Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores & Islands is a premier destination for student group travel. School groups, Scout groups and youth groups benefit from a variety of educational and entertaining attractions, as well as a full-service tour planning team at the local Convention and Visitors Bureau. Why are student groups flocking here?
Read on for a guide to student tours in Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores & Islands.
Unique Attractions
Teachers and student group travel planners appreciate a wide variety of tour options in the region. From the hands-on educational—such as the Liberty Aviation Museum, which houses historical and operational aircraft and boasts an authentic 1950s diner—to the just-for-fun Ghostly Manor Thrill Center, a great all-in-one option for evening activities. Student groups also benefit from team-building activities and peaceful retreats such as those found at Lakeside Chautauqua and Common Grounds Canopy Tour. Imagine your group working together on a challenging high-ropes adventure course or learning to sail or kayak.
Island Tours
The unique aspect of Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores & Islands is the ability for tour groups to board a ferry and tour one of the bucolic islands. Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island is a popular tour option, with its Island Transportation tour train that shuttles groups to popular attractions such as Perry’s Cave, Crystal Cave and The Butterfly House. Tours can also include visits to the iconic Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial or the Aquatic Visitors Center to learn about Lake Erie marine research. Half the fun of an island tour is the ferry ride! Groups have options with Miller Ferries, providing the only vehicle and passenger transportation and the lowest fares, and the Jet Express, offering first-class comfort and departures from Sandusky and Port Clinton.
Private Lake Erie Excursions
Goodtime Lake Erie Island Cruises offers private charter service for groups. The Goodtime I can host evening dinner cruises on Sandusky Bay or a private island-hopping tour to see Kelleys Island and Put-in-Bay.
One-of-a-Kind Accommodations
A popular visitor destination, Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores & Islands offers a selection of more than 8,000 hotel rooms. Group-friendly options include The Comfort Inn Sandusky and Our Guest Inn & Suites Port Clinton. Both properties work well with student groups to offer interior corridors, group gathering space and access to meals. Consider staying at Great Wolf Lodge, where groups have access to waterpark fun and other resort amenities, such as the arcade and MagiQuest adventure. Sawmill Creek Resort is another fantastic option that offers groups outdoor recreational activities, including bike rental, watercraft rentals, private charter fishing and sightseeing cruise excursions.
“Our wonderful group tour co-op partners work so well together and really make it seamless to set up visits for student groups,” said Tiffany Frisch, group sales manager, Lake Erie Shores & Islands.
“Our destination’s unique combination of activities and attractions—along with group-friendly establishments—make us an easy choice for student group planners.”
Courtesy of Lake Erie Shores & Islands. Visit www.SHORESandISLANDS.com/groups to learn more about the region or to contact the CVB.
