What To Do In Sandusky Ohio? Winter Edition
Updated January 25, 2021
So, you're wondering what to do in Sandusky, Ohio in the winter?
Here's a secret: it's pretty rad and filled with hidden adventures. The indoor/outdoor exploration options are perfect and prove that although Cedar Point is amazing, it's not the only thing this area has to offer.
A summary of the trip included wine, a spa, delicious chocolate, a museum, snowshoeing, delicious chocolate, fantastic food, a symphony, and delicious chocolate.
Chocolate. Can you tell I loved the chocolate?
1. Checkout Firelands Winery
Firelands Winery tour and tasting was the perfect activity on a cold day that started at a bitter temperature of 22 below 0. I walked in with hopes of lots of wine to warm the soul. Mission accomplished.
I also wanted to steal their chandeliers. As you can tell from the picture below that might be kind of difficult. Any of you welders? I'll provide the wine bottles...
2. Relax and Unwine at Sawmill Creek Resort
That night I got back to Sawmill Creek Resort and enjoyed editing and chatting with a few of you while relaxing next to one of their three massive fireplaces. After that, I went and soaked up all my worries in a nice bubble bath and curled up in a comfy robe with a cup of coffee. I'm always cold and anytime I'm given a fireplace or massive bathtub I am one happy traveler.
3. Head to the Maritime Museum
When it comes to deciding what to do in Sandusky, the Maritime Museum is a fantastic underrated stop for both couples, solo travelers, and families. It's filled with interactive exhibits and kept all of us on our toes as we learned of all the Great Lakes shipwrecks around the fresh coast.
4. Eat ALL THE CHOCOLATE
I'm obsessed with chocolate and when it is high-quality, rich, delicious, WINE-filled chocolate...I figured I'd died and went straight to heaven. Tre Sorelle Cioccolato is a tiny, but big-hearted shop in Sandusky that creates fine chocolates and offers a wide variety of entertainment options. You can book a chocolate session where you make and decorate your own bars at just twelve dollars a person..
5. Snowshoe to Lake Erie
And of course, because it's winter, you can't NOT enjoy the snow! You all know that I love the outdoors and will explore no matter the temperature. Sawmill Creek Resort also offers ice skating and snowshoeing on their property. A snowshoe through nature and out on Lake Erie was perfect for a Saturday afternoon. You know what else I realized? Snowshoeing is quite the workout! Don't underestimate the difficulty or level or fun-ness. I can guarantee many laughs will be shared.
6. Sip Craft Cocktails at Volstead Bar
After cleaning myself up from hot-mess to semi-presentable. It was time to head to the one and only Volstead Bar.
It used to be a brothel and is set up like a speakeasy. Yeah...that's when you know it's worth visiting.
The only way you know if it is open is by the lights in the window. No lights mean it's closed, green lights mean there are seats and a single red light means "Sorry Buddy--we're super popular and you're too late". But you can also keep track of the lights by the website with a real-time view of them virtually.
7. Go to The Symphony
So then the night rounded out with a stop for wood-fired pizzas and a symphony in downtown Sandusky before going back to Sawmill Creek and realizing I had two papers, three written assignments and a quiz due on Monday.
I was really confused because I forgot what school was at this point. What's this thing called class I'm expected to attend? Homework? I think I'm allergic to that. ** sneezes pitifully **
8. Get Massages at Kalahari Resort
And because all that wasn't relaxing enough...before heading back home on Sunday I got a deep-tissue massage at Kalahari Resort. Oh. my. god.
What to Do in Sandusky: ALL THE THINGS
I think I'm still in what I like to call Sandusky-mode. When you leave you feel refreshed, inspired, and filled with great food. There is nothing better than finding the perfect winter trips right here in the Midwest.
This was a hosted trip by Lake Erie Shores & Islands and Green Door Media Works. All accommodation, meals and activities were paid by the hosted company. All opinions are my own based on my experience.
At any given moment, Shalee is either lost, hunting for ice cream, or obsessively planning her next adventure.
Born and raised in rural Michigan, she began exploring the shores of Great Lakes as a teen, often sleeping in her car to save money. Eventually, her urge to explore pushed beyond her Midwest borders. Today, Shalee shares her tips and stories to thousands of readers interested in adventure and outdoor tourism. Her pack now includes two spunky hiking cats and her partner, Josh. Learn more about her here.
Must. Get. Wine-Chocolates!
Drooling just thinking about them…yummmmmm
You had me at wine chocolates! I have to say I haven’t explored our neighbor to the south since my roller coastin’ CP days, but maybe I’ll make it back that way because it sounds like you had QUITE the weekend!!!
Seriously SO GOOD. We need a trip here soon! Next adventure??
I never would have thought to visit Sandusky in the winter. Fun to read about it! Thanks once again for your great blog.