Sandusky, OH

Sandusky was founded in 1818 and quickly started growing. Many German and Irish stone cutters moved to the area, which resulted in many of the buildings being carved out of limestone, providing Sandusky with a rich and historic architecture not seen in many other areas in the Midwest.

There are many diverse museums in Sandusky, including the Maritime Museum, the Carousel Museum and the Follett House Museum, which features a history of Sandusky and Erie County. The Carousel Museum, home of a fully operating indoor wood carousel and a repair shop where kids can see wood carousel horses being restored, caters to young visitors with weekly story times and inexpensive carousel rides.

There are multiple art galleries in Sandusky, including the Brick Gallery, the Bay Gallery, the Kaman Art Shop and the Sandusky Cultural Center. The Sandusky Cultural Center features many local artists with regularly changing displays throughout the year.

There are multiple restaurant hubs throughout Sandusky. One hub is along State Route 250, where many national chains can be found. The second restaurant hub is located in the downtown and waterfront area, and this is where you will find more locally owned restaurants.

Cameo Pizza is one locally owned favorite that appeals to residents and travelers alike. Sitting right in the center of town, it delivers to a number of hotels in the area. More importantly, the food is delicious, and the prices are reasonable. Plus, Cameo offers a full-service bar that is a favorite watering hole among locals. Try out the Cameo Chicken Ranch pizza or the Zesty Mexican to sample a few favorites.

Another downtown restaurant the locals enjoy is J Bistro Downtown, located on West Market Street just two short blocks from the Jet Express Dock. J Bistro is a great lunch spot, and it is known for its stone-fired pizzas and its regularly scheduled live entertainment. Many of the bars and grills in Sandusky host live bands and entertainments on the weekends. Lymann Harbor Pub, located on 1st Street, books both live bands and DJs. Patrons have ample room for dancing here, and the venue can also be rented for weddings and other private events.

Sandusky is highly accessible and has multiple transportation options. Both State Route 2 and the Ohio Turnpike have exits on State Route 250 in Sandusky. Being on the coast, Sandusky is also accessible by boat and provides ample dock space for both residents and visitors.

The Sandusky Transit System serves residents with on-demand transportation around town. Reservations for Sandusky's curb-to-curb transit service can be made by phone. There are also multiple cab and limousine companies servicing Sandusky, although Uber's ride-share program is not an option here.

Regardless of where you go in Sandusky, there will be free public parking available. There are also sidewalks throughout town, making it safe and easy to get around town by foot. Most areas of Sandusky do not contain bike lanes.

However, bikers have found a home in Sandusky. Mad River Harley Davidson is located on Route 250, just north of the Route 2 exit. Mad River carries an extensive line of Harley gear and also hosts several live events throughout the year, including the popular annual Bike Week. Bikers from all over the country travel to Mad River Harley Davidson to celebrate everything Harley.

There are over 20 parks throughout Sandusky, and most of them are small neighborhood parks with plenty of green space to walk around and play. There are also several parks along the coast that allow residents to fish, enjoy the water and watch the sunset. Approximately half the parks have playgrounds and play areas for children. While there are no official dog parks in Sandusky, all the parks are pet-friendly with the understanding that owners will clean up after their own pets.

Sandusky Bay Pavilion and Battery Park are commonly used for city events and festivals. Both feature free outdoor movie nights throughout the summer months, art shows throughout the year and craft bazaars in the fall.

The cost of living in Sandusky is around 12 percent lower than the average cost of living for the state of Ohio and 20 percent lower than the national average. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Sandusky is approximately $467, while the average price for gasoline is 12 percent lower than the national average. Further, the average price of beer is 7 percent lower than the national average.

Along Route 250, north of the Route 2 Exit, you will find many national chain stores including Meijer, Walmart, Target and Home Depot. This is also where the Sandusky Mall is located. While not a huge mall, it does have a nice range of stores, a Cinemark movie theater and a large indoor playground for little ones.

The locally owned stores and boutiques are located in the downtown area along Perkins Avenue, West Water Front and East Market Street. In this area, you will find clothing stores, jewelry stores, gift shops, handmade stores, and more.

The specialty boutiques in this area include Fabulous Female, a high-fashion clothing and accessory store for females young and old. Among other brands, Fabulous Female carries Vera Bradley, Chamilla and Bonn Bons. The store holds weekly sales events, which are promoted through its online event calendar.

Another popular local shop is The Store Next Door, which sells handmade jewelry, home decor, hair accessories, gifts for infants and a variety of miscellaneous gift items. These high-quality handmade products are impressive works of art.

Erik's Clothing and Culture is the premier destination for men's clothing and gifts, carrying everything from casual wear to tailored suits, as well as a full line of men's gifts and fragrances. The goal of Erik's Clothing and Culture to provide everything local men need for a complete look.

There are two seasonal farmers markets in Sandusky, both operating through the summer months. The Sandusky Farmers' Market is located at the corner of Hancock and Market Street. This market, featuring all local growers, is open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Saturday from June through October. The second option is the Sandusky Bay Market, located at the corner of West Market Street and Jackson Street. The Sandusky Bay Market is available during the same months and is open on Fridays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.