Here are 8 great places for families to explore in Ohio
Festivals, fairs and amusement parks are popular destinations for folks on the hunt for family fun and Ohio has them in abundance. But it’s just a wee bit early to enjoy such festivities. What else might families do on spring break and beyond? We have some ideas.
Whether you’re staying here in Columbus or taking a day trip to another part of the state, it’s a surefire bet that there’s something decidedly not run-ofthe-mill to keep the entire family engaged.
Ohio is chock-full of adventures and activities from the artistic and athletic to outright offbeat.
Here are eight great places around the Buckeye state you might not know about that promise a good time will be had by all.
Alien Vacation Mini Golf
What: All ages will get spaced-out on this glow-in-the-dark golf course that includes lasers, real sci-fi movie props, fiber optics and 3D illusions in a dozen out-of-this-world themed environment spanning 18 holes.
Where: 260 S. Court St., Medina Hours: noon to 6 p.m. Sundays; noon to 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays
More info: 330-721-1224, alienvacationminigolf.com
Entertrainment Junction
What: This family entertainment complex is like an indoor amusement park. Its two biggest attractions are The Train Journey, a 25,000-square-foot display that includes a thousand-plus boxcars about the size of a loaf of bread and the A-maze-n Funhouse. Among other big draws are the 1,000-squarefoot replica of historic Coney Island Amusement Park with a working roller coaster, the American Railroading Mu
seum and Imagination Junction, a play area specifically for younger kids.
Where: 7379 Squire Court, West Chester
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays; noon to 6 p.m. Sundays; closed on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas
More info: 513-898-8000, entertrainmentjunction.com
Goodfolk & O’tymes Biplane Rides
What: Founder Dewey Davenport, known as Mr. Goodfolk, flies 600 to 800 people a year, with passengers ranging from 1 to 100 years old. The 1929 Travel Air 4000 seats two passengers and the 1930 D-25 can fly up to four. Whether you’re checking it off your bucket list, celebrating a special occasion or just taking a joy ride, an open-cockpit biplane flight is a unique thrill. Remember to take your camera!
Where: 177 S. Monroe Siding Road, Xenia
Hours: The season is May 1 to Oct. 30. Flights are by appointment, weather permitting.
More info: 937-877-0837, gobiplanerides.com
IFLY Indoor Skydiving
What: IFLY’S state-of-the-art wind tunnels provide an exciting flight experience for people of all abilities, from fledglings to seasoned veterans. Newbies need not fear: There’s no jumping or falling; you simply float on a column of air. First-timers should expect the experience to take about 90 minutes from start to finish, which includes a training session with pre-flight practice.
Where: 7689 Warehouse Row, Liberty Township, about 25 miles north of Cincinnati
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 6: 30 p.m. Wednesdays andthursdays; 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.
More info: 513-901-4359, iflyworld.com/cincinnati
LVL UP Sports Paintball Park
What: The 36-acre facility serves all styles of play with a variety of unique fields featuring airplanes, Army trucks, two-story castles and more. If you’re worried about the “ouch” factor, a paintball splat has been compared to getting flicked with a rubber band. If that’s still too much for you, LVL UP offers a low-impact option with smaller paintballs shooting at a slower rate.
Where: 5390 Harrisburg Pike, Grove City
Hours: Walk-ins for public games are welcome from noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, with check-ins from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Private groups can make reservations for any day and time, as long as it’s during daylight hours.
More info: 614-313-1382, lvlupsports.com
Otherworld
What: Visitors are encouraged to explore 47 rooms and immerse themselves in this 32,000-square-foot world where sci-fi meets fantasy. Boasting 190,000 LEDS, Otherworld is filled with large-scale art, mixedreality playgrounds and secret passageways. The interactive art site also hosts regular concerts, dance parties, arts-and-crafts classes and performance art.
Where: 5819 Chantry Drive, Columbus
Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; closed Tuesdays
More info: 614-808-6443, otherworld.com
Penitentiary Glen Reservation
What: About 25 miles east of downtown Cleveland, Penitentiary Glen Reservation features forest, fields, wetlands and more than 8 miles of hiking trails. Its many offerings include butterfly gardens, seasonal art shows, an annual amateur photography show, watching and listening to birds and other wildlife, interactive displays in the Nature Center and meeting native animals in the Wildlife Yard. Kids can interact with the outdoors in a wild play space and on select dates, the whole family can enjoy a miniature steam-powered train ride through the woodlands to the gorge. Where: 8668 Kirtland-chardon Road, Kirtland Hours: Penitentiary Glen Reservation is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round. The Nature Center and Wildlife Yard are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and
from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
More info: 440-256-1404, lakemetroparks.com/ parks-trails/penitentiary-glen-reservation
Your Toy Connection
What: Here’s a chance to teach today’s tech-savvy kids about the B.C. — Before Computers — era. From Transformers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Power Rangers and Powerpuff Girls, the shop near Akron is festooned with vintage and collectible toys as far as the eye can see. You’ll find LEGO, Funko Pops, Batman and everything in between dating back to the ‘60s. You also can trade and sell your vintage playthings here!
Where: 238 W. Main Street, Ravenna
Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays
More info: 330-839-8939, facebook.com/yourtoyconnection
bpaschal@dispatch.com