Thanksgiving is a time where we give thanks for the great things we have.  A time where we celebrate by getting together with family, eating well and sharing stories of the past year.  A time where we zip around on water slides and learn how to surf in some of the best water parks in the country.  Wait, what?  

It’s no secret, the cooking and cleaning part of Thanksgiving can be tough, especially after gorging yourself on sleep-inducing turkey.  Thankfully there’s a way around this and it starts with a quick weekend trip to the Lake Erie Shores & Islands. 

Kalahari Resort, America’s largest indoor water park, offers special two-night rooms rates that include an unbelievable assortment of food for their annual Thanksgiving Buffet and admission into the water park.  And if you’re thinking “But won’t I get cramps if I swim directly after eating?”  Don’t worry, that’s just a turkey tale. 

The Great Wolf Lodge, also no stranger to the Thanksgiving scene is located just minutes away offering an impressive dinner buffet of their own.  Hovering at a cozy 84 degrees fahrenheit inside the water slide packed park, it’s easy to see why their Thanksgiving festivities continue to be the talk of the town. 

However, if you’re looking to step out of the resort life for a bit, the Historic Sandusky Waterfront awaits with a few pleasant surprises.  Crush Winebar, a quaint cafe with a big city feel, encourages you to think about dining on Thanksgiving Eve.  Dubbed “The Night Before the Turkey,” Crush offers food and drink specials, live music and the chance to experience some of the best dining Sandusky has to offer. 

So save your nice set of china, create a new story to get nostalgic about next year, and pack your bags for the Lake Erie Shores & Islands. 

For more information visit www.ShoresandIslands.com.