Tours every day!

The Sandusky Underground Railroad, Local History Tours, Winery Tours … with more excitement coming soon. Join us for an adventure!

Seasoned tour guides pick you up at Jackson Street Pier, the heart of downtown Sandusky’s vibrant waterfront neighborhood, where your journey begins. Enjoy the magic of the Firelands area, Sandusky Bay, and Lake Erie from the comfort of our 18-passenger, climate-controlled bus. Tours feature museums, historic landmarks, vibrant attractions both old and new, and beautiful vistas of our area.  We offer a range of pricing including package discounts; please see the booking page for more info. 

Current tours

The Sandusky Underground Railroad

What was the Underground Railroad? Was there only one route? Did people have to pay, barter or trade to be allowed to ride? How many could ride the train?

Imagine yourself on a treacherous journey, trying to find your path to freedom in the promised land known by some as Canada. Discover hidden truths of the Underground Railroad. Learn about the significant role that Sandusky played in the lives of so many freedom seekers. Visit homes and churches they came to rely on to assure their escape, and the statue commissioned by the city honoring survivors who used Sandusky as their port to freedom. Learn the truth about secret codes that helped them on their paths. Experience a curated museum exhibit that brings their escapes to life. And hear the frightening accounts of close calls in order to realize their freedom.

Our tour guides will give you a fascinating glimpse into this essential facet of early 1800s history. You’ll come away with a deepened understanding and appreciation of this not-to-be-forgotten era.

Wine Tasting Adventure

The VIP experience is yours! Come share a rousing afternoon tasting the finest, award-winning wines the Lake Erie North Shore Wineries have to offer. Winemakers at each of the three wineries on your tour will expand your understanding and appreciation of a wide variety of wines during your personalized wine tastings. Tasty snacks, paired with your wines, and tours of the wineries, amplify your enjoyment. Record your tasting impressions in your personal Wine Tasting Log using Firelands Adventure Tours’ exclusive “5 S’s of Wine Tasting.” You’ll be amazed and amused at the valuable wine-related information your Log contains; it’s perfect for planning your own wine purchases, those special gifts for friends, and of course, your return trip with us again soon, to taste more of the region’s best wines.

Whether you’re a connoisseur or a casual sipper, your Firelands Wine Tasting Adventure is an exhilarating experience you’ll long savor. (Guests must be 21 years old or older.)

Seasonal Tours

SPRING/SUMMER: Catawba Island

Catawba Island’s rich history of agriculture, commerce, and recreation are brought to life on our Catawba Island Historical Society tour. Visit locations where steamboats and horse-drawn jitneys brought vacationers (including Teddy Roosevelt and Harvey Firestone) to resorts on the Lake Erie shores. Peer into the dreams of developers as they considered the beautiful lake vistas and planned how best to enjoy them. Learn about farmers and their orchard harvests that built the foundations of today’s peach industry. And experience how fishing and quarrying limestone influenced what Catawba Island is today. This two-hour interactive tour expands your appreciation of the natural beauty and importance of Catawba Island that’s right in our backyards.

FALL: Haunted Sandusky

Climb aboard Firelands Adventure Tours’ bus and learn about the supernatural side of Sandusky’s history that very few know about or have experienced – until now! Experience Sandusky’s shadowy side, where spirit-beings appear in buildings and store windows by using their energies to make themselves known. Explore the spooky secrets of cemeteries, downtown streets and buildings, and the waterfront with Donna Bretz, founder of Sandusky’s Witches’ Walk. She guides you through the haunts of spirit-beings and tells stories of her encounters with them. Be sure to bring your camera to capture spirit-beings, apparitions, orbs, or other strange occurrences.

WINTER: Holiday Lights

Celebrate the holidays with family and friends on our Holiday Lights tour. Create your own unique holiday tradition enjoying the smiles and wonderment of your loved ones as they are captivated by the dazzling display of the best holiday lights our fair city has to offer. Stroll through a wonderland of sparkling trees and beloved holiday characters. Rejoice in the glorious music of the season while you’re treated to hot chocolate and delicious goodies! Be ready to take pictures, tap your toes, and even sing along if the spirit moves you.

The Holiday Lights Tour lasts approximately one-and-a-half hours. Tours depart nightly from Jackson Street Pier. Complimentary parking available. We look forward to helping you created joy-filled memories that everyone will talk about throughout the year!

Coming Soon

You’ll be delighted at the opportunities we’re creating for you to have new adventures in the upcoming season. We’ll announce them right here on our website, so please visit often for updates.