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Visiting Cincinnati MuseumTerminal
Okay, don't let the word "Museums" throw you off. They have a lot to offer and your kids will have a wonderful time - you might even enjoy them too. My absolute favorite museum in Cincinnati is Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal!
MasonMetu Tip - If you currently have a zoo or museum membership, check out their reciprocal relationships with other museums and zoos. If you and your family end up going to an attraction in another city, you might be able to either get in free or get a discount just by having your local membership card with you.
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Cincinnati Museums
American Sign Museum - I haven't made it here yet but it's the only public sign musuem in the United States. They have signs from every era and you'll have a guided tour. 2515 Essex Place, Walnut Hills, Ohio. 513-258-4020. Call for times and admission pricing.
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal - www.cincymuseum.org 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45203. (513-287-7043). Not only is this place an architectural landmark (it used to be the old train station back in the day), it has three awesome museums, an I-MAX theatre and the most interesting rotunda you'll ever see - you just have to look up! And it still functions as a train station for Amtrak. Now, because my Mom has graciously bought some deluxe grandparent's pass, we are able to get in to any of the museums but if you don't have a pass, just go to their website for ticket information. It may be hard on kids to do all three museums in one day, so you may want to limit it to two.
Culture Fest: All activities in the Rotunda are FREE (charge for museum admissions). Noon - 5pm.
- Latin American Culture Fest - Nov. 21-22, 2009
- African Culture Fest - Jan. 16-18, 2010
- Appalachian Culture Fest - Feb. 20-21, 2010
- Celtic Lands Culture Fest - March 13-14, 2010
- Asian Culture Fest - April 24-25, 2010
Duke Energy Children's Museum - this is a little gem and my girls love it. If you have really little ones, they have a separate enclosed play area just for them. I'm sad to say that we've almost outgrown this spot but my 4 year old sometimes still heads there and checks out the Little Sprouts Farm, puppet area and sand area.
Within the main Children's Museum, you'll find "The Woods" which is an awesome indoor climbing area that has your child running through tunnels, going down slides, traversing rope bridges, and checking out the animals and fossils along the way. Very, very fun - adults can do it as well - you just have to be able to bend a bit. After that, they may want to play in the water works - have them put on a waterproof smock and make sure you roll up their sleeves.
There's a huge ball area in the "Energy Zone" where balls are zipping through tunnels, zooming up in the air and raining down on the kids. After that, head to "Kid's Town" for some fun pretend play. It's like a mini village just perfect for their size with a grocery store, diner, veterinary office, work site, and much more.
There is also a variety of programs offered but on Mondays from 11-2 & on Thurs from 2-4, they have their Super Sprouts programs where you can do a special arts & craft project in the Celebration room.
Museum of Natural History - this has some great exhibits but our first stop here is the sand pit (ages 5 and under). The kids can kick off their shoes and enjoy some playtime in the sand. They also have a puppet show area, coloring & books, and a mini train table. Lots to get the imagination going.
If your child is into fossils, head to Nature's Trading Post - they can actually bring in a fossil or other nature related item that they've found and trade it for another one at the trading post. There are snake skins, fossils, turtles and fish to check out.
From there we'll head to the cave area - this is really cool but remember they are recreating an actual Kentucky limestone cave so some of the twists and turns are tight and it's dark. You'll see some waterfalls and cool cave stuff but if your little ones are squeamish, you can always do the wheelchair accessible route on the top level.
Next, head deeper into the museum and you'll hit the Ice Age exhibit where you'll actually walk through a glacier and then you'll head through the ice cave and finally you'll be with some pre-historic animals.
If you haven't seen enough, you'll then head through the museum and you'll get to a pretty cool dinosaur exhibit with some life-size replicas. They also have a cool dinosaur area where the kids can play with mini-dinosaurs and let their imaginations run wild.
Cincinnati History Museum - this museum is filled with......can you guess??? History....you're so smart. But, it's history in a really cool way. You'll step in to view a re-created mini Cincinnati from the 1900's-1940's with "actual working trains, streetcars and inclines". It's called Cincinnati In Motion and showcases many of Cincinnati's neighborhoods back in the day. It is something to see - all that detail. Then you can head to the WWII exhibit with an actual 1940's streetcar to climb aboard.
From there you can check out how the early settlers of Cincinnati lived and then you'll actually enter a re-created mini-town with an actual canal boat to climb aboard. Very cool to see.
For those mechanically inclined, check out the Forming the New World: Cincinnati's Machine Tool Industry site where you can see why Cincinnati was the "machine tool capital of the world".
There's plenty more to take in, but you might have to come back another day to check out the I-max theatre or do one of there awesome programs.
MasonMetu Tip: We usually go to the Museum of Natural History first, then have lunch at the on-site Pizza Hut (I bring drinks and have my girls split a cheese pizza combo - it comes with a mini-pizza and breadsticks). You can also pack your lunch and eat in the rotunda. After lunch, we'll go the Children's Museum. If we're not too worn out and they've been good, we'll head to the Rookwood Ice Cream Shop - you should just go in there to see how cute it is.
Visiting the Cincinnati Fire Museum
Cincinnati Art Museum - www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org. 953 Eden Park Dr., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (513-639-2995). Located in Eden Park, the CAM is FREE for general admissions and is a great place to go to get a bit of culture! They have a cafe onsite if your little ones need some nourishment. You'll need to check out the Family First Saturdays where they offer a lot of fun activities such as scavenger hunts, crafts, & kid friendly performances. We've been to a few of these and I am always amazed that we have such wonderful things to do here. You can also check out their "Wee Wednesday" morning program for parents and their preschoolers - I haven't done this but they have story time and "touchable" objects on the last Wed. of the month. I need to check out my own rec! Parking is now $4.00 but it is well worth it since admission is still free.
- Family Artventures - Sat. at 1:00pm and Sundays at 3pm - tour CAM with a docent with touchable objects and ARTSTOPS.
- Who Put the Folk in Art - Learn about folk art and make your own. 11am-5pm on Sat. & Sun. until June 7.
- Public Tours - Tuesdays - Fridays at 1pm, Saturdays at 1pm & 2pm an Sundays at 1pm, 2pm & 3pm - FREE - docent led tours - meet in the main lobby.
Cincinnati Fire Museum - www.cincyfiremuseum.com. 315 W Court St # 1, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513-621-5553). This is an adorable smaller museum that has over "200 years of firefighting history". My kids loved sitting in the cab of a fire truck and making the lights and siren go off. They also have a mini re-created house to demonstrate fire safety.
Hours & Admission:
Tuesday through Fridays, 10AM-4PM
Saturday & Sunday Noon - 4PM
Closed Holidays
Adults $7.00
Seniors (65+) $6.00
Children (6 -17) $5.00.
Children 5 and under FREE general admission with adult/senior admission.
Cincinnati Observatory Center - www.cincinnatiobservatory.org - 3489 Observatory Place, Mt. Lookout. 513-321-5186. this is the "Birthplace of American Astronomy".
"Situated atop the rolling hillsides of Mt.Lookout, the Observatory is home to the world's oldest telescope still in use nightly by the general public. Two handsome National Historic Landmark buildings; one designed in 1873 by Samuel Hannaford, complement the institution's park-like setting. The Observatory is open for nighttime viewing through the telescope on most Thursdays and Fridays. Different planets come into view throughout the year and the Moon looks awesome through the telescopes. Please call for reservations." (from COC website). In addition to star gazing, they offer astronomy lectures and other events. Check their website for details but on some Sundays, they have free historical tours of the observatory buildings. After you visit the Observatory, you are so close to Ault Park so make sure you save time for a stroll around this beautiful park.
Contemporary Arts Center - www.contemporaryartscenter.org. 44 E 6th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513-345-8400). Okay, so I haven't been to this place yet, but I'd like to and thought I should include it on my list especially since they have the UnMusuem® there and according to their website, "the UnMusuem® is a gallery of participatory art designed to offer children and parents an enjoyable experience with the most innovative art of our time". They also have Family Sunday on the 4th Sunday of each month where "where CAC families use current and upcoming exhibitions to inspire learning and creativity through guided art making activities. This program is designed for children ages 5-10 and their caregivers". On the 2nd & 4th Thursday, they have Thursday Art Play for ages 3-7 from 1-2 pm.
Hours & Admission:
Monday: 10 am-9 pm (5 pm-9 pm free admission)
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday - Friday: 10 am-6 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 11 am-6 pm
Adults $7.50
Seniors (65+) $6.50
Students w/ID $5.50
Children (3-13) $4.50
Members and Children under 3 free.
Drake Planetarium - www.drakeplanetarium.org. 2020 Sherman Avenue, Norwood, OH 45212 (513-396-5578). Did you even know we had a planetarium in Cincinnati? Check them out soon. They have public shows on Sundays at 2 pm and Thursdays at 7 pm - you must pre-register for the show and be on time. They also offer Lego Lab birthday parties (ages 4-12 yrs).
Loveland Castle - www.lovelandcastle.com - 12025 Shore Road., Loveland, Ohio 45140. 513-683-4686. I still haven't made it here but I really want to go since it's so close and it's an actual castle built by Sir Harry Andrews in 1929. There are some really cool pictures on their website. In the Fall, the castle has a makeover and becomes haunted but if you go before the ghouls come out to play, you'll only pay $3 to tour the castle. From April-Sept, they are open 7 days/week from 11am-5pm.
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center - www.freedomcenter.org. 50 E Freedom Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513-333-7739). This is quite a building and the exhibits are outstanding. I'd say it is probably geared a little bit more towards a school age child then for really little ones, but it is extremely educational and worth visiting!
A synopsis from their website......"The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center opened in August 2004 on the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Our purpose is to tell the story of the struggle for freedom in the United States through exhibits and programs that focus on America's battle to rid itself of the ugly scourge of slavery and treat all its citizens with respect and dignity. "
Hours & Admission:
Tues-Sat. from 11-5. $12 general admission $10 seniors (60+), students & teachers with ID, $8 for children 6-12, & children under six are FREE.
Taft Museum of Art - www.taftmuseum.org. 316 Pike St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (513-241-0343). We've been meaning to get here but haven't made it yet but after reviewing their website, I really think I should make it a priority. It looks like they have a lot to offer as well as having specific programs for families. One program caught my eye, it's called Families Create and is for ages 5-12. It's held two Saturdays per month, one at the Taft and the other at the Weston Art Gallery (another place I need to check out). This is a smaller, historic museum with many famous works of art. Also, they have Lindner Family Cafe on site that is supposed to be really good and they actually have a children's menu so this has to be family friendly. I think this would be a great place to do a Mommy/Son or Daddy/Daughter date. Oh, another bonus, the Taft Museum is FREE on Wednesdays and kids are always FREE! Note: On May 9, the free day changes to Sunday. Regular admission on other days is $8/adults and $6/students and seniors. FREE for kids under 18. Hours: Wed through Sun. 11 am - 5 pm.
Voice of America Museum - www.veteransvoiceofamerica.com - This used to be the prime site for radio broadcasts and it had a worldwide audience. The Bethany Relay Station allowed America's voice to be heard. The Veterrans of the VOA Fund are constantly working to maintain and restore this piece of American history and its located in our hometown's backyard. 90% of all donations are directly used to support the VOA museum or restore it - and the VOA staff is all volunteer run. You can get free guided tours of the building (click here for more info). Many events are hosted throughout the year on the VOA grounds from Kite Flying to Wine Tastings to Dog Fests. 8070 Tylersville Road, West Chester, OH 45069 (exit 22 off of Interstate 75 and travel east about one mile).
Dayton Area Museums
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery - www.boonshoftmuseum.org. 2600 DeWeese Parkway, Dayton, OH 45414 (937-275-7431). We've only been to this museum once but I really want to go back because it really is a great children's museum and they make learning fun. There is so much to offer, from a wonderful kid-size grocery story, court house, animal hospital, recycling station, and a cool "Tower" (kids can climb inside then slide down) to wonderful hands-on exhibits. They also have a really cool tree house you can go to and you can sit and read a book or hopefully catch site of a bird or two. Within the museum there is an actual mini zoo. They don't have a cafeteria on-site - but you can bring your lunch and store it in their vending machine room area - it has small tables where you can eat. After looking at their website, I really want to go back.
Hours & Admission:
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Saturday
11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Sunday
12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Museum Admission: Adults $8.50; Children 2–12 and Seniors $7.50; Children under 2 are free; Members are FREE and if you're a member of Cincinnati's Museum Center, check out your membership since there may be a reciprocal admission program going on - double check before going.
National Airforce Museum of the United States - www.nationalmuseum.af.mil. 1100 Spaatz Street, Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433 (937-255-3286). So this is technically in the Dayton area but I wanted to include it here since it's FREE! This is an absolutely wonderful museum and it's huge - you probably won't be able take it all in just one visit but you definitely need a place to start. It is filled with actual airplanes, bombers, Airforce memorabilia from the start of aviation to present day. It even has a cool area dedicated to space shuttles with actual shuttles to see. You can even walk in to some of the planes. There is a big bomber one that is fun to walk inside. They have free guided "Heritage" tours everyday at 1:30 and an additional tour on Sat. at 10:30 a.m. I read that they also have "behind the scenes tours" but you need to sign up for these and be at least 12 years old and have an adult with you. Looks like this could be a great activity for a local Girl Scout or Boy Scout troop. There's also an IMAX theatre (charge for this) and a Cafe onsite. It's open seven days a week from 9-5 but closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
SunWatch Indian Village/Archeological Park - www.sunwatch.org. Off of I-75 North (from Cincinnati area), take exit 51. (937-268-8199). In the 1960's this was the near the old Dayton Incinerator and then two archeologists discovered some Indian artifacts and now this is a partially reconstructed village complete with guided tours, classes in archeology, and the Heilman-Kettering Interpretive Center which has recovered artifacts. They have lectures, seasonal ceremonies, sleepovers and more.
Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Noon - 5 p.m. Sunday.
Admission: $5, $3 for students ages 6-17, under 6 are FREE.
The Dayton Art Institute - www.daytonartinstitute.org - FREE for general admission (some special exhibits may have a charge) - 456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton, Ohio. (800) 296-4426 or (937) 223-5277. Closed on Mondays. Open 10am-4pm every other day except on Sunday open Noon-4pm. Click here for some of their family-friendly programming.
Northern Kentucky Museums
Behringer-Crawford Museum - www.bcmuseum.org. 1600 Montague Road, Covington, KY 41015. 859-491-4003. Celebrate Northern Kentucky's cultural happenings here including visual and performing arts and learn about Kentucky's heritage.
Hours: Open Tues-Sat. from 10am-5pm and 1-5pm on Sunday.
Cost: $7 adults, $6 seniors, $4 ages 3 to 17.
- Holiday Toy Trains - Behringer-Crawford Museum - Open through Jan. 17. See their 18th annual train display. $7/adults, $6/seniors, $4/ages 3-17. 859-491-4003. 1600 Montague Road, Covington. Closed on Mondays except for Dec. 21 and 28 and closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
Totter's Otterville - www.johnnystoys.com/tottermain.html. 4314 Boron Dr. Covington, KY 41015 (859)261-6962. This technically isn't a museum but I wanted to include it since it's an educational entertainment center for children 10 and under. It really is adorable and has plenty of fun areas your kids will love such as a mini grocery store, jump and climbing ball pit area, veterinary clinic, puppet theatre and so much more. If you go during the warmer months, check out the outside play features and they can even ride a mini train. There's a kid friendly cafe on site. Totter's is located in the back of Johnny's Toys so make a bee line for Totter's otherwise your kids may get caught up in all the toy hoopla.
