Cedar Point is a 364-acre amusement park perched on a Lake Erie peninsula in Sandusky, Ohio, recognized worldwide as the Roller Coaster Capital of the World. Open since 1870, it ranks as the second-oldest operating amusement park in the United States and consistently draws more than three million visitors per season.
The park’s collection of 18 roller coasters — including Millennium Force, Steel Vengeance, and Top Thrill 2 — has shattered dozens of world records over the decades. Cedar Point held the Golden Ticket Award for Best Amusement Park in the World for 16 consecutive years from 1997 to 2013, cementing its reputation as the definitive benchmark for thrill-seekers everywhere.
Stats at a Glance
- Opened: 1870
- Location: Sandusky, Ohio (Lake Erie peninsula)
- Acreage: 364 acres
- Roller Coasters: 18 (ties for most in North America)
- Total Rides: About 70
- Owner: Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (since July 2024)
- Peak Attendance: 3.73 million (2019)
- Best Park Awards: Golden Ticket ‘World’s Best’ — 16 consecutive years (1997–2013)
A Century of Record-Breaking Coasters
Cedar Point’s pursuit of records began with the modest Switchback Railway in 1892 — a 25-foot wooden coaster topping about 10 mph. The obsession accelerated in 1989 when Magnum XL-200 became the world’s first coaster to surpass 200 feet, launching the hyper-coaster era. A decade later, Millennium Force opened in 2000 as the first complete-circuit coaster to exceed 300 feet, reaching 93 mph and breaking 11 world records on debut.
Steel Vengeance set 15 records when it debuted in 2018 as the world’s tallest, fastest, and longest hybrid roller coaster, with 205 feet of height and 27.2 seconds of airtime. Top Thrill 2 raised the stakes further with a 420-foot structure and 120 mph top speed. In total, Cedar Point has built more than 12 world-record-breaking coasters, and is the only park on earth with five coasters that each exceed 200 feet in height.
Beyond the Coasters: The Full Cedar Point Experience
Cedar Point offers far more than roller coasters across its 364 acres. The property includes around 70 total rides and attractions, the 18-acre Cedar Point Shores waterpark, live entertainment, and a mile-long beach along Lake Erie. Overnight guests have access to six on-site resort hotels, anchored by the historic Hotel Breakers — built in 1905 and restored through a $50 million renovation in 2015 with over 650 rooms and suites.
As of July 1, 2024, Cedar Point operates under Six Flags Entertainment Corporation following the merger of Cedar Fair and Six Flags, creating the largest amusement park operator in North America. Despite the ownership change, the park continues under its beloved Cedar Point name, with new additions such as the record-breaking tilt coaster Siren’s Curse opening for the 2025 season.
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Cedar Point FAQs
When did Cedar Point open?
Cedar Point first opened in 1870 as a beer garden and bathhouse on a Lake Erie peninsula in Sandusky, Ohio, making it the second-oldest operating amusement park in the United States.
How many roller coasters does Cedar Point have?
Cedar Point has 18 roller coasters, tying for the most of any amusement park in North America alongside Six Flags Magic Mountain and Canada’s Wonderland.
Who owns Cedar Point now?
Cedar Point is owned by Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, following the completed merger of Cedar Fair and Six Flags on July 1, 2024.
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Photo: Jeremy Thompson / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.