Looking for your next great family trip that incorporates learning and fun? Whether you’re interested in history, science or nature, there are lots of destinations that offer a variety of educational experiences for families to enjoy. Here are five destinations to keep handy and checkmark as you go. These destinations can be reached as a day trip from both Cincinnati and Dayton, and stretched into a longer visit, too.
#1 Great Council State Park
1587 US-68, Xenia, OH
ohiodnr.gov/home
Ohio’s newest state park is located in Xenia on the site of the Shawnee village of Old Chillicothe. At Great Council, you can’t miss its 12,000-square-foot interpretive center, modeled after a historic Shawnee longhouse, which features interactive exhibits and a living stream.
Great Council is situated on the banks of the Little Miami River on land that was once prairie and is being restored as a wildlife habitat. Visitors can hike a half-mile trail through the restored prairie plants on a circular route or hike a bit farther on the Tecumseh Preserve Trail to the banks of the Little Miami. No pets are allowed in the preserve.
Nearby are Glen Helen Nature Preserve, Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve and John Bryan State Park all near Yellow Springs.
#2 Center of Science and Industry (COSI)
333 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH
cosi.org
The year 2024 marks COSI’s 60th anniversary, inspiring people of all ages with hands on- STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) learning. Located in Columbus, the COSI campus is over 320,000 square feet with interactive experiences, traveling exhibits, live shows, a planetarium and a little kid space for kids through first grade. Parent tip: If you have a membership to a local museum in Cincinnati or Dayton, be sure to see if it is reciprocal with COSI, meaning the membership will count toward your admission to COSI.
#3 Conner Prairie
13400 Allisonville Rd., Fishers
connerprairie.org
At Conner Prairie, you literally step into history in Fishers, Indiana. As one of the most visited outdoor museums in the country, Conner Prairie provides different learning experiences through time including an 1816 Lenape Indian Camp, 1836 Prairietown, 1859 Balloon Voyage and the William Conner House, one of Indiana’s first brick homes. The Civil War-themed splash pad and Ag Adventures playground encourage learning through play. The treetop outpost and animal encounters at the working barn round out the adventure.
#4 American Sign Museum
1330 Monmouth Ave., Cincinnati, OH
americansignmuseum.org
This unique museum in Cincinnati is a don’t-miss location dedicated solely to the art and history of commercial sign-making. Covering more than 100 years of American sign history, visitors leave amazed at how signs have evolved, including the advent of neon. This is a colorful look at the evolution of Main Street U.S.A. The museum is also home to NeonWorks, a full-time neon workshop. An audio tour is available via phone.
#5 Ohio Statehouse – Capitol Square
1 Capitol Sq., Columbus, OH
ohiostatehouse.org
Ohio’s Statehouse in Columbus is part of the Capitol Square complex along with the Senate Building and Atrium.
Guided tours are available every day except state holidays and start in the Map Room (accessible from the Third Street entrance). Tours can be scheduled for groups of 10 or more by calling 614-728-3726. Self-guided tours are available, but the House and Senate Chambers are kept locked on the weekend and only available through guided tours.
Little-known about the statehouse is that it’s full of fossils exposed in the building materials. The fossil enthusiasts in your family will enjoy the self-guided fossil tour by picking up a booklet in the Map Room or the guided tour that’s offered twice yearly usually for Earth Day and National Fossil Day.
