Spontaneous road trips are always a blast! The following family-friendly destinations clock in at under 110 miles each. Enjoy kid rites of passage in the car with loud singing, playing I-spy, getting semi-truck drivers to honk their horns, and picking out fun snacks when you refuel. Don’t worry about being asked “Are we there yet?” because with these trips you’ll be “there” in under two hours!
Dayton, Ohio
54 Miles away
National Museum of the United
States Air Force
1100 Spaatz St.
Dayton, OH 45431
937-255- 3286
One of the most iconic World War II symbols, the Memphis Belle, will be on permanent display beginning Thursday, May 17. This heavy bomber completed over 25 combat missions to help defeat Nazi Germany, and will be on exhibit with historic video footage, personal artifacts, and interactive components. There are more than a dozen additional exhibits to explore, including exhibits that allow you to walk inside the aircraft interior, or sit in the cockpit. Before heading home, head to the outdoor Air Park’s playground! The National Museum of the USAF’s admission and parking are free.
Lexington, Kentucky
83 Miles away
Explorium of Lexington
440 W Short St
Lexington, KY 40507
859-258-3253 • explorium.com
Have tiny tots? Investigate the updated Wonder Woods area of the Explorium, designed for visitors 3 and younger. Learn through water play, a pretend playhouse, outdoor lily pads and ladybugs and more! Have your camera at the ready when you walk through a giant set of teeth in the Healthy Me Gallery, and in the bubbles in the Bubble Zone.
(Cincinnati Museum Center members get 50 percent off admission to the Explorium with valid I.D.)
Louisville, Kentucky
100 miles away
Louisville Zoo: Nature Connects:
Art with Lego Bricks
1100 Trevilian Way
Louisville, KY 40213
502-459-2181 • louisvillezoo.org
From April 19 – Sept. 3, Lego bricks become life-sized renderings of 12 endangered, and one extinct animal in a collection by artist Sean Kenney. Lego, animal, and art lovers will marvel at Kenney’s art — tiny Lego pieces intricately assembled on a larger scale. Observe the zebra, rhinoceros, polar bears, and other Lego creations — then see the real deal animals at the Louisville Zoo! (Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden members, show your membership pass, and valid I.D. for 50 percent off admission.)
SkyStar Giant Observation Wheel
Located at Louisville Waterfront
Park on the Big Four lawn
through Monday, May 7
Climb aboard one of 36 enclosed gondolas on this giant Ferris wheel and take in panoramic views of the city. Visit at night to see the LED light show, which features more than a million twinklers!
Columbus, Ohio
107 miles away
Center Of Science & Industry
333 W Broad St
Columbus, OH 43215
614-228-2674 • cosi.org
COSI is home to classic beloved exhibits like Ocean and Space, as well as the infamous high wire unicycle! COSI has two new exhibits for your family to experience, too. The American Museum of Natural History’s (AMNH) Dinosaur Gallery boasts a full size T-Rex cast, dinosaur models and fossils galore, and many hands on experiences. Through Monday, Sept. 3, the AMNH’s Traveling the Silk Road exhibition features interactive components to illustrate trade and commerce between various cultures. (Cincinnati Museum Center members, show your membership pass and valid I.D. for free admission to COSI.)