5 Family Friendly Attractions to Visit in Cincinnati

Cincinnati has no shortage of attractions to visit. From Kings Island and the Great Wolf Lodge, to IKEA, to catching a Reds game at the Great American Ballpark, there is something for everyone. Today I’d like to share some of the attractions that my family has enjoyed over the years while visiting Cincinnati.

1. Jungle Jim’s International Market

Jungle Jim’s International Market

5440 Dixie Highway
Fairfield, OH 45014-4108
(513) 674-6000

If you think grocery stores are a place you visit only to stock your frig, you haven’t been to Jungle Jim’s! It’s apparent from the Outdoor Jungle scene that you are not entering an ordinary grocery store. Inside you’ll find a Singing Elvis Lion, the Big Cheese, a Live Fish Harvest, and foods from over 70 different countries. What began as a small roadside stand has grown into the largest grocery store in the Cincinnati area!

Food sampling is offered everyday before 4:30 p.m., but I’ve been told that the best time to sample the offerings is on the weekend. Tours of the store are available Monday thru Friday, if you make your reservation prior to your arrival.

Make sure you stop by the award winning restrooms on your visit; all things are not as they appear!

FREE to visit & shop; small fee charged for tour.

2. William Howard Taft Birthplace National Historic Site

William Howard Taft National Historic Site
2038 Auburn Ave.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45219

A visit to the boyhood home of William Howard Taft, the Ohio born, 27th President and 10th Chief Justice of the United States includes the Taft Education Center and a guided tour of the home.

The Taft Education Center offers brochures, interactive displays and a small gift shop. The home is adjacent to the center and houses memorabilia from President Taft’s boyhood as well as highlighting his accomplishments in his political career.

A Jr. Ranger program for children between the ages of 6-12 is also available.

Free.

3. Krohn Conservatory

Krohn Conservatory
1501 Eden Park Dr. Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

(513) 421-4086

Located minutes from the Taft National Historic Site, Krohn Conservatory is a great place to relax! This attraction is beautiful inside and out. If you have an eye for architectural structures, you’ll appreciate that the building was built during the Art Deco era.

Inside you can step into the desert and rainforest- complete with a chocolate tree. Don’t leave without posing for a photo in front of the 20 foot waterfall.

Free, although there is a charge for special exhibits.

4. Newport Aquarium

Newport Aquarium One Newport Way Newport, Kentucky 41071 859-261-7444

This award winning, million gallon tank aquarium is home to thousands of animals from around the world. It is also the only facility to breed shark rays in the world. Fish feedings, touch tanks, sharks, otters, penguins, and live shows are just some of the things you’ll see and experience at Newport Aquarium- all on the banks of the Ohio River.

Cost: $22 for adults, $15 for children ages 2 through 12. Children under the age of 2 are free.

5. Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal

Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal 1301 Western Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45203 513-287-7000 800-733-2077

Although Union Terminal no longer bustles with railway passengers, this landmark still serves the city of Cincinnati as home to the Cincinnati History Museum, Duke Energy Children’s Museum, Museum of Natural History and Science and the Omnimax Theater.

Even if you decide not to go to any of the museums, I would still recommend that you step into the Union Terminal just to view the unique architecture and stunning murals that make this building one of a kind.

The individual museums charge various admission prices.

You may also consider visiting The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Loveland Castle, and The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.

Have you spent time in Cincinnati? What attractions would you suggest adding to this list?

Physics and Astronomy Open House at Ohio University in Athens

Ohio University is offering a free Physics and Astronomy Open House on Saturday, November 5th from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The varied activities and talks are geared towards a range of ages so you should find something that anyone from school age and up will enjoy, making this a great outing for the entire family.

This is a huge event and times/activities may vary depending upon equipment, people and weather. Here is a tentative schedule:

Physics Shows

All physics shows are 20-25 minutes in length unless otherwise listed.

• Fun with Liquid Nitrogen - Clippinger 119 10:00,11:00,12:00,1:00,2:00,3:00
• What NOT to Do with Your Microwave - Clipping 135 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30
• Levitation: Beating Back Gravity - Clippinger 133 10:00, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 4:00
• Sharks with Lasers on Their Heads - Clippinger 205 11:30, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00
• Twist 'n Spin in the Nanoworld - Clippinger 131 11:00, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30
• Power of Air - Third Floor Lobby Clippinger 10:30, 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, 3:30, 4:00 (Ping pong ball cannon and pencil through plywood demonstrations)
• Tachyon Beams and Other Bad Astronomy - Clippinger 115 10:30, 12:00, 1:30, 3:00
• Snowflakes: No Two Alike?11:30 and 2:00 - Create your own snowflake
• The Physics of Musical Instruments

Single 40 minute talk with lots of demos begin at 1:30

Hallway Activities and Displays

The Hallway Activities are scattered throughout the lobby area on the three floors and are available the full day.

• The Sky is NOT the Limit ... with a Telescope
• How to choose a telescope.
• Hovercraft
• Physics Arcade
• Physics Projectile Challenge
• Physics Construction Challenge
• Bowling Ball Slalom
• Angular Momentum Demos
• Water Rockets (Weather Permitting)
• Solar Viewing (Weather Permitting)
• Physics and Toys Corner
• Cosmic Ray Booth
• Sweet Matter - Nanotube construction activity
• Enlightening Pencils
• Physics Art Table
• Future Scientist Prize

You can also earn small prizes by attending shows and participating in activities.

Lab Tours

Some labs will be open for tours, make sure you stop by the Welcome Table to pick up your free ticket, reserving your place if it is required.  

• Edwards Accelerator Lab 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 - Ticket required. Leave from first floor lobby.
• Single Atom Manipulation Lab – Nanoart 10:45, 11:15, 11:45, 12:15, 12:45, 3:15, 3:45 - Ticket required. Leave from first floor lobby.
• Up, Up and NOT Away: Tour of Helium Liquefier Facility 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, 2:00 - Ticket required.
• Laser "Tweezers" Lab - Clippinger 352 11:30-12:30, 2:00-3:00 (tentative)
• Scanning Electron Microscope - Clippinger 353 11:00-12:30, 1:30-3:00

Talks

• The Dark Side of the Universe - Clippinger 259 11:00, 1:00
• Stalking the Moon's Shadow - Clippinger 259 12, 2:30
• Relative Reality - Clippinger 259 1:30, 3:00 - 35 minute video exploring a drive through a town at nearly the speed of light.

Directions

The easiest way to reach Clippinger Labs is to follow US-50/S.R. 33 to the 682 exit. At the roundabout at Richland Avenue, veer right. Cross the Hocking River and turn right onto South Green. The stadium will be on your right. Continue past Oxbow Trail and turn left onto University Terrace. As you swing around to the left, Clippinger is the large building on your left. You can park in any of the lots in the area.

Parking

Parking is free and available in Dark Green and Purple color designated lots including lot numbers 81,82, 83, 84, 86, 88 next to Clippinger Laboratories. Additional parking is available in Dark Green and Purple lots 132, 133, 134 next to Peden football stadium and Margaret Walter Hall. A parking pass is not needed in any of these Dark Green and Purple lots.  Clippinger is building 81 and is located at H-6.

More Information

Contact Prof. Mark Lucas (lucasm@ohio.edu) (740)597-2984 for more information. 

Fun and Inexpensive Staycation Ideas for Mansfield, Ohio (including Richland County)

Today I’m excited to join Toni from the Happy Housewife, Carrie from Springs Bargains and a host of other bloggers to share Staycation ideas for nearly every state in the US. I’m sharing free and inexpensive ideas for Mansfield, Ohio- a place I called home for most of my life, places that my family loved and miss.

Conveniently located between Cleveland and Columbus in North Central Ohio lies Mansfield, seat of Richland County and a hub of family fun and hidden treasures.

Photo courtesy of Shannon Beauford Photography. Used by permission.  

Kingwood Center Gardens 900 Park Avenue West,  Mansfield 419-522- 0211, Non-guided tours $1 for adults/free for students or members/small charge for parking.

My family has spent many days at Kingwood Center, picnicking on the grounds, touring the mansion, feeding the ducks at the pond or trying to catch a glimpse of the wandering peacocks.  

Mansfield Blockhouse South Park corner of Brinkerhoff and Park Ave., Mansfield. Admission price to be announced. 

Built in 1812, the blockhouse has served as a courthouse, jail and fortress against Indian attacks. The blockhouse will open for tours on June 1st with a newly constructed courthouse setting.  

Mansfield Memorial Museum 34 Park Avenue, Mansfield 419-524-9924, Free admission.   

The Mansfield Memorial Museum is often overlooked but once you step foot inside, you won’t be able to keep away! Housed in the historic Soldiers & Sailors Memorial building, this unique, eclectic, and historical museum is now home to ELECKTRO, the oldest robot in the world. ELEKTRO was created by Westinghouse, a company that was once prominent in Mansfield, specifically for the 1939 New York World’s Fair.  

Mansfield Fire Museum and Education Center 1265 West Fourth St., Mansfield 419-529-2573, Free admission.

I don’t know what it is with boys and fire trucks, but when my boys were younger, they LOVED this museum!  You’ll learn about the history of fire fighting and take a stroll through historic downtown Mansfield along cobbled streets for a special peek at bygone days.  

Richland Carrousel Park 75 N. Main St., Mansfield 419-522-4223, Rides begin at 75 cents but are offered at discounted prices when you purchase three or more. Parking is available for a nominal fee. 

Young and old alike will be unable to resist a ride on the old-fashioned carrousel ride. With over 50 figures, the Richland Carrousel was the first  hand-carved carrousel to be built and operated in the United States since the 1930’s.

Coney Island Diner 98 N. Main St., Mansfield 419-526-2669

Less than a block away from the Richland Carrousel Park, this old-time diner with black and white floor tiles, Formica tables and red vinyl seats is the perfect inexpensive place to stop in for a quick bite to eat. Their specialty? Coney's, of course!  

Biblewalk 500 Tingley Avenue, Mansfield 419-524-0139, Prices begin around $3.75 depending on the tour. Discounted rates are available for families and AAA members.

Biblewalk,  or the Living Bible Museum as it was once called, brings the bible to life through scenes depicting life size wax figures and mannequins that bring to life the the Old and New Testament before your eyes, specifically the Life of Christ and Miracles of the Old Testament. There are also two other tours available, including Christian Martyrs and the Heart of the Reformation. Biblewalk is also home to some amazing folk art, woodcarvings and a rare collection of old bibles.  

Holly’s Book Rack 1464 Lexington Ave., Mansfield 419-756-2667

This independent book store is the area’s only new and used bookstore that offers trade credit. I’ve been known to stop in on many occasions to trade an armload or two of books and unfortunately, haven’t been able to find a store like Holly’s since moving to Alabama. 

Gorman Nature Center 2295 Lexington Ave., Mansfield 419-884-3764 , Free admission.

With over three miles of hiking trails through a range of habitats, wildlife is abundant at Gorman Nature Center. The indoor displays offer visitors a look at some of the area’s wildlife, while the building itself offers you a look at green, environmental friendly features.   

Ohio Bird Sanctuary 3774 Orrweiler Rd., Mansfield 419-884-HAWK, Free admission.

The Ohio Bird Sanctuary is a refuge for injured birds. They offer educational programs, hiking trails, a live hawk and owl bird display,  and a song bird aviary that guests can walk through. For a very small price you can buy a cup of meal worms which will guarantee you get a lot of attention from the existing residents.  

The Warrior Pizza and Ice Cream 3393 Park Avenue West, Ontario 419- 529-8922

The Warrior may be known for their award winning GPS Pizza (green peppers and sausage) and Lasagna Pizza but you won’t want to pass up one of their amazingly yummy ice cream treats. Located on Park Avenue, minutes from Mansfield, you can’t miss this diner,  just look for the crowds and the blue building with the Corvette on the roof.

Apple Hill Orchard 1175 Lexington- Ontario Rd., Mansfield 419-884-1500, Free admission.

Not only can you pick your own fruit when it’s in season, Apple Hill Orchard also has a small petting zoo, a working bee hive that you can view and the best fresh apple doughnuts I’ve ever tasted! I can hardly resist stopping by when we’re in town just to grab a dozen!   

Springmill Drive-in Theater 1040 Springmill Rd., Mansfield 419-747-2156, Rates are yet to be announced for the 2011 season.

Drive-in theaters are quickly becoming a thing of the past and it’s harder and harder to find them operating these days. Why not make some family memories, load up on snacks and bug spray and head off to the next feature film that appeals to your family?

Malabar Farm State Park 4050 Bromfield Rd., Lucas 419-892-2784, Free admission to the farm. Small fee for home tours.

Malabar Farm was home to author and Pulitzer Prize winner, Louis Bromfield. Built in the beautiful rolling hills of the Pleasant Valley, Malabar Farm became the perfect backdrop for Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall’s wedding. Today you can tour the home (for a small fee), pet the animals in the barn, fish in the pond and stroll along the many trails, one of which that leads to a small cave that you can enter and explore. Malabar Farm is a nature lover’s dream. With a new state of the art Visitor’s Center and Songbird Aviary, and regular festivals and activities throughout the year, it seems that there is always something going on at Malabar Farm.     

Oak Hill Cottage 310 Springmill St., Mansfield 419-514-1765, Tours begin at $5 for adults and $1 for children.

After your visit to Malabar Farm, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Oak Hill Cottage where Louis Bromfield’s cousin lived. Not only is this home a wonderful example of gothic architecture, it was also written about in Bromfield’s book, Shane’s Castle.

The Historic Ohio State Reformatory 100 Reformatory Rd., Mansfield 419-522-2644, Prices are $8 for adults/$6 for students ages 7 and up/additional $5 for audio tour rental.

This historic structure is one of the top five castle like structures in the US and houses the world’s largest free standing cell block. It has also been home to four major motion pictures, which include Tango and Cash, Air Force One and the Shawshank Redemption which has led to a trail all it’s own, the Shawshank Trail. The trail begins at the reformatory, but takes you on a journey to 11 other sites in the area where the movie was filmed.     

Planktown Country Market 1921 Free Rd., Shiloh 419-896-3525

This Mennonite owned and operated country market is one amazing store! Loaded with bulk spices, flours, grains and cereals this market was once a regular stop for my family. They now offer over 75 deli meats and cheeses at some of the best prices in the area. With visitors from all over the country, this is one stop that you won’t want to miss!      

Splash Harbor 855 Comfort Plaza Dr., Bellville 419-886-4000, Day passes are often available.

This Comfort Inn Hotel not only offers lodging, but an indoor water park for guests. It’s hard to resist the looping water slide, hot tubs, floating raft and gushing geysers! Day passes are often available, making this an affordable and fun stop on your next Staycation.

Richland County B & O Bike Trail stretches just over 18 miles from Mansfield to Butler, Free admission. 

A favorite attraction among locals, this smooth, paved bike trail provides an opportunity for bikers, walkers and roller bladers a safe place to exercise in a beautiful scenic location.

Many of these attractions also offer letterboxes or geocaches that you can find for a bit of added fun.  

An easy day trip from Cleveland or Columbus, and a wonderful Staycation spot  for those planning an at-home vacation, as you can see, Mansfield is brimming with a number of attractions.  I hope you find this list of my own family’s favorite fun spots appealing to your family too. 

Are you looking for more fun, inexpensive Staycation ideas in Ohio? Then visit Rachel at  Living Better One Day at a Time for tips for Mt. Vernon, Becky for ideas on Cincinnati at Savings Lifestyle Cincinnati, Bridgett at Savings Lifestyle Dayton for the Dayton area and Diane at Savings Mania for ideas on a Cleveland Staycation.

So, what do you think? Will you be traveling this summer, or do you plan to take a look at attractions closer to home?  

Stop back tomorrow where I’ll be sharing links of other Staycation spots throughout the US. 

Ohio Road Trip: Day 4, The Trip Home

 

If you’re just stopping by you may want to read Day 1 and Days 2 & 3 of our Ohio Road Trip. 

Talk about a short and sweet trip!  The kids and I actually began our return trip to Alabama on Sunday night. We drove three hours to Cincinnati before stopping at a Red Roof Inn. I have to admit that I’ve never stayed at a Red Roof Inn and since I got a really great coupon rate I wasn’t expecting anything grand but I was pleasantly surprised when I stepped into the lobby and saw a beautifully updated modern decor. Our room was also updated and fresh. Not bad for $39!

When I spoke to my husband Sunday night, he mentioned that we really should sleep in before heading back on the road on Monday. Imagine my surprise when he texted me at 7:00 surprised because I wasn’t up yet! Hello, seven in the morning is not this night owls idea of sleeping in but once awake, it’s often hard for me to go back to sleep. I woke the kids up and we did all our necessary on-the-road-morning-routines. You know, brush our hair and teeth, check Facebook, e-mails, etc.

When we finally peered outside we were disappointed to find that it was raining. That kind of spoiled my plans for the outdoor stops.

I had planned to stop at the Patton Museum in Fort Knox, KY but the website stated that there is a five minute walk from the parking lot to the museum entrance, since it was raining we opted not to go.

We continued on our way and got stuck in traffic instead. We decided to people watch and after a few minutes decided that wasn’t such a good idea. Just in case you have ever wondered, driving naked isn’t the best thought that could ever pop into your head. You know, just in case you get stuck in traffic. (Please tell me that man really had on pants! )

Oh yeah, if your dentures need cleaned, you may think that cleaning them in a traffic jam is a great idea but I beg to differ. 

By the time we’d reached Cave City we knew it was time to get out and stretch our legs and how could we resist rummaging through the Olde General Store? 

 

There was a ton of stuff littering the outside and if you love to go through junk like I do, it’s just the place to waste some time. I happily picked up some post cards for our little traveler but I had yet to run into a penny pressing machine and I had promised a custom piece to Maureen of Spell Out Loud, the winner of the Ohio Road Trip Getaway and Giveaway package. 

I was so excited to see not one but two penning pressing machines! I couldn’t dig out my quarters fast enough!

They even offer free pennies for the machines! I thought that was the best idea! Lucky for them I ran out of those quarters!

Across the street from The Olde General Store is Dinosaur World. We didn’t stop for a tour but who could resist snapping a few pictures?

Isn’t this the coolest thing? RRRRRR….RUN!!!!

Mammoth Caves is literally minutes away…one of my favorite national parks!

 

My new driver was disappointed that he wasn’t able to drive for the entire trip, but I have such a hard time giving up that driver’s seat! I just love to drive. Plain and simple.  I did manage to allow him to drive for several hours though along both legs of the trip which seemed to appease him.

I couldn’t wait to get a glimpse of that rocket because that meant we were only minutes away from home.

Four days. 19 hours. 1140 miles. Whew…what a trip!

Until next time~ Happy Road Trippin’!

Ohio Road Trip: Day 2 & 3

Well, both Day Two and Three of our Ohio Road Trip have come and gone and I have no pictures to share. Can you believe that I lost me camera? What’s up with that?

Two days of  meet ups with old friends and family, more driving and very little sleep! It’s a good thing that I’m one of those people that feels so much better with little sleep.

Visiting Ohio is always a bit stressful because we want to visit everyone and we never have time to do that. Someone always feels that we didn’t spend enough time with them and is slightly hurt, not realizing that we always leave wishing there were more people we could have seen and spent time with.

Though I had planned to visit some of our favorite attractions in the Ohio area, on Saturday I realized that maybe I had been a bit overly ambitious with planning. After all, if you haven’t seen a wonderful friend for 2 or 3 years, wouldn’t you rather spend a few minutes with them over coffee than go to the state park?

The entire reason for our trip was to attend my sister-in-laws baby shower. I hope we haven’t bored our traveler to death! 

Though we’d planned to hit the road bright and early Monday morning to return to Alabama, I’ve finally accepted the fact that it is easier for me to stay up then wake up and we got a head start by leaving Sunday night. We only drove for three hours before stopping, but that means today we’ll only drive for seven. Sometimes it’s just nice to break up the trip.

So, we’re hoping to find something to do today so that you’ll actually feel that this is a road trip worth following.

Until later~ Happy Roadtrippin’!

Ohio Road Trip Part 1

Well, I’ve already learned that blogging and tweeting from the road is an easy concept to think about but not so easily implemented. I have a few kinks to work out, but then, that was the idea for a trial run, right?

First of all, I’ve not been able to figure out how to add a mobile status update to my Facebook page without it posting to my personal page  instead of Live the Adventure’s. Any ideas?

I also have been unable to Tweet pictures from the road.

Other than those few hitches, the the road trip itself is going well despite the fact that we got off to a late start. I’d planned to leave Alabama Thursday night, but we didn’t leave until later Friday morning which called for a change of plans. I wasn’t able to make a couple of the stops I’d planned along the way, but I’m hoping to make those up on the way back to Alabama.

So, this is what our road trip has looked like so far…

 

After our late start, we passed into Tennessee rather quickly which really made us feel like we were making progress.  

I love Nashville’s skyline. I had hoped to make a quick stop here but the metropolis is fairly close to our home so we can make that trip another time. 

We passed into Kentucky and though I thought about stopping at Mammoth Caves, we decided to go in search of the World’s Largest Bat. We found not one, but two. Any guesses on where we were?  I’ll share more on this later.

 

And don’t forget that Maureen from Spell Out Loud graciously allowed Lil Pumpkin to join us on our trip and we’ve picked up a few goodies for her along the way. It just so happens that Maureen is giving away a fun Road Trip Curriculum, how fun is that?  

I always love to see the Cincinnati skyline because it means that I’m almost where I need to be!

Stay tuned as I spend the next two days in Ohio on our very brief, but so far, very fun Ohio Road Trip!

If you want to follow along you can follow along with Twitter. 

Until tonight ~ Happy Road Trippin’!

Field of Corn: An Amazing and Quirky Roadside Attraction

On the return trip to Alabama I decided to stop by the Field of Corn in Dublin, Ohio. The kids and I had discovered this unique roadside attraction many years ago when my husband was working on a huge project right down the road. Initially, I'd read about it in a FamilyFun Vacation Guide and knew it would be something my family would enjoy seeing. I was right. The kids thought it was hilarious!

Right in the midst of corporate America stands a field full of 6 foot tall ears of corn. 109 to be exact. You may be tempted to think that this field is simply art, but it's not. There is an underlying political message. Can you guess what it is?

I thought I'd share this video- it's not very long, won't offer any additional information on the structures, but does give you a fun up close and personal view of this amazing but quirky corn field.



Want to plan a visit of your own? You'll find this unique park at 4995 Rings Rd, Dublin, OH, minutes from 270 and the Tuttle Crossing Mall.

Columbus

Field Trip Friday: Presidents & Mysteries

Nearly three years ago, I’d arranged a field trip for our local homeschool support group in Ohio. Of all the field trips I’ve set up over the years, this was one of my favorites. We had a great group of people, a great group of kids and it was one of those rare days when things just all fell into place. If you’ve ever set up a field trip, you’re probably aware that despite your best laid plans, things don’t always go as well as you’ve planned. This day was an exception.

From my journal:

Today we enjoyed a beautiful ‘almost’ fall day in Marion, Ohio learning about our 29th President of the United States, Warren Gamaliel Harding. We began our day with a tour of the Harding Home that he had built prior to his run of the presidency in 1920. This was the home where his famous ‘Front Porch Campaigns’ were held, sometimes drawing crowds of 30,000 to listen to his campaign for a Return to Normalcy to a post WWI America.

Our tour guides were excellent and my family enjoyed the tour of the home, each citing different aspects as our favorite part of the tour. Chelsea enjoyed the decorative bedroom of the President and First Lady Harding, while I enjoyed viewing the collectable China pieces and demitasse tea cups in the dining room.

After our tour, we explored the small on-site museum before heading to McKinley Park to eat our packed lunches, allowing the kids to run off some energy before continuing our day.

After eating we enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the nearby Veterans Memorial Park. The memorial park is said to be the only one outside of Washington D.C. that has all the memorials in one place. There is even a memorial to the current War on Terror. We were fortunate to have a veteran of the Persian Gulf War in our midst and he took a few minutes to share some heartfelt words about one of his personal friends that perished in that war.

We continued across the street to the park-like setting to see the Harding Memorial. The kids found it exciting to know that school children had collected thousands of dollars in pennies to complete the project. Planned almost immediately after his death, this memorial is one of the largest and most beautiful presidential memorials outside of Washington D.C. It was built in 1925 of Georgian marble.

Our final stop for the day was to the Marion Cemetery to see the Mysterious Revolving Ball. For more than a century, the 5,200 pound polished black granite ball has slowly rotated on a pedestal in the cemetery. This mysterious phenomena has even been featured in “Ripley’s Believe It or Not”.

We had a wonderful day with friends, beautiful weather and the field trip was educational, fun and relaxing.

Marion

Field Trip Friday: Step Into a Masterpiece

Nestled just east of the Columbus Metropolitan Library in downtown Columbus is the one of a kind, unique interpretation of Georges Seurat’s post impressionist painting, A Sunday Afternoon on the Isle of La Grand Jatte, located in the Topiary Park in Old Deaf School Park. This unique park boasts the only known topiary garden that is based on a work of art. As you stroll through the park, you will find yourself stepping directly into a beautiful landscape that is comprised of meticulously cared for living sculptures that consist of 54 people, eight boats, three dogs, a cat and even a monkey.

The quaint gift shop/visitors center offers special items for the garden lover as well as the usual brochures and postcards. The visitors center also offers a short introductory movie that you can watch that gives background information about Georges Seurat, the creator of the painting while explaining the creation of the park. Use caution, unfortunately, as with many art resources they are not always appropriate for kids and this movie does have nudity. You can remedy this by learning about the topiary park before your visit. You will find detailed lesson plans here.

In the midst of the metropolitan city, this is a great getaway to stop for a picnic and enjoy the squirrels scampering up the trees. You should find plenty of on street, metered parking so save your quarters! The park also has nice, clean restrooms and drinking fountains.

The Topiary Park is located in Columbus at the corner of East Town St. and Washington Avenue. The park is open free of charge year round, although the best time to view it is April thru November. The museum gift shop is open Apr. 1 through the end of December. For information you can call 614-645-0197 or check out their website.

The Columbus Museum of Art, The Ohio Statehouse, COSI, The Santa Maria and The Franklin Park Conservatory & Chihully Collection are located within minutes of The Topiary Garden. If you love books, you'll find the German Village boasts a unique 32 room bookstore called The Book Loft. I certainly wouldn’t allow my children to run loose here for fear they may get lost, but you won't want to miss the opportunity to find some great bargains, much of the selection is discounted! Finally, if you enjoy unique sculptures, you won’t want to miss The Field of Corn located off Frantz Rd in Dublin. My kids thought it was hilarious!

A great follow-up to this outing is to create your own topiary. Usborne has a great book that will help you get started, so check out your local library for Usborne Starting Gardening.

Columbus

Get Wild in Ohio

Growing up, I spent many summers with my grandparents' in their vacation home in Cumberland, Ohio. Don't misunderstand me, when I say vacation home, I'm not talking about a lake house or mountain retreat. Just a quaint home, in a small town, two hours south of their home, but near my aunt and cousins so they could relax and visit family. Much of their time was spent tinkering around the house, hunting for bargains at garage sales or fishing. In the evenings, we'd sit on the front porch and watch the rise and fall of "The Big Muskie" across the hillside.

Once it was dark, we'd sit on the upstairs porch and watch for shooting stars. The Big Muskie, the largest dragline ever made and one of the seven engineering wonders of the world, was a famous landmark in those parts for nearly 30 years and still is, even though it's no longer operational and dismantled. The Muskie would run around the clock, scooping thousands of pounds of earth with each scoop. The land that the Big Muskie mined is owned by AEP Ohio, and in an effort to reclaim the land, the power company donated nearly 10,000 acres of land to waht is now called, The Wilds.

Today, that land has been transformed into North America's largest animal conservation center for endangered species! Visitors to The Wilds can choose from several tour options that will take you on a guided 'safari' bus that will entertain and educate all members of your family, young and old. You may see over 25 species of rare and endangered animals native to Africa, Asia and Northern America which include Rhinos, Giraffes, Zebras, Oryx, Bactrain camels, Pizewalskis Horse, Onager, Bison, Red-crowned Crane and more. We last visited two years ago and they were completing a new carnivore section that I can't wait to tour! The tour guides are all friendly and knowledgeable and make frequent stops for you to view the animals and snap photos from the safety of the bus.

After you've enjoyed a leisurely tour on the busy, viewed the educational displays, and strolled throught the gift shop, you may be hungry and chose to eat at the on-site restaurant or travel to the nearby Miner's Memorial Park for a picnic lunch. Here you will see all that remains of the Big Muskie, the enormous bucket that in the course of service, moved twice the amount of earth that was moved when constructing the Panama Canal. You can see up close why it was such an impressive feature to the landscape for so many years. You'll be astaounded at the massive size of the bucket, nearly as large as a 12 car garage. An entire school marching band once posed inside for a photograph. You will also understand how I could watch it night after night from miles away when I was young.

Cambridge