Trip A is what we did, and would still do (the kids are grown and gone now). My kids had just as much fun running down the dunes into Lake Michigan as they did on a day trip to Cedar Point. Plus you have Empire Beach, Crystal Lake, etc. nearby. You can rent an inner tube and float the nearby river that empties into Lake Michigan too. Campfires at night in peace, saving some $$ cooking instead of amusement park concessions, you get my drift.
I'm a bit biased I suppose. Cedar Point is only an hour away from us. I never understood the desire to spend a bit of money to go stand on hot pavement and wait in line for a thrill ride. Just not my cup of tea.
