(Feature photo – Pogo Play in Blue Ash)
High temps can challenge our opportunity to get out and enjoy this season of sunshine. No worries – we have options here right in your city to engage in family fun despite the heat! When the weather is cooperative enough to allow us out the house, there are awesome indoor spaces which offer not only a great place to cool off, but they provide amazing and unforgettable experiences. Waterparks are just fine, but there is more to explore indoors! This season, be intentional about family time and keep it inside! Up close and personal activities allow for greater communication, enhanced connections, loving experiences with permanence … and you won’t even break a sweat!
Summer in Greater Cincinnati is the perfect time to visit (or revisit) some of your classic, family-friendly locations:
Cincinnati Museum Center
1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati
513-287-7000 | cincymuseum.org
Also referred to as Union Terminal because of its address, CMC is a beautiful place which affords something to every member of the family. Be swept away with their technologically advance OMNIMAX Theater, play and learn at the Duke Energy Children’s Museum, be inspired by centuries of science and artifacts and be captivated by their amazing galleries. CMC is a place that feels rich in culture. It is calm. It is inviting. They have dinosaurs … what can beat dinosaurs?
Cincinnati Art Museum
953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati
513-721-2787 | cincinnatiartmuseum.org
Located in Eden Park, CAM has created programming specific to the family that carriers us even back to school! Family ARTventures is a public tour where you discover cool art by using fun facts and hands-on activities. Then, immerse yourselves in the Rosenthal Education Center for more unique sensory opportunities which stimulate your mind and hones your creativity. Children love to express themselves, and CAM a great place to let them shine!
The Escape Game
28 W. Freedom Way Suite 300, Cincinnati
513-440-4332 | theescapegame.com/cincinnati
Located at The Banks, it is perfect for older children who can think quickly and creatively on their toes! The Escape Game offers 60-minutes of interactive excitement that requires the whole family’s participation. There are four thrilling experiences to choose from, truly bringing the family together through collaborative fun. While you’re indoors escaping your chosen assignment, you’ll already have beaten the heat! Afterward, enjoy the many awesome food vendors in the area.
LilyPad
2008 Madison Road, Cincinnati
513-321-1379 | lilypadplay.com
Located in Hyde Park, LilyPad is made for the family with tiny-tots! How wonderful it is that there is a cool place to take our children, 6 years and younger, that was designed with them in mind. It is here where they can be safe, freely inquisitive, play at their own pace and interact with new friends. It sounds like an ideal playdate away from home this summer. The best part, you don’t have to clean up the house after all of the exploration.
Newport Aquarium
1 Aquarium Way, Newport
800-406-3474 | newportaquarium.com
Navigate through waterfalls, tunnels and bridges while learning all about fish, stingrays, sharks, turtles and more. Various touch tanks throughout are a real treat!
Pogo Play
10870 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash
513-432-5593 | gopogoplay.com
Huge indoor play structure, creative play and building stations, toddler’s only zone.
Recreations Outlet
885 OH-28, Milford,
513-831-7383 | recreationsoutlet.com
Try before you buy! Children can climb, slide, swing and play on dozens of structures, test out their basketball skills and more!
Krohn Conservatory
1501 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati
513-421-5707 | cincinnatiparks.com/krohn
This summer, stop by Cincinnati Parks’ Krohn Conservatory for their Italian-themed summer show and get a taste of Tuscany through August 18; or visit the Krohn anytime to explore Cincinnati Parks’ nationally recognized showcase of more than 3,500 plant species from around the world! Be sure to contact Cincinnati Parks to learn more about their Krohn Preschool Camps and other fun nature events, too at cincinnatiparks.com/explore-nature.
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
50 E Freedom Way, Cincinnati
513-333-7739 | freedomcenter.org
An educational museum for everyone to explore and learn about the true meaning of freedom. Offers an array of programs throughout the year, including films, lectures, gallery talks, family programs and more!
Great Wolfe Lodge
2501 Great Wolf Drive, Mason
800- 913-9653 | greatwolf.com
A giant indoor waterpark you can experience year-round, plus dry land experiences, too! Go crazy with the kid-friendly activities, dining options, interactive games and more where that came from all in one cozy environment. A stay at Great Wolf includes access to the water park’s 13 slides and eight pools, kept at a comfortable 84-degrees temperature all year!
Full Throttle Indoor Karting
11725 Commons Drive, Cincinnati
833-351-5278 | gofullthrottle.com
More than just go karting, Full Throttle offers speed camps, birthday parties, corporate events, leagues, group events and new is their axe throwing! The family will has get to test their skills with Full Throttle’s slot car racing, pool table and video games.