CLEVELAND — Editor's note: Video at the top of this story features a front-seat ride on the Steel Vengeance roller coaster at Cedar Point.
It seems like it was just yesterday that school let out for the summer.
And, yet, here we are in August!
Don't worry, though, summer doesn't technically end until Sept. 22. That means, you still have several weeks to explore all Northeast Ohio has to offer during the summer before fall arrives.
From our lush landscape, to our staycations across the lake, to thrill rides right in our back yard, to climbing on our hidden ledges, we have several great, end-of-summer ideas in Northeast Ohio.
Take a look at our ideas list, below. You have a lot of time to make it happen before school starts. Ready to explore? And ... GO!
Enjoy a day (and night) at Cedar Point
Have you been to an amusement park this summer? We're lucky to have one just an hour away from Cleveland. But even if you're not into roller coasters, there's some fun events happening at the park this August.
Cedar Point’s nightly summer event on the Cedar Point Beach is back. It's called Cedar Point Nights and it's the best beach party of the summer, right in front of the park.
You can even buy a bundle ticket where you hit the park during the day, then party on the beach at The Breakers at night.
Cedar Point Nights runs from July 29-August 21.
To learn more, click HERE.
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Visit the Lake Erie islands
One of the best things about Cleveland is how close we are to the Lake Erie islands. Put-in-Bay is accessible by ferry or Jet Express from Port Clinton and Catawba.
If you're looking for a party vibe for an adults-only trip, this is a great spot for you. But, you won't run out of things to do for the whole family, either. Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial is a cool spot to visit, along with several local and state parks and nature preserves.
Learn more about Put-in-Bay HERE.
If you want a more "chill" atmosphere, Kelley's Island may be a better fit. It's a nature lover's paradise with lots of hiking trails, sandy beaches and watersports.
It's also known for its Glacial Grooves State Memorial.
Plus, there are plenty of waterfront bars and restaurants and delicious wineries and breweries.
You can get to Kelley's Island by ferry from Marblehead.
Learn more about Kelley's Island HERE.
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Canoe, Kayak or Float the Mohican River
We're lucky here in Northeast Ohio to have many inviting bodies of water. The obvious one is Lake Erie. But have you tried anything on the Mohican River?
If you drive about 90 minutes south of Cleveland, you can choose to canoe, kayak or tube down the Mohican. One spot that offers plenty of different options is Mohican Adventures.
For example, you can choose between a seven or 15-mile canoe or kayak trip, or float down the river on a tube for seven miles.
There is a campground in case you want to bring the RV and make a weekend out of it, or there are cabins available to rent.
Learn more about Mohican Adventures HERE.
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Zip Line or climb at Go Ape!
Among our lush Cleveland Metroparks is an adventure waiting for you: Zip lining, ropes courses, forest escapes and Tarzan swings! It's all available at Go Ape! in Strongsville.
You can choose from different adventures in the tree tops, including the "Monkey Drop" or "Treetop Journey." Or, if zip lining and climbing through the trees isn't really your thing, you can try axe throwing, too.
Here's a LINK for more information on Go Ape!
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Rock Climbing/Hiking at Whipp's Ledges
In addition to its beautiful hiking trails and 90-acre lake, the Hinckley Reservation in the Cleveland Metroparks is home to Whipp's Ledges, an urban crag with high-quality sandstone cliffs, according to OhioClimbersCollalition.org.
With elevations rising 350 feet above Hinckley Lake and formed more than 250 million years ago, it makes for a great climbing experience. Read about permits here.
If climbing isn't quite your thing, Rising Valley, located off Newton Road, has public access trails.
Read more about the Hinckley Reservation HERE.
Editor's Note: The following video is from an unrelated story in July 2019.
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