As the sunshine returns and spring break approaches, your family may be itching for a change of pace. Luckily, Cincinnati is surrounded by a number of family-friendly destinations to suit everyone’s interests. Here are just a few ideas for a quick trip this spring.
Visit a nearby city
Just a two-hour drive away, Indianapolis, Indiana, is a hotbed of family-friendly fun! With 472,900 square-feet of museum magic, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis should be your first stop. Explore 11 indoor galleries, the massive outdoor Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience, opening March 14, and the visiting exhibit Pigeon and Pals! A Mo Willems Art and Play Exhibit, open through May 10. Next up, head to Monument Circle and climb the 331 steps to the top of the Soldiers & Sailors Monument, followed by a stop at the South Bend Chocolate Company to replenish all of those calories you burned. Other highlights of the Circle City include White River State Park, an urban green space featuring several family-friendly museum’s and the Indianapolis Zoo; the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the world famous Indy 500; and Newfields, the campus that houses the Indianapolis Museum of art, a family-friendly beer garden and plenty of wide open spaces to run.
Spend a day (or two) exploring science
Located in Columbus, Ohio, COSI is a world-class children’s museum that makes learning fun. Get an unsurpassed glimpse at our universe in the planetarium. Come face-to-face with a 6-foot-long mechanical T. rex model, a full-scale model of an Oviraptor nest and a spectacular display of dinosaur casts in The Dinosaur Gallery. Test your courage while getting a hands-on lesson in counterweights on the High Wire Unicycle. And little ones under the age of 6 will feel right at home learning and exploring in Little KidSpace. Now through May 25, children can discover their inner superhero in DC Super Heroes. Make a weekend of it by spending the night and exploring all that Columbus has to offer — from a beautiful nature conservancy to an award-winning zoo.
Get out into the great outdoors
The narrow ridges, steep slopes and deep gullies of Brown County State Park in southern Indiana offer the perfect setting to get reacquainted with nature. Nicknamed the “Little Smokies,” here you’ll find 16,000 acres of rugged hills, ridges and fog-shrouded ravines perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway. The park’s rustic Abe Martin Lodge offers accommodations ranging from motel rooms to cabins. Or opt for one of their campsites that feature hiking and mountain biking trails, interpretive services and a saddle barn for guided horse rides. In the heart of Brown County, the town of Nashville offers shops and restaurants galore that are perfect for rounding out your outdoor getaway.
Take a step back in time
Return to a simpler time in Metamora. Nestled in the beautiful countryside of southeastern Indiana, this charming town is best known for its preservation of the state’s oldest and still operating water-powered grist mill. Other attractions include a horse-drawn canal boat, the only working wood aqueduct in the country and more than 40 shops and restaurants. This is a great place to relax and enjoy a slower pace that is so hard to find these days. You can stroll the streets any time you like; shop hours vary.
Whether you are looking for a quick day trip or an extended weekend getaway, these drivable destinations have you covered this spring break!