Going on a 4-5 day road trip with 2 grandsons 11 and 12 next week ..we plan on seeing Indian and Pirates games and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but looking for other fun suggestions,kid friendly hotels and kid friendly shouldn`t miss restaurants.

Spend a day at Cedar Point in Sandusky! The best amusement park ever.

Great Lakes Science Center adjacent to R&R HOF.

There are some Amish areas along the border of PA and OH. Some of the areas, Enon Valley and Darlington in PA. You can see examples of farming, transportation, and general lifesytle. You should be able to find additional information on the web.

Absolutely go to Cedar Point-even though it's down the road about 45 minutes. Also the Sandusky harbor area has some great ferry excursions out on the lake. My kids loved the Jet Express.

If Cedar point is too far, try Geauga Lake in Aurora (East Side) it's owned by Cedar Point - it's not nearly as big as Cedar point but pretty good for a day at the park - more along the lines of Kennywood. It's not far from the turnpike on the East side (exit at route 43 I believe).

Depending on the days you are going, the Feast is happening in Little Italy (aug 12-15th)that's a fun outdoor event. Otherwise go to Mama Santa's in Little Italy for Pizza - so good, and reasonable!

I second Great Lakes Science Center, it's right next to Brown's Stadium. If staying downtown, most of the hotels are good - Renaissance, Marriott, Hyatt, and Ritz are more expensive. The Renaissance and Ritz are attached to Tower City Center - shopping center. The Hyatt is in the old arcade and would be my choice. The Marriott is probably the biggest and tallest and have a great pool. There's also the Radisson which is fine but not anything special.

the boys would enjoy the football hall of fame in Canton. Go Pirates !

Unless the boys are really into music, I don't think they would enjoy the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It's great for adults who grew up with these musicians.

Our children always enjoyed eating at Shooters in the Flats. On a nice day you can dine on the deck and watch huge freighters come by and make the turn on the river, right along with the pleasure boaters. Casual dining.

You will be able to buy your Indians tickets at the gate. We have had a disappointing season so tickets are really easy to get.

Cedar Point is worth the drive. Our children loved it--still do and they are in their 20s. It's a large park where you will want to spend all day, so you might want to stay out near Sandusky. We have driven from Akron and back in one day but we were tired.

Most definitely go to Cedar Point.
It is a must - do!

They may like touring the NASA Space Center located next to the Cleveland airport.
The tour was very kid friendly and also enjoyable for adults.

There is a WWII Submarine docked in the lake next to the Rock Hall (name escapes me) that is fun to tour.

Within walking distance of Jacobs Field is The Hard Rock Cafe.
Also nearby is the restaurant "Cooperstown" of Alice Cooper fame, not baseball.

Have a great visit.

Barry:

around or in Sandusky there is the Thomas Edison home (electricity inventor). don't know how good it is but can't be that out of the way. Sugarcreek, around Youngstown OH is the Amish area some people are mentioning. Canton, OH has the football Hall of Fame.

I second Geauga Lake if you don't want to overshoot to Cedar Point. It's also in a pretty Amish area and there's a big outlet mall across the street, too.

Was sad to hear that Sea World, Ohio is no more. How is the new park? Website says:

On January 10, 2001, Victor G. Abbey, chairman and president of Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC) announced the sale of SeaWorld Ohio to Six Flags Inc. The whales, dolphins, and penguins were moved to other Sea World parks, including Discovery Cove. Six Flags keeps all the other marine mammals, fish, birds, etc. and all the shows and buildings, but not the Sea World name.

The park reopened in Spring 2001 and has been made part of the nearby Six Flags Lake Geauga theme park. The new combined park is now known as Six Flags Worlds of Adventure. Six Flags brought in dolphins from one of their other parks so they now have a dolphin show. I also saw a permit filed by Six Flags to allow them to add killer whales to their collection, so they must be trying to bring back most of the shows and exhibits familiar to visitors of the old park.

If you haven't already left...

The grandsons might enjoy Primanti's in Pittsburgh - the sandwich with nearly everything on it! Then, you can eat at the rip-off in Cleveland (Panini's, I think? it is near the baseball stadium) and compare. Primanti's is MUCH better IMO, but you decide!

In terms of kid-friendly hotels & activities in Pittsburgh, you may want to consider staying on the North Shore by the stadium - I believe there is a Courtyard Marriott there. The North Shore is also home to the Carnegie Science Center which is a great place for kids that age.

Have a great trip!

Thanks for all the info..We liked the Football Hall of Fame and LOVED the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame .All 3 generations enjoyed the R and R and we stayed for 5 plus hours..Stayed at the Radisson in Cleveland ..Great place because were 1 block from Jacobs field and enjoyed a great game and had good seats and the ball park food was good with lots of variety and reasonable prices for a ball park. Stayed at the Doubletree in Pittsburgh and that worked out well because the Downtown Athletic Club is part of that property so we had use of a great gym and indoor pool..Only a 15 minute walk to the PNC field and another fun place to watch a game and they had PEROGIES..We are planning another 3 generation road trip next year and thinking about Cooperstown and then up to Boston.

Barry: thanks for reporting back.
Glad you had a good time.
We too love the Rock Hall and have
spent hours there at different times.
The kids loved the Science Center next door too.