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Cedar Point is one of our family’s favorite playgrounds, where adrenaline junkies and water lovers alike find their perfect escape. While my almost-12-year-old and I chase the rush of conquering America’s roller coaster capital—home to an incredible 18 coasters—my partner and youngest son discover their own slice of paradise splashing through the expansive water park. It’s rare to find a destination that can simultaneously thrill the daredevils and delight the leisure seekers in our family, but Cedar Point delivers that magic every single visit.
With long lines to be expected during peak season (especially for families that don’t opt for the FastPass), how do you make the most of a day at Cedar Point theme parks? Only ride the best. That’s what we’re here to share.
Whether you’re seeking thrills or looking for starter coasters for the younger, less experienced crowd, the Roller Coaster Capital of the World has something for everyone. Pack the most into your visit with our Cedar Point: Best Rides 2025 list.
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Best Roller Coasters for Thrill Seekers
Cedar Point is the second-oldest operating amusement park in the United States, having been open since 1870. It’s also considered one of the most innovative parks, being the first to create rides more than 200-feet, 400-feet, and 600-feet tall. Here are the best rides that will appeal to the daredevils in your family.
Millenium Force
This steel giga coaster is a fan favorite for a reason. With a 310-foot drop, top speeds of 93 mph, and smooth, high-speed turns, Millennium Force was once the fastest and tallest roller coaster in the world. It’s known for delivering a fast, fluid ride that offers stunning views of Lake Erie—if you can keep your eyes open.
The Millenium Force is a Cedar Point favorite!
Photo Credit: Ryan Schroeder on Flickr
Valravn
Valravn is a dive coaster with a dramatic 90-degree drop from 223 feet in the air. Riders hang for a few seconds at the edge before plunging straight down, creating one of the park’s most intense adrenaline rushes. It also holds the record for the tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster in the U.S.
The loops on Valravn are insane!
Credit: Wiki Commons
Maverick
Maverick surprises riders with sudden twists, turns, and two high-speed launches. It’s more compact than some of the other big-name coasters but packs in a punch with a 95-degree drop and fast transitions that’ll keep you gripping the lap bar. It’s a top pick for thrill seekers who love speed and unpredictability.
Siren’s Curse
Cedar Point’s newest coaster, Siren’s Curse, is all about suspense and illusion. With a storyline rooted in the myths surrounding the sirens of Lake Erie, riders are lured into a hauntingly themed experience with sudden drops, spinning elements, and immersive effects. It’s a fresh addition that blends storytelling with thrills as the tallest and fastest tilt coaster in North America.
The new Siren’s Curse promises all kinds of thrills!
Photo Credit: Cedar Point
Top Thrill Dragster 2
Back and redesigned, Top Thrill Dragster 2 launches riders from 0 to 120 mph in less than 4 seconds. The new version includes a vertical spike and rollback element that makes the experience even wilder than before.[
It’s one of the tallest coasters in the world at 420 feet—and definitely not for the faint of heart.
Gatekeeper
This wing coaster features a keyhole element that sends you soaring through narrow openings—just inches from the park’s entry gate. It’s smooth, fast, and surprisingly graceful with sweeping inversions and beachside views.
These keyhole inversions are enough to make your stomach drop!
Photo by Skyler Gerald on Unsplash
Steel Vengeance
Often called the best coaster in the world by enthusiasts, Steel Vengeance is a hybrid wood-steel coaster with extreme airtime, wild inversions, and a relentless ride experience that replaces a Cedar Point favorite, the Mean Streak. At 205 feet tall, it’s the tallest hybrid coaster and offers 27.2 seconds of airtime—more than any other ride. It’s aggressive and unforgettable.
With extreme airtime, the Steel Vengeance hybrid coaster is unlike any others!
Photo by Skyler Gerald on Unsplash
Power Tower
Power Tower is a towering thrill ride that gives riders two heart-pounding choices: get launched 240 feet into the sky or be slowly lifted before free-falling back down. Either way, your stomach will drop—and the views of Lake Erie from the top are unforgettable. It’s one of the few rides that offers two totally different thrill experiences in one attraction, making it a must-try for adrenaline junkies.
The Power Tower offers two experiences, both thrilling in their own way.
Photo Credit: Peniann on Flickr
Raptor
Raptor is an inverted coaster that flips riders six times as their legs dangle below the track. With a top speed of 57 mph and a twisted cobra roll, it’s a classic thrill ride that still holds up decades after its debut. It’s smooth, fast, and a must-ride for fans of loops.
The way your legs dangle on the Raptor gives the coaster an anti-gravity feel!
Photo Credit: Matt Dempsey on Flickr
Magnum XL-200
The world’s first hypercoaster, Magnum XL-200 made history when it debuted in 1989. Its massive hill offers a killer view of the lake before dropping you into a ride full of airtime, hills, and retro charm. It’s not the smoothest ride in the park, but it’s one of the most iconic.
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Rougarou
Rougarou is a floorless coaster that twists and dives over the water with your feet dangling inches above the track. Formerly a stand-up coaster, it was converted for a smoother ride with better comfort. It’s a bit intense but less jarring than some of the older thrill rides that guests should definitely avoid if they have an injury, wear a neck brace, or are pregnant.
My son had his hands in the air – but I was holding on for dear life!
Photo Credit: Samantha Davis
Family-Friendly Coasters and Rides
For those who don’t love the thrill of high speeds, quick turns, and gravity-defying loops, there are also options. Younger kids and their fans can enjoy tons of rides at Kiddy Kingdom and Camp Snoopy, plus some that the whole family can appreciate together, including bumper cars. Coasters like Woodstock Express and Wilderness Run are great “starter” coasters for younger kids. These larger coasters are also worth consideration.
Cedar Creek Mine Ride
This is a good ride for a kid’s first coaster when they are ready to graduate from kiddie rides. This mine train-style ride has gentle dips and scenic views. It’s not too fast or tall, making it perfect for cautious riders and their nervous mothers. The theming adds a fun, old-west vibe that younger kids love.
Wild Mouse
New to Cedar Point, Wild Mouse is a spinning family coaster that’s unpredictable in the best way. Each car spins freely as it zooms around curves and dips, making every ride a little different. It’s a great middle-ground option—fun without being too intense.
Even though Cedar Point has great intermediate coasters, younger kids still might not be fans!
Photo by Chris Slupski on Unsplash
Corkscrew
Corkscrew loops riders upside down three times and passes directly over the main midway—so it’s great for photo ops! Though it’s one of the park’s older steel coasters, it’s a fun milestone ride for kids who want to try their first inversions. It’s quick, relatively short, and a manageable thrill for beginners.
Blue Streak
The park’s oldest operating coaster, Blue Streak, is a classic wooden coaster with just enough bumps and hills to give kids a taste of what bigger coasters feel like. It has been around since 1964 and still delivers a smooth intro to airtime and speed. If your child is curious about “real” coasters, this is a solid next step.
The Blue Streak is the oldest coaster in the park!
Photo Credit: Jeremy Thompson on Flickr
Iron Dragon
Iron Dragon is a suspended coaster that glides through trees, over water, and offers a surprisingly scenic experience. The swinging motion makes it feel fast without being scary, and the gentle drops are perfect for younger riders easing into thrill rides. It’s a family favorite for good reason.
Gemini
Gemini is a classic dueling coaster with blue and red trains that race side by side. The hybrid wood-and-steel design makes for a fun (and bumpy) ride with big drops and moments where it feels like you might slap hands with the other train. It’s a nostalgic, intermediate-level thrill and great for competitive families.
Exploring Cedar Point Water Rides
My partner and youngest son spend a lot of time at the water park when we go, especially the lazy river. There are also several water slides in Cedar Shores, a wave pool, a kiddie play area, a sand area, and rides like Thunder Falls, which offers a white-water rafting type of experience. Our whole family really loves the wave pool! We also love that there are plenty of life jackets, which are required for younger kids entering the wave pool.
Our family always takes a few loops around the Lazy River after a summer day on the coasters.
Photo Credit: Michael Welsing on Flickr
A Few Pro Tips for Your Trip to Cedar Point
Our family lives about 1.5 hours from Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH. It’s a fun weekend trip with our boys, and we are Season Pass holders to take full advantage. Here are a few things we’ve learned.
Download the App
Cedar Point is 364 acres, and for families not sure where they’re going, it’s easy to get lost trying to navigate the park. With the app, a map of the park is always handy, plus it works with your phone’s location system.
The Cedar Point app also has wait times for roller coasters, making it easy for families to make the most of their time. I won’t lie – some of the more popular roller coasters have 2+ hour wait times when it’s busy!
Navigate the Park Like a Pro
It’s not uncommon for visitors to hit the coasters closest to the entrance after arrival. They’re excited to get on their first coaster, plus it seems to make sense to start at the beginning. Pros know that this is the perfect opportunity to head to the back of the park, hit those thrill rides, and then come back up front once wait times have died down.
Take advantage of the shorter wait times to make the most of your trip!
Photo Credit: Jeremy Thompson on Flickr
Take Advantage of Late Hours and Early Arrival
Season Pass holders have tons of exclusive benefits, from free parking to flexible scheduling and early entry at 9 a.m. instead of 10 when the park opens to the public. Even families without season passes should arrive early to get a good parking spot for park access and have a chance at some of the best rides. Crowds start to dwindle a little bit in the last two hours before the park closes, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Pack a Picnic to Save Money
Season Pass holders can come and go as they please, but even families that don’t have a Season Pass can have their hand stamped by an associate for re-entry and leave the park. Food can get expensive, especially for families spending a whole day. Packing a cooler with drinks and easy food is a great way to cut costs.
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Check Your Kid’s Height at the Park Entrance
Once families get inside, there’s a height booth to check your kiddos’ height. This was really helpful. At over 54”, my almost 12-year-old was tall enough to ride all the attractions last year, while my youngest was finally over 48” but less than 52”, so there were a handful of coasters he couldn’t go on. Not that he minded.
Check the Seat Before Riding
As a plus-size rider, there are a few rides at Cedar Point that just aren’t comfortable for me. Instead of waiting in line and being unable to ride, take advantage of the seats that the park positions at the entrance gate of many rides. It’s possible to climb in, check out the restraints, and see if it’s a good fit.
Decide if the Special Discounts Are Worth It
One thing our family always takes advantage of is the drink package. My boys usually share a drink, and then my partner and I share one. You can get refills at stations set up throughout the park as often as every 15 minutes by scanning the wristband. We also have the annual photo plan, since we can use it for the whole season and capture awesome memories!
I love that the photo plan makes it easy to capture moments like these. Don’t mind my youngest’s face – he just got off his first “big kid” roller coaster!
Photo Credit: Samantha Davis
Always check the website before you go to learn more about special promotions or buy your tickets ahead of time. Currently, there’s a Memorial Day sale that offers 20% off the season pass through Labor Day! There are also discounts for meals that you can purchase with tickets.
When You Go
Where to Stay Near Cedar Point
Our family usually stays at Holiday Inn Express & Suites. It’s only three miles from the park, has an indoor pool and hot tub, and a buffet breakfast is included, but don’t wait too long because they sometimes run out of food.
Outside of Sandusky, about 30 minutes from Cedar Point, South Beach Resort Hotel in Lakeside, Marblehead is a comfortable resort with most of the rooms having en-suite Whirlpool tubs. There are three outdoor pools, a kiddie pool, a sundeck, and volleyball court, and even a fishing pier. Plus, it’s close to other attractions like African Safari Wildlife Park.
Castaway Bay by Cedar Point Resort is a good choice for families visiting Sandusky for a few days who don’t want to spend the whole time at Cedar Point. It has an indoor water park that is included with your stay, an arcade, kids’ activities, and onsite restaurants. Sawmill Creek, another Cedar Point Resort, is also a great choice for spending a few days at the park, then enjoying other summer fun with kids.
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