While I’m doing Shameless plugs for the old Stomping Grounds: Cedar Point

If you have not been to Cedar Point, you are missing out on one of the best Amusement Parks in the world. Other parks might have scores of cartoon characters and a few worthwhile coasters, but Cedar Point dwarfs them all.

Cedar Point is located in Sandusky, Ohio. It is not too far off Interstates 80/90 and it is one of the best places to see in Ohio. The park opens in May and is open all summer long. The park even remains open for weekends through October. Hours and days the park is open vary by the time of the season, so be sure to check their website for those details.

If going in the summer doesn’t work, you can always go in the fall. Cedar Point is open ever weekend in October with Halloweekends. The park gets a spooky make over and there are even some haunted houses.

The one thing that really makes Cedar Point stick out is that is has so many great coasters. There is not just one or two that you have to ride. Cedar Point has many really awesome coasters and rides for you to enjoy. Coasters like the Magnum, Raptor, Millennium Force and Dragster will thrill you. Older but still classic coasters like the Blue Streak and the Gemini are still great fun. With so many options it could take all day to navigate the park. The park also has rides and play areas for younger vistors too. They even have Snoopy there too!

If you go to Cedar Point, the best way to ensure you will see the whole park is to have a game plan. If you randomly just bounce from ride to ride. The park has a midway and then it is set up in a big circle. Your best bet is to pick a starting point. Pick the ride you want to ride the most and start there. If you get there when the park opens, that is usually the best time to ride to more popular coasters. The lines will usually be a little shorter then. From there pick out a direction an start making your away around the circle. The Blue Streak and the Raptor are both on the midway, but you can wait and do those two coasters last. The Raptor is much more fun at night anyway! Not to mention that since it is one of the first big coasters visitors come across upon entering the park, its line is usually pretty long. At night the line eases up a bit.

Be prepared. Do not eat your way through the park. This will be costly. Wear comfortable shoes. Sandals are fine, but make sure your shoes are secure. You do no want to lose them on a ride. You can do your hair and make up, but after a few rides it will not matter anyway. Bring a hair brush and an extra hair tie if you have long hair. Do not forget the sunscreen! If it is a hot day, bring a water bottle and be sure to stay hydrated. If it is a cool day dress appropriately. If it is even a somewhat cool day, remember that the park is on Lake Erie. That breeze of the lake will make it feel even cooler. Once the sun goes down, it can be downright chilly. That brings up another point, if you do ride a water ride, be sure to have dry clothes or do it well before sundown.

Restuarant Review: Tony Packo’s Cafe

Yes this was inspired by the contraband my family brought me from Ohio this weekend.

When you think of Toledo, Ohio, not many great things come to mind. It is a small Midwest city with a minor league baseball team and not much else. However, tucked away in East Toledo there is a great Hungarian Restaurant. Tony Packo’s Café has delicious food and a fun ambiance that make it an must see non your trip through Toledo.

Some people may remember hearing about Tony Packo’s on the TV series MASH. Jamie Farr’s character Klinger was from Toledo and he would talk about the restaurant on the show. I think they may have even ordered something from the store on the show at one point or another. The restaurant is well worth the hype it received on the show.

The menu has everything from hot dogs (more on those later) to traditional Hungarian dishes (East Toledo was one known for being the hub of Hungarian culture in the city). Now before you dismiss the Hot Dogs, you need to know that these aren’t just your garden variety hot dogs you can buy at the grocery store. These are more like a sausage and once you add the Packo’s sauce and cheese, a bowl of chili or soup, one of their many sides and a side of their pickles, you have a combo meal. If you do not like hot dogs, please still give these a try. I promise it you will not be disappointed.

While you are in the restaurant, you will see that there are rows and rows of hot dog buns on the walls. If you look closer you will see that each of the buns are signed by a celebrity. Some are local celebrities, others are more famous. You will find President’s , actors and musicians names all over the restaurant. This is packo’s real claim to fame. How do they keep the buns from deteriorating? Well the secret to that is they are not real buns. They are plastic, but you could never tell.

Don’t forget to check out the gift shop. Yes the restaurant has a gift shop. You can get shot classes, beer steins, a jar of their pickles, t-shirts and even their Hot Dog Sauce from the gift shop. Are you already addicted to this place? If so you can order most of these things via the internet off their website. You even order hot dog packs for cookouts and parties off the site.

The original café is in East Toledo, but there are little satellite stores around the city. However, if you want the true Tony Packo’s experience, it is best to go to the original East Toledo location.