NEW in OHIO

CW – Ada. Wilson Football Factory Tour. The factory, which is located at 517 E. Highland Ave. offers one-hour tours on weekdays, starting at 9 a.m., with an additional tour at Noon (Monday-Thursday). The cost is $15 per person with a portion of the proceeds designated for youth sports groups. Admission for first responders and active or former military is free. Tours can be reserved online. https://www.wilson.com/en-us/explore/football/ada-ohio-factory

Visitors to the plant, along with seeing the detailed 20-step manufacturing process that goes into each NFL game football, which is referred to as “The Duke,” can view memorabilia dating to the 1940s in a museum area celebrating “iconic Wilson and NFL moments.” Guests can also take home a souvenir from the retail store that carries equipment for different sports and men’s and women’s apparel items.

SW – Middletown. Land of Illusion Adventure Park. Open Summers Daily Mon – Thur: 11am – 5pm, Fri – Sun: 11am – 7pm. Open Weekends Only After August 11th & Labor Day. (Hours May Very: Check Site for Details). Tickets starting at $16.99. Address: 8762 Thomas Rd.(Follow I-75 S to OH-73 W/E 2nd St in Franklin. Take exit 38. Continue on OH-73 W 7 miles) Middletown, Ohio 45042. https://www.landofillusion.com/ Come check out what everyone is talking about this summer! Get the whole family together, get the kids off of the screens, and soak up the sun all summer long! Enjoy the best sandy beaches to kick back, relax with a cool tropical drink, and listen to the laughter and splashing of people just having fun! Explore 3 amazing areas:

Toddler Splash Area (Remember 3 & Under a FREE)

Junior Area (A miniature version of the huge course)

Largest Inflatable Obstacle Course in the USA With over 100+ pieces and a towering 25-foot inflatable!

CW – Xenia. Great Council State Park. 1575 US-68 Xenia, Ohio 45385. (937) 502-0057 https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/great-council-state-park Hours for Interpretive Center and the Gift Shop: Wednesday: 9am to 5pm, Thursday: 9am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday: 9am to 5pm, Sunday: 11am to 5pm.

Great Council State Park is Ohio’s newest state park, and is located in what used to be called “Old Chillicothe,” a vibrant Shawnee town founded in the 1770s and led by Chief Blackfish. Great Council features a 12,000-square-foot interpretive center, a native plant prairie, and a half-mile loop trail.

The interpretive center’s design pays tribute to Shawnee longhouses that served as central hubs and community centers for tribes in the 1700s. Inside, visitors will find a living stream with native aquatic life, exhibits that depict what life was like for the Shawnee and early settlers in the 1770s, and a theater. ODNR has worked with the three federally recognized Shawnee nations (The Shawnee Tribe, Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, and the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma) to ensure Great Council State Park conveyed an accurate and authentic record of life in the 1770s.

C – Marion. Explore-It-Torium. 244 S. Main Street. https://www.exploreitmarion.org/. Tuesday-Friday 9am-3pm. $6.00 per person. Located in the historic Carnegie Library building, we are 10,000 square feet of fun. Come explore, imagine, create and learn in our hands-on play areas. Go camping and search for lost animals in the Nature Area. Plant, harvest and sell produce in the Barnyard. Build and race cars in the Maker Space or take things apart to see how they work. Cut, paste, paint and glue in the art room or put on a puppet show. Try out future careers in the Little City as a policeman, vet, doctor, nurse or mechanic.

S – Hocking Hills (Logan). The Hocking Hills Children’s Museum officially opened its door on Jan. 16. 78 W. Main St. in Downtown Logan. Admission, which costs $8 for Hocking County residents and $10 for non-residents, includes access to all of the museum’s attraction, such as a miniature strip of storefronts children can play inside, a cave with light toys inside, a sandbox, an interactive water area and much more. The Honeycomb, a massive, beehive-themed play space specifically for toddlers is also open to visitors. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, 12-4 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

NE – Cleveland. Museum of Illusions. 200 Euclid Avenue, Suite 130, 44114 (The May Building). https://moicleveland.com/. Hours: Daily 10am-10pm. Admission starts at $20.00, mostly pre-sale admission. Visitors to the 9,200 square foot exhibit space will experience interactive and immersive illusions, then learn the science behind them. Highlights include a Cleveland-themed “Reversed Room”where visitors seem to levitate upside down on a basketball court and “Building Illusion” where they appear as if hanging from a Cleveland building. Other exhibits include the Walk-in Kaleidoscope, Vortex Tunnel and Infinity Room.

CE – Cambridge. The Deerassic Park Education Center is a one of a kind place, where youth and families are encouraged to explore the outdoors, participate in outdoor education experiences and learn a lifelong love and appreciation for nature.

While here, guests will increase their knowledge of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and much more while also learning about the history of Deerassic Park.

No trip to Deerassic Park would be complete without getting a chance to view the live deer herd. Deerrassic Park offers two different viewing areas to see Ohio’s state mammals up close and personal.

Deerassic Park is easily accessible and near the intersection of Interstates 70 and 77. 14250 Cadiz Rd, Lore City, OH 43755 (Cambridge area, on Rte 22 near Salt Fork State Park). The Deerassic Park Welcome Center is open to the public for the season through , Thursdays & Fridays 2-6 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (closed Sunday-Wednesday). There is no admission fee. https://deerassic.com.

STATEWIDE – These Whimsical Storybook Trails At Ohio State Parks Are The Perfect Adventure For The Whole Family. https://www.columbusnavigator.com/storybook-trails-ohio-state-parks/

C – Columbus. National Veterans Memorial and Museum, 300 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 Phone: (614) 362-2800  https://nationalvmm.org/  Hours: TUES-SUN 10 A.M. – 5 P.M. Admission is FREE for U.S. military Veterans, active-duty military members and Gold Star families. Daily Admission:  Adult (18-64): $18.00, Senior (65+): $16.00, College Student (With ID): $13.00, Youth (5-17): $11.00, Child (under 5): Free. Located on the downtown Columbus riverfront, is the only place in America dedicated to telling the stories of veterans of all branches of military service over the course of all conflicts. Not really designed for kids, there are some coloring areas near the gift shop and a great greenspace trail circling the back of the museum.

CW – Dayton. Aullwood Audubon Nature Center. As an environmental education, sustainable agriculture, and Audubon Center of the National Audubon Society in western Ohio, Aullwood Audubon teaches, leads and inspires people to preserve, protect and enjoy nature, farming and the environment. Aullwood offers both children and adults the opportunity to encounter and appreciate the world through experience-based education. Discover our woods, streams, ponds, prairies, meadows, working sustainable farm, educational animal exhibits, and much more!
   
Aullwood Audubon is open 9 AM to 5 PM Tuesday through Saturday and 1 PM to 5 PM Sunday. Aullwood’s Nature Center, Farm Discovery Center, trails and property are closed on Mondays. Aullwood’s trails are only open during business hours. For holiday closings, please visit our Events page. Aullwood Audubon is open rain or shine. General admission tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. For this reason, we recommend carefully planning your visit to allow for adequate time to explore our facilities and our new “The Troll that Hatched an Egg” exhibit by Thomas Dambo. 

CW – DAYTON Children’s Discovery Garden at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark https://whatshouldwedotodaycolumbus.com/wegerzyn-gardens-metropark-dayton-ohio/

CE – Middlefield. Corner Field Model Railroad Museum & Trading Post Train Shop. They’re a model train museum and also a hobby shop that sells, Lionel, MTH, etc electric trains. They have the Largest Family Owned Model Railroad in the United States. http://www.cornerfieldmodelrailroadmuseumandhobby.com/home.html.

Hours on Wednesday’s are 11AM to 4PM, Thursday’s 12PM to 4PM, Friday’s / Saturday’s of 11-4 and Sunday’s of 12-4. These hours will remain this way for a while. If any questions regarding the museum, call at 440-636-5162. 16720 Pioneer Road Middlefield, OH 44062

New Admission Price:
Adults: $10.00
Seniors: $8.00
Kids 4-12: $5.00
Under 3: Free

NC – Sandusky – White Star Quarry is located at 901 South Main Street, Gibsonburg, OH 43431. The beach is open for weekends only starting May 27, then daily starting June 10. This Ohio Quarry Has Tropical Vibes And Crystal Clear Water https://www.columbusnavigator.com/white-star-quarry-ohio/

S – Chillicothe. Grandpa Joe’s. 22 W Water St. They’re open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. One Hour From Columbus You’ll Find A Candy Shop With An Epic $5 Candy Buffet. Grandpa Joe’s is filled to the brim with nearly every candy you can imagine and tons of glass bottled soda pops.The shop is the place to go when you’re searching for that one favorite candy that you had as a kid but can’t find anywhere else. It definitely takes you back to sweeter and simpler times. https://grandpajoescandyshop.com/

S – Butterfly Ridge. Hocking Hills (Rockbridge). 17864 State Route 374, Rockbridge, OHIO, 43149. Butterfly Ridge is open every day except Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. There are guided tours each day at 1 and 3 p.m. or if you prefer, you can walk the one mile trail on your own. Admission is $5. On the property, you’ll find the hiking trail, a prairie, a treehouse, and a Nature Center & Gift Shop. Butterfly Ridge is located just 5 minutes from Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve and less than 10 minutes from Hocking Hills State Park. https://www.butterfly-ridge.com/

S – John Glenn Astronomy Park, Hocking Hills State Park.  jgap.infoAn astronomy park in the Hocking Hills State park was inspired by our vanishing night sky.  The Hocking Hills, in rural southeastern Ohio, is one of the few areas left in the state of Ohio where the night sky can be seen in its near pristine state.  The observatory provides a venue for visitors to the Hocking Hills State park to experience the night sky through a large telescope and with their eyes.
The observatory also draws on the countless generations of humans who marked the important changes of the seasons through the motion of the sun and who built great structures that commemorated these days.  The plaza has been designed to allow the rays of the sun to fall upon a special central point on the first day of each of the four seasons. 

ADDITIONAL INFO

C – Columbus. Blacklick Woods Canopy Walk. Hours and Info Nature Center: 614-861-8759. April-September: 9am-8pm
October-March: 9am-6pm. https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blacklick-woods/.

Rising 40 feet into the air at Blacklick Woods, this wide boardwalk loops for an eighth-of-a-mile through the canopy of trees, including maples, beech, shagbark hickory and various oaks. The walk affords fabulous views of the surrounding beech-maple forest and parkland, and is great for birdwatching. An elevator provides easy access to the Canopy Walk, making it ADA accessible for wheelchair users. The boardwalk is also accessible via steps. There is an even higher viewing platform, above the elevator tower, standing 55 feet above the forest floor. Access to the viewing platform is by further steps. There are a total of 99 steps from the forest floor to the top-most viewing platform. The Canopy Walk also includes features for adventure or relaxation. Navigate the three rope bridges, relax in the hammock-style cargo net, or seek shade or play in the large treehouse, which includes climbing apparatus and a fireman’s pole. The Canopy Walk is completely free to use and is open every day, from 9am to 7pm during the months April to August, and 9am to 5pm from September through March. The Canopy Walk will be closed until 12 pm on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month.

NW – Toledo. Nestled between Whitehouse and Swanton, Oak Openings Preserve is a natural treasure in Northwest Ohio. At 5,000 acres, it’s the largest Metropark in the Toledo area, offering a unique blend of ecosystems that range from oak savannas and wetlands to vegetated sand dunes… and a Treehouse Village! This unique spot offers a whimsical and adventurous way to connect with nature. The treehouses range from cozy one-room retreats to multi-level structures that can accommodate larger groups. Elevated walkways and rope bridges connect the treehouses, adding an extra layer of excitement. Staying in a treehouse is like stepping into a storybook. You’ll wake up to the sounds of birdsong and the rustling of leaves, high above the ground. https://metroparkstoledo.com/explore-your-parks/oak-openings-preserve-metropark/

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(search KIDS LOVE OHIO, 8th Edition)