Hey there, summer – nice to see ya! June means the start of summer fun – and this year we are more ready than ever to get out and enjoy all that Southwest Ohio has to explore.
Today we’re sharing our epic list of 100 Awesome Things to do this Summer in Southwest Ohio – we guarantee you won’t hear one “I’m bored!” from your kids this summer!
Please note all FREE activities are designated with an asterisk**.
All summer long…
1. Canoe, Kayak, Paddle or Pontoon at a local spot.
2. Take a road trip to one of these amazing waterfalls.
3. Go berry picking for some fresh fruit.
4. Book a summer staycation or day pass at Great Wolf Lodge.
5. Beat the heat and let the kids loose at an indoor playground.
6. Go for a whirl around Carol Ann’s Carousel.
7. Visit a new-to-you playground.**
8. Enroll in your local library’s Summer Reading Program.**
9. Go to a Reds Family Day game on a Sunday and visit the family zone.
10. Play in the mud at the Summit Park Nature PlayScape.**
11. Refresh your kids’ wardrobes (and sell their outgrown clothes!) at Once Upon a Child.**
12. Go underground and explore the Ohio Caverns.
13. Take a trip to the graffiti castle!
14. Peruse the American Sign Museum.
15. Visit all the candy shops in SW Ohio!
16. Have a wild adventure with a unique animal encounter.
17. Go medieval at the Loveland Castle’s Castle Days.
18. Say hi to the Fritz and Fiona at the Zoo.
19. Road trip to Indy to visit the World’s Largest Children’s Museum.
20. Take on as many trails as you can with the FiveRivers MetroParks Trails Challenge by October 31st (you could win a prize at the end!).
21. Indulge your little locomotive lovers with a ride on LM&M Railroad.
22. Go creek stomping!**
23. Get your adrenaline pumping at Kings Island.
24. Sail down the Mighty Ohio on one of BB Riverboats’s kid-friendly cruises.
25. Check out the animals and fresh produce at a local farm.
26. Explore a new Great Park on a Free Entry Day!**
27. Fly through the skies of on a zip line.
28. Cheer on Cincinnati’s very own soccer team at an FC Cincinnati game!
29. Visit the Midwest’s own Jurassic Park – Dinosaur World in Cave City, KY!
30. Check out the Cincinnati Observatory – tours are kid-friendly!
31. Wonder at the sculptures at Pyramid Hill.
32. Indulge in something sweet at Funnel Cake Island or The Wild Banana.
33. Sign your kids up for a week (or two!) of summer camp.
34. Watch a movie for free under the stars. **
35. Enjoy a movie without breaking the bank with $1.75 movies at Cinemark!
36. Cool off with a thrill at a nearby water park!
37. Check out Scallywag Laser Tag Tuesday-Sunday for unbelievable specials.
38. Try glow bowling at Main Event Entertainment.
39. Discover the enchanting Highfield Discovery Garden.
40. Win something silly at a summer festival.
41. See a movie for free outside! **
42. Try a water sport at Winton Woods.
43. Take a day trip to walk the boardwalk of Blacklick Woods’ Canopy Walk.
44. Jam out to free concerts all summer long. **
45. Wander around Jungle Jim’s.**
46. Bowl for free!**
47. Go down some of the coolest slides around. **
48. Cool off at a local splash park!**
49. Dust of the tent and go camping. If tents aren’t your thing, go glamping!
50. Go for a bike ride on the Loveland Bike Trail.**
51. Explore under the sea with mermaids at Newport Aquarium.
52. Sign up for a kids’ program at Parky’s Farm.
53. Fill up the car and take a one-tank trip!
54. Visit one of these only-in-Ohio landmarks.**
55. Get up close with raptors at one of Raptor Inc.’s free Open House events!**
56. Play a round of mini golf with the fam.
57. Go for an underground adventure at CMC’s Caves.
58. Climb high at Mosaic Climbing!
59. Create something cool at the Main Library MakerSpace.**
60. Enjoy family time at the Taft Museum on a Sunday or Monday for free! **
61. Visit a Cincy attraction for FREE with the Library Discovery Pass.**
62. Is it a tent? Is it a boat? Float Troy is a one-of-a-kind floating experience.
63. Enjoy a great patio at one of these local restaurants.
64. Order a farm-fresh scoop of ice cream at Young’s Dairy.
65. Try all 9 creamy whip (or is it whippy dip?) favorites on our Creamy Whip Bucket List.
66. Go on a fun factory tour.**
67. Dine and play at Aces Pickleball + Kitchen.
68. Unleash your creativity and let loose at The Paint Playground.
69. Visit a local farmers market and get some fresh produce!
70. Check out 50 activities for $5 or less. **
71. Hone your kids’ ninja skills at USA Ninja Challenge.
72. Discover the world of miniature trains and steam engines at Carillon Historical Park (then stop for lunch at Culp’s Café).
73. Enjoy Shakespeare in the Park — for free! (2025 season runs July 11-August 31)**
74. Cool off at Land of Illusion Aqua Adventures.
75. Tour your local fire house.**
76. Become one with nature at one of these must-visit nature centers.
77. Go dino crazy at these must-visit attractions for Cincy kids with dinosaur fever.
77. Make the drive to the largest playground in Indiana, Possibility Playground!
78. Ride the Rails in Bluegrass, Kentucky through Thoroughbred Farms, Cliffs and the Kentucky River.
79. Purchase a Pogo Pass for ultimate family fun on a budget!
June, July & August…
80. Discover the incredible diversity of the ancient and fascinating shark at COSI’s Sharks: to great to be misunderstood (through September 1)
81. Visit with mermaids at Newport Aquarium. (through June 22)
82. Step into a world of mystery and enchantment at Krohn Conservatory’s Butterfly Show: Gothica Botanica! (through August 8)
83. Find your zen at the free Kids Yoga Series.**
84. Rock the Roebling with your family! (Thursdays through August 28)
85. Try new food, listen to live music, and play in bouncy houses at the Annual Italian Fest with their free admission (June 12-15)! **
86. Step back into your childhood and see the exhibition of a six-decade evolution, and the making of a global icon, Barbie at CMC! (Through September, 1)
87. Celebrate the 4th of July with your family at a local festival.
88. Commemorate National Ice Cream Month with a double dip of your favorite local ice cream.
89. Indulge at one of these top Strawberry Festivals.
90. Experience the wonder of a hot air balloon festival.
91. Enjoy one of the best petting farms in Cincinnati at the Play Yard & Petting Farm at Blooms & Berries. (Through Aug 15)
92. Venture to Columbus for the Ohio State Fair (July 23-Aug. 3)
93. Shop till you drop at Charm at the Farm Vintage Market. (June 12-15 & Aug. 15-17)
94. Shop Tax Free for back-to-school supplies during Ohio’s Tax Free Weekend. (Aug. 1-13)
95. Join Join the nation’s largest paddling celebration during Ohio River Paddlefest. (Aug. 2)
96. Try great seafood and enjoy free admission to the Great Inland Seafood Festival! (Aug 14-17) **
97. Enjoy a round of tennis at the Cincinnati Open. (Aug. 5-18)
98. Come see why Goetta is so popular at the Goettafest with family games, fireworks, and tons of creative food. Free admission. (July 24-27 & July 31-3) **
99. Peruse the Kids Market at The City Flea (Aug 16)
Only in September…
100. End the summer with free firework show at the annual WEBN RiverFest! (TBD 2025 Date)
