Can I be entertained as a non-rider?

Editor's note: Justin Dietz is a Register correspondent representing Fun Food Blog at cpfoodblog.com and @funfoodblog on X. This feature is a question-and-answer on dining at Cedar Point. Q: My teenage grandkids really want us to take them to Cedar Point, but we are older and do not anticipate being able to ride much. Is there enough for us to see and do while the kids go off to ride? — June B. A: Welcome to our club June. While we might not be old enough to have grandkids, we also do not ride a ton and just enjoy the amusement park atmosphere at Cedar Point. Often our kids will go off and ride some of the bigger roller coasters and meet back up with us after. Often many of our visits to the park do not include a ride at all. We enjoy the challenge of walking around the entire park and seeing how many steps we can get in. One of the easiest attractions that guests of all ages can enjoy is the Cedar Point & Lake Erie Railroad. The ride is broken up into two sections. You can board in the middle of the park near Iron Dragon or at the back of the park by Maverick and Steel Vengeance. The train ride is peaceful, and the back half from Frontier Town up the Center Stage features Boneville, a collection of animatronic skeleton residents that are a highlight of the park. The wonderful thing is you can keep riding it over and over with no need to get off if you do not want feel like it. Other more casual rides include the carousels, Sky Ride and the Ferris wheel. Fortunately for you, the live entertainment schedule is getting ready to kick off over Memorial Day weekend, with some shows already playing. One of our personal favorites is the Bands in Residence going on now at various stages throughout the park. More than 40 bands will play all summer, and it is free with your admission. Grab a bite to eat or drink and sit back and relax as bands from across the country play sets of various genre from rock to country. We have seen some very talented musicians. We do not care how young or old you are, because everyone is happy when they see Snoopy and the Peanuts gang. At various locations throughout the park, guests can see character shows and meet-and-greets that always bring the fun. See the entire lineup of live entertainment available on the Cedar Point website. We would also be a failure on our part if we did not mention taking a break from the diet and enjoying the food and beverages throughout the park. Cedar Point has come a long way from the hockey puck burgers and frozen chicken tenders. As we discussed in our previous mailbag question on the all-day dining plan, guests are now enjoying items like funnel cake battered shrimp, carved steak, roasted chicken and a large variety of freshly made sides. For the pickier eaters, there are always favorites like hand-tossed pizzas and hand battered chicken tenders. With various dining plan options, eating can be done affordably in the park. Lastly, for those who crave a beach vacation, the warmer months bring in a great atmosphere on the shores of Lake Erie. Cedar Point offers a great beach adjacent to Hotel Breakers that is free for everyone to enjoy. Plus if you are fortunate to visit from July 19 to Aug. 18, 2024, your admission includes access to Boardwalk Nights. It is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy some nightlife, live entertainment, specialty food items, beach games and more. Enjoy your visit, as we hope you find plentiful options to cater to the non-rider. If you have a reader question you would like us to answer about visiting Cedar Point, please send it in via our contact form.