1.  Sandusky, the center of the Lake Erie Shores & Islands, is considered the water park mecca.  Kalahari holds the moniker of nation's largest indoor water park, where things like learning how to surf indoors and sipping on daiquiris at a swim-up pool bar are normal.  As if the African-themed Kalahari wasn't enough, Sandusky brings other fascinating water parks into the mix. The Great Wolf Lodge, Maui Sands, and Castaway Bay are three other resorts that will have your family saying it's always sunny in Sandusky. 

2.  Dodge the snowflakes and head inside to a museum.  Merry-go-rounds, a popular midwest invention and the object of so many children's dreams, are showcased in the Lake Erie Shores & Islands at the Merry-Go-Round Museum   While most are content just to spin around the historic original and rebuilt animals, you can also check out behind the scenes where craftsmen so meticulously bring these relics back to life.  The Tri-Motor Heritage Foundation and the recently debuted Liberty Aviation Museum located in the historic harbor town of Port Clinton, Ohio gives visitors a chance to see the ongoing restoration process older dynamic airplanes.  And if checking out key pieces of the Golden Age of Aviation makes you hungry, the authentic Tin Goose Diner will satiate your appetite and throw you even further back into history.

3.  Albeit not an indoor activity, the frigid winter is very good for checking one thing off your bucket list - ice fishing.  While bears hibernate during the winter months, fish in Lake Erie are wide awake and hungry.  Drilling a hole through the ice and bundling up in an effort to land a Fish Ohio Walleye may sound a bit different, but it’s a quintessential part of what makes this part of the midwest so special.  Just remember, be safe and go with someone who is familiar with the sport.

4.  Since the first cellar of this historic winery was built in 1880, Firelands Winery has been taking advantage of this unique environment and harvesting their fruit from a place that enjoys a 200 day frost-free growing season, the Isle of St. George on the western basin of Lake Erie.  The upcoming Wine and Chocolate Open House on February 8th is the perfect way warm up on a cold winter day.  With live entertainment, amazing food and world class wines, there’s something for everyone.

5.  While it’s true that walking around the scenic parks that surround the Lake Erie Shores & Islands is a bit easier in flip flops, changing your footwear from sandals to snowshoes can have its benefits.  Exercise aside, a white blanket of snow draped over Sheldon’s Marsh near Huron, Ohio makes a pristine park even more beautiful.  And just maybe you’ll be lucky enough to spot a bald eagle on your hike, as they’ve been known to frequent the area along with other majestic species of birds.  

For more information please visit www.shores&islands.com.