In Ohio for some family fun this summer? Head to the Queen City...Cincinnati. Packed
with family-friendly destinations, you’ll think you’ve traveled to an entertainment hot spot. Try
a few of these attractions to make the most of your visit.
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The new Banshee coaster is the world's longest
inverted coaster. |
King’s Island.
Record-breaking rollercoasters, a world-class water park, and star-studded
entertainment make King’s Island one of Ohio’s best attractions. Don’t miss the
newest coaster, Banshee, which set a record as the world’s longest inverted
coaster. The Beast, which celebrates its 35
th birthday this season,
still holds the record as the world’s longest wooden coaster. It sits adjacent
to the Diamondback, the Vortex, and a host of other rides that will surely
deliver the thrills, chills, and spills that your family craves. Milder rides
also abound in every section of the park along with an award-winning kids’
section, and the recently remodeled water park, Soak City. Daily admission
starts at $59.99, but many discount offers are available online. Plan your
visit at
www.visitkingsisland.com
.
 |
The Asian elephants are always a favorite at the
Cincinnati zoo. See over 500 species of animals! |
Cincinnati Zoo.
If rollercoasters aren’t your speed, then head on over to the Cincinnati Zoo
and Botanical Gardens. Consistently rated as one of the top zoos in the
country, over 500 animal and 3,000 plant species are featured. Don’t miss the
newest exhibit, Africa, which opens on June 28
th. Designed like
an African savannah, visitors will have unrestricted views and close encounters
with the animals. Other exciting exhibits include polar bears in the “Lords of
the Arctic,” orangutans in “Jungle Trails,” and Asian elephants in the
“Elephant Reserve.” There’s also giraffes,
rhinos, reptiles, and more. It’s a full day at the zoo! General admission is
$15 for adults and $11 for kids, but there are many package deals available.
Plan your visit online at
http://cincinnatizoo.org.
 |
Kids of all ages love the Duke Energy
Children's Museum! |
Cincinnati Museum
Center. If you’d rather spend the day indoors, then try the Cincinnati
Museum Center. Housed in the former Union Terminal train station, this museum
houses three different museums, an Omnimax theatre, and a variety of traveling
exhibits. The “Diana: A Celebration” exhibit is currently featured and
showcases the life and work of Diana, Princess of Wales. This award-winning
exhibit will be at the museum through August 17
th. While you’re
there, visit the Cincinnati History Museum which takes visitors on a walk
through the past of this great city. The Museum of Natural History and Science
provides a wealth of hands-on experiences about prehistoric history and the
scientific world. Finally, the Duke Energy Children’s Museum offers hours of
hands-on play and exploration for kids of all ages. Wrap it up with a movie on
the Omnimax’s five-story screen, and you’ve got a day full of excitement.
Ticket prices vary depending on the number of museums visited. The website at
www.cincymuseum.org explains the various
options available.
Fountain Square. Whether you choose to spend an entire evening
here, or you stop by on your way to another location, Fountain Square in
downtown Cincinnati has food, fun, and entertainment all summer long. An daily
schedule of events means that there’s always something happening, in
addition to the permanent dining and shopping storefronts that surround the
square. Music, dancing, sports events on the big screen...you’ll find it in the
square. Check out their website at
http://myfountainsquare.com
for the full schedule of summertime events. Also, keep in mind that there’s ice
skating here in the winter.
Reds Baseball.
It’s the great American pastime, and a chance to see live Major
League baseball in action. Tickets can be had for as little as $9, depending on
the game. Visit
http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com
for ticket information and details on special events.
You can have a fun, family-filled
adventure in southwest Ohio. Try Cincinnati and see what a great time you can have!
Other places to explore in the Cincinnati area...
The Beach Waterpark:
http://www.thebeachwaterpark.com/
Newport Aquarium:
http://www.newportaquarium.com/
The Creation Museum:
http://creationmuseum.org/
Newport on the Levee:
http://www.newportonthelevee.com/
Cincinnati Art Museum:
http://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center:
http://freedomcenter.org/
