Whether you’re searching for a summer vacation or a weekend getaway for your family, nothing beats a good old-fashioned road trip. The beach is a popular destination, but maybe your budget doesn’t allow for a big trip or you just want to try something different. My husband, 10-year-old daughter Madeline, seven-year-old son Bennett, and I have thrown caution to the wind. We’ve gone Griswold. Our quest for family adventure has taken us on amazing road trips that are affordable, close and fun! In this special Knoxville Moms‘ series, I’m highlighting three of our favorites. I’ve already shared about our wonderful weekend in Birmingham, Alabama. Next up, our road trip to my adopted hometown.
Cincinnati, Ohio
The Queen City may be our neighbor 250 miles to the north, but southerners will feel right at home in Cincinnati, especially during the summer. It’s hot and humid, but don’t let that stop you from exploring everything Cinci has to offer! The metro area has more than two million people and it’s home to one of our country’s top-rated zoos. My husband hails from Cincinnati so while I’m not a native I married one! We’ve made countless trips to visit family and friends which has given me lots of opportunities to experience Cincinnati firsthand and fall in love with the city.
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Cincinnati Zoo: My love affair with this zoo began when my own parents took me there as a child. Now, we take our children to explore the zoo’s 75 acres and see the more than 580 species that call the Cincinnati Zoo home. One of the most famous residents is a hippo named Fiona. Just google her to see what the hype is about! It’s easy to see why the zoo is consistently ranked as one of the best in the nation. The exhibits are top notch and there are plenty of opportunities for interaction, including at the zoo’s new kangaroo exhibit. You walk THROUGH the enclosure and get incredibly close to the animals. Best of all, you can use your Knoxville Zoo membership for a 50% discount on your admission to the Cincinnati Zoo.
Newport Aquarium: Your animal adventures don’t have to stop! The Newport Aquarium is located just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati in Newport, Kentucky. Each day at the aquarium starts with a penguin parade. For the daring members of your family, you can cross the shark bridge. It’s a suspension bridge surrounded by netting that hangs above the open-air shark tank. I took a pass on that one! There is lots of parking, including a garage, but be prepared to pay. Adult tickets begin at $29.99 and children age two to 12 are $21.99. Some Kroger stores in the Cincinnati area offer a discounted aquarium ticket. The savings are roughly one to two dollars per ticket. Once you finish touring the Newport Aquarium, be sure to allow time to wander around Newport on the Levee. It’s a dining-shopping-entertainment development on the riverfront. (The aquarium is part of the development, so you don’t have to go far!)
Cincinnati Museum Center: This is the mecca for families with varying interests and ideas about how they want to spend their vacation. There are three museums and an OMNIMAX theater located in the historic Union Terminal building. The Duke Energy Children’s Museum is a must. It’s play with a purpose. Madeline and Bennett love playing pretend in Kids’ Town. They also love the water tables. Special waterproof aprons are available, but, if your kids are like my children they’ll still get wet! (We usually save the water tables for the end.) The Cincinnati Museum Center is also home to the Cincinnati History Museum and the Museum of Natural History & Science. If you have a dinosaur lover, be sure to visit the Natural History Museum’s Dinosaur Hall to see full-size specimens and incredible fossils. If you work up an appetite, there is a food court at Union Terminal. It’s pricy, but you can also bring your own food and eat at the tables while enjoying the incredible art and architecture of Union Terminal.
Cincinnati Reds: To me, there’s nothing more American than baseball. That’s why your road trip to Cincinnati MUST include a stop at the Great American Ball Park. You can do more than just catch a game (and maybe a foul ball!) Make sure you visit the TriHealth Family Zone to get out those wiggles. There is a playground, batting cages, a reading room, a sensory room and more. The most impressive part of the Family Zone is the Pampers Nursing Suite. It’s a luxurious, private area for all moms. There are gliders, a kitchenette, ice and refrigeration, a private bathroom, changing stations and lockers for storing your items during the game. Once you see this nursing suite you may not want to go back to your seat to watch the game! Other stadium highlights include the Cincinnati Hall of Fame and Museum. If you’re looking for a bite to eat before the game, check out Freedom Way located next to the ballpark. It’s a pedestrian street lined with restaurants and bars. Get there early on game days to snag a table. Something to keep in mind: some of the establishments are strictly bars so children are not allowed.
Krohn Conservatory: It’s not a dream! Thousands of butterflies will surround you at the Krohn Conservatory. You get to walk through a special showroom where the butterflies fly free. Not to mention there are also thousands of species of plants housed there. Best of all, this activity won’t break the bank and will create lots of amazing memories (read Instagram pictures). Adult tickets are $10.00 and children ages 5 to 17 are $5.00. If you make a trip to Cincinnati near Christmas, be sure to see the Krohn Conservatory’s live nativity and holiday show featuring an incredible train display.
Jungle Jim’s International Market: For a wacky and wonderous experience, visit this GIANT grocery store that’s more like a food theme park. Here’s just some of what you’ll see, there are over 70-countries are represented in the International Department and you can find rare and obscure items lining the other shelves. Kids will love the interactive displays and the silly photo ops throughout the store. Be sure to visit the bathroom! It looks like you’re entering a porta potty, but what’s on the other side of those doors earned Jungle Jim’s a world’s best bathroom contest!
Stay
My in-laws don’t run a bed and breakfast (otherwise I would tell you to stay at their house!). That’s why I would recommend CincinnatiUSA.com, which is the official online travel guide of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. If you’re planning to visit any of the places I mentioned (or ones I didn’t), there’s a good chance there is a special hotel package available on the website. Some of those packages include discounted attraction tickets. It’s worth a look!
Eat
Montgomery Inn: Presidents, celebrities and athletes have been making a point to stop at Montgomery Inn since 1951. That’s how you know the ribs are good! If that doesn’t convince you, my husband discovered Montgomery Inn barbecue sauce is available at the Kroger in Farragut. We make special trips for this stuff! Besides the world-famous ribs, there are plenty of other menu options, including a children’s menu. There are several Montgomery Inn locations. I would highly recommend The Boathouse location for amazing views of the Ohio River. Reservations are a must!
Skyline/Gold Star: You can only find Cincinnati chili in Cincinnati. So, help me, you better eat some while you’re there! While locals are divided on their favorite chili spot, you really can’t go wrong with Skyline Chili or Gold Star Chili. You won’t find any beans in the chili, but you will find spices like cinnamon. And even chocolate! Have your chili over spaghetti or on a hot dog. The three way is my favorite!
Graeter’s/UDF: Graeter’s stands out from other ice cream. I point to the French pot method used to make this amazing stuff. It’s made from real ingredients two-and-a-half gallons at a time. The black raspberry chip is the most popular, but you can’t go wrong with any of the flavors! Several of the Graeter’s locations have indoor ice cream-themed play areas which our children love. There’s another must-see ice cream spot. It’s called UDF which stands for United Dairy Farmers. It looks like you’re buying ice cream from a gas station, but, trust me, the milkshakes and malts are to die for!
German Food: Cincinnati has a rich German heritage thanks to all the immigrants that settled there. Lucky for us, we can eat and drink that rich heritage today. The Hofbräuhaus Newport is America’s first authentic Hofbräuhaus. It’s more than a meal, it’s an experience. Side note: My grandmother is German, so I have a real soft spot for spätzle and red cabbage!
Breakfast All Day: Sometimes breakfast at lunch and breakfast at dinner is the way to go with kids. Cincinnati has some fun spots to try. Sugar N’ Spice has been feeding Cinci yummy pancakes, fluffy omelets and signature sandwiches for 80-years. Every guest goes home with a cute rubber ducky which adds to the fun. Saturday Morning Vibes is a cereal bar that embraces that Saturday morning feeling. You can watch cartoons, play video games while mixing over 70 cereals with fun toppings. For that brunch feeling, visit the Sleepy Bee Cafe in the historic Oakley neighborhood. There’s plenty to love for adults and kids.
Taste of Belgium: For breakfast, travel to another side of my family tree! Taste of Belgium offers authentic Belgian waffles with a twist. Just thinking about the McWaffle makes my mouth water. It’s egg, bacon, gruyere and maple syrup on handmade piping hot waffles. Yum! I can’t take credit for discovering Taste of Belgium. Guy Fieri of Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” beat me to it!
There’s even more to Cincinnati including the Kings Island amusement park. The American Sign Museum is at the top of my list for our next trip to Cincinnati. That’s just skimming the surface! Whether or not your family vacation leads you to the ‘Nati this summer, I hope your road trip creates wonderful family memories!
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