100 Awesome things to do this Summer in Southwest Ohio {2026}

Summer is here. Whether you’re trying to keep the kids off screens, find something everyone can agree on, or just make the most of the next few months, Southwest Ohio has a lot going on. Here are 100 things to do before fall.

All FREE activities are marked with **.

All summer long…

1. Canoe, kayak, paddle or pontoon at a local spot or just float!
2. Take a road trip to one of these Southwest Ohio 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 at an indoor playground.
6. Go for a spin at Carol Ann’s Carousel.
7. Visit a new-to-you playground.**
8. Sign up for 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 Loveland Castle‘s Castle Days.
18. Say hi to 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 Five Rivers MetroParks Trails Challenge by Oct. 31.
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 on a zip line.
28. Cheer on Cincinnati’s own soccer team at an FC Cincinnati game.
29. Visit the Midwest’s 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. Catch a family film for $1.75 a ticket with Cinemark’s Summer Movie Clubhouse — Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. from June 1 through Aug. 6.
36. Cool off at a nearby water park.
37. Check out Scallywag Laser Tag Tuesday-Sunday for great specials.
38. Try glow bowling at Main Event Entertainment.
39. Discover the Highfield Discovery Garden.
40. Win something silly at a summer festival.
41. Try a water sport at Winton Woods.
42. Take a day trip to walk the boardwalk of Blacklick Woods’ Canopy Walk.
43. Jam out to free concerts all summer long.**
44. Wander around Jungle Jim’s.**
45. Bowl for free!**
46. Go down some of the coolest slides around.**
47. Cool off at a local splash pad.**
48. Dust off the tent and go camping. If tents aren’t your thing, go glamping.
49. Go for a bike ride on the Loveland Bike Trail.**
50. Explore under the sea with mermaids at Newport Aquarium.
51. Sign up for a kids’ program at Parky’s Farm.
52. Fill up the car and take a one-tank trip.
53. Visit one of these only-in-Ohio landmarks.**
54. Get up close with raptors at one of Raptor Inc.’s free Open House events.**
55. Play a round of mini golf with the family.
56. Go on an underground adventure at CMC’s Caves.
57. Climb high at Mosaic Climbing.
58. Create something cool at the Main Library MakerSpace.**
59. Enjoy family time at the Taft Museum on a Sunday or Monday for free.**
60. Visit a Cincy attraction for free with the Library Discovery Pass.**
61. Is it a tent? Is it a boat? Float Troy is a one-of-a-kind floating experience.
62. Enjoy a great patio at one of these local restaurants.
63. Order a farm-fresh scoop of ice cream at Young’s Dairy.
64. Try all nine creamy whip favorites on our Creamy Whip Bucket List.
65. Go on a fun factory tour.**
66. Dine and play at Aces Pickleball + Kitchen.
67. Get creative at The Paint Playground.
68. Visit a local farmers market and get some fresh produce.**
69. Check out 50 activities for $5 or less.**
70. Hone your kids’ ninja skills at USA Ninja Challenge.
71. Discover the world of miniature trains and steam engines at Carillon Historical Park (then stop for lunch at Culp’s Café).
72. Catch free Shakespeare in the Park — this summer’s production is Much Ado About Nothing, running July 14 through Sept. 6.** (2026 schedule)
73. Cool off at Land of Illusion Aqua Adventures.
74. Tour your local firehouse.**
75. Get outside at one of these nature centers.
76. Go dino crazy at these must-visit attractions for kids with dinosaur fever.
77. Make the drive to the largest playground in Indiana, Possibility Playground.
78. Ride the Rails in Bluegrass, Ky., through Thoroughbred Farms, cliffs and the Kentucky River.
79. Purchase a GetOut Pass for family fun on a budget.

June, July & August…

80. Trace the roots of dragons, unicorns and mermaids at COSI’s Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids exhibit — included with general admission.
81. Visit mermaids at Newport Aquarium, swimming the Coral Reef Tunnel through June 21.
82. Step into the Destination Monarch Butterfly Show at Krohn Conservatory, running May 9 through Aug. 9.
83. Find your zen at the free Kids Yoga Series.**
84. Rock the Roebling at Smale Riverfront Park — free live music every Thursday through Sept. 10.**
85. Try new food, hear live music and visit the Newport waterfront at the Annual Italian Fest, June 11-14, free admission.**
86. Celebrate the 4th of July at a local festival.
87. Commemorate National Ice Cream Month with a double dip of your favorite local ice cream.
88. Indulge at one of these Strawberry Festivals.
89. Experience the wonder of a hot air balloon festival.
90. Enjoy one of Cincinnati’s best petting farms at the Play Yard & Petting Farm at Blooms & Berries, open May 1 through Aug. 15.
91. Venture to Columbus for the Ohio State Fair, July 29–Aug. 9.
92. Shop at Charm at the Farm Vintage Market in Lebanon — Aug. 14-15.
93. Shop tax-free for back-to-school supplies during Ohio’s Sales Tax Holiday, Aug. 7-9.
94. Join the nation’s largest paddling celebration during Ohio River Paddlefest, Aug. 1.
95. Try great seafood and enjoy free admission at the Great Inland Seafood Festival, Aug. 13-16.**
96. Watch world-class tennis at the Cincinnati Open, Aug. 8-23.
97. Find out why Goetta is so popular at Goettafest — family games, fireworks and creative food along the Newport riverfront, free admission. July 23-26 & July 30–Aug. 2.**
98. Check out the Kids Market at The City Flea, July 18.

Only in September…

100. End the summer with the annual WEBN RiverFest fireworks show, Sept. 6.**