A Teachers View - Stay-cations, Southern Ohio

I am blessed to live next to a elementary school teacher who loves my kids and we love her!! She has multiple education degrees and is the first person I run to when I am worried about speech, development or anything learning related!! She has agreed to write a weekly post for me on some common concerns involving little ones and just great ideas! This week she continues to talk about great stay-cations here in Ohio!If you have a topic that you would like to see addressed, please e-mail me at everythingmom@live.com

Stay-cations – Southern Ohio

It’s now cool to vacation in your own state. Think a vacation in Ohio is about a much fun as dental work? Think again! There are some hidden gems in this great state and deals to be had. Here are some ideas for visiting Southern Ohio.

Here’s a “steal” in Cincinnati – book a night at a Cincinnati-area hotel and get ½ price Reds tickets! There’s a ton to do in Cincy – relax at Fountain Square, head to the Freedom Museum, or take a ride on a riverboat. http://www.cincinnatiusa.com/

If your family is like mine – quirky museums are right up your alley. Jump US 33 South from Columbus to start your journey. Stop at the AHAA Hands-On Adventure Children’s Museum in Lancaster (740- 653-1010). Next, tour the Columbus Washboard Factory in Logan (www.columbuswashboard.com), then continue on US 33 into Nelsonville and visit the Pencil Sharpener Museum (call 740-753-4634 to schedule a tour), both of which are free!

There are also some package savings to be had! Coco Key Water Resort and the Newport Aquarium have partnered as well as the Cincinnati Zoo and Kings Island. Check out http://www.cocokeywaterresort.com/ and http://www.ohioslargestplayground.com/ for more information.

Always popular with the kids: The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway in Nelsonville. My grandparents used to take us on train rides here! The trains run all year long with seasonal programming. http://www.hvsry.org/

A Teachers View: Stay Cations- Central Ohio

I am blessed to live next to a elementary school teacher who loves my kids and we love her!! She has multiple education degrees and is the first person I run to when I am worried about speech, development or anything learning related!! She has agreed to write a weekly post for me on some common concerns involving little ones and just great ideas! If you have a topic that you would like to see addressed, please e-mail me at everythingmom@live.com

Stay-cations – Central Ohio

It’s now cool to vacation in your own state. Think a vacation in Ohio is about a much fun as dental work? Think again! There are some hidden gems in this great state and deals to be had. Here are some ideas for visiting Central Ohio.

Here is one of the coolest deals I found for Columbus:

Through Experience Columbus, you can get their “Roar and Explore” package. This includes 4 tickets for the Columbus Zoo, Zoombezi Bay water park, and COSI, free kids meals at Bob Evans, a Cameron Mitchell gift card, and two nights’ accommodations starting a $299. (You can include as many tickets as you like, 4 is their base price). This is a great package if you have friends or family coming in from out of state or just want to enjoy your own city! Little to no gas money, tickets to three of the most fun, family friendly places in the city, not having to make your bed, and of course the hotel pool, which no kid can resist. www.experiencecolumbus.com

Another budget friendly idea, catch a ball game at the Columbus Clippers new stadium Huntington Park. Tickets range from $3-$15 depending on where you want to sit and parking when there are no other events going on in the Arena District is $3. Or forgo going in the park and simply watch from the “knotholes” in right field along Nationwide Blvd. Since the Clippers are now affiliated with the Cleveland Indians, you never know when an Indians’ player may be sent down. www.clippersbaseball.com

Central Ohio has an awesome park system and programs are offered almost daily. Pack a picnic and head to the park! Go with the naturalist to find summer wildflowers, animal tracks, or even pet some native Ohioans. Visit Slate Run Farm and be transported onto a 19th century farm – help with the farm chores, chase some chickens, and learn how farmers worked over 100 years ago. All the parks have walking trails, some of which are paved and stroller friendly. www.metroparks.net

I’ll be bringing you more Columbus based ideas all summer long.