Take a Staycation!
A staycation is becoming so popular its pretty much an everyday idea now. Be a tourist in your own town. Take time to visit places around your town that you haven’t got a chance to explore before.
Cincinnati and the tri-state area lends itself very well to the idea. Take a look at our list of places to visit here.
Not in our area? If you’re stuck finding tourist attractions go to a hotel lobby and see what brochures they have there. (It’s a good place to find discounts too.)
As you are planning where to go keep in mind that the idea is to treat it as you would a traditional vacation.
That means take scheduled time off work.
Let people know you are going to be “out on the town” (instead of “out of town”) and unavailable for this time.
Stop the mail (treat email the same as you would on a standard vacation).
Stock up the fridge and pantry with special snacks and meals if you are going to cook on your staycation. Plan which restaurants you want to go to if you aren’t cooking at home.
Buy a book or movie to watch if you usually take one on vacation with you.
Make sure the house is clean and laundry done before the staycation. You don’t want to use your staycation time on household chores.
Sports of All Sorts
If you are the athletic type you certainly won’t lack choices for entertainment here.
Hit ( 😀 ) the batting cages at Fairfield Golf Center, or try Sports of All Sorts. Take your clubs to a driving range or play nine at any number of public courses in town.
Take in a professional game at The Great American Ballpark or Paul Brown Stadium. College teams are fun to watch as well. What about a hockey game?
Reds Hall of Fame and Museum is a neat place to take in a little history of the great American past time.
Check out the parks
If you still have energy to burn take your bike (or rent one) or skates to the Little Miami Scenic Trail.
Rent a rowboat and drop a line in a lake or pond.
Highfield Discovery Garden in Woodlawn is a fun place for the kids to romp around.
Cincinnati Nature Center’s Rowe Woods offers hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty.
What about a Show?
Children’s Theater of Cincinnati is a good place to start if you have little ones.
Madcap Puppets is fun too.
Showboat and Covedale Theater are hidden little gems.
Or check the calendar at Music Hall, Aronoff Center or Riverbend.
Observatory Deck in Carew Tower is a great place to get a bird’s eye view of the city before or after a show.
Take a carriage ride downtown or ride on a riverboat – or get a little crazy and ride the Ducks.
On the quieter side
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is a great place to do a lot of reading and learning of history. They also have audio tours for kids as well as adults to help guide you.
The Cincinnati Observatory Center is a great place to do some star gazing.
Duke Energy’s Children Museum is not really a quiet place but is in The Museum Center at Union Terminal.
By no means are those the only museums you’ll find around town. Visit Vent Haven Museum or the Tri-State War Bird Museum at Clermont County Airport for some other interesting options.
Play
Land of Make Believe playground at Lunken Airport Playfield is another fun spot to include in your staycation.
Plan a Bounce Party at Sports of All Sorts if you want to include others in your fun.
Arcades such as Gameworks, Dave and Busters, or Chuck E. Cheese are other playful places to go.
The obvious choices
Newport Aquarium and the Cincinnati Zoo are popular choices to see some animals.
Get your thrill rides at amusement parks such as Kings Island and Coney Island.
Or do you prefer to get wet? Try the Beach Waterpark, Great Wolf Lodge, or Coco Key.
There is lots of excitement and relaxation right outside your backdoor that you can explore on your staycation. The important thing is to relax and unwind just as you would if you were hundreds or thousands of miles from home.
Another everyday idea is a daycation. – Just take a day off and spoil yourself as if you were on a traditional vacation.
Little Gift Shop OH 