First up was the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum.  While this museum honors the 25th president who built his early career in Canton, Ohio, it’s much more than just a presidential museum.  Inside you can find many different exhibits including, Discover World, the McKinley Gallery, the Street of Shops, the Keller Gallery, the Hoover-Price Planetarium, Ramsayer Research Library and The Stark County Story. The McKinley National Memorial, burial site of President William McKinley and his family, is also on the Museum grounds.

All of our kids LOVED the McKinley Museum!  While my husband and I were interested in all the the historical information, they were able to check out all the hands-on activities.  The Discover World area had life-sized dinosaurs, live animals, a crawl through cave and much more.  It was nice to see my little ones having fun while still learning.

Another favorite in the museum is the Street of Shops.  This area transports you back to an earlier time when life was simpler.  This life-size replica of a historic town, allows you to visit different stores, a fire station, a hotel and more. Kids can even slide down a real fire pole!  In this area they also have a model train layout that my littlest son didn’t want to leave.

Through February 18th, their Keller Gallery is offering the exhibit, Life in Miniature.  This dollhouse exhibit features all new dollhouses and miniatures on loan from miniature enthusiasts in their community. Highlights include a large Victorian dollhouse from the museum’s collection and a recently donated scale model of the Hoover homestead in North Canton.

Two must-not-miss activities for your little ones at the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum are the giant Timken bearing ride and the Hoover lift.  My kiddies had such fun spinning in the Timken ride and were amazed when they were lifted up into the air by the suction of a vacuum.

Be sure to check out the special activities planned for McKinley day on January 26th.  This fun filled day will have activities for the whole family and admission will only be $5!  Find out more details about this event or to plan your own family day out head over to their website.


Pro Football Hall of Fame

Next stop on our little trip was to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  While my youngest is a man of few words, one he does say is, “football”.  We can’t pass a field without him shouting out one of his favorite words.  While he was amazed my the number of footballs that were there, my husband and I truly enjoyed seeing all the memorabilia and even learning about the sport.

When we first entered we were greeted with very friendly and knowledgeable staff.  Our family picture was taken in front of a green screen which was later turned into some really fun pictures.  You can pick which photos you want and purchase them in the lower level of the building.

It was interesting to see the amount of memorabilia that has been collected and that was on display.  While I was most interested in the display on how the Hall of Fame came to Canton and the older items such as a football from the 1890’s and the uniforms from those early years my husband was excited to see EVERYTHING!  I think he read every plaque and checked out every interactive exhibit there was.  He was in heaven!

One of the coolest displays was the Hall of Fame Gallery.  This room holds the busts (those are the bronzed heads … see I learned something) of those inducted into the Hall of Fame.  This darkened room just gives off such an awe of greatness.  To look around and see all the talent from over the years was inspiring.  This room also has interactive touchscreens which will share information about each inductee.  My kiddos really enjoyed the 3D Superbowl ring in here too.  If was neat to see it from so many different angles.


After walking around a bit, it was nice to sit down in Pro Football Today Gallery and watch the bloomers film.  It was something the whole family enjoyed and the bleacher seating was a nice touch.

Inside the Super Bowl theater we watched a personal and action packed short film called The Road to the Superbowl.   This high energy film shared the two-time, heartbreaking Superbowl loss of the New England Patriots to the NY Giants.  My kids loved that the seats moved half way through and the giant screen really kept their attention.  Right after the movie you can see many of the rings won; the display is just beautiful.

Two more interactive exhibits are located in the lower section including a Madden game.  Be sure to check out your pictures that were taken at the beginning of the tour. and visit the gift shop.  Their large gift shop has a little something for everyone!

 

There is so much to do in Canton, Ohio so head over to Canton and Stark County Convention and Visitor’s Center to start planning your own one-tank trip!  Whether it’s a romantic weekend or short trip with the kids you’ll be sure to find plenty of activities or even just a wonderful place to relax.  You can even check out this page to find a bunch of FREE things to do in Stark County!

While in town, be sure to visit their visitor’s center which is located right around the corner from the Hall of Fame.  During your stop, you can get learn a lot about the area from a friendly employee as well as be able to pick up a whole slew of brochures about area lodging and activities.

Thanks to the Canton Visitor Center and The Pro Football Hall of Fame I was offered 4 tickets to give away!  To enter, simply use the Rafflecopter entry below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  This was not a paid review. In exchange for my review I was given free tickets to both museums and a free night stay at Hampton Inn and Suites.  I can assure you that I will always give you my honest opinion and only share about things that I feel my readers will enjoy.  All opinions are my own.




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