Area attractions provide 'staycation' activities

Finding something to do near home is easy with so many local entertainment attractions. Here’s our guide to some of the many local “staycation” options available nearby.

Hours and ticket prices are subject to change. Most Web sites for attractions offer discounted prices for tickets purchased in advance.

Cincinnati Zoo 
& Botanical Garden

What: With thousands of species of plants and animals, people can interact with nature through self-guided tours.

Where: 3400 Vine St., Cincinnati

Admission: adults $13-$24 depending on package; child and senior admission (ages 2-12 and ages 62 and older): $9-$20

Parking: $6.50

Accessibility: Stroller rental is $7.50 for single, $13 for double

Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through the summer

Extras: The Vine Street Pavillion has two elevators for stroller and wheelchair access

Kings Island

What: An amusement park with rides, entertainment and a water park

Where: Kings Island Drive just off of I-71

Admission: Adults (ages 3-61 or 48 inches and taller): $47.99; juniors/seniors: $44.99

Parking: $10-$15

Hours: Vary, but typically 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Accessibility: Strollers/wheelchairs limited and require a small fee.

The Beach 
Waterpark

What: A water park featuring real sand and a wave pool and children’s area

Where: 2590 Water Park Drive, Mason

Admission: $27.99; children 48 inches and shorter: $10.50; free for ages 2 and younger; family of four: $79.99

Parking: $7.50

Hours: Vary, but usually 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Newport Aquarium

What: A showcase of thousands of animals in 1 million gallons of water. Activities include touching a shark and meeting penguins.

Where: 1 Levy Way, Newport, Ky.

Admission: $20; children ages 2-12: $13

Parking: No lots specifically for aquarium. Plan for average $5-$8 fee

Accessibility: Strollers permitted after 4:30 p.m.; free backpacks and baby carriers provided for 30 pounds or lighter; wheel chairs provided free

Hours: Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Extras: Free penguin parade outside the aquarium begins at 9:15 a.m.

Cincinnati Museum 
Center at Union Terminal

What: Visit an OMNIMAX theater, the Cincinnati History Museum, Duke Energy Children’s Museum or Museum of Natural History and Science all in one location.

Where: 1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati

Admission: Adult $12 for all museums pass; $15 for museums plus OMNIMAX theater; $8 for one museum; $7.50 for OMNIMAX ticket

Seniors 60 and older Admission: $11 all museums pass; $14 museums plus OMNIMAX theater; $7 one museum; OMNIMAX $6.50

Children ages 3-12 Admission: $8 all museums pass; $10 museums plus OMNIMAX theater; $6 one museum; OMNIMAX $5.50

Toddler Pass: $4.50,

Infants: Free.

Parking: $3-$5

Stroller/wheelchair rental: $10 refundable deposit, plus a charge of $2 for stroller

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

Cincinnati Art 
Museum

What: Located in scenic Eden Park, the museum features an art collection of more than 60,000 works spanning 6,000 years. It also hosts several national and international traveling exhibitions each year.

Location: 953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati

Admission: Free

Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday

Parking: $4

Strollers/wheelchairs: Free but supply is limited

The Cincinnati 
Fire Museum

What: Located in a 1907 National Register firehouse, the museum preserves and exhibits Greater Cincinnati’s firefighting artifacts while honoring all the heroic firefighters, past and present. More than 200 years of firefighting history is on display, including early leather fire buckets, an 1808 fire drum and the oldest surviving fire engine in Cincinnati — a Hunneman hand pumper.

Location: 315 W. Court St., Cincinnati.

Admission: Adults: $7; $6 for ages 65 and older

Children ages 6-17: $5; ages 5 and younger free with adult admission

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Parking: N/A

American Sign 
Museum

What: Experience the only public sign museum in America. Its mission is to inform and educate people on the history of the sign industry and its contribution to commerce and the American landscape.

Location: 2515 Essex Place, Cincinnati

Admission: $10 adults, ages 12 and younger with adult admitted free

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; call to confirm

Extra: (800) 925-1110, ext. 336

National 
Underground Railroad Freedom Center

What: Learn of stories about freedom’s heroes, from the era of the Underground Railroad to contemporary times, challenging and inspiring people to take courageous steps for freedom today.

Location: 50 E. Freedom Way, Cincinnati

Admission: Adults: $9, seniors and ages 13-21: $7; children ages 6-12: $6; children younger than 6 free with paid adult; families pay value rate of $18.