We traveled through Ohio on a recent trip from Chicago to North Carolina. With the warm Midwestern feel, the state has a lot to offer for both kids and adults. From King’s Island in Mason to Cleveland’s Flats and the Hall of Fame, from Chillicothe mounds to Dayton Aviation museum, it’s a state worth visiting again and again. On this visit, we stopped at kid-friendly landmarks.
King’s Island
Dubbed the Disney World of the Midwest, this popular theme park once even appeared on the Brady Bunch show. You’ll want to start your visit at the life-size replica of the Eiffel Tower visible from the distance. Straight down the fountain-lined “main street”, it offers a beautiful birds’ eye view on the park. This will give you an idea for where you should go next and how bad the lines are. I bet the park is even more beautiful with fall colors. Make sure to get discounted tickets at many neighboring Kroger or Meijer stores, it will save you money and time in line.The park has different sections suitable for different ages – Thrill Rides, Family Rides, Planet Snoopy, and of course the ever-popular dinosaurs. With kids under 8, we stuck close to the Planet Snoopy area, perfect for little ones.
The characters at Planet Snoopy are a big draw for kids – they are walking around and appearing in staged shows throughout the day. The Haunted House (Boo Blasters) was one of my kids’ favorites. It was a fun ride and a nice way to cool off from the heat outside (our visit was in the summer time). In October you will enjoy plenty of the Halloween-themed rides and attractions. The flying cars on Woodstock Whirlybirds had a long line all day but understandably so, lots of fun. The bumper cars were great. Woodstock Express and Surf Dog are more fast paced and many kids’ favorites. Little train ride at Snoopy’s Junction was more mellow, perfect for smaller kids. I have to say, even in this section, the park offered a nice mix of rides for a variety of ages, and it’s very stroller friendly. I find that the Carousel is a nice ride for all ages. If visiting in the summer time, stop at the new Soak City waterpark with lots of fun slides but plenty of calmer waters too for little tots. It’s convenient not to have to leave the park, but rather just walk over to King’s Island’s own water park.
Loveland Castle
If your kids love playing knights and princesses, they’ll be mesmerized by this real castle right in the proximity of Cincinnati. Even the drive up the tree-lined hills is enchanting. If you have a small group, book a tour – the story behind the castle is fascinating. But the volunteer on duty will surely share the castle’s mystery with the visitors. The first floor displays the pictures of the man behind the castle, Harry Andrews and the woman he loved and pursued all his life. If his story doesn’t move you, you’re not a true romantic.
Take the steps to the top and bottom of the castle – you’ll see armor, the original work, which by the way still continues today. The views around the castle are amazing, so make sure you take a stroll around the grounds and take a look at the beautiful gardens and many spots for reflection. If you are traveling with babies or little kids, make sure to stop in the bathroom prior to your visit to the castle (there is only a port-o-potty outside). After all, it’s a true castle and plumbing as we know it, was not there. In fact, the castle is better suited for bigger kids, better capable to climb the winded stairs. In either case, the Loveland Castle will offer many beautiful memories for the little imaginations.
Graeter’s Ice-Cream
An institution in Cincinnati and all around Ohio and Kentucky, this ice-cream chain with a long Bavarian history is sweetly irressistible. From original flavors like Toffee Chip and Buckeye Blitz to standards like Strawberry and Butter Pecan, and plenty of candy, it’s definitely worth a stop. And do you really have to convince your kids to visit an ice-cream shop? The Graeter’s location we visited was right across from our Hyatt hotel and it had a donated piano outside. Needless to say, everyone offered a little entertainment, including my kids, of course following a healthy scoop of ice cream.
Portsmouth Murals
On the far south-eastern side of Ohio, Portsmouth was a fun stop on our way to Charlotte. The attraction we came to see was the murals. After having seen the collection in Pontiac (read story here), I have a weakness for wall-size display of street art. Portsmouth has a tremendous amount of murals, stretching along the Ohio river for 2000 feet, parallel to Chillicothe street – the main street in town. You’re probably better off slowly driving along the wall of murals but it’s just as easy to park on the side street and walk along. Note, you’ll have to walk and look across the street from the line of murals. It’s not a super safe street for walking with little kids but it’s definitely not a busy road. Portsmouth was once the shoelace capital of the world, but when the Mitchellace factory closed, along with several steel and manufacturing plants, jobs were lost and the town lost its luster. The natural beauty is still there with sweeping views of the Ohio river. The murals do a beautiful job of displaying the town’s story. The artist behind the murals is Robert Dafford. You should also stop at the neighboring shops – they’ll be happy to share a bit of Portsmouth’s history.
