Cincinnati has been developing and growing since the Ohio River carving through the city attracted ship building companies to the area during the steamboat crazy of the early 19th century. Downtown is one area that has grown most recently, full of art galleries, museums, restaurants, sports venues and shopping. And don’t forget about the Great American Ball Park where visitors can catch a Cincinnati Reds’ game. With a little bit of everything, this Southern Ohio city is full of fun things to do for the entire family.
Butterfly Show Krohn Conservatory
1501 Eden Park Drive
513-421-5707
This special show, running April 18 to June 21, features international butterflies, flowers, culture and art of India.
Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free admission.
Cincinnati Art Museum www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org
953 Eden Park Drive
513-639-2984
Located in scenic Eden Park, the Cincinnati Art Museum features more than 60,000 works spanning 6,000 years.
Open Tues.-Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Wed. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Free admission.
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal www.cincymuseum.org
1301 Western Avenue
513-287-7000
A center for the entire community, the Museum Center presents more than 700 events each year. Serving as the home of OMNIMAX Theater, the Cincinnati History Museum and Duke Energy Children’s Museum, there’s much to see and do for the entire family.
Open Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission (all museums): $12 adults, $11 seniors (60+) and $8 children (ages 3-12). Additional prices available for OMNIMAX and individual museum admission.
Cincinnati Reds www.cincinnati.reds.mlb.com
100 Main Street
513-381-7337
Special Offer: Half-price tickets with special hotel rate. Coupon code available at cincinnatiusa.com. Games run April through September. Visit the Web site for a complete schedule.
Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum 100 Main Street
513-381-7337
The ideal place for baseball fans; Nowhere else will fans be able to reach out and touch baseball history or see a collection of baseball artifacts.
Open Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. Noon-5 p.m. (non-game days). Open Sun.-Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. for all afternoon games and Sun.-Sat. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. for all evening games. Admission: $8 adults, $6 seniors (55+), $5 youth (3-12 years)
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden www.cincinnatizoo.org
3400 Vine Street
513-281-4700
Rated one of the top zoos in the nation by Zagat Survey and Child Magazine, the zoo is a family-friendly adventure. Visitors will find more than 500 animals, 3,000 plant species and 20 lush gardens are open for exploration.
Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission ranges from $13-$24 for adults and $9-$20 for children, depending on the package purchased. Parking is $6.50 per vehicle.
CoCo Key Water Resort www.cocokeywaterresort.com
11320 Chester Road
513-771-2080
Bringing the fun of Key West to Ohio with an indoor water park. Relax and unwind at one of Nick Jr. Family Magazine’s top seven family trips of 2007.
Open Thurs. 3-9 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sun. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Rates vary based on length of stay. Visit the Web site for specific pricing information.
Final Fridays www.cincinnatiarts.com
513-621-4700
Each last Friday of the month, various art galleries in downtown Cincinnati open their doors to visitors for free to feature the new works of local artists. Visit the Web site for a printable map of participating galleries.
Findlay Market www.findlaymarket.org
1801 Race Street
513-665-4839
Ohio’s oldest, continuously operated public market.
Open Wed.-Fri. 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 6 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Newport Aquarium www.newportaquarium.com
One Media Way (Newport, KY)
859-261-7444
A state-of-the-art facility, Newport Aquarium showcases more than 7,000 aquatic creatures from oceans around the world. Visitors will feel like they’re submerged in the animals’ natural habitat with underwater tunnels, see-through floors and a touch pool.
Open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. General admission: $20 adults, $13 children (2-12 years), free for children less than 2 years. Annual pass and hotel packages available on Web site.
Dining
Ambar India www.ambarindia.com
350 Ludlow Avenue
513-281-7000
Indian cuisine
Dayton may be best known for being the birthplace of aviation, but airplanes and the Wright Brothers are not all this Northwestern Ohio city has to offer. Dayton is full of cultural, culinary and historical experiences from the national Broadway tours that stop at Victoria Theatre to the cheers of the crowd at the Dayton Dragons’ baseball games. Whether you’re a flight fan or not, this ever-growing city just a two-hour drive from Indianapolis is a convenient destination for a day out or a weekend getaway.
America’s Packard Museum www.americaspackardmuseum.org
420 South Ludlow Street
937-226-1710
The world’s only restored Packard Dealership operating as a museum and only full-time museum dedicated exclusively to the Packard Motor Car Company.
Open Mon.-Fri. 12 Noon-5 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 1-5 p.m. Admission: $6 adults, $5 seniors, $4 students.
Dayton Ballet Company www.daytonballet.org
140 Nroth Main Street
937-228-3630
The second oldest professional ballet company in the United States presents more than 40 performances each year to the Dayton community. Dayton Ballet is known for showcasing American dance classics and premiering new works by American choreographers.
Ticket prices range from $25 to $55.
Dayton Dragons Minor League Baseball www.daytondragons.com
220 North Patterson Boulevard
937-228-BATS
See the Dragons play at the 7,200-seat Fifth Third Field, located in scenic downtown. The Dragons are a Single-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.
Dayton Opera www.daytonopera.org
138 North Main Street
937-228-3630
The best in professional opera entertainment in the Miami Valley for more than 45 years.
Tickets start at $15.
Dunbar House 219 North Paul Laurence Dunbar Street
937-224-7061
This former home of poet Paul Laurence Dunbar features many of its original furnishings, including a bicycle given to Dunbar by the Wright Brothers. Highlighted features include Dunbar’s Remington typewriter and his last poem, which lies unfinished on his desk.
Open Wed.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. Noon-5 p.m. Admission: $6 adults, $5 seniors, $3 students and children ages 6 to 12 years, free for children less than 6 years.
Huffman Prairie Flying Field Gate 16A of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base off SR 444
937-425-0008
The testing site for the Wright Brothers’ aircraft was also used to train pilots. Visitors can view displays of the Wright Brothers’ legacy, the process of inventing flight and problems the brothers faced along their aviation journey.
Open daily 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free.
Iams Homestead 349 South Broadway
937-837-0355
Tour the home of the Iams family filled with period furnishings, antiques and family heirlooms. Pet food mogul Paul Iams was one of the residents in this home that housed his family members for more than 100 years.
Miamisburg Mound State Memorial 900 Mound Avenue
937-866-4532
Explore Ohio’s ancient civilizations at this historic place built by the Adena Indians in 1000 B.C. This mound is the largest conical burial mound in the state at 887 feet in circumference and 70 feet high.
Open during daylight hours. Admission is free.
National Aviation Hall of Fame 1100 Spaatz Street
937-256-0944
This exhibit honors pioneers of flight from Dayton, the United States and around the world. Learn about the growth of aviation through stories of the Wright Brothers and early flight, World Wars, the Golden Age, the Jet Age and the Space Age.
Open Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission and parking are free.
Victoria Theatre Association www.victoriatheatre.com
138 North Main Street
937-228-3630
Presenter of the Fifth Third Bank Broadway Series and the Discovery Series for children in historic Victoria Theatre, the Schuster Performing Arts Center and The Loft Theatre.
Ticket prices vary depending on performance.
Jay’s Seafood www.jays.com
225 East 6th Street
937-222-2892
Steak & Seafood
Mamma DiSalvo Ristorante www.mammadisalvo.com
1375 East Stroop Road
937-299-5831
Italian cuisine
Pacchia www.pacchia.com
410 East 5th Street
937-341-5050
Voted "Best Place to Take a First Date" and "Best Dessert" in Dayton by ActiveDayton.com
Modern American cuisine. Serves Sunday brunch.
The Amber Rose www.theamberrose.com
1400 Valley Street
937-228-2511
Eastern European assortment (German, Polish, Hungarian and Russian)
