In guide, Cedar Point earns top honors

In guide, Cedar Point earns top honors
SANDUSKY -- Family travelers have spoken, choosing Cedar Point as the top amusement park in the United States in the first U.S. Family Guide, published and distributed by Zagat Survey in association with Parenting magazine.
More than 11,000 avid travelers rated the best family-friendly attractions, lodging, restaurants and amusement parks in the United States. Cedar Point topped their list for amusement parks and also ranked sixth in the 50 overall top-rated attractions category.
Cedar Point's improvements for 2004 focused on families by expanding Lighthouse Point, an upscale camping complex, and adding a new area to Soak City Waterpark called Splash Zone. The park also introduced three new live shows, three new restaurants and two retail shops. In November, Cedar Point will debut Castaway Bay, a year-round indoor water-park resort.
With 67 rides, including 16 roller coasters, Cedar Point has more rides and coasters than any park in the world.
The park is open daily through Labor Day and will reopen for bonus weekends Fridays through Sundays Sept. 10 through Oct. 31.
Scenic Line Railway to kick off 14th season
The Ashtabula, Carson and Jefferson Scenic Line Railway will open its 14th season next weekend and run through Oct. 31.
The 12-mile round-trip ride travels north from Jefferson to Carson yard, traveling by farm fields, through woods and over two bridges, reminiscent an earlier period in our history when travel was unhurried.
The train is two blocks east of state Routes 46 and 307 on East Jefferson Street in central Ashtabula County at Jefferson and is accessible from either Interstate 90 or state Route 11.
Departure times are 12:30, 2 and 3:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and fares are $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and $6 for children ages 3-12. Kids under 3 ride free when lap held. Fathers and their children ride free opening weekend.
For more information, call (440) 576-6346.
Top 10 U.S. zoos named; Ohio has 3
Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo was named the No. 1 zoo in the United States for kids by Child magazine in its June/July issue. The magazine's ranking was based on a five-month investigation of more than 150 members of the American Zoo & amp; Aquarium Association.
Nearby Oklahoma City Zoological Park & amp; Botanical Garden ranked No. 3., while the San Diego Zoo was No. 2. Ohio is home to three of the top 10 zoos: the Cincinnati Zoo & amp; Botanical Garden (No. 6), the Toledo Zoo (No. 8), and the Columbus Zoo & amp; Aquarium (No. 10). The Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield, Ill., the Phoenix Zoo, the Bronx Zoo, and the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Children's Zoo round out the list. Information: www.child.com.
Registration started for annual eBay conference
Registration is under way for eBay's third annual community conference, eBay Live! 2004, which will take place in New Orleans June 24-26.
The conference creates a common ground for buyers and sellers to share stories, improve their eBay skills and have fun.
More than 100 eBay University classes will be offered.
More than 10,000 people attended the conference last year.
This year's event takes place at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Cost is $60, which includes all classes, parties and speeches.
Minimum age is 18.
Register online at www.ebay.com/ebaylive.