Southwest Ohio Parent Magazine

Some days, I am such a spontaneous, fun and carefree mom, I can hardly stand it. (Other days, I’m at best a Type-A mess mix of Danny Tanner and Kate Gosselin.) Last week, as temps soared into the 90s, I decided that a visit to a splash park was definitely in order. But not just any splash park would do; I wanted a really, really fun one. So having he...

Cincinnati and Dayton aren’t exactly known for their beaches. But there are actually lots of picturesque places to plan a “beach day” — each just a short drive away. Pack up the cooler, slather on the sunscreen and spend a day at one of these beaches near Southwest Ohio.

About two hours northeast of Cincinnati, Zoombezi Bay in Powell, Ohio, lays claim to being the largest water park in the state. It sits directly next to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and a day-pass ticket covers admission to both — a detail that matters when you’re loading up a car with kids who have opinions about how the day goes.

The park runs from mid-May through ...

Festival season is in full swing! You can find lots of charming celebrations happening all around the state. Here are some of the more popular festivals that are worth traveling for.

Downtown Troy
June 6-7

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Berry season is one of the better reasons to get outside in Southwest Ohio. Here’s where you can pick your own near Cincinnati and Dayton, from strawberries in late May through blueberries and blackberries well into summer.