Ohio

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Updates to Kids Love Ohio - 5th Edition

Changes:

S – LEE MIDDLETON DOLL FACTORY (pg. 235) – CLOSED. As of March 12, 2010, Middleton Dolls assets were purchased by Madame Alexander Dolls out of New York. The factory is for sale and may be purchased by M. Alexander Dolls for a shipping warehouse. Factory tours and special nursery visits are no longer available.

SW – COCOKEY WATER RESORT (pg. 269 kids love Ohio, pg. 122 KIDS LOVE I-75) Cincinnati. - Corrections:

	The adjacent hotel is a Fairfield Inn and Suites, not a Hamilton Hotel.
	Anyone under the age of 2 gets in for free. Once the child is two, they must purchase access to the water park.

NE – GOODYEAR WORLD OF RUBBER (pg. 167) closed it’s doors to the public this fall.

CE – BLUEBIRD FARM TOY MUSEUM AND RESTAURANT (pg. 59) Temporarily closed: Please read the following: Dear Friends of Blue Bird Farm, May 2009 - It is with great sadness that we relate the passing this winter of Mrs. Joyce Hannon, founder of Bluebird Farm, and operator for twenty years. Yet it is with gratitude that we announce that Joyce wanted BlueBird to belong to the people of Carroll County and Ohio to enjoy forever as a park, and public retreat. Unfortunately, circumstances have not made it possible to open at the normal time this year. The Board of Park commissioners is now soliciting proposals to operate the Restaurant for the 2009 season. Please enjoy the trails and beautiful grounds of Bluebird Farm Park. Trails open dawn to dusk.

NE – NASA GLENN RESEARCH CENTER (pg. 187) has CLOSED. The NASA Glenn visitors center closed and its exhibits have been offered to the Great Lakes Science Center, NASA Glenn's director says.

CE – GRANDMA’S ALPINE HOMESTEAD (pg. 80) is still a restaurant & B n B but the “World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock” and the Swiss Village Market cheese shop are closed.

NW - CHAPTER (pg. 215) OR I-75 OHIO CHAPTER (pg. 103). AMERICAN CIVIL WAR MUSEUM OF OHIO CLOSED late January, 2009.

S – CAVE CANYON/HIGHLANDS SANCTUARY (former Seven Caves) (pg. 233) has LOWERED their general admission prices! General Entry Fee Includes Museum facilities, orientation slide presentation, and three trails available for hiking on one's own $6.00 adults, $3.00 for children 15 and under (3 and under FREE) Parents Please Note: Trails are too uneven for strollers. Please bring carriers. Sorry, as a nature preserve, pets are not permitted. Days & Hours of Operation Summer: Open every day from Memorial Day to Labor Day Spring: Open April and May on Saturday & Sundays Autumn: Open Sept. & October on Saturdays & Sundays. Doors open 9:30 am - 5:00 pm. Park closes promptly at 5:00 pm. There are no food concessions--please bring water and packed lunches. Picnic tables available to guests, please pack out all trash and separate out recyclables.

Additions:

NW – IMAGINATION STATION. Toledo. www.imaginationstationtoledo.org (in the old COSI bldg.) Discovery Way, Toledo, OH 43604. (419) 244-2674. Press Release: We were careful to keep many of your longtime favorites from the science center, like the High Wire Cycle, the BOYO, the Simulator and the Gravity Room, but we’ve added some other great exhibits, too! In Water Works we’ve added the Hurricane Chamber, where visitors can stand beneath a gust of air that generates gale force winds, tropical storm winds and moves all the way up to over 95 mph, which is a Level 1 hurricane. We even have a special key that enables us it to produce wind gusts up to 165 mph, which is a Level 5 hurricane. Our new Water Vortex gives an ethereal look to 600 gallons of swirling, whirling water and shows off the sheer power of nature’s most abundant resource. We’ve got a great new exhibit – The Giant Lever. It pits 1 vs. 3 in a game of tug-of-war. As one of 6 simple machines, the lever, it uses mechanical advantage to give the individual player a fighting chance. Even the littlest of visitors will walk away a champion. With the pull of a rope on our new Ball Launcher, and a little science of pressure, you can drop a bowling ball through a tube forcing a tennis ball to launch all the way up to the skylights.

NW – THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE – Whitehouse. Wheeler Farms, 11455 Obee Road. 419.877.2733. www.butterfly-house.com. Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday Noon-5pm (May-September). October – weekends only (Corn Maze). Admission: $5.50-7.00 ages 4+. Miscellaneous: a shrimp farm is across the street. Harvest each September. How cool – raising shrimp in Ohio. Can you think of a time when you were wandering in the yard, or simply sitting on a bench, when a butterfly landed next to you? Did a smile cross your lips and before you knew it, it fluttered to a new location, teasing you with its brief but graceful presence? The staff at The Butterfly House knows the feeling. The season begins May 1. The colorful species will come from all corners of the world - from Central America, Malaysia, Africa, the Philippines and North America - with new species being introduced each week! As in the past, the Butterfly House opens its doors to anyone looking to learn or simply enjoy all butterflies have to offer. The Butterfly House is a 3,000 square foot glass house conservatory. One of the unique aspects of a visit to The Butterfly House is you get to observe the Butterfly Habitat in a near tropical environment. The gardens surrounding The Butterfly House are inviting as well, and you may even see the many life cycles of the butterflies occurring outside.

NE - KIDS LOVE CLEVELAND – ROCK & ROLL WINTER WEEKEND - Since it is within 500 miles of 43% of the US population, Cleveland is a “doable” winter drive for most. www.positivelycleveland.com

	Corner Alley and Fourth Street Bar and Grill. 402 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland. (216) 298-4070 or www.thecorneralley.com. A fun dining experience for the whole family, this grill restaurant is located at a downtown bowling alley. Enjoy contemporary American cuisine with a kid’s menu to boot ($5.95 each w/drink for kids 12 and under). Now, rent some bowling shoes ($3.00) and play a family game of bowling ($4.25) before you head back out.
	ROCK and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum (pg. 185). Your exhibit guide alerts you to the PG + videos to avoid but, honestly, we recommend this attraction for families with teens anyway as they have some music history and appreciation (note: they don’t even charge admission for kids younger than 9).
	Hard Rock Café. Tower City Center. (216) 830-7625 or www.hardrock.com. Cleveland ROCKS! And, what better way to celebrate your visit to The Rock Hall by capping off the day at the Hard Rock Café. Spicy Mac n Cheese, Burgers, Fries and Shakes are great bets. Music videos entertain in this festive family environment. Children’s menus are available.
	Sweetie Candy Company. 7480 Brookpark Road, 44129 (I-480 exit Ridge Road south. West on Brookpark Road just a few blocks). (216) 739-2244 or www.sweetiescandy.com. Candy for breakfast? Probably not, but maybe Moon Pies? From wax lips to the world’s largest PEZ dispenser collection, this amazing candy superstore has every delight for every sweet tooth.
	Firefly’s Miniature Golf. Southpark Mall, near Dillards, Strongsville, 44136. (I-71 exit Rte. 82 west) (440) 846-4569 or www.fireflysminigolf.com. Admission: $7.00 adult, $5.00 kids 10 and under and seniors. Mall Hours, daily. Mornings before Noon best for little kids. Everything glows! This 18-hole indoor miniature golf course features balls, putters, walls, floors and 3-D creatures that glow under black lights. Unlike others we’ve seen, this location isn’t scary and it’s very well kept and clean.
	Toboggan shoots at the Chalet in Mill Stream Run Reservation. Valley Parkway between Routes 42 and 82 (mall exit-a short distance from both I-71 and the Ohio Turnpike). Strongsville. (440) 572-9990 or www.clemetparks.com/recreation.tobogganing/index.asp. Admission. Only open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. This winter, experience the thrill of ROLLing down a huge hill on a large toboggan. The two 1,000-foot refrigerated ice chutes operate with or without snow the day after Thanksgiving through the first weekend in March, weather permitting. To play, you must bring gloves.
	Hotel: Cleveland Airport Marriott. 4277 W. 150th Street, Cleveland Ohio 44135 (off I-71, just a few miles north of airport exits). (216) 252-5333. www.marriott.com/cleap. Recently renovated (each room features artwork from local Cleveland artists), indoor pool, shuttle service to airport, 3 star rating, restaurant on premises. Best part parents, rooms are very plush yet comfy.
	Transportation/Parking: Smile! It gets you places. Cleveland’s downtown RTA trolley-styled buses are sponsored by local businesses that make them “smile and ride” operations…simply smile and your ride is free. The B-line connects downtown Cleveland businesses and circles Superior and Lakeside Avenues between West Sixth and East 12th Streets. The trolleys run every 10 minutes on weekdays only. Weekday nights (after 5pm) and weekends, most parking is free around Fourth Street and Tower City.

C - PHOENIX BATS. Phoenix Bat Company. 7801 Corporate Blvd, Suite E. Plain City OH 43064. 614.873.7776 or www.phoenixbats.com. Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 9:00am-5:00pm. Interested in booking a tour to see how a bat is made from start to finish? Tours are conducted by appointment and are $10 per person. This includes a custom engraved mini bat to commemorate your visit. To schedule a tour please contact tours@phoenixbats.com or call.

S - ETTA’S LUNCHBOX MUSEUM & CAFÉ. 35960 SR 56 (Take US33 East in Hocking Hills area to SR328 south (~10 miles). Turn right at SR56 and go about 400 yards), New Plymouth, OH 45654. (740) 380-0736. Take a stroll down memory lane. Admission is FREE when you enjoy a meal. Guided tours by Tim are so interesting and bring the 850+ lunchboxes to life! Remember your favorite lunchbox you carried to school. No doubt they have it here. From Disney to Barbie to the Partridge Family. Be sure to take the extra time to look at the Chuckwagon Box on the tour – the most detailed “story” lunchbox you’ve ever seen! Place your food order and then tour the museum while you wait for the food to be served. Afterwards, wander around their llama, rooster, chicken, donkey and goat farm. When we were there, baby goats had just been born and were adorable. Admission $2.50 per person if not eating. Open Monday-Saturday 11:00am-8:00pm Monday-Saturday, 11:00-6:00pm Sunday. Modest pricing – Lunches around $5.50 avg. and Dinners around $8.00. Known for their homemade pizzas but for local culture, try the yummy Hobo Ham Steak Sandwich plate – thick bologna, sautéed w/ onions and loads of toppings on toasted bread. (basically a gourmet fried bologna sandwich & so yummy).

S – HOCKING HILLS CANOPY TOURS. (pg. 252). Trust us, this is the one extra “high” adventure you should save up for. For well under one hundred dollars, each of your thrill-seekers can go on Ohio’s first Zip Line Adventure at Hocking Hills Canopy Tours! Fast, fun, and exhilarating, this 3 hour tour offers guided, instructed tours to zip through the treetops on a network of safety cables and skybridges suspended high above the forest floor. As a mom, I can assure you that not once did I feel my kids or myself was in danger or fear. They really know how to orient you to the “bunny slides” first before you hit the Screaming Eagle! Each season offers new vistas as you swing and swoop like a bird from zero to 70 feet above the ground tree-to-tree over a cave, rock cliffs, a river, and maybe see a beaver dam or even deer. Canopy tour guests finally land in a lush “Garden of Eden” and rappel down a short cable to the final ground platform. The kids take to it well and even middle-aged moms (like me) found it easily manageable and so memorable. Soft adventure, good for anyone who likes mild amusement rides and doesn’t have a fear of heights. New, less expensive Super Zip tours to gear up to Canopy Tours, maybe? http://www.hockinghillscanopytours.com/hocking-hills-canopy-tours-superzip.html

S – OLD MAN’S CAVE CHALETS. 18905 SR664S, Logan (Hocking Hills), OH 43138. (800) 762-9396 or www.oldmanscavechalets.com. Ok, so you know how to have fun in all this nature, but where do you base from? We tried a pet-friendly cabin (sleeps six – 2 parents, 2 kids, one grandma and one dog) at Old Man’s Cave Chalets. They offer last-minute getaway deals and reduced cost midweek escapes for affordable prices with the added bonus of being clustered near natural attractions (great views). Each unit has fully furnished bedrooms, bath, kitchen and living spaces, plus, our unit had a gas fireplace and an outdoor, canopied large hot tub. If it was cold, we lit the fireplace or climbed in the hot tub. If it rained we stayed indoors and played cards or watched a movie. Best of all, it was a cozy place to come back to after a day being out in nature traversing land and water. And, Snowshoes, the Travel Dog, got to come along!

S – HOCKING HILLS STATE PARK (pg. 242). How about a hike to Old Man’s Cave or Cedar Falls, Ash Cave, Conkle’s Hollow, Rock House or Cantwell Cliffs. Do you realize none of these individual hikes is more than one mile long? And, while you’re at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center, be sure to check out their Butterfly Habitat or hand feed hummingbirds at Lake Hope State Park, south of the Caves area. If you’re more of the city type and just want one great short hike on a mostly paved trail (wheelchair/stroller accessible) to see our fav picture op spot, just follow the signs to Ash Cave (near intersection of SR 56 & SR 374) – especially in the spring or fall when rainfall creates a wonderful Cave and Waterfall view! The Hocking Hills State Park offers Naturalist Programs year round: weekends in early spring, and weekdays and weekends in summer and fall. Here’s a sampling of the FREE programs offered that we liked best: Historic Lantern Tours of Ash Cave at Night, Star Gazing at Conkle’s Hollow, Stream Stompin’, Survival!, Furs, Feathers, Feet & Fangs (oh my!), Nighttime Owl Prowl, Scalawags & Renegades and many more. Some of them follow Birds of Prey, others hollows and caves once used by ancient Indian tribes (did you know the town of Logan was named for the Mingo Chief, James John Logan?). And if you like folklore, Naturalist Pat Q loves to tell stories peppered with extraordinary stories and unique characters. From caves that once served as a hideout for bank robbers or home for a Civil War-era hermit, to abandoned clay kilns from the 1800s, the Hocking Hills are full of stories.

S – ROCKY BOOTS OUTDOOR GEAR STORE & THE BOOT FACTORY GRILL – off US 33, Nelsonville (downtown). www.rockyboots.com. Home of the world’s best-selling work boots, this three story complex has 1000s of items at clearance prices plus local products at reasonable prices. All that shopping may get exhausting (esp. if trying on dozens of boots) so you’ll want to rest and grab something to eat. The Boot Factory Grill has a rustic, casual dining setting with some very reasonable gourmet lunch specials. If you’re “game”, try a bison burger.

S – GREAT EXPECTATIONS BOOKSTORE AND CAFÉ – off US 33 in the Hills Market Complex of shops, Rockbridge (Hocking Hills). www.hockinghills.com/greatexpectations/cafe.htm Well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome at the outdoor patio tables. The Bookstore Café offers great soup of the day and famous sandwich paninis. The kids loved the Pizza Sandwich. Shop & browse while you wait for your meal at either of these stores. Reasonable prices for lunches (~$6.00 includes pickle and chips). Their desserts looked tempting.

SW – Cincinnati. GARFIELD SUITES HOTEL. 2 Garfield Place, Cincinnati OH 45202. www.garfieldsuiteshotel.com. Going to the city for some museum hopping with the kiddos? While you might be hesitant to stay downtown because of the normal upscale hotels offered (not kid-friendly), we have found one that does cater to families. The Garfield Suites Hotel is just that – all suites! Every room rented is complete with a living room (w/ sofa sleeper) and at least one separate bedroom. But the best part for families is the spaciousness of the living spaces and the full kitchen! While we could have gone down to the restaurant for breakfast & Starbucks each morning, we opted to cook a full course breakfast in our room. We grabbed lunch out n about but either re-heated leftovers or went to Martins Café for dinner. Cincinnati seems to be crazy for Angus beef burgers and even sliders (mini-burgers) so we tried both and loved the flavor. When you’re chilling in the suite after a long day at the zoo, amusements, or a variety of museums we recommend in our books (most are located minutes away), your kids can pop some microwave popcorn and watch the Disney channel, Noggin, Cartoon Network or something on the in-room DVD player. Another plus, no adult channels are offered on the TV programming. Most families we met on the elevator loved the location (right across from an urban courtyard and a huge public library) to base from at a reasonable price for a suite- downtown – specials run starting at $99.00 per night – w/ downtown parking at only $5.00 per day.

C – Newark. CHERRY VALLEY LODGE & COCO KEY WATERPARK. No matter what the weather’s like outside, it’s always Florida inside of CoCo Key’s 50,000+ sq. ft. indoor waterpark and Cherry Valley Lodge create an exciting beach-style resort that’s the perfect getaway for busy families. Cherry Valley Lodge guest rooms are perfectly designed to bring the kids. The L-shaped layout with two queen beds features an armoire that separates the two sleeping areas. The Lodge also has indoor and outdoor pools, disc golf, volleyball and horseshoe courts plus a toddler play area. When you want to take a break from the waterpark and pools and wander outside a little, they have 14 miles of scenic bike paths to try or, you can feed the ducks in the courtyard botanical garden. www.cherryvalleylodge.com. The Indoor Waterpark portion, CoCo Key, offers 1000s of gallons of fun and fantastic family packages for every seasonal theme (ex. Mardi Gras, Spring Break, starting around $150.00) and three giant waterslides, a dump bucket, play areas, adventure lazy river and Key Quest Arcade. Most kids want to try out every waterslide first. Our favorite was the Barracuda Blast as it tube-blasts guests through dark, fast curves. But, your kids may prefer the body slides. The younger set gravitate to the Parrot’s Perch Interactive Play Island with smaller slides, zero-depth entry area, water cannons, and a huge bucket that dumps every few minutes. Another kiddie feature is the Dip-In Theatre Children’s Pool: a shallow water area where you float while enjoying movies and animation on a movie-size projection screen. On a slower pace, try the lazy tube ride Adventure River or one of their giant Palm Grotto indoor/outdoor whirlpools. Once our kids have been sliding a few hours, they always gravitate back to competitive activities like the lily pads and water basketball. Make new friends by initiating a “pickup game” on the “water court.” We found out that CoCo Key is also a great idea for a quick day pass trip as some of the new friends we met were from our suburban area with a day off school, like us, and just decided to do some day-tripping in Newark.

C – THE WORKS (www.attheworks.org , pg. 26): In one long afternoon, our kids made their own race cars, then played Wii fitness, found out where they have the most body heat, created funky electrical circuits, and then sat mesmerized for over 20 minutes watching a glassblower work his craft on a goblet.

C – NEWARK EARTHWORKS: (pg. 26) a small museum and county visitors center www.lccvb.com orient you by touch screen options and large screen video – to this ancient people and the mysterious giant circular mound (the largest ever!). For the rest of the story…go to the Central Chapter of KIDS LOVE OHIO, 5^th Edition

More Fun Info About:

NC – KALAHARI WATERPARK RESORT. Sandusky (pg. 154) KALAHARI RESORT’S NEW SAFARI OUTDOOR ADVENTURE PARK ADDS TO HIGH-OCTANE OFFERINGS FOR LEISURE AND GROUP TRAVELERS SANDUSKY, Ohio (May 2010) – Kalahari Resort is taking its unique indoor vacation concept outside with the unveiling of the new African-themed Safari Outdoor Adventure Park featuring a thrilling zip line tour, ropes course, climbing walls and more. Opening on May 29, the Safari Outdoor Adventure Park adds to the outdoor entertainment which currently includes: a 77,000-square-foot outdoor waterpark, playground, shuffleboards, sand volleyball courts and Safari Adventure Animal Park, which opened last summer and offers up close and personal encounters with African animals including giraffes and zebras. NEW Safari Outdoor Adventure Park Features: Zip Line Tour: Guests will sail 40 to 60 feet above the 77,000-square-foot outdoor waterpark on a zip line tour that includes four 200-400-foot lines. Ropes Course: Themed to resemble an African tree house village with thatched huts, African masks and more, the three-story course spans over 750 feet of rope and includes 48 climbing elements. Climbing Walls: Two 32-foot walls feature auto belaying and race timers for competitive adventurers. Zanzibar Grille: Guests can take in the summer rays while dining on everything from stir fry to steak. Admission to the Safari Outdoor Adventure Park is $19.95 for overnight resort guests and includes a zip line tour, a turn on the ropes course and climbing wall and admission to the to the Safari Adventure Animal Park. Individual attraction pricing is also available: $5-$10 Day guests are invited to purchase individual attraction passes, an all-day pass for $24.95, or they can add a Safari Outdoor Adventure Park pass onto an all-day waterpark pass (all day waterpark pass is $39 Monday through Friday and $42 Friday through Sunday) for $19.95. Complimentary indoor and outdoor waterpark passes are included for all overnight resort guests. For more information, go to www.kalahariresorts.com/oh .

SW – GREAT WOLF LODGE, Mason. (pg. 282) – Spring 2010 - The Triple Twist! Coming this Spring, Great Wolf Lodge Kings Island will introduce our latest thrilling waterslide attraction, The Triple Twist. Prepare yourself for a five-story drop into huge funnel followed by twists, turns and two more funnels before splashing down. And at night, The Triple Twist takes it up a notch as you are immersed in a full-sensory LED lighting experience. The Triple Twist is the first ride of its kind in the world – don’t miss it!! (Please note that riders must be at least 42” minimum in height. Riders between 42” and 48” must be accompanied by an adult and wearing a lifejacket)

NW – MAUMEE BAY STATE PARK RESORT. (pg. 226) Improvements include water features in the indoor pool area with seven splash features on a non-skid pad plus a waterfall that spills into the indoor pool; a new mural and sail to help aesthetically enhance the area; custom soft play area for children with five pirate-themed climbing features on a cushioned floor and a renovated snack bar and ice cream shop. The resort also purchased new beds and coverings for lodge rooms, created a display of the original Toledo Harbor Lighthouse lens and installed a new tent and patio overlooking the fountain and Lake Erie.