Thrilling Attractions

Enjoy thrilling attractions in Ohio that pump adrenaline, laughter, or both.




Axe Throwing Across Ohio

Axe throwing across Ohio is a fun time for everyone to enjoy as long as you’re 15-years-old or older. There are as many female participants as there are male. Depending on the venue, guests may bring or buy drinks and snacks for their 1 ½ – 2 hours in an axe-throwing lane. Each person creates their own axe related name tag and is placed on a team, together, which may include members of another participating group. Group names are decided, and then instructions and practice throwing follows. Once everyone has thrown, several competitions begin. These pit one team against another, and then ultimately, it’s every lumberjack for themself to see who is best. Axe throwing is fun for date nights, family time, friends’ gatherings, team building, or parties. Admission to these Ohio axe throwing places is approximately $35/person.

Reservations are encouraged and may be made by phone or online at the following sites:

Cincinnati Axe Throwing at Class Axe
www.cincinnatiaxe.com
513-268-2386
(Map It) 4814 Peter Place B in West Chester, Ohio

Cleveland Axe Throwing at Class Axe
www.clevelandaxethrowing.com
440-462-8559
(Map It) 9000 Bank St. in Valley View, Ohio

The Dueling Axes
www.theduelingaxes.com
614-221-1600
(Map It) 309 S. 4th St. in Columbus, Ohio

Rhine Haus Bier Hall
facebook.com/rhinehausohio/
440-339-5931
(Map It) 40 N Phelps St. in Downtown Youngstown

Southern Ohio Axe Throwing
www.southernohioaxe.com
740-298-4950
(Map It) 1 Nancy Wilson Way in Chillicothe, Ohio

TimberBeast Axe Throwing
click here
330-441-4991
(Map It) 2524 Medina Rd. in Medina, Ohio

Wild Axe Throwing
www.wildaxethrowing.com/
937-912-9741
(Map It) 3251 Seajay Dr. in Beavercreek, Ohio

 

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Boston Mills Brandywine Ski Resort

Tickets are required for the Boston Mills Brandywine Ski Resort in Peninsula.

  • Open Monday thru Thursdays 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fridays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Location: (Map It) 7100 Riverview Road in Peninsula, Ohio
  • Phone: 800-U-SKI-241
  • Web: click here

Boston Mills Brandywine Ski Resort is in Peninsula, Northeast Ohio, between Cleveland and Akron. The resort is home to slopes that suit beginners to advanced skiers. It also features a snow tubing range providing fun for anyone of any age. Take on the steepest ski slope in Ohio. There’s even a Kids’ Academy for beginning skiers under 12 to develop skills and techniques, introducing children to the slopes and helping them have fun. If snow tubing is more your thing, try the Polar Blasts Sunday through Friday nights. Equipment and locker rentals are available, and the base lodge includes food services.

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Cedar Point Amusement Park & Resort

Tickets are required for the Cedar Point Amusement Park & Resort in Sandusky.

  • Open: May – October
  • Location: (Map It) Sandusky, Ohio, between Cleveland and Toledo on the Lake Erie coast
  • Phone: 419-627-2350
  • Web: click here

Cedar Point Amusement Park & Resort in Sandusky, Ohio, is a 364-acre resort that is home to the most exhilarating collection of thrill rides and roller coasters on Earth. Featuring some of the tallest and fastest scream machines around, this thrill-seeker’s paradise also boasts a huge outdoor waterpark (Soak City); four resort hotels; a luxury RV campground with cottages and cabins; two large marinas; an outdoor entertainment complex featuring go-karts, mini-golf, and more (Challenge Park); award-winning live shows; gift shops; delicious eateries; four giant kids’ areas and more.

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Ghostly Manor Thrill Center

Tickets are required for the Ghostly Manor Thrill Center in Sandusky.

Ghostly Manor Thrill Center is open year-round. This vast entertainment complex is bustling with a variety of fun options. Come and see a fire-breathing dragon, one of the scariest haunted houses you will ever encounter, ride the fastest virtual roller coaster in Ohio, or get your heart pumping some more with a whirl around the skating rink. You may also enjoy Escape Games, Lazer Maze, 3D Black Light Mini Golf, XD 4D Theater, and Skateworld roller rink.  In addition, there’s an Indoor Play Area and Bounce Houses.  Enjoy the free outdoor light show in December. For various costs, please visit the website above.  Ghostly Manor Thrill Center was featured on Travel Channel’s “Best Places I have ever been” and rated top 10 in the U.S. by www.dafe.org and as Rand McNally’s Top 10 Haunted Houses for Halloween.

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Ghoul Runnings Kayak Adventures

  • Open: Late May to Mid-September (weather permitting)
  • Location: (Map It) 1773 S. River Rd. in Fremont, Ohio
  • Phone: 419-455-4364
  • Web: click here

Ghoul Runnings Kayak Adventures is a kayak livery that offers guided and self-guided tours down the scenic Sandusky River and the beautiful Fremont Reservoir. The owners, Beth Turner and her husband Bob, have been running a Haunted Attraction each fall for the past 33 years known as the “Haunted Hydro.” The new kayak business is named Ghoul Runnings, inspired by Turner’s other business as co-owner of the Haunted Hydro. Their love for Halloween and the outdoors has created this bizarre marriage of kayaking and ghouls.  Opening in May of each year, Ghoul Runnings, LLC offers guided and self-guided tours, including safety and training classes. They offer a variety of 2- and 4-hour trips, and specialty adventures include a history tour, singles kayaking group, bird and nature, sunset, moonlight, and more. Ghoul Runnings may offer competitive events, including fishing derbies, speed & maneuverability contests, krazy-kraft kayak events, and more.  Online event tickets and onsite sales are available through www.GhoulRunnings.com and at their business location, the “Yak-Shack,” located at the Fremont Reservoir across the road from their “A-Frame” rental location at 1773 S. River Rd. in Fremont.

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High Voltage Indoor Karting

Tickets are required for the High Voltage Indoor Karting in Medina.

High Voltage Indoor Karting in Medina, Ohio, encompasses 50,000 square feet and features high-speed go-karting in Northeast Ohio.  The quarter-mile track features tight turns and fast straights.  The electric karts can reach top speeds close to 50 mph.  Annual memberships, Annual License Fee, One Race Arrive & Drive, GoPro Helmet Camera Rental, and specials available.

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iFly Cincinnati

Tickets are required for the iFly Cincinnati.

  • Open: Wednesday – Sunday
  • Location: (Map It) 7689 Warehouse Row in Liberty Township, Ohio
  • Phone: 513-901-4359
  • Web: click here

iFly Cincinnati is an amazing way to safely experience the thrill of skydiving indoors. Anyone ages 3 and above can enter the expertly designed wind tunnels and take flight. Kids 4-16 can also get personal coaching from instructors in “Flight School” to master flying. By combining flying with virtual reality, you can also visit incredible locations across the world while you soar through the air.

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Kings Island Amusement Park

Tickets are required for the Kings Island Amusement Park in Mason, Ohio.

  • The season opens late April thru late October, daily operating hours vary
  • Location: (Map It) 6300 Kings Island Drive in  Mason, Ohio
  • Phone: 513-754-5901
  • Web: www.visitkingsisland.com/

Kings Island Amusement Park in Mason is open to thrill and fun-seekers of all ages. King’s Island is home to some of the Midwest’s biggest and best thrill rides and coasters. The park features 80 rides, shows, and attractions. The thrill rides include Diamondback, which reaches up to 80 mph; the legendary Beast, which remains the longest wooden roller coaster; and many, many more. The Dinosaur Alive attraction is the world’s largest animatronic dinosaur park. It features more than 60 life-sized dinosaurs. There are restaurants, shops, two arcades, games, and other attractions, such as live shows, with several daily showtimes. Kings Island also has its own water park, Boomerang Bay, open during the late spring and summer.

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LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus

Tickets are required for the LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Columbus.

  • Open: Daily from 10am – 8pm (last entry at 6pm)
  • Location: (Map It) 157 or 165 Easton Town Center in Columbus, Ohio
  • Phone: 614-407-7721
  • Web: click here

LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Columbus, Ohio, is the ultimate Lego® indoor playground. Families can build, learn, and create together. The mega facility features all things LEGOS® plus interactive rides, a 4D cinema, and Miniland, Ohio, showcasing Ohio’s favorite landmarks

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Memphis Kiddie Park

Tickets are required for the Memphis Kiddie Park in Brooklyn, Ohio .

  • Open during the summer season
  • Location: (Map It) 10340 Memphis Avenue in Brooklyn, Ohio, near Cleveland
  • Phone: 216-941-5995
  • Web: memphiskiddiepark.com/ 

Memphis Kiddie Park in Cleveland, Ohio, is an amusement park for toddlers and preschoolers. Here, you hope that you’re shorter than the height stick! There are about a dozen rides, including North America’s oldest steel kiddie coaster. Other nostalgic favorites include train rides, airplane rides, boat rides, a little Ferris wheel, a Merry-Go-Round, and more. It’s a survivor of a bygone era when kiddie parks thrived. This one remains family-operated. In an old Cleveland neighborhood, it is a delight for generations of tiny thrill-seekers and parents. The lines are small, and the smiles are big!

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Paintball Country

Paintball Country at Niederman Farm is open year-round.

  • Location: (Map It) 5110 LeSourdsville-West Chester Drive in Liberty Township, Ohio
    (Between Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio)
  • Phone: 513-779-3228
  • Web: click here

Paintball Country at Niederman Farm:  This Southwest Ohio working farm is loaded with things to do but one of the most popular is paintball! It features Lighted Field, Ultimate Air, Woods, Speedball, X Ball, Hyper Ball,  Rentals, Paint, CO2, Compressed Air, and Supplies.

Open play is Saturday 11am – 5pm and Sunday 1-5pm. Other times by request. Private parties are welcome. Weekend and season passes plus gift certificates are available. It’s a great idea for company events, birthdays, and bachelor & bachelorette parties. Large groups (15 or more) requiring rentals should call in advance so that enough equipment can be prepared for the entire party.

Excerpt from a past edition of OhioTraveler 

OHIO PAINTBALL COUNTRY

The Niederman Family Farm is being saved one paintball game at a time.

What began with a handful of locals asking to play paintball in an old cow pasture on a 210-acre farm has turned into nine sophisticated paintball courses attracting several hundred players for some games.

“One day we’re sitting around the supper table racking our brains for ideas to save the farm and the next we’re knee-deep in paintball requests,” said Bob Niederman.

In order to generate a new form of revenue to preserve life on his family farm, Bob dove into the opportunity to meet the demand of paintball enthusiasts. He signed up for a paintball safety course having never played the game of paintball in his life. Then he added bales of hay and straw, old water tanks, cast off farm equipment, and anything else he could rummage to create bunkers for players to seek protection from enemy fire.

The early days in 2000 required a complete family effort. The Niederman children were occasionally summoned to play a game of paintball when teams needed an extra player to have even sides. Players must be at least ten years old and everyone participating has to sign a waiver.

The paintball venture snowballed.

In addition to working in the fields of agriculture Monday through Friday, Bob Niederman now has to work in the fields of paint Saturdays and Sundays.

“We have come a long way and now host major tournaments and themed events that range from Star Wars to Wizard of Oz,” said Bob Niederman.

Niederman Family Farm has everything anyone needs to play paintball: Safety goggles, guns, paintballs, and anything else to suit up and join the fun. They get a lot of walk-ins.  Those players are added to groups on various courses throughout the farm according to skill level. Any size group can reserve a field of play. Group events include church outings, bachelor and birthday parties, and corporate team-building exercises, family reunions, youth day camps, and sports teams.

“One of the nice things about reserving a field for a special occasion is that the game goes on no matter the weather conditions,” said Bethann Niederman. “Plus we have covered pavilions and barns to keep everyone dry for parties while not on the field of play. Besides, some believe the nastier the conditions, the more fun the game.”

Niederman Family Farm’s paintball courses are open year-round on weekends. There are about 50 players on any given Saturday or Sunday. Groups may also play weekdays by reservation only.

About Paintball

Paintball has rapidly become one of the world’s most popular outdoor participation sports. Players include anyone from housewives to high-school students.

A paintball has a thin outer skin with colored liquid inside it resembling a gelatin-like capsule. The liquid interior is non-toxic, non-caustic, water-soluble, and biodegradable. It rinses out of clothing and off skin with mild soap and water.

Paintball is a very safe sport as long as safety rules are followed. Referees on the field enforce safety with strict game rules. Each player is required to wear safety goggles at all times. The rifle is an air gun. Players are eliminated when a paintball splats on them. Being hit by a paintball leaves a bright colored paint mark on the clothes and can sometimes sting, leaving a little bit of redness on the skin.

About Niederman Family Farm

Niederman Family Farm, surrounded by burgeoning suburbia, is a working farm that invites the public to see an American culture of yesteryear. In its fourth generation, the Niederman’s have been educating families, school children and groups about farm life for more than a decade.

This season, Niederman Family Farm’s 210 acres will offer more than ever before. In addition to farm tours, the Niederman’s provide hayrides and allow visitors to plant pumpkins to come back and pick in fall during the Harvest Moon Maze fall festival. There’s plenty of livestock to see and fun to be had. After all, it is a working farm.

Ongoing activities feature barn rentals, primitive cabins (with heat and air), bonfire pits, paintball courses, and many seasonal events. Group accommodations are routinely made for families, Mom’s clubs, school groups, daycare centers, and home school groups. The Niederman’s also accommodate large family reunions and corporate events in a restored 1890s barn with modern amenities.

If one day isn’t long enough to take in the relaxing sights and sounds of farm life, stay a night at the Gregory Creek Inn Bed & Breakfast located at the farm.

Niederman Family Farm is located at 5110 LeSourdsville-West Chester Road in Liberty Township, Ohio between Cincinnati and Dayton. Reservations are required. Call 513-779-6184 or visit click here.

By Frank R. Satullo, OhioTraveler

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Perrys Cave Family Fun Center

Tickets are required for the Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center in Put-in-Bay.

  • Open daily May through September (Hours vary per attraction).
  • Location: (Map It) 979 Catawba Avenue in Put-in-Bay, Ohio
  • Phone: 419-285-CAVE
  • Web: www.perryscave.com/

Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center in Put-In-Bay features Perry’s Cave, a butterfly house, mini-golf, gemstone mining, Fort aMaze’n, a rock wall, an antique car museum, and a snack shack.

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Richland Carrousel Park

Tickets are required for the Richland Carrousel Park in Mansfield.

Richland Carrousel Park in Mansfield features old-fashioned fun in a modern setting. When it opened in 1991, it was the first new, hand-carved carousel to be built and operated in the United States since the 1930s.  Each of the 52 figures was carved by Carousel Works in Mansfield in the style of G.A. Dentzel, a famous carver of the 20th Century. It features daily operations, cotton candy, popcorn, slushes, and more. Visit the website above for upcoming special events and activities.

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Scene 75 Entertainment Center

Welcome to Scene 75 Entertainment Centers in Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Dayton, Ohio areas.

  • Open to the public Wednesday – Sunday: Wed & Thr 11am – 10pm, Fri 11am – 1am,  Sat 10am – 1am, Sun 11am – 10pm
  • Locations: Cleveland area (Map It) at 3688 Center Rd. in Brunswick, Ohio;  Cincinnati area (Map It) at 876 OH-28 in Milford, Ohio;  Dayton area (Map It) at 6196 Poe Ave. in Dayton, Ohio
  • Phone: Cleveland 234-803-1100, Cincinnati 513-965-4050, Dayton 937-619-3200
  • Web: https://www.scene75.com/

Scene 75 Entertainment Center in Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Dayton are the ultimate indoor family attraction in Ohio. They have it all! Enjoy the arcade, indoor go-karts, laser tag, blacklight mini-golf, virtual reality, mini bowling, bumper cars, bouncing inflatables, 4-D motion theater, chaos room, atomic rush, Valkyrie, laser maze, plus bar and grill.

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Silver Cup Lake Adventures

Private lake providing daily rates for swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving. 

  • Open: Seasonally, May – October
  • Location: (Map It) 141 W Xenia Ave. in Cedarville, Ohio
  • Web: click here

Silver Cup Lake Adventures in Cedarville, Ohio, is a private, spring-fed lake destination perfect for outdoor water fun and relaxation. Set on about 7 acres of calm, clean water with a peaceful, crowd-free vibe, the lake offers a variety of activities, including kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, pedal boating, scuba diving, and swimming. Guests can enjoy a full day of paddling, exploring, or simply soaking up the sun with friends and family. Daily reservations include access to the lake and free parking; limited equipment rentals are available onsite (included in the price). It’s an ideal spot for a memorable day on the water, whether you’re planning a family outing, a group adventure, or just a refreshing escape outdoors.

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Skate The Ribbon in Toledo

Roller Skate or Ice Skate The Ribbon in Toledo.

  • Open: Usually open daily from dawn to dusk, but seasons and holidays may vary
  • Location: (Map It) 1505 Front St in Toledo, Ohio
  • Phone: 419-407-9717
  • Web: click here

The Ribbon at Toledo’s Glass City Metropark features seasonal roller skating or ice skating along a loop trail. It has some rolling hills and soft curves. Ice skate rentals are available. During warm weather it’s normally free to rollerblade, kick scoot, and balance bike The Ribon.

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Snow Trails

Admission to Snow Trails varies.

  • Open:  Call below for the snow report
  • Location: (Map It) 3100 Possum Run Road in Mansfield, Ohio
  • Phone: 419-774-9818
  • Web: click here

Snow Trails in Mansfield offers winter Ohio skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing fun.

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Stricker’s Grove Amusement Park


Stricker’s Grove is a private amusement park but opens to the public four days per year.

  • Open: Stricker’s Grove is open to the public four times a year: Fourth of July, Family Day, which is always the second Sunday in August, Labor Day, and Customer Appreciation Day which is in October.
  • Location: (Map It) 11490 Hamilton-Cleves Road in Hamilton, Ohio
  • Phone: Park: (513) 738-3366 and Office: (513) 521-9747
  • Web: http://www.strickersgrove.com/ 

Stricker’s Grove Amusement Park in Hamilton, Ohio has a variety of rides and games for all ages. It features two roller coasters. The Tornado is a wooden roller coaster designed by Al Collins and built by Ralph Stricker. Ralph Stricker is the only person in the United States to build his own coaster. Construction was started in November 1990 and completed in June 1993. The second roller coaster is the Teddy Bear. The original Teddy Bear was located in kiddie land at Coney Island in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ralph Stricker obtained the blueprints and rebuilt the Teddy Bear at Stricker’s Grove. The park has a train, Ferris wheel, Merry Go Round, Scrambler, Tilt A Whirl, pirate ship, flying scooters, and other rides, including kiddie cars, boats, and rockets.  In addition to the rides, Stricker’s Grove also has an 18 hole miniature golf, an arcade with video games and skeeball, a shooting gallery, and horseshoes.

Stricker’s Grove is a family-owned and operated private amusement park available to rent to groups, organizations, and churches for family picnics, wedding receptions, meetings, etc. for groups of 500 or more from mid-May to early October. Unlike most other parks, Stricker’s Grove only rents to one group most of the time, therefore, guaranteeing complete privacy without the hassle of sharing the park and picnic facilities.  Stricker’s Grove also has a hall available for wedding receptions, dances, etc. through the fall, winter, and spring months for groups of up to 500 people.

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Tobogganing in Ohio

Tobogganing in Ohio at Cleveland Metroparks at Mill Stream Run Reservation in Strongsville, Ohio

Tickets are required for the Tobogganing at the Mill Stream Run Chalet.

  • When: Winter, weather-permitting, through late February
  • Phone: 440-572-9990
  • Where: (Map It) The Chalet at Mill Stream Run Reservation at 16200 Valley Pkwy. in Strongsville, Ohio.
  • Web: click here

Ohio’s tallest and fastest toboggan chutes are at the Chalet in Cleveland Metropark’s Mill Stream Run Reservation in Strongsville, Ohio.

Adventure-goers can experience the icy thrill of tobogganing. The twin toboggan chutes plunge down a 70-foot vertical drop and travel along 700 feet of ice, reaching up to 50 miles per hour. The refrigerated ice chutes can operate with or without snow below 50 degrees.

The chutes are fun for all ages as the toboggans are transported effortlessly by the Chalet’s lift system. Gloves are required to ride the chutes; all riders must be 42″ or taller. Guests can warm up by one of the Chalet fireplaces between toboggan runs while enjoying a hot chocolate from the snack bar. The Chalet also features a loft with a view of the chutes.

Tobogganing is available annually through late March, on Fridays from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

The Toboggan Chutes are located in the Cleveland Metroparks Chalet Recreation Area, 16200 Valley Parkway, Mill Stream Run Reservation, between routes 42 and 82 in Strongsville. Guests can call the Chalet at 440-572-9990, option #6, for operations updates in case of warm or inclement weather. Click here for more information on holiday hours, admission, and season passes.

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Wake Nation Cincinnati

Tickets are required for the Wake Nation Cincinnati wakeboard park in Fairfield. 

  • Open: May through October
  • Location: (Map It) 201 Joe Nuxhall Way in Fairfield, Ohio at Joyce Park
  • Phone: 513-887-9253
  • Web: click here

Wake Nation Cincinnati wakeboard park is an incredible water sports complex, unlike anything else in the Midwest! Hit the water in a whole new way – wakeboarding, water skiing, kneeboarding, and wakeskating using a high-tech cable system, all WITHOUT A BOAT! From 10 years old up, from first-timers to experienced wakeboarders. Just bring your bathing suit-everything else is available on site. Great for family & friends because seven riders can be on the lake at the same time.

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