Information:
Forty-five years ago, the park’s iconic Eiffel Tower, the Racer roller coaster, the Woodstock Express roller coaster for children and the Kings Island and Miami Valley Railroad made their debuts. Joining the lineup this year is Mystic Timbers — the park’s 16th roller coaster and fourth wooden coaster.
Among the many attractions: Banshee, a thrillinducing roller coaster; and the award-winning Planet Snoopy area for children.
Admission also includes Soak City, a 33-acre water park. Soak City boasts more changing rooms, spray misters, shade structures and deck space, helping to double the number of chaise lounge chairs.
starting at $42 (children under 48 inches tall) to $67; consider a combo ticket for Kings Island and Cedar Point in Sandusky for use in 2017 for $68; parking: $15.
Admission:
513-7545700, www.visitkingsisland.com
Situated on 35 wooded acres, this family-friendly destination offers a packed calendar of events this summer, including Reggae Sundays with live music to create an island vibe, the world’s largest swimming lesson at 2 p.m. June 22 (in hopes of breaking a world record), plus everyday thrills and chills.
Top attractions include Riptide Racer (a multi-person slide), the Cliff (with a five-story drop), the Banzai Blast (side-by-side racing slides), a heated wave pool, a zip line and a lazy river.
$19.99 to $28.99, free for children 3 and younger with paying adult; parking: $8.
513-3987946 or thebeachwaterpark.com
Admission: Information:
A massive renovation of Union Terminal, which houses the museum center, has forced the closure the Cincinnati History Museum, the Museum of Natural History and Science and the Omnimax Theatre until fall 2018. But the Duke Energy Children’s Museum remains
In case you hadn’t heard, the zoo has a new superstar: Fiona.
Fiona, a hippo born prematurely at the end of January, has become an internet and social-media darling. She is too young to be seen by visitors right now, but zoo officials will announce when she is ready to go outside.
In addition to catching a glimpse of the zoo’s mostpopular new resident, other zoo babies may be seen, including an okapi, a takin, three Malayan tiger cubs, 11 painted dogs, two giraffes and a three-banded armadillo.
Admission:
parking: $10 $13 to $19;
Information:
513-2814700, cincinnatizoo.org
Located on the banks Ohio River, within walking distance of other downtown Cincinnati attractions, is the home of the Cincinnati Reds — baseball’s first professional
This pair of side-by-side parks offer great views of the Ohio River plus gorgeous landscaping, a performance pavilion, concessions, a world-class playground, spraygrounds and more.
The parks also host great events during the summer, including one of Ohio’s largest outdoor music festivals — Bunbury.
The Bunbury Music Festival, bound to appeal to music lovers of all ages, will take place June 2-4, and will include Wiz Khalifa, the Shins and Death Cab for Cutie on June 2; Tech N9ne, Hayley Kiyoko and Bassnectar on June 3; Muse, the 1975 and Thirty Seconds to Mars on June 4.
Admission:
$79 and $89 for single-day pass; $189 for 3-day packages and $399 and up for 3-day VIP packages; parking: $10 to $20.
www.bunburyfestival.com
Information:
Budding architects will be inspired by a visit to Springfield’s meticulously preserved Westcott House — one of only 11 Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Ohio and among about 260 in the world. This is a great destination for anyone who enjoys unique buildings.
The Westcott complex consists of the main house, a garage, a pergola and a perennial gardens.
While in the area, stop by the Hartman Rock Garden just a few miles away at 1905 Russell Ave. to see some unique rock artwork, including meticulously crafted replicas of the White House, Independence Hall and other well-known national landmarks that were crafted out of small stones by H.G. “Ben” Hartman during the Great Depression (admission is free).
Admission:
$12 to $15, includes a 1-hour docentguided tour; parking: free. 937-3279291, westcotthouse.org
Information: