OHIO SUMMER FUN GUIDE
Browse our Ohio Summer Fun Guide by region:
SOUTHWEST OHIO ATTRACTIONS
THEME/WATER PARKS
THE BEACH, AN ADVENTURE LANDING PARK
Description: The 35-acre park includes inner-tube rides; an oversized spa pool; Big Creek Beach, with a 600-gallon dump bucket, water cannons and four slides
Location: 2590 Water Park Drive, Mason (Warren County)
Open: operating hours vary through Sept. 1, Sept. 6-7, 13 and 14
Admission: $28.99, or $19.99 for senior citizens 60 and older and children 4 to 10, $22.99 for military personnel, age 3 and younger are free with a paying adult; online discounts available
Parking: $8
New attractions: The Soaring Eagle Zipline
Least-busy days: Mondays through Thursdays
Tickets/information: 513-398-7946; www.thebeachwaterpark.com
CONEY ISLAND
Description: On the banks of Lake Como, the theme park includes rides, Sunlite Pool, water slides, an arcade and miniature golf.
Location: 6201 Kellogg Ave., 10 miles east of downtown Cincinnati (Hamilton County)
Open, Sunlite Pool: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 24 through Aug. 24 and Aug. 30 through Sept. 1; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 25-29; Classic Rides: hours vary May 24 through Sept. 1, check website for details
Admission, Sunlite Pool: $13.95 for those 5 and older, or $4.95 for children 2 to 4, free for children 1 and younger; classic rides: $12.95 for those 5 and older, or $6.95 for children 2 to 4, free for children 1 and younger; combination admission: $23.95 for those 5 and older, or $10.95 for children 2 to 4, free for children 1 and younger
Parking: $8
New attraction: Wipe Out, sending riders round-and-round and upside down more than 30 feet in the air; EuroBungy Dome, a 40-foot-tall trampoline system (extra fee) ;
Least-busy day: Tuesdays
Tickets/information: at the park and online; 513-232-8230, www.coneyislandpark.com
GREAT WOLF LODGE
Description: The indoor water park features water slides and a four-story treehouse with water sprays.
Location: 2501 Great Wolf Dr., Mason (Warren County)
Open: year-round
Admission: must be an overnight guest; rooms and suites available
Parking: free
Least-busy days: midweek
Information/reservations: 513-459-8885, 1-800-913-9653, www.greatwolf.com/mason/waterpark
KINGS ISLAND AND SOAK CITY WATERPARK
Description: The park offers more than 100 rides, including 15 roller coasters (and the Beast, the world’s longest wooden coaster), and Soak City, a 33-acre waterpark.
Location: Kings Island Drive, Mason (Warren County)
Open, Kings Island: daily, operating hours vary through Aug. 24; select weekends through Nov. 2
Soak City (free with park admission): 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 24 through Aug. 17, Aug. 23-24 and Aug. 30 through Sept. 1; noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 18-22 (closing times subject to change)
Admission: $59.99 for those 48 inches and taller (good for two days), or $36.99for senior citizens 62 and older and children less than 48 inches tall (for one day), free for children 2 and younger; online discounts available
Parking: $12 weekdays, $15 weekends and holidays; $22 for preferred
New attractions: Banshee thrill ride
Least-busy day: Wednesdays
Tickets/information: available online, at the park and participating AAA and Kroger locations; 513-754-5700, www.visitkingsisland.com
WAKE NATION CINCINNATI
Description: The water-sports complex offers wakeboarding, water-skiing, knee-boarding and wake-skating without the use of a boat. Riders are pulled on a 10-acre lake at 18 to 20 mph by an overhead cable-pulley system.
Location: Joyce Park, 201 Joe Nuxhall Way, Fairfield (Butler County)
Open: operating hours vary through October (call for details)
Admission: $30 for two hours, $35 for four hours, or $40 for an all-day pass; free for spectators; equipment rental available
Parking: free
Least-busy day: Tuesdays
Tickets/information: available on-site; 513-887-9253, www.wakenation.com
OUTDOOR DRAMA
‘TECUMSEH!’
Description: 42nd season for the outdoor historical drama about the Shawnee leader
Location: Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre, 5968 Marietta Rd., Chillicothe (Ross County)
Performances: 8 p.m. June 6 to Aug. 30, except Sundays
Admission: $24.95, or $19.95 for senior citizens, $17.95 for children 10 and younger
Seating capacity: 1,689
Running time: 2 hours, 45 minutes
Information: 1-866-775-0700, www.tecumsehdrama.com
FRAZE PAVILION
Description: The outdoor amphitheater near Dayton offers 4,300 seats.
Location: 695 Lincoln Park Blvd., Kettering (Montgomery County)
Performances: June 1 (7:30 p.m.): Il Divo; June 5 (8 p.m.): Simply Diamond (Neil Diamond tribute); June 6 (8 p.m.): Paul Rodgers; June 8 (7:30 p.m.): Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Will Downing; June 11 (8 p.m.): Santana; June 19 (8 p.m.): One: A Celebration of U2; June 28 (6 p.m.): Umphrey’s McGee; June 29 (7:30 p.m.): Darius Rucker (sold out); July 2 (8 p.m.): Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band (sold out); July 5 (7:30 p.m.): Dave Koz and friends; July 6 (7:30 p.m.): Earth, Wind & Fire; July 18 (8 p.m.): Casting Crowns; July 19 (7:30 p.m.): Little Big Town; July 20 (7 p.m.): Under the Sun Tour featuring Smash Mouth, Sugar Ray, Blues Traveler, Uncle Kracker; July 24 (8 p.m.): The Purple Xperience (Prince tribute); July 25 (8 p.m.): the Romantics; July 26 (7:30 p.m.): Lynyrd Skynyrd; July 31 (8 p.m.): Satisfaction (Rolling Stones tribute); Aug. 1 (7 p.m.): Alan Jackson; Aug. 2 (8 p.m.): the Avett Brothers; Aug. 3 (7:30 p.m.): Kenny Loggins; Aug. 6 (8 p.m.): Happy Together Tour featuring the Turtles, Flo & Eddie, Chuck Negron; Aug. 7 (8 p.m.): Let’s Hang On! (Frankie Valli tribute); Aug. 8 (8 p.m.): McGuffey Lane; Aug. 9 (7 p.m.): Boney James, Brian Culbertson; Aug. 13 (8 p.m.): Heart; Aug. 14 (7:30 p.m.): Kool & the Gang; Aug. 15 (7:30 p.m.): Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang; Aug. 29 (8 p.m.): the Moody Blues
Parking: free
Tickets/information: $5 to $99.50; 937-296-3300, www.fraze.com
KINGS ISLAND, TIMBERWOLF AMPHITHEATRE
Description: The 10,000-seat amphitheater is adjacent to the Kings Island theme park.
Location: 6300 Kings Island Dr., Mason (Warren County)
Performances: June 26-28: Spirit Song 2014 featuring Chris Tomlin, Tenth Avenue North, Third Day, Matthew West, TobyMac, Jeremy Camp and more
Parking: $12 to $15 daily
Tickets/information: $31.99 to $129.99, available at www.ticketmaster.com; includes admission to the park; 1-800-288-0808, 513-754-5700, www.visitkingsisland.com
RIVERBEND MUSIC CENTER/PNC PAVILION
Description: The 20,500-seat outdoor amphitheater along the Ohio River boasts a 4,100-seat pavilion.
Location: 6295 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati (Hamilton County)
Performances: May 30 (7 p.m.): Lady Antebellum; June 6 (8 p.m.): the Monkees; June 7 (8 p.m.): Cincinnati Pops Orchestra: Orchestral Spectacular; June 13 (7 p.m.): Zac Brown Band; June 14 (7:30 p.m.): Ray LaMontagne; June 15 (7:30 p.m.): Backstreet Boys, Avril Lavigne; June 20 (7 p.m.): Brad Paisley; June 21 (8 p.m.): Cincinnati Pops Orchestra featuring Chris Botti; June 22 (7:30 p.m.): Lionel Richie, CeeLo Green; June 25 (6:45 p.m.): Journey, Steve Miller Band; June 27 (7:30 p.m.): Fifth Harmony; June 28 (6:30 p.m.): O.A.R., Phillip Phillips; June 29 (7 p.m.): Tim McGraw, Kip Moore, Cassadee Pope; July 1 (6:45 p.m.): Goo Goo Dolls, Daughtry; July 4 (8 p.m.): Cincinnati Pops Orchestra: Red, White & Boom; July 6 (7 p.m.): Motley Crue, Alice Cooper; July 8 (7:30 p.m.): Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo, Rick Springfield; July 9 (7 p.m.): Dave Matthews Band, Tim Reynolds; July 10 (7:30 p.m.): 311; July 11 (8 p.m.): Sarah McLachlan; July 15 (7 p.m.): Kiss, Def Leppard; July 16 (11 a.m.): Vans Warped Tour 2014; July 19 (8 p.m.): Cincinnati Pops Orchestra: Broadway Night and Sing-Along; July 21 (8 p.m.): Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band; July 22 (7:30 p.m.): Aerosmith, Slash; July 24 (7 p.m.): Matt Nathanson, Gavin DeGraw; July 25 (8 p.m.): John Fogerty; July 31 (7 p.m.): Keith Urban, Jerrod Niemann; Aug. 1 (8 p.m.): Jim Brickman; Aug. 5 (7 p.m.): OneRepublic; Aug. 8 (7 p.m.): Toby Keith, Colt Ford, Krystal Keith; Aug. 12 (7:30 p.m.): Panic! At the Disco, Walk the Moon; Aug. 13 (7:30 p.m.): Chicago, REO Speedwagon; Aug. 22 (7 p.m.): Kings of Leon; Sept. 5 (7 p.m.): Rascal Flatts, Sheryl Crow; Sept. 25 (7 p.m.): Dierks Bentley, Chris Young, Chase Rice, Jon Pardi
Parking: included with the ticket
Tickets/information: $15 to $171.50, available at Ticketmaster outlets (1-800-745-3000) or www.ticketmaster.com (call 513-381-3300 or visit www.cincinnatisymphony.org for Pops tickets); 513-232-6220, www.riverbend.org
MUSEUMS
BOONSHOFT MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY
Description: The natural history museum and science center has a planetarium, an observatory and a zoo.
Location: 2600 DeWeese Parkway, Dayton (Montgomery County)
Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays
Admission: $13, or $11 for senior citizens 60 and older, $10 children 3 to 16, free for 2 and younger; admission includes space theater shows
Parking: free, on-site
Special exhibits: “Inventors Toolbox: The Exploration of Simple Machines” — explore the tools that made innovators such as Da Vinci and the Wright Brothers masters of invention (through Aug. 31); “Glow: Living Light,” explore the beauty of bioluminescence (through Aug. 31)
Information: 937-275-7431, www.boonshoftmuseum.org
CINCINNATI ART MUSEUM
Description: The museum features 75 galleries and more than 60,000 works.
Location: 953 Eden Park Dr., Cincinnati (Hamilton County)
Open: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays
Admission: free
Parking: $4; free for members
Special exhibits: “Portraits of the Artist” — compositional images from the 20th century (through June 22); “Cincinnati Silver” — showcasing almost 200 objects representing the city’s earliest activities in the silver trade (June 14 through Sept. 7); “Cries in the Night: German Expressionist Prints around World War I” — (June 21 through Aug. 17); “Conversations around American Gothic” — a featuring Grant Wood’s two masterpieces: American Gothic and Daughters of Revolution (Aug. 30 through Nov. 16)
Information: 513-639-2995, www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org
CINCINNATI MUSEUM CENTER
Description: The center is home to the Cincinnati History Museum, Duke Energy Children’s Museum, the Museum of Natural History & Science, the Robert D. Linder Family Omnimax theater and the Cincinnati Historical Society Library.
Location: Union Terminal, 1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati (Hamilton County)
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays
Admission: $14.50, or $13.50 for senior citizens 60 and older, $10.50 for children 3 to 12, $5.50 for children 1 to 2, free for children younger than 1; special exhibits and Omnimax theater extra
Parking: $6; $4 after 4:30 p.m.
Special exhibits: “Diana, A Celebration” — containing 150 objects (extra fee for this exhibit, through Aug. 17)
Information: 513-287-7000, www.cincymuseum.org
CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER
Description: The center focuses on painting, sculpture, photography, architecture, performance art and new media.
Location: Lois and Richard Rosenthal Center, 44 E. 6th St., Cincinnati (Hamilton County)
Open: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays (free after 5 p.m.), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
Admission: $7.50, or $5.50 for senior citizens 60 and older, students and educators with a valid ID; free for children 5 and younger, all active military members and their immediate family and Veterans plus one with valid I.D. and members
Parking: nearby garages
Special exhibits: “Buildering: Misbehaving the City,” — a playful, mischievous and lively show with a strong socio-cultural underpinning (through Aug. 18); “Michael Sailstorfer,” a series of installations (through Sept. 14); the UnMuseum — an interactive area offering children and parents a chance to experience art
Information: 513-345-8400, www.contemporaryartscenter.org
DAYTON ART INSTITUTE
Description: The institute boasts 27,000 pieces in its permanent collection that spans more than 5,000 years, with more than 1,000 pieces on view at all times .
Location: 456 Belmonte Park N., Dayton (Montgomery County)
Open: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays
Admission: $8; or $5 for senior citizens 60 and older, active military and groups; free for students and children; fee for some special exhibits
Parking: on-site, paid lots and street parking
Special exhibits: “Dayton Celebrates Glass: Chihuly and Beyond” — showcasing works by Chihuly and other artists (through Sept. 28)
Information: 937-223-4278, www.daytonartinstitute.org
DAYTON AVIATION HERITAGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
Description: a five-unit park located in and around Dayton including the Wright Cycle Co. Complex.
Location: The Wright Cycle Co. building and Wright Dunbar Visitor Center, 16 S. Williams St.; Huffman Prairie Flying Field and Interpretive Center, 2380 Memorial Rd. (corner of Rt. 444 and Kaufman Rd.), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Greene and Montgomery counties) and the Huffman Prairie Flying Field, Gate 16A off Rt. 444, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base; Carillon Historical Park and Hawthorn Hill, 1000 Carillon Blvd.; Paul Laurence Dunbar House, 219 N. Paul Laurence Dunbar St.;
Open: hours vary by location, visit the website for more information
Admission: free, except for Carillon Park: $8, or $7 for senior citizens 60 and older, $5 for ages 3 to 17, free for age 2 and younger; Paul Laurence Dunbar House: $6, or $3 for students 5 to 17, free for age 4 and younger; Hawthorn Hill: $12
Parking: on-site; shuttle available at Carillon Park for Hawthorn Hill
Exhibits: Highlighting the research of Orville and Wilbur Wright; and the home of Paul Laurence Dunbar, an African-American poet, novelist, and playwright of the late-19th and early 20th centuries.
Information: the Wright Cycle Co. Complex, 937-225-7705; Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center, 937-425-0008; Carillon Historical Park, 937-293-2841 (www.daytonhistory.org); www.nps.gov/daav
FORT ANCIENT
Description: The largest prehistoric hilltop enclosure in the United States, featuring a 9,000-square-foot museum and access to earthworks and hiking trails.
Location: 6123 Rt. 350, Oregonia (Warren County)
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays
Admission: $6, or $5 for senior citizens 60 and older and children 6 to 16, free for children 5 and younger
Parking: free, on-site
Information: 513-932-4421 or 1-800-283-8904, www.fortancient.org
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Description: The military aviation-history museum boasts more than 360 aerospace vehicles — many rare and one-of-a-kind — along with thousands of historical items.
Location: 1100 Spaatz St., Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, near Dayton (Greene and Montgomery counties)
Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Admission: free
Parking: free
Special exhibits: Space Shuttle Exhibit — featuring NASA’s first Crew Compartment Trainer
Information: 937-255-3286, www.nationalmuseum.af.mil
NATIONAL UNDERGROUND RAILROAD FREEDOM CENTER
Description: The center features exhibits that chronicle the route slaves took to freedom as well as information about the people who helped them along the way.
Location: 50 E. Freedom Way, Cincinnati (Hamilton County)
Open: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays in May, daily June 1 to Labor Day
Admission: $14, or $12 for senior citizens 60 and older, $10 for children 3 to 12, free for children 2 and younger
Parking: nearby garages, surface lots and street parking
Special exhibits: “And Still We Rise: Race, Culture and Visual Conversations” — featuring 85 handcrafted quilts created by an international group of artists from the Women of Color Quilters Network (through Sept. 1)
Information: 1-877-648-4838, 513-333-7739, www.freedomcenter.org
SUNWATCH INDIAN VILLAGE / ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK
Description: A 13th-century American Indian village along the Great Miami River offers a step back in time.
Location: 2301 W. River Rd., Dayton (Montgomery County)
Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays
Admission: $6, or $4 for senior citizens 60 and older and children 6 to 16, free for children 5 and younger
Special events: Miami Valley Council for Native Americans 26th Annual Keeping the Tradition Pow Wow — June 28-29, admission: $6, or $3 for senior citizens and students ages 6 to 16, free for children 5 and younger); Flute and Art Festival — performances by flutists from throughout the region Aug. 15-17), admission: $8, or $5 for senior citizens 60 and older and children 6 to 16, free for children 5 and younger; weekend passes available.
Parking: free, on-site
Information: 937-268-8199, www.sunwatch.org
SPORTING EVENTS
BASEBALL
CINCINNATI REDS
Description: The oldest professional baseball franchise has recently been a playoff team.
Location: Great American Ball Park, 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati (Hamilton County)
Home games: May 23-25 vs. Cardinals; June 3-5 vs. Giants; June 6-8 vs. Phillies; June 9-12 vs. Dodgers; June 20-22 vs. Blue Jays; July 4-6 vs. Brewers; July 7-10 vs. Cubs; July 11-13 vs. Pirates; July 25-27 vs. Nationals; July 28-30 vs. Diamondbacks; Aug. 6-7 vs. Indians; Aug. 8-10 vs. Marlins; Aug. 12-13 vs. Red Sox; Aug. 21-24 vs. Braves; Aug. 26-28 vs. Cubs; Sept. 5-7 vs. Mets; Sept. 8-11 vs. Cardinals; Sept. 23-25 vs. Brewers; Sept. 26-28 vs. Pirates
Admission: $5 to $250, free for children 3 and younger if sitting on an adult’s lap
Parking: nearby lots
Tickets/information: available through Tickets.com, 1-513-381-7337, 1-877-647-7337; at the park; or online; 513-765-7000, www.reds.com
DAYTON DRAGONS
Description: The Cincinnati Reds’ Class A affiliate boasts a beautiful home with top-notch amenities.
Location: Fifth Third Field, 220 N. Patterson Blvd., Dayton (Montgomery County)
Home games: May 19-21 vs. Great Lakes; May 22-24 vs. West Michigan; May 31-June 2 vs. Lansing; June 10-12 vs. Bowling Green; June 13-15 vs. Lake County; June 27-30 vs. Lake County; July 1-3 vs. Fort Wayne; July 8-10 vs. South Bend; July 11-14 vs. West Michigan; July 23-25 vs. Quad Cities; July 26-28 vs. Cedar Rapids; Aug. 1-3 vs. South Bend; Aug. 4-6 vs. Great Lakes; Aug. 15-17 vs. Bowling Green; Aug. 24-26 vs. Great Lakes; Aug. 27-29 vs. Lansing
Admission: $5 to $20; 2 and younger free
Parking: nearby lots
Tickets/information: 937-228-2287; www.daytondragons.com
CHILLICOTHE PAINTS
Description: The summer-league team is a member of the Prospect League, in which players use wooden bats.
Location: V.A. Memorial Stadium, 17273 Rt. 104, Chillicothe (Ross County)
Home games: May 31-June 1 vs. Richmond; June 2-3 vs. Butler; June 7-8 vs. West Virginia; June 10 vs. Lorain; June 11 vs. Richmond; June 12 vs. Terre Haute; June 18 vs. Lorain; June 20-21 vs. West Virginia; June 24-25 vs. Quincy; June 30-July 1 vs. Champion City; July 10-12 vs. Butler; July 12-13 vs. West Virginia; July 18-19 vs. Lorain; July 23-24 vs. Richmond; July 28-29 vs. Richmond; July 31 vs. Butler; Aug. 1 vs. Champion City; Aug. 3 vs. Lorain; Aug. 5 vs. Terre Haute
Admission: $6, or $5 for senior citizens 65 and older and children 12 and younger
Parking: on-site
Tickets/information: 740-773-8326; www.chillicothepaints.com
PRO FOOTBALL
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Description: The NFL team was established by the legendary Paul Brown and began play in 1968.
Location: 1 Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati (Hamilton County)
Preseason home games: Aug. 16 vs. New York Jets; Aug. 28 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Admission: to be determined
Parking: nearby lots
Tickets/information: 1-866-621-8383; 513-621-TDTD (8383); 513-621-3550, www.bengals.com
Tennis
WESTERN & SOUTHERN FINANCIAL GROUP MASTERS & WOMEN’S OPEN
Description: Fans will see stars from both the WTA and the ATP tours playing on adjacent courts.
Location: Lindner Family Tennis Center, 5460 Courseview Dr., Mason (Warren County)
Dates: Aug. 9-17
Admission: $10 to $90 for single-session tickets, or $5 to $15 for children 12 and younger
Parking: free
Tickets/information: available through Ticketmaster, 1-800-745-3000, and online; 513-651-0303, www.cincytennis.com
HORSE RACING
BELTERRA PARK
Description: Thoroughbred racing is held on a 1-mile dirt track.
Location: 6301 Kellogg Rd., Cincinnati (Hamilton County)
Season: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 19 (post time 1:30 p.m.; Fridays post time 3 p.m.); simulcasting daily
Admission: free
Parking: free
Tickets/information: 513-232-8000, www.belterrapark.com
ZOO
CINCINNATI ZOO & BOTANICAL GARDEN
Description: The second-oldest zoo in the country has more than 500 animals and 3,000 plant species; it is internationally known for its research and conservation efforts.
Location: 3400 Vine St., Cincinnati (Hamilton County)
Big attractions: Africa, featuring lions, cheetahs and giraffes; Cat Canyon, which will put visitors eye-to-eye with Malayan tigers; as well as Gorilla World, Manatee Springs, Elephant Reserve, Jungle Trails.
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, until 6 p.m. May 24 through Labor Day
Admission: $15, or $11 for children 2 to 12 and senior citizens 62 and older, free for children younger than 2
Parking: $9
Information: 513-281-4700, www.cincinnatizoo.org
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