Is Sandusky, Ohio, Actually Nice?!

Shockingly, kind of

Cedar Point, located on Lake Erie (Image by the author)

Sandusky, I was pretty sure, would be my living hell.

If the contrived world of Disney — in sunny Orlando — irritated me, I was certain a watered-down, lower-end, strip-mall-infused version in northern Ohio would do the same.

In my mind, the only redeeming quality of the city of 25,095 on the southern shore of Lake Erie was its role as the home of the fictional Callahan Auto Parts in Tommy Boy.

All that changed, of course, when I began to lay eyes on the place.

The transition was slow, as I initiated the process by doing what humans do — I confirmed preexisting beliefs.

I drove along Route 250 and took note of the not-very-unique collection of mid-range chain stores. I located a couple gimmicky indoor water parks (not the only ones in town), knowing that I would unfortunately be staying at one. Somewhere nearby — I wasn’t sure where — were sports complexes that hosted myriad youth sporting events.