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. Kids explore free at the Red’s Museum and Hall of Fame.
4. Book a summer staycation or day pass at Great Wolf Lodge.
5. Let the kids loose at an indoor playground.
6. Go for a whirl around Carol Ann’s Carousel (or any of the carousels on our Carousel Bucket List!)
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. Stand in a tornado vortex at the CMC’s Science Interactives Gallery.
14. Peruse the American Sign Museum.** (Free with the Library Discovery Pass!)
15. Visit all the candy shops in SW Ohio!
16. All aboard at the Entertrainment Junction.
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. Splurge on the French Quarter Bonanza at Aglamesis Bros.
26. Explore a new Great Park on a Free Entry Day!**
27. Fly through the skies of Warren County at Ozone Zipline Adventures.
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. Go waterpark wild at Soundwaves in Gaylord Opryland Hotel.
33. Sign your kids up for a week (or two!) of summer camp.
34. Watch a movie for free under the stars. **
35. See what the Cincinnati Play Library is all about.**
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 $3 movie at at AMC Theaters.
42. Try a water sport at Winton Woods.
43. Experience endless fun and adventure at Kirkwood Camp & Adventure Park!
44. Watch airplanes at the CVG Airport Playground.**
45. Wander around Jungle Jim’s.**
46. Bowl for free!**
47. Stay in a Tree House at EarthJOY Village.
48. Cool off at a local splash park!**
49. Dust of the tent and go camping.
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. Indulge your little LEGO lovers at LEGOland Discovery Center in Columbus.
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. Have a day on the farm at Gorman Heritage Farm.
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 the all new Culp’s Café).
73. Enjoy Shakespeare in the Park — for free! (2024 season runs July 12-September 1)**
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. Jam out to free concerts all summer long. **
78. Is it a tent? Is it a boat? Float Troy is a one-of-a-kind floating experience.
79. Go berry picking for some fresh fruit.
June, July & August…
80. Experience the wonder and tragedy of the world’s most famous ocean-liner, Titanic at COSI. (through September 2)
81. Visit with mermaids at Newport Aquarium. (through June 23)
82. Marvel at beautiful butterflies in space at Krohn Conservatory (through August 18)
83. Find your zen at the free Kids Yoga Series.**
84. Rock the Roebling with your family! (Thursdays through July 18)
85. Try new food, listen to live music, and play in bouncy houses at the Annual Italian Fest with their free admission (June 13-16)! **
86. Get ready to party like a hippo during Fritz & Fiona’s Sundae Fundae! (July 28)
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. Through 150 artifacts, POMPEII: The Exhibition tells the tale of a city hidden from view and forgotten for centuries. (through July 28)
90. Experience the wonder of a hot air balloon festival.
91. Discover the world of Blue Whales:Return of the Giants at Cincinnati Museum Center.
92. Venture to Columbus for the Ohio State Fair (July 24-Aug. 4)
93. Shop till you drop at Charm at the Farm Vintage Market. (June 7-9 & Aug. 16-18)
94. Shop Tax Free for back-to-school supplies during Ohio’s Tax Free Weekend. (July 30-Aug. 8)
95. Join in on some nature inspired fun at Pyramid Hill for the Summer Series for Kids (June 14, June 28, July 12 and July 26).
96. Try great seafood and enjoy free admission to the Great Inland Seafood Festival! (Aug 15-18) **
97. Enjoy a round of tennis at the Cincinnati Open. (Aug. 11-19)
98. Come see why Goetta is so popular at the Goettafest with family games, fireworks, and tons of creative food. Free admission. (July 25-28 & Aug 1-4) **
99. Peruse the Kids Market at The City Flea (Aug 17)
Only in September…
100. End the summer with free firework show at the annual WEBN RiverFest! (Sept 1)
