Off Season "Viewing" Question

I'm heading up to Sandusky in a couple of weeks with friends, some of whom are from out of area and have never been to the Point. My apologies if this is a stupid newbie question, but I'm wondering where/how close we can get to the park in the winter.

I've read people here discussing being able to drive Perimiter Road (I've done it to get to the Soak City parking lot,) but am not sure if that's something that's allowed in winter... can you go onto the peninsula? If it's allowed, is it safe?

I'm trying to get my friends to come back to the park in the summer, but since they hear me talk about it all the time, I'd at least like to get them to be able to see it. (And, since we're gonna be so close, I'd like to get my mid-winter fix -- ha ha!) Any help/advice/info anyone could give me would be great.

Jeff/Walt/et al, feel free to move this post if it's in the wrong forum.

Thank you!

Carrie :)

There is security on the Peninsula at the Marina Gate (near Human Resources and Bay Harbor Inn). Generally speaking, you need a pretty good reason to get past that gate and go around Perimeter Road. (I have a thought...I think they really should name Perimeter Road something a little more creative...but I'm getting off track.)

But, if you are trying to get someone who hasn't been to the park to get interested in the park, may I suggest an alternative? Go down to Sandusky and go to the tip of the City. There is a marina there with terrific views across the Bay to the Point. The coasters are there in all their glory.

If that doesn't get them excited, nothing will. As a more out of the way option, go all the way out of Sandusky, across the bridge to Port Clinton and then follow the signs to Marblehead. Go to the lighthouse and walk out next to the water. There are great views from there as well.

This is where you want to go for optimal viewing...

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Sandusky,+OH+battery+park&sll=41.25319...&z=14&om=0

But yeah, you can't go driving around unless you have official business. I know some people have posted that they've gotten away with it, but you know, getting arrested for trespassing can be a drag.

Incidentally, that skyline at the bottom of this page is taken from Battery Park.

You could always go to Bay Harbor for dinner. It won't get you far, but it will get you legally on the property. They're open year round, but closed Sundays and holidays during the off-season. And while it will cost you a pretty penny, I've always thought it was quite nice.

There's actually a gate at the intersection of Perimeter Road and the Marina/Bay Harbor parking lot entrance that is generally closed to prohibit unauthorized traffic from traveling that direction during the off-season.

I don't know if it's still true, but they used to have a dress code for Bay Harbor in the off-season. It's good food, but it's not dress up for a night on the town good.

The last time I was there during the off-season, which was about 3 years ago, it was mostly dress-casual; a polo and a pair of dockers, for example. There was certainly those dressed up more than that, but there were also those who were dressed up far less... although they were still wearing clothes. ;)

Jeff said,

But yeah, you can't go driving around unless you have official business. I know some people have posted that they've gotten away with it, but you know, getting arrested for trespassing can be a drag.

C'mon Jeff, live a little! Friendships made in the slammer last forever! :)

Thank you all so much for your help!

We're staying at Kalahari for a couple of nights, so that has pretty much burned the "fun" budget and unfortunately Bay Harbor isn't an option. (Although it does sound good... will have to keep that in mind for another trip!)

It definitely makes sense to me that Perimiter Road is controlled access, and I figured that would be the case but was unsure. Battery Park (and thank you for the map, I can never find anything lol) sounds perfect for what we want -- I'd really just like to be able to point and say, "That's the place I'm always going on about!" LOL.

Thanks again! :)

Carrie

I'm driving to Florida in a couple of weeks and I'm really wanting to take a detour off the turnpike to see CP, even if it's just up the causeway to look at the skyline and turn around to carry on my way. Maybe I'll make it worthwhile (in my friends' eyes, in my eyes it's already worthwhile) by getting some food in town.

One of my favorite places to relax and take in an incredible view of CP is Marblehead State Park.

If they are from out of the area, showing off Marblehead would be a cool stop anyway, plus the great view of the skyline.

^ do you have a picture of that view? I was thinking about staying there this summer.

Try this pictures enlarged. http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=7651582 I took it from Marblehead Lighthouse park. Hope the link works.