Cincinnati, OH Day Trip Fun

We had a 3 day weekend getaway in my hubby’s birthplace of Cincinnati, Ohio to celebrate with my grandmother-in-love and attend her 80th birthday party. While there, we planned a few fun and educational activities to do with the kiddos during our visit. Most of the fun took place at The Smale Riverfront Park & The Banks. The beautiful area has something for everyone. Some of the things we loved most were the fountains, city art landmarks and gardens.

Some of the family-friendly activities available included a horse and carriage ride, outdoor fountain splash pad and a play area.

Alana enjoyed checking out the big 3D “Sing the Queen City” art sculpture located in the Freedom Center Lawn. The public art piece is from the last sentence of the stanza from the Seven Hills and a Queen to Name Thempoem about the Queen City. The landmark has become pretty popular and is a part of the city’s community art development.

We all had a blast at Carol Ann’s Carousel. This beautiful venue hosts celebrations of all kinds including kid’s birthday parties. It’s a year round attraction that features 44 animal characters on the carousel ride. Alana bounced around to a few of them for the afternoon. A unique aspect of this carousel were the original artwork depicting animals exploring various community parks. These pieces were also compiled and featured in a children’s book. To extend the experience, we gifted the girls a copy along with a miniature carousel figurine.

To take a piece of history back with us, we toured the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. We learned so much from the exhibits, simulations and video documentaries (separate post coming soon).

The day wouldn’t be complete without delicious food. This area is surrounded by great restaurants to choose from. We selected to enjoy brunch at Taste of Belgium and dinner at Yard House. Both had tasty menu options and provided a family-friendly atmosphere to enjoy with the kiddos.

If you are a fan of sports, there are a few professional teams in the area too. Check out the schedule and make it a part of your family adventure.

A few other activities available for a day trip to the Cincinnati Banks area include:

• Swings
• Ferry boat rides
• Playground
• Outdoor games
• Labyrinth
• Monuments
• More hidden treasures

Other local Cincinnati activities and attractions from previous trips coming soon. Happy exploring! Xoxo