SOUTHWEST OHIO ATTRACTIONS
5/29/2011
Per Knutas, chief conservator at the Cincinnati Art Museum, works on restoring Vincent van Gogh's 1890 masterpiece "Undergrowth with Two Figures," one of the museum's most famous works.
Cincinnati Enquirer
Here’s a sampling of popular summertime activities compiled by Columbus Dispatch staff members:
THEME AND WATER PARKS
GREAT WOLF LODGE
Description: An indoor water park featuring water slides, pools, Fort Mackenzie — a four-story treehouse with water sprays, climbing nets and bridges — as well as an outdoor-pool area.
Visitors walk through the indoor water park at Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, Ohio.
Location: 2501 Great Wolf Dr., Mason (Warren County).
Open: year-round.
Admission: must be an overnight guest; rooms and suites available.
Parking: free.
Least-busy days: midweek May and September.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Information/reservations: 513-459-8885, 1-800-913-9653, www.greatwolflodge.com.
THE BEACH WATERPARK
Description: A water park featuring 50 rides and attractions, with plenty of choices for kids.
Location: 2590 Water Park Dr., Mason (across from Kings Island, Warren County).
Open: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 22; operating hours vary May 27 through Sept. 5 and 11 (call for details).
Admission: $29.99, or $12.99 for senior citizens 60 and older and children 48 inches and smaller, free for children 2 and younger; online discounts, family, group and season passes available.
Parking: $8.50 (cash only).
New attraction: Rainforest Rapids — aboard an inner tube, guests traverse whitewater rapids, wooded terrain, a tunnel and a tumbling waterfall.
Least-busy days: Tuesday and Thursday.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Where to buy tickets: at the park and online.
Information: 513-398-SWIM, 1-800-886-7946, www.thebeachwaterpark.com.
CONEY ISLAND
Description: On the banks of Lake Como, the theme park includes classic rides, a sunlite pool, water slides, live shows, an arcade and miniature golf.
Location: 6201 Kellogg Ave., 10 miles east of downtown Cincinnati (Hamilton County).
Open, Sunlite Pool: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 28 through Aug. 28 and Sept. 3-5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 29 through Sept. 2 and 11; operating hours vary for rides.
Admission, Sunlite Pool: $11.95 for those 5 and older; or $3.95 for children 2 to 4; free for children 1 and younger; classic rides: $11.95 for those 5 and older; or $6.95 for children 2 to 4; free for children 1 and younger; combination admission: $21.95 for those 5 and older; or $9.95 for children 2 to 4; free for children 1 and younger; after-4 p.m. discounts available.
Parking: $7.
Least-busy day: Tuesday.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Where to buy tickets: at the park and online.
Information: 513-232-8230, www.coneyislandpark.com.
KINGS ISLAND AND BOOMERANG BAY WATERPARK
Description: A theme park with more than 80 rides, including 14 roller coasters (and the Beast, the world’s longest wooden coaster), shows and attractions as well as Boomerang Bay, a 15-acre water park. Among the water park features is the Awesome Aussie Twister, two enclosed translucent fiberglass tube speed slides and Crocodile Run, a quarter-mile-long inner-tube adventure.
Location: Kings Island Drive, Kings Island, Mason (Warren County).
Open, Kings Island: daily, operating hours vary through Aug. 28 (call for details); select weekends through Oct. 30.
Boomerang Bay (free with park admission), open: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Aug. 28 and Sept. 3-5 (closing times subject to change).
Admission: $51.99 for those 48 inches and taller (good for two days); or $31.99 for senior citizens 62 and older and children less than 48 inches tall (for one day); free for children 2 and younger; online and evening discounts and group and season passes available.
Parking: $10, or $20 for preferred.
New attractions: WindSeeker, a 301-foot-tall tower that will spin riders in swings 30 stories above the park. At the top, the swings will reach speeds up to 30 mph, flaring out 45 degrees from the tower; and Dinosaurs Alive!, an exhibit in which visitors can take a step back in time to see more than 60 life-size dinosaurs — including 56 animatronic models in an outdoor Jurassic forest setting.
Least-busy day: Wednesday.
Wheelchair access: A guide for disabled guests is available at the front gate at guest relations.
Where to buy tickets: online, at the park and participating AAA and Kroger locations.
Information: 513-754-5700, www.visitkingsisland.com.
WAKE NATION CINCINNATI
Description: A water-sports complex offering wakeboarding, water skiing, kneeboarding, and wakeskating without the use of a boat. Riders are pulled on a 10-acre lake at 18- to 20-mph by an overhead cable-pulley system.
Location: Joyce Park, 201 Joe Nuxhall Way, Fairfield (Butler County).
Open: operating hours vary through October (call for details).
Admission: $25 for two hours, $30 for four hours, or $35 for an all-day pass; season passes and equipment rental available, free for spectators.
Parking: free.
New attraction: a beginner’s cable system.
Least-busy day: Tuesday.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Where to buy tickets: on-site.
Information: 513-887-9253, www.wakenation.com.
OUTDOOR DRAMAS
MAGIC WATERS SUMMER THEATRE
Description: 29th season of mysteries, dramas and children’s shows.
Location: 7757 Cave Rd., 4 miles west of Bainbridge (Ross County).
Performances: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays June 10-25Maggie in Magic Land, about a girl’s adventures through local history and lore.
Admission: $7, or $4 for senior citizens, $3.50 for children 11 and younger.
Seating capacity: 165, plus hillside seating for lawn chairs.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Running time: about 70 minutes.
Information: 937-365-1388, www.highland-ohio.com/magicwaters.
'TECUMSEH!’
Description: 39th season for the outdoor historical drama about the Shawnee leader.
Actors perform a scene from the outdoor drama Tecumseh!
Location: Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre, 5968 Marietta Rd., Chillicothe (Ross County).
Performances: 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays June 10 through Sept. 3.
Admission: $22.95, or $20.65 for senior citizens, $15.95 for children 10 and younger.
Seating capacity: 1,689.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Running time: 2 hours, 45 minutes.
Information: 1-866-775-0700, www.tecumsehdrama.com.
OUTDOOR MUSIC
FRAZE PAVILION
Description: A 4,300-seat outdoor amphitheater celebrating its 20th anniversary.
Location: 695 Lincoln Park Blvd., Kettering (Montgomery County),
Performances: June 10 (8 p.m.): Alison Krauss & Union Station; June 12 (7 p.m.): the Beach Boys; June 14 (8 p.m.): Committed; June 16 (8 p.m.): Nitty Gritty Dirt Band; June 17 (8 p.m.): Uriah Heep; June 18 (7:30 p.m.): the Go-Go’s, the B-52s; June 20 (8 p.m.): Earth, Wind & Fire; June 23 (8 p.m.): Steve Miller Band; June 24 (8 p.m.): DMS featuring George Duke, Marcus Miller and David Sanborn; June 29 (8 p.m.): k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang; June 30 (8 p.m.): Parrots of the Caribbean; July 1 (7:30 p.m.): KC and the Sunshine Band; July 6 (7 p.m.): U.S. Air Force Band of Flight; July 7 (8 p.m.): Brian Culbertson and Average White Band; July 8 (8 p.m.): the Temptations; July 16 (7:30 p.m.): Trace Adkins; July 23 (1 p.m.): Swamp Romp Cajun-Zydeco Festival featuring Mark Laurens and Zydeco Fire; July 30 (7:30 p.m.): 38 Special; Aug. 4 (8 p.m.): Happy Together Tour featuring Flo & Eddie of the Turtles; Aug. 6 (7 p.m.): Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones; Aug. 7 (7:30 p.m.): Air Supply; Aug. 9 (8 p.m.): Mountain Heart; Aug. 10 (7:30 p.m.): Miranda Cosgrove; Aug. 11 (8 p.m.): Willie Nelson; Aug. 12 (8 p.m.): the Menus; Aug. 13 (7 p.m.): Jazz Attack featuring Rick Braun, Gerald Albright and Peter White with Fourplay; Aug. 26 (8 p.m.): Chicago; Aug. 30 (8 p.m.): the Doobie Brothers; Sept. 2 (8 p.m.): Lynyrd Skynyrd,
Parking: free.
Tickets: free to $67.
Information: 937-296-3300, www.fraze.com.
KINGS ISLAND, TIMBERWOLF AMPHITHEATRE
Description: A 10,000-seat amphitheater adjacent to the Kings Island theme park.
Location: 6300 Kings Island Dr., Mason (Warren County).
Performances: Spirit Song 2011, July 7: Toby Mac, Matt Pitt, Newsboys, RED, Samestate; July 8: Skillet, Bob Lenz, Jeremy Camp, Family Force 5, Group 1 Crew, Finding Favour; July 9: Tomlin, Tom Richter, 10th Avenue North, Thousand Foot Krutch, Disciple, Anthem Lights.
Parking: $10 daily.
Tickets: $44.99 to $71.99 for one- to three-day tickets (discounts for youths, large groups and park season-ticket holders) available at www.ticketmaster.com; includes admission to the park and Boomerang Bay.
Information: 1-800-288-0808, 513-754-5700, www.visitkingsisland.com.
RIVERBEND MUSIC CENTER/PNC PAVILION
Description: A 20,500-seat outdoor amphitheater along the Ohio River that boasts a 4,100-seat pavilion.
Location: 6295 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati (Hamilton County).
Performances: May 29 (8 p.m.): “Weird Al” Yankovic; June 5 (7 p.m.): Phish; June 12 (7 p.m.): Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs; June 13 (8 p.m.): Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean; June 16 (4 p.m.): Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Jerrod Niemann; June 25 (8 p.m.): Cincinnati Pops Orchestra with Idina Menzel; June 26 (7 p.m.): Motley Crue, Poison, New York Dolls; June 30 (7 p.m.): Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington and Uncle Kracker; July 2 (7 p.m.): Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow; July 4 (8 p.m.): Cincinnati Pops Orchestra: Red, White and Boom!; July 7 (7:30 p.m.): Def Leppard, Heart; July 13 (7 p.m.): Goo Goo Dolls, Michelle Branch, Parachute; July 15 (8 p.m.): Lucinda Williams, Amos Lee; July 16 (6:30 p.m.): 311, Sublime with Rome; July 19 (8 p.m.): Steely Dan; July 20 (2:15 p.m.): Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival with Disturbed, Godsmack, Megadeth and more; July 21 (7 p.m.): O.A.R.; July 22 (7:30 p.m.): Rascal Flatts, Sara Evans, Easton Corbin and Justin Moore; July 23 (8 p.m.): Cincinnati Pops Orchestra: “Generations of Rock”; July 29 (7:30 p.m.): Grace Potter and the Nocturnals; July 31 (7 p.m.): Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan and the Band Perry; Aug. 2 (11 a.m.): Vans Warped Tour; Aug. 3 (7 p.m.): Journey, Foreigner and Night Ranger; Aug. 4 (8 p.m.): the Decemberists; Aug. 6 (8 p.m.): Cincinnati Pops Orchestra: “Hallelujah Broadway”; Aug. 23 (8 p.m.): Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band; Aug. 24 (8 p.m.): Kings of Leon with Band of Horses; Aug. 28 (7:30 p.m.): Peter Frampton.
Parking: included in the ticket price.
Tickets: $13 to $272.65, available at Ticketmaster outlets (1-800-745-3000) or www.ticketmaster.com (call 513-381-3300 or visit www.cincinnatisymphony.org for Pops tickets).
Information: 513-232-6220, www.riverbend.org
MUSEUMS
BOONSHOFT MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY
Description: A natural history museum, science and discovery center featuring a planetarium, an observatory and a zoo.
Location: 2600 DeWeese Parkway, Dayton (Montgomery County).
Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Admission: $8.50, or $7.50 for senior citizens and children 2 to 12, free for 1 and younger.
Parking: free, on-site.
Special exhibits: “Mindbender Mansion,” offering 40 individual brainteasers, five large-scale group activities and interactive challenges (May 28 through Aug. 28).
Wheelchair access: yes.
Information: 937-275-7431, www.boonshoftmuseum.org.
Per Knutas, chief conservator at the Cincinnati Art Museum, works on restoring Vincent van Gogh's 1890 masterpiece "Undergrowth with Two Figures," one of the museum's most famous works.
CINCINNATI ART MUSEUM
Description: The museum features 88 galleries and more than 60,000 works.
Location: 953 Eden Park Dr., Cincinnati (Hamilton County).
Open: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Admission: free.
Parking: $4, free for members.
Special exhibits: “The Amazing American Circus Poster,” featuring 80 circus posters created from 1878 to 1939 (through July 10).
Wheelchair access: yes, enter at the Dewitt entrance.
Information: 513-721-ARTS, www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org.
CINCINNATI MUSEUM CENTER
Description: The center is home to the Cincinnati History Museum, Duke Energy Children’s Museum, the Museum of Natural History & Science, the Robert D. Linder Family Omnimax theater and the Cincinnati Historical Society Library.
Location: Union Terminal, 1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati (Hamilton County).
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Admission: $12.50, or $11.50 for senior citizens 60 and older, $8.50 for children 3 to 12, $4.50 for children 2 and younger, free for children younger than one; special exhibits and Omnimax theater are extra.
Parking: $6.
Special exhibits: “Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt,” through Sept. 5, featuring never-before-seen artifacts (through Labor Day).
Wheelchair access: Visit the website for information.
Information: 513-287-7000, www.cincymuseum.org.
CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER
Description: The center focuses on recent developments in painting, sculpture, photography, architecture, performance art and new media.
Location: Lois and Richard Rosenthal Center, 44 E. 6th St., Cincinnati (Hamilton County).
Open: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday (free after 5 p.m.), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Admission: $7.50, or $6.50 for senior citizens 65 and older, $5.50 for students, $4.50 for children 3 to 13, free for children 2 and younger.
Parking: nearby garages.
Special exhibits: “Maidens of the Cosmic Body Running: Majr Gazr,” a collective of works by Denise Burge, Lisa Siders and Jenny Ustick. The exhibit merges video with design and traditional handicrafts to explore notions of utopia tied to feminism, nature and spirituality (through July 17); “Matthew Monahan,” featuring works by the artist who uses unconventional materials — with surfaces manipulated with glitter, wax and spray paint to achieve the effects of aged bronze and other metals — to create monumentally scaled sculptures (through Oct. 30).
Wheelchair access: yes.
Information: 513-345-8400, www.contemporaryartscenter.org.
DAYTON ART INSTITUTE
Description: The institute boasts 27,000 pieces in its permanent collection that spans more than 5,000 years.
Location: 456 Belmonte Park N., Dayton (Montgomery County).
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Admission: free, fee for some special exhibitions.
Parking: on-site and street parking.
Special exhibits: “Creating the New Century: Contemporary Art From the Dicke Collection,” featuring 70 paintings, drawings and sculptures by 69 artists (through July 10).
Wheelchair access: yes.
Information: 937-223-5277, 1-800-296-4426, www.daytonartinstitute.org.
DAYTON AVIATION HERITAGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
Description: Several sites in the Dayton area are recognized by Congress for the region’s leading role in aviation history.
Location: Huffman Prairie Flying Field and Interpretive Center, 2380 Memorial Rd., Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Greene and Montgomery counties).
Open: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Admission: free.
Parking: on-site.
Exhibits: Highlighting the research of Orville and Wilbur Wright.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Information: 937-425-0008, www.aviationheritagearea.org.
Location: Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center and the Wright Cycle Company, 16 S. Williams St., Dayton (Montgomery County).
Open: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Admission: free.
Parking: free, across the street or behind the cycle shop.
Exhibits: featuring one of the original cycle shops and a restored print shop that was used by Orville and Wilbur Wright.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Information: 937-225-7705, www.aviationheritagearea.org.
FORT ANCIENT
Description: Featuring 18,000 feet of earthen walls built 2,000 years ago by American Indians.
Location: 6123 Rt. 350, Oregonia (Warren County).
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Admission: $6, or $5 for senior citizens 60 and older, $4 for children 6 to 17, free for children 5 and younger.
Parking: free, on-site.
Special exhibits: the largest prehistoric hilltop enclosure in the United States, featuring a 9,000-square-foot museum and access to earthworks and hiking trails.
Wheelchair access: yes; the site does feature traditional hiking trails with limited access.
Information: 513-932-4421 or 1-800-283-8904, www.fortancient.org.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Description: A military aviation-history museum boasting more than 360 aerospace vehicles — many rare and one-of-a-kind — along with thousands of historical items.
Location: 1100 Spaatz St., Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, near Dayton (Greene and Montgomery counties).
Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Admission: free.
Parking: free.
Special exhibits: “Misty,” forward air controllers (FACs),” one of the many courageous groups that served during the Southeast Asia War, will be highlighted in the renovated Southeast Asia War Gallery.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Information: 937-255-3286, www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati.
NATIONAL UNDERGROUND RAILROAD FREEDOM CENTER
Description: Featuring exhibits that chronicle the route slaves took to freedom — as well as information about the people who helped them along the way.
Location: 50 E. Freedom Way, Cincinnati (Hamilton County).
Open: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Admission: $12; or $10 for senior citizens 60 and older, educators and students; $8 for children 6 to 12, free for children 5 and younger with an adult.
Parking: $1 every half-hour (maximum $8) in the Central Riverfront Parking Garage and numerous garages nearby.
Special exhibits: “Let Your Motto Be Resistance: African American Portraits,” highlighting individuals whose passion, determination and talent played an influential role throughout the past 150 years (through June 19); “Illustrated Truth: Expressions of Wrongful Convictions,” featuring the artwork, poetry and letters from men and women who were wrongfully convicted and sent to prison for crimes they did not commit (through July 9).
Wheelchair access: yes.
Information: 1-877-648-4838, 513-333-7500, www.freedomcenter.org.
SUNWATCH INDIAN VILLAGE/ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK
Description: A 13th-century American Indian village along the Great Miami River offering visitors a step back in time.
Location: 2301 W. River Rd., Dayton (Montgomery County).
Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Admission: $5, or $3 for senior citizens and children 6 to 17.
Parking: free, on-site.
Special exhibits: featuring an 800-year-old reconstructed village and an interpretive center.
Wheelchair access: yes, but the outdoor areas including the reconstructed village have mulched, unpaved paths.
Information: 937-268-8199, www.sunwatch.org.
SPORTING EVENTS
BASEBALL
CINCINNATI REDS
Description: The oldest professional baseball franchise is showing renewed life on the banks of the Ohio River.
Location: Great American Ball Park, 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati (Hamilton County)
Home games: May 30-June 1: vs. Brewers; June 3-5: vs. Dodgers; June 6-8: vs. Cubs; June 17-19: vs. Blue Jays; June 20-22: vs. Yankees; July 1-3: vs. Indians; July 15-17: vs. Cardinals; July 22-24: vs. Braves; July 25-28: vs. Mets; July 29-31: vs. Giants; Aug. 8-11: vs. Rockies; July 12-14: vs. Chargers; Aug. 26-28: vs. Nationals; Aug. 29-Sept.1: vs. Phillies; Sept. 12-15: vs. Cubs; Sept. 16-18: Brewers; Sept. 19-21: vs. Astros
Admission: $5 to $250, free for children 3 and younger if sitting on an adult’s lap.
Parking: various lots within walking distance of stadium.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Tickets: available through Tickets.com, 1-877-647-7337; at the park; or online.
Information: 513-765-7000, www.reds.com.
DAYTON DRAGONS
Description: The Cincinnati Reds’ Class A affiliate boasts a beautiful home with top-notch amenities.
Location: Fifth Third Field, 220 N. Patterson St., Dayton (Montgomery County)
Home games: June 1-2 vs. Beloit; June 3-5: vs. Wisconsin; June 17-29: vs. Lansing; June 30-July 2: vs. Bowling Green; July 9-11: vs. South Bend; July 20-22: vs. Peoria; July 23-25: vs. Burlington; July 27-29: vs. Fort Wayne; Aug. 2-5: vs. West Michigan; Aug. 13-15: vs. Lake County; Aug. 17-19: vs. Great Lakes; Aug. 27-30: vs. West Michigan; Sept. 3-5: vs. Lansing.
Admission: $7 to $15.
Parking: various lots within a half-mile walk to the stadium.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Tickets: 937-228-228.
Information: 937-228-2287, www.daytondragons.com
CHILLICOTHE PAINTS
Description: The summer-league team is a member of the Prospect League, whose college players use wood bats.
Location: V.A. Memorial Stadium, 17273 Rt. 104, Chillicothe (Ross County).
Home games: June 2: vs. Richmond; June 7-8: vs. Slippery Rock; June 15-16: vs. Lorain County; June 17: vs. Richmond; June 21-22: vs. West Virginia; June 25-26: vs. Butler; June 27: vs. Slippery Rock; July 2: vs. Lorain County; July 3: vs. Slippery Rock; July 9-10: vs. Hannibal; July 11: vs. Quincy; July 15-16: vs. Butler; July 21-22: vs. Danville; July 23: vs. Richmond; July 27-28: vs. Terre Haute; July 29: vs. Lorain County; July 31-Aug. 1: vs. West Virginia; Aug. 2: vs. Dubois County; Aug. 6: vs. Richmond.
Admission: $6, or $5 for senior citizens and children 12 and younger.
Parking: on-site.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Tickets: 740-773-8326.
Information: 740-773-7117, www.chillicothepaints.com
PRO FOOTBALL
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Description: Ohio’s junior NFL member was established by the legendary Paul Brown and began play in 1968.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy (12) is sacked by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap (96) and defensive tackle Geno Atkins (97) in a Dec. 19, 2010, game in Cincinnati.
Location: 1 Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati (Hamilton County).
Preseason home games: Aug. 25: vs. Carolina Panthers; Sept. 1: vs. Indianapolis Colts.
Admission: $65 to $85.
Parking: various lots within walking distance of the stadium.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Tickets: call 1-866-621-8383; 1-513-621-TDTD (8383)
Information: 513-621-3550, www.bengals.com.
TENNIS
WESTERN & SOUTHERN FINANCIAL GROUP MASTERS & WOMEN’S OPEN
Description: For the first time in the modern era, the men and women will play throughout the same week. In one trip to the Lindner Family Tennis Center fans will see stars from both the WTA and the ATP tours playing on courts right next to each other.
Location: Lindner Family Tennis Center at Kings Island, Mason (Warren County).
Dates: Aug. 13-21.
Admission: $10 to $75 for single-session tickets, or $5 to $75 for children 14 and younger.
Parking: free.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Tickets: available through Ticketmaster, 1-800-745-3000, and online.
Information: 513-651-0303, www.cincytennis.com.
HORSE RACING
RIVER DOWNS
Description: Thoroughbred racing on a one-mile oval track.
Location: 6301 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati (Hamilton County).
Season: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 2 (post time 1 p.m.); Fridays (post time 3 p.m.); simulcasting daily.
Admission: free.
Parking: free.
Wheelchair access: yes.
Information: 513-232-8000, www.riverdowns.com.
ZOO
CINCINNATI ZOO & BOTANICAL GARDEN
Description: The second-oldest zoo in the country has more than 500 animals, 3,000 plant species and is internationally known for its research and conservation efforts.
Location: 3400 Vine St., Cincinnati (Hamilton County).
Big attractions: New “Night Hunters” exhibit, which uses theatrical effects to take visitors into the world of great predators, including the Eurasian Eagle Owl, clouded leopard, vampire bat and ocelot; 4-D Special FX theater, with environmental effects such as wind and scents; the only Sumatran rhinos on display in the United States; “Zoo Babies,” t highlighting baby animals throughout the zoo that were born in the spring — including Zuri, a Maasai giraffe born on April 2 — binobos, a gibbon, a penguin, a manatee, an eagle and an owl (through May 31).
Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Admission: $14, or $10 for children 2 to 12 and senior citizens 62 and older, free for children younger than 2.
Parking: $8.
Wheelchair access: yes; rental: $10, or $30 for electric; single-stroller rental: $10, or $14 for double.
Information: 513-281-4700, 1-800-94-HIPPO, www.cincinnatizoo.org.