The warmer weather is calling to us — it’s time to adventure outside! Cincinnati is one big playground for families, with a delightful mix of world-renowned attractions and hidden gems. Looking for an off-the-beaten path adventure?
Here’s the lowdown on 6 Under-the-Radar Outings Perfect for Spring:
Goebel Park
501 Philadelphia St., Covington, KY
This Covington gem doesn’t just boast a whimsical playground beneath the most charming carillon clock tower you’ve ever seen… it also has goats. Yes, goats. The goats at Goebel Park have become quite the Cincinnati celebrities. They can be seen grazing from May through October, and each spring there’s a “Running of the Goats” event that’s about as adorable as it gets. (Follow @goebelgoats on Facebook for updates!)
Loveland Castle
12025 Shore Dr., Loveland, OH
Located on the banks of the Little Miami in Loveland, Cincinnati’s Loveland Castle (“Chateau Laroche”) is a true testament to the power of imagination. Cincinnati native (Sir) Harry Andrews meticulously built this authentic, full-scale castle brick by brick. Construction began in 1929, and for the next 50 years, he dedicated himself to crafting his masterpiece. Using stones sourced from the Little Miami River and hand-molding bricks made of cement and milk cartons, Harry Andrews transformed his vision into a stunning reality. The castle includes gardens, several towers, a dungeon and rooms full of medieval replicas and memorabilia.
Mt. Airy Treehouse
5083 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, OH
Mt. Airy Forest is 1,459 acres of lush, picturesque, from-a-postcard forest, and at the center of that picture-perfect postcard is Mt. Airy Treehouse. It’s 14 feet tall and connected to 12 trees within the forest. Known fondly as “Everybody’s Treehouse,” it has whimsical, fairy-tale features, such as a winding (and wheelchair accessible) ramp, a swirly, shingled roof and windows with crooked branches as windowpanes. This attraction is free to visit and the views from the treehouse are breathtaking.
NaturePlay@BCM
1600 Montague Rd., Covington, KY
Located just below the Behringer-Crawford Museum (another Cincinnati Parent favorite), this playscape is literally carved out of the side of the hill and it’s a beautiful place to explore and play. Follow signs to the museum, park in the lot and follow the path through a whimsical wooden arch that leads down to the main area of the playground. It’s heavily shaded, so even on a warm day it’s an ideal place to visit.
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park
1763 Hamilton-Cleves Rd., State Route 128, Hamilton, OH
An outdoor museum with larger-than-life sculptures where your kids can run free? Yes, yes and yes! Pyramid Hill is an outdoor museum comprised of over 60 monumental pieces of sculpture in an environment of meadows, forests and gardens. The art at Pyramid Hill stands out in a way that’s impossible to miss! Traipse through woods to find sculptures, colorful creations standing front-and-center in a field and admire bright spectacles across rolling fields. Art is everywhere — and that’s a beautiful thing.
Ziegler Park
1322 Sycamore St., Cincinnati, OH
In the heart of Over-The-Rhine is a total hidden gem: Ziegler Park. This treasure has amenities for the entire family, plus it’s within walking distance of OTR’s most famous restaurants and shops. This park is ADA accessible with amazing features such as a large pool, upgraded basketball courts, playground, game grove, beautiful lawn… and a splayground!