By Susan Berg
There are a number of ways to entertain kids while traveling through the state of Ohio. Popular activities in this state include trips to one of several museums geared toward children, a visit to one of the state's amusement or water parks, or a trip to one of the state's many city, county or state parks.
Children's Museums
There are a number of excellent children's museums located throughout the state of Ohio. These museums, which feature interactive displays, are the perfect place for kids to blow off some steam on a rainy day.
Cincinnati Museum Center: Children's Museum
1301 Western Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45203-1123
(513) 287-7000
Open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. Admission: $8 adults; $5 children ages 3 to 12); $4.50 children between the ages of 1 and 2; free for infants under the age of 1.
Cleveland Children's Museum
10730 Euclid Ave
Cleveland, OH 44106-2208
(216) 791-7114
Open Monday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission: $7.00 children (ages 1 to 12); $6 adults (13 and over); under 11 months free.
COSI - Center of Science and Industry
333 W Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 228-2674
Open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Sunday 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Admission: adults $13.75; $8.75 children (ages 2 to 12); children 2 and under free.
Children's Center for Science & Technology
139 E Boardman St.
Youngstown, OH 44503-1828
(330) 744-5914
Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Admission: children 3 and under free; all others $5.
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
2600 DeWeese Parkway
Dayton, OH 45414
(937) 275-7431
Open Monday through Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Admission: children under 2 free; $7.50 children (ages 2 to 12); and $8.50 adults.
Amusement Parks
A great way to spend a summer day in Ohio with children is to hit up a local amusement park. Ohio is home to two major amusement parks--Kings Island in southwestern Ohio and Cedar Point in north-central Ohio. Both parks also feature water parks, which require a separate admission fee.
Cedar Point
1 Cedar Point Drive
Sandusky, OH 44870
(419) 627-2350
General admission: $44.99 for adults and $19.99 for juniors (under 48 inches tall) and seniors (62 and older).
Kings Island
Kings Island Drive
Mason, OH 45040
(800) 288-0808
General admission: $32.99 for adults and $29.99 for juniors (under 48 inches tall) and seniors (62 older).
Smaller amusement and/or water parks include:
Coney Island
6201 Kellogg Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45228
(513) 232-8230
Open daily 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Admission: Sunlite Pool and classic rides $21.95 (ages 4 and older), $10.95 (ages 2 and 3).
Pioneer Waterland & Dry Fun Park
10661 Kile Road
Chardon, OH 44024
Open Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 7:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Admission: $18.95, but free for those under 40 inches tall.
Zoos
Ohio is home to several zoos. These parks offer children the opportunity to get up close and personal with animals they otherwise might never see.
The Cincinnati Zoo is considered by many to be one of the best zoos in the nation. In addition to animal exhibits, the Cincinnati Zoo also features rides and a 4-D movie theater.
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
3400 Vine Street
Cincinnati, OH 45220
Open January through mid-May 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and mid-May through early September 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Admission: Total experience package (including admission, unlimited rides and 4-D theater) $24 (adults), $20 (children ages 2 through 12); general admission only $13 for adults and $9 for children.
A trip to the Toledo Zoo offers opportunities to see a variety of animals, ride a carousel or train, and take part in a number of different educational activities offered by zookeepers and volunteers.
Toledo Zoo
2700 Broadway St.
Toledo, OH 43609-3100
(419) 385-4040
Open May 1 through Labor Day 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Labor Day through April 30 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission: $11 (adults); $8 (children ages 2 to 11; seniors 60 and older); free for children under the age of 2.
Founded in 1927, the Columbus Zoo recently celebrated its 80th anniversary. Activities at this zoo include rides, animal encounters and a variety of special events held throughout the year.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
4850 West Powell Rd.
Powell, OH 43065
(614) 645-3550
Open Labor Day until Memorial Day weekend 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Open late on Wednesdays until 8:00 pm during the summer months. Admission: children under the age of 2 free; $7 children (ages 2 to 9); $12 (ages 10-59); $7 seniors (60 and older).
The Cleveland Zoo is home to a number of different endangered species. This park also features a number of exhibits, including one based on a trip through the rainforest, African savannah, northern North America and Australia.
Cleveland Zoo
3900 Wildlife Way
Cleveland, OH 44109
(216) 661-6500
Open daily 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission: April through October: $10 (ages 12 and older); $7 (ages 2 to 11); free (children under age of 2); November through March: $7 (ages 12 and older); $5 (ages 2 to 11); free (children under the age of 2).
City, County and State Parks
City, country and state parks offer a low-cost way to spend some time in the great outdoors. Many of these parks offer opportunities for hiking, biking, boating, fishing and other activities. Check the Resources link for a complete list of state parks in Ohio. Popular parks for hiking include Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve in Green County, Hocking Hills State Park in Hocking County and Hueston Woods State Park in Butler/Preble counties. Fans of boating should check out Kelly's Island State Park in Erie County. Fossil lovers should check out Caesar Creek State Park in Warren/Clinton counties. Check with the local chamber of commerce to find the city and county parks near your destination.
Resources
About the Author:
A writer and editor based in southeastern Wyoming, Susan Berg has over ten years of experience in the field. Berg earned a Master of Arts degree in journalism from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Dayton. Her work has been published in the "Dayton Daily News" and online at websites including BiologyBiozine.com, Wcities.com, Trails.com, Travels.com and eHow.com.
