Ohio’s aviation legacy is celebrated with 10 historical sites that, in 2004, were designated by Congress as the National Aviation Heritage Area.
The sites include the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, the world’s oldest and largest military aviation museum; Huffman Prairie Flying Field, where the Wright brothers developed a dependable, fully controllable airplane; and the Armstrong Air & Space Museum.
“We probably offer the largest collection of aviation history, both in terms of sites and artifacts that people can see and touch, of any place in the world,” said Tony Sculimbrene, executive director of the National Aviation Heritage Alliance.
The Air Force museum (Montgomery County) is one of the top 10 most-visited attractions in Ohio, said Amir Eylon, the state’s tourism director.
The free museum features more than 300 aircraft and aerospace vehicles on display, including the “Air Force One” Boeing 707 that served every U.S. president from John F. Kennedy to Bill Clinton.
On June 24, the museum will open its Korean War exhibit area to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the start of that conflict.
Aviation-themed special events in the region include the sixth annual Freedom’s Call Military Tattoo on June 25 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Greene and Montgmery counties). The free public celebration features live music, aircraft flyovers and a fireworks show. (www.wp.afb.af.mil)
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels flying team will perform at the annual Vectren Dayton Air Show, one of the nation’s premier air shows, on July 17-18 at Dayton International Airport in Montgomery County. (937-898-5901, www.usats.org)
“There is a very high concentration of experiences and events in southwest Ohio,” Eylon said.
The region benefits from high population clusters around Dayton and Cincinnati and “great accessibility with Interstates 75, 70 and 71 forming a nice little triangle there.”
Fairfield (Butler County) is home to Wake Nation, the Midwest’s only cable wakeboarding park, which opened last year. Riders are pulled around a 10-acre lake at up to 20 mph by an overhead cable-pulley system, allowing them to wakeboard, water ski, kneeboard or “wakeskate” without a boat.
Wake Nation, about 25 minutes north of downtown Cincinnati, has a new practice pond this year that will allow children 5 and older to ride. (513-887-9253, www.wakenation.com)
Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang join the fun this summer at the Kings Island amusement park in Mason (Warren County) with a new children’s area, Planet Snoopy, and the “Snoopy Starlight Spectacular,” a nightly light show starting May 29 that will feature more than 2 million LED lights.
Kings Island offers more than 80 rides, shows and attractions, including 14 roller coasters, a 15-acre water park and a nightly fireworks display. (See listings for details.)
The Komodo dragon will return to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden on June 5 with the opening of “Dragons!” The new exhibit will also feature the largest, longest, smallest and some of the most colorful monitor lizards in the world.
The Hamilton County zoo features 500 animals and 3,000 plant species and was recognized by Parents magazine as No. 7 on the “Top 10 Best Zoos for Kids.” (See listings for details.)
The Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal will open “America I AM: The African-American Imprint” on June 19. Presented by Tavis Smiley, the award-winning traveling exhibition celebrates 500 years of African-American contributions to the nation through artifacts, documents, multimedia, photos and music.
Cincinnati also is home to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, which tells the story of slavery in America, highlighting the role of the Underground Railroad. The museum sits on the banks of the Ohio River, which during the Civil War era marked the separation between slave and free states. (See listings for museum details.)
Other gems in southwest Ohio
Montgomery Inn Ribs, LaRosa’s Pizzeria, Graeter’s ice cream and Skyline Five Ways are just a few of the regional palate pleasers that southwestern Ohio prides itself on. But that’s merely the tip of the dining iceberg — there are many other prime provisions throughout the region that are worth the drive: West Carrollton’s El Meson never fails to impress — thanks to a massive menu packed with authentic Latin food and drink and a vibrant atmosphere that brings some serious fiesta with it. For more serious fare, a number of impressive steakhouses are scattered throughout the region including Cincinnati’s Carlo & Johnny and the Precinct and to the north, Dayton’s Pine Club. (www.greaterdayton.com, www.cincyusa.com)
For food that will really impress, head to the grocery store. Jungle Jim’s International Market in Fairfield has been featured across the radio and television spectrum, not only for the 150,000 incredible items for sale inside a whopping 300,000-square-foot space, but also for the award-winning restrooms. It’s a grocery shopping adventure that won’t soon be forgotten. (513-674-6000, www.junglejims.com)
A gathering of the best in Queen City dining will happen over Memorial Day weekend when the 32nd annual Taste of Cincinnati takes place on six blocks of Fifth Street in downtown Cincinnati. It’s the perfect opportunity to sample from menus of more than 40 restaurants. (www.cincinnatiusa.com)
Eden Park is another of Cincinnati’s can’t-miss stops. The Cincinnati Art Museum, Krohn Conservatory and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park all call this beautiful Hamilton County location home. Get your culture on, and take in some of the best views of the city while you’re there. (www.cincinnatiparks.com, www.cincinnati.com)
The sleepy town of Yellow Springs in Greene County has plenty to offer visitors, including an adventure through picturesque John Bryan State Park and a stop at Young’s Jersey Dairy that is sure to satisfy every member of the family. (1-800-733-9109, www.greenecountyohio.org)
Although it’s summer, it’s Halloween year-round at Foy’s Halloween stores along Main Street in Fairborn (Greene County). Of course, October is the best time for a stop, but if you’re looking for an adventure, this collection of shops is worth a stop any month of the year. Fuel up at Foy’s Rock and Roll Grill or Tickets Pub & Eatery while you’re there. (937-878-0671, www.foyshalloweenstore.com)
Springfield’s meticulously restored Westcott House, one of only 11 Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Ohio and about 260 in the world, offers up architectural and design inspiration. While you’re in Springfield (Clark County), take in architecture of another kind at the Hartman Rock Garden, a RoadsideAmerica.com recommended stop. Featuring structures — including replicas of Mount Vernon, Independence Hall and the White House — made from an estimated quarter of a million small stones, it’s a labor of love created by H.G. “Ben” Hartman during the Great Depression. (937-327-9291, www.westcotthouse.org)
Sunwatch Indian Village and Archaeological Park in Dayton (Montgomery County) is another of southwest Ohio’s hidden gems. The original site of an 800-year-old American Indian village, Sunwatch allows visitors to immerse themselves in history. One of the best times to visit is June 26-27 when the Miami Valley Council for Native Americans 22nd annual Keeping the Tradition Pow Wow takes place. (See listings for details.)
Keep the history lesson going with a visit to Dayton’s Carillon Historical Park, which contains historic buildings and exhibits including the 1905 Wright Flyer III. Ohio’s largest carillon, which stands watch nearby, will be the best indication you’ve made it to the right place. (937-293-2841, www.daytonhistory.org)
There’s plenty of shopping to take in through southwestern Ohio, but a couple of locations stand out as hard to find elsewhere in the state. The collection of antique stores in Springfield is a collector’s dream. West Chester, in Butler County, is the site of Ohio’s only IKEA store. A mecca of Swedish value, IKEA helps consumers stretch a dollar with its hip, flat-packed furniture. (513) 779-7100, www.ikea.com
Cincinnati Premium Outlets features 100 stores, including Banana Republic, Coach, Crocs, Skechers, J.Crew, Kenneth Cole, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Tommy Hilfiger. The mall is located in Monroe, easily accessible off I-75. www.premiumoutlets.com
If a mall is what you are looking for, Kenwood Towne Centre is an upscale sure bet located northeast of Cincinnati. It’s hard telling what’s better — the people watching or picking through the racks for the right outfit. Thankfully, doing both is perfectly acceptable. (513-745-9100, www.kenwoodtownecenter.com)
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