Family Fun and Learning in Ohio (continued)

6) Hopewell Culture National Historic Park – The ancient residents of Ohio lived in some of the largest cities north of Mexico, and 23 of the mounded remnants of their 200 BC – AD 500 civilization are in this park on the Scioto River near Chillicothe. Watch a short film at the visitor center that explains what archeologists have learned so far in their explorations, and then take a Ranger-guided tour across the mounds to see how they were used for ceremonies, social life and possible astronomical observations.

7) Dayton Art Institute – Known for decades as “Dayton’s Living Room,” this mid-sized museum has a vibrant children’s education and outreach program. The self-contained interactive gallery space called Experiencenter (the first of its kind in any US art museum) hosts in-depth, multidisciplinary rotating exhibitions that focus on certain periods of history or a specific decorative art. Museum Tuesdays and Museum Saturdays always have special themes combined with hands-on workshops using 2D and 3D materials. Stop in on Sunday afternoons or Thursday evenings for free concerts.

8) Taste of Cincinnati – Held downtown every Memorial Day weekend, this is the longest-running culinary arts festival in the U.S.  Dozens of restaurants serving over one hundred tasty items, continuous live music and entertainment, booths set up on stroller-friendly asphalt, plenty of hotels nearby if you want to stay close to the chow….and admission is free. Surely even the pickiest kids can find some new foods to enjoy!

9) Cleveland Orchestra children’s programs – One of the top orchestras in the nation for decades, the Cleveland Orchestra hosts family concerts, many kid-friendly activities and music during its Blossom Festival summer series and 30-minute Musical Rainbow concerts for children ages 3-6. They also sponsor and mentor a Youth Orchestra, Youth Chorus and Children’s Chorus.

10)  Ohio Amish Country – One of the largest Amish and Mennonite communities in the U.S. is spread across picturesque Holmes County (several roads are a designated National Scenic Byway.) The Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center in Berlin gives a good overview of their unique language, religion, culture and daily life. Park next to Amish carriages at the Mt. Hope Auction and enjoy the bustle during one of the produce, dairy cow or draft horse auctions. Explore the typical Amish farm and lifestyle at either Yoder’s Amish Home or Schrock’s Amish Farm, then marvel at the old-time equipment and appliances that are still sold at Lehman’s Hardware in Kidron (butter churn or wringer washer, anyone?)

11) Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum – When this dramatic I.M. Pei-designed landmark opened in 1995, it gave the city of Cleveland a whole new cachet. Packed with treasures like The Door’s lead singer Jim Morrison’s Cub Scout uniform, the museum weaves the history of rock and roll from the 1950s through today with the story of how the music spoke to political, economic and creative issues. Exhibits range from the evolution of audio technology to “Hang on Sloopy – Music in Ohio,” and public outreach programs include live summer concerts and a February tribute to the African-American roots of rock.