Ohio Summer "STAY-CATIONS "
While some are gearing up for summer vacations to the beach or mountains, many are looking for ways to enjoy summer on a budget, and looking to stay close to home.
Ohio can offer many great excursions for the family throughout the summer. Many are within a couple hours drive. There are the obvious trips to amusement parks such as King’s Island or Cedar point if it’s thrills you are seeking. Be sure to look for discount tickets with Kroger, your banking institution, or consider buying your tickets ahead of arrival online through the park’s websites.
If it’s water you desire for a perfect vacation, you can look to the water parks here in Ohio. Sandusky offers America’s largest indoor water park at Kalahari Resorts with special vacation packages. Great Wolf Lodge is another water park located in Sandusky or Mason, Ohio. Located closer to Columbus is Fort Rapids, the largest water park in central Ohio with 12 unique water rides. And of course there’s Zoombezi Bay at the Columbus Zoo.
Speaking of the Zoo, why not make a trip to our Columbus zoo to see the new Polar Bear exhibit, or see how many zoos you can visit this summer. Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Toledo all offer great zoos with exciting exhibits. Also available in Cumberland, Ohio, is The Wilds where you can enjoy a trip “safari style”
or take part in birding events and family camps.
For a slower pace, you can take in the scenery around Ohio driving through Amish country spreading through 8 counties in Ohio, enjoy the scenery, foods, and antique shops. View the countryside by train on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway past the Ohio & Erie Canal where you can do the “Bike & Ride” or the
“Ales on the Rails” excursions and more.
Ohio has much to offer, take the time to explore right here at home!
Vacation Budget Tips
- Pack the cooler and the picnic basket. Enjoy family time together around the picnic table, pack fun foods and don’t worry about the calories! Enjoy!
- Set spending limits up front, especially at the souvenir shops. Give the kids a set amount and teach them about budgeting and smart shopping at the same time.
- Go camping, break out the tents and “rough-it” and enjoy time together. After all, most vacations aren’t spent inside the hotel room, so why not camp overnight, and enjoy some s’mores around the campfire while you’re at it.
- Check the local online newspaper at your destination for coupons for area attractions.
- #1 Tip: PLAN AHEAD.
