Can't go to WDW so looking into Cincinnati

[mdsouth]

We can't afford a trip to WDW this summer, so we are planning a mini-vacation to Cincinnati, Ohio.

What can you tell me about the aquarium there? How does it compare to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago? What about the zoo?

If you had to choose between the zoo and the aquarium which would you pick?

We are also planning on going to a Reds game and perhaps Kings Island.

The last time I went to Kings Island was 25 years ago. What do you like or dislike about it?

I would also appreciate any suggestions for hotels. We would like to pay between 100 and 150 a night for 2 Queens/4 people

 

[smitch425]

We can't afford a trip to WDW this summer, so we are planning a mini-vacation to Cincinnati, Ohio.

What can you tell me about the aquarium there? How does it compare to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago? What about the zoo?

If you had to choose between the zoo and the aquarium which would you pick?

We are also planning on going to a Reds game and perhaps Kings Island.

The last time I went to Kings Island was 25 years ago. What do you like or dislike about it?

The Newport Aquarium is VERY small. It takes 2 hours or so to tour. The Cincy Zoo is very large. I'm not sure we've ever seen the whole thing in one day, but we have never spent more than 5 hours there. I would absolutely pick the zoo over the aquarium.

As for KI, it is nice. They just redid the waterpark and I have heard it is amazing. We had season passes to KI in 2010 and 2011, but our kids are at that stage where they are too big for the little kid stuff and not quite interested in the bigger rides yet, so we didn't get passes this year. Love the Peanuts characters, though. I think they miss them more than the actual rides.

ETA: As for the Reds game. I highly recommend it. We just went on Tuesday night. There is a concession stand on the 400 level near section 433 that has $1 mini hot dogs, $1 12 oz. sodas, ice cream and other snacks for $1. Get there early, though, because that line can get long.

 

[mdsouth]

I knew the DIS's Budget Board was the place to come for help!

Thanks for the specific information about the aquarium. It is hard to determine the size of the place just based on their website.

Thanks again!

 

[mrsklamc]

I haven't been to the zoo but I agree, the aquarium is not much. Depending on which way you are coming from, would you consider Holiday World? I would much prefer a day there than a day at King's Island.

 

[Familyof4lovesDW]

We can't afford a trip to WDW this summer, so we are planning a mini-vacation to Cincinnati, Ohio.

What can you tell me about the aquarium there? How does it compare to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago? What about the zoo?

If you had to choose between the zoo and the aquarium which would you pick?

We are also planning on going to a Reds game and perhaps Kings Island.

The last time I went to Kings Island was 25 years ago. What do you like or dislike about it?

I would also appreciate any suggestions for hotels. We would like to pay between 100 and 150 a night for 2 Queens/4 people

I would choose the zoo as well. You can feed the giraffes wich is really cool. I do not think I have taken the kids to the aquarium, as I was not impressed when I went.

KI is great for thrill rides. The water park is included in the admission as well. I have not been to the new water park yet. It was a little chilly yesterday.

How tall is the 8 year old? You have to be 54 inches for everything, but can ride a lot at 48 inches( my kids height). You get a braclet so you do not get measured at every ride. You are measured in shoes for rides and will be remeasured in the water park even with a braclet as you are not wearing shoes. We have had passes for 4 years. So if you have any specifics, I can try to help.

Sometimes KI had deals with great Wolfe lodge which is next door.

Also, do not buy you tickets at the gate. Get them at Kroger or on line, they r much cheaper. they have 2 day tickets as well.

You can get AAA discount for the zoo.

 

[Jake06]

We just spent the day at Kings Island. My kids are 19, 16 & 5. Plenty to do for everyone. We also like the zoo. We have been to the aquarium once and never went back. We have not been to a Reds game in years. I vote for Kings Island and the zoo.

 

[kymom99]

I live across the river from Cincy and can see the fireworks from home whenever the Reds win or hit a home run. Reds games are lots of fun. If you go to AAA there are dates that you can get 1/2 price Reds tickets.

I agree, the aquarium is okay but I would put it at the bottom of your list.

The zoo is very nice. There aren't many food choices, but you can bring in a picnic.

We have had season passes to KI for several years and find it to be a good value. Definitely get your tickets online and save lots of money. They used to have metal detectors and bag checks but they do not have them this year. We each take a bottle of water with us because it gets very hot and they only give you a VERY SMALL cup of ice water for free. The food is expensive and not that great, so you may want to pack something and go out to the car midway through the day.

 

[kathie859]

I wanted to throw out the Krohn Conservatory and the Cincinnati Art Museum--both free and fun to do.

For a cheap ball game, there's the Florence Freedom, a farm team, across the river in Kentucky. Nice park, cheap eats, and a play area for kids.

 

[Dismom55]

I live just north of Cincy, the Zoo is great and of course a Reds game is a grand thing to do, can not say anything about the aquarium as I have never been. But I can recommend coming one hour north and spending the day at the Air Force Museum in Dayton. It is free and a wonderful way to spend a day. I am sure the aquarium is great as well, just I personally have never had the chance.

Lots more here in Dayton and the Cincy area, also a great Zoo in Columbus and Toledo, both of which I have been to.

Have fun.

 

[madaboutMickey]

Not sure how long you are planning to be here. They sometimes have fireworks after the Reds game. That info should be on their website. Definitely look for KI discounts. It's a nice park. And our zoo is wonderful.
My DGKids absolutely love the Museum Center at Union Terminal. The Children's Museum is in the same building.

 

[yakkin' yeti]

We went to Cincinnati over our Spring Break and had a great time. The zoo was fabulous. The aquarium was OK, but felt too high-priced for how small it was, although the diver show was excellent. (I wouldn't bother showing up at opening. We were excited about the "penguin parade" they advertise on the website. Three penguins were wheeled in on a cart and I was thinking, "This? Is it?")

 

[LadyBeBop]

I've lived in the Cincinnati area all my life, but it's hard for me to think as a tourist.

However here's what I'd do.

1) Kings Island. If you can, I'd go for two days. If you like thrill rides (I don't, but I'm chicken), the rides are more exciting than WDW. And yes, buy your tickets at Krogers. In the Cincinnati area, there's one every few blocks. One other thing...go on a weekday, not on a weekend. Due to its regional, rather than its national appeal, you get a lot of people who come down for the weekend. Plus the locals, who can't come during the work/school week.

2) Reds game. I think Fridays are usually fireworks night. And on many fireworks nights, there is an offer: buy one ticket at regular price, and you can get half price tickets for the rest of the family. Don't have the exact dates on those, but you can find out the the website http://reds.com . These seats must be ordered before game day though.

3) The Newport Aquarium. Somewhat overrated and pricey. However, the shopping plaza that it's situated in ("Newport on the Levee) is cool.

4) The Cincinnati Zoo. I like the zoo. But it depends on how many zoos you've visited. I wouldn't consider it a must see. But it's a good zoo with a lot of cool exhibits. I disagree with whoever said the zoo was large. I've seen much larger zoos. The zoo is in a middle of a very urban area, and has no room to expand.

5) Air Force Museum in Dayton. It's worth the hour (or less, depending on what part of Cincy you stay) to visit the museum. Aviation history crammed into the museum. And it's free.

6) Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal. It used to be the railroad station. It's huge, and the outside is beautiful. Inside, it has the Museum of Natural History as well as an IMAX theatre. Worth a few hours

7) Eden Park/Krohn Conservatory/Art Museum. The conservatory and the museum are both in the park. Nice way to spend an afternoon. The park overlooks the river...beautiful scenery.

8) Cincinnati chili. Before you leave, you gotta have lunch at one of our chili joints. Our chili is unique, and honestly, it's the only chili I like. My favorite is Skyline Chili, but there is also Gold Star as well. There's eitehr a Skyline or Gold Star in every few blocks. There is also Camp Washington Chili, but there is only one location.

Have fun. We have a lot to offer.

 

[smitch425]

4) The Cincinnati Zoo. I like the zoo. But it depends on how many zoos you've visited. I wouldn't consider it a must see. But it's a good zoo with a lot of cool exhibits. I disagree with whoever said the zoo was large. I've seen much larger zoos. The zoo is in a middle of a very urban area, and has no room to expand.

I am the one who said the zoo was large. "Large" is subjective. The Cincy Zoo is large to me because I grew up in So. IN going to the Louisville Zoo and the Indy Zoo. Compared to those two zoos, the Cincy Zoo is huge. I have also been to zoos in St. Louis, Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, Philly, Nashville, Columbus, and maybe some others that I am forgetting. The Cincy Zoo is definitely not the largest zoo I've been to, but it is definitely large to me.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I voted for the zoo, Reds game & KI. We haven't been to KI in about 9 years, but we used to go a lot when we lived in Lexington, KY and my kids loved it.

Quoted from LadyBeBop: Cincinnati chili. Before you leave, you gotta have lunch at one of our chili joints. Our chili is unique, and honestly, it's the only chili I like. My favorite is Skyline Chili, but there is also Gold Star as well. There's eitehr a Skyline or Gold Star in every few blocks. There is also Camp Washington Chili, but there is only one location.

My husband loves this chili. It does have a very unique taste to it. While it's good, it's not my favorite. He actually makes it at home and it tastes just like the chili at Skyline. I think he googled the recipe.

 

[elaine amj]

we spent 3 days at Kings Island last year as well as multiple trips all summer at Cedar Point. While CP still reigns as a coaster mecca, Kings Island had a number of very fun rides we really enjoyed. There's an indoor one that reminds me of Rock n Roller Coaster, The Beast - the best wooden coaster I've ever been on (but haven't been on that many LOL!), and Diamondback, an amazing coaster that actually ranks up very close to millenium Force at CP , my fave coaster ever.

We enjoyed the waterpark - they even have a surfing simulator - which was very fun although none of us managed to successfully do more than shoot out the other end! I believe they were redoing the waterpark this year and making it even better. While not the best waterpark ever, it was fun and relaxing and we enjoyed our time there.

After going to Cedar Point, Canada's Wonderland, and Kings Island - Kings Island definitely has the best kids rides of the 3. We had a 6 yr old with us who was under 48 inches and CP annoyed her but she got to go on enough rides at Kings Island to satisfy her.

The Air Force Museum in Dayton is pretty worth it. It's a MASSIVE place. Plus, its free. We spent about 1.5 hrs there. I was planning to give it 2-3 hours but we started shopping at the Cincy Outlets and I couldn't stop!! So we pretty much raced through the Air Force Museum catching glimpses of things. I was pretty much done after 1.5 hrs myself as I can only look at planes for so long. (Then again, we raced through a lot of the interactive areas I would have spent more time at) But my friend's DH LOVED it. Overall, the boys were particularly happy with the visit. It was definitely awe-inspiring to see all the cool planes. I won't rush to go back myself (my DH and DS are not plane/mechanic fanatics)...but for a free museum, it was well worth it.

 

[mrsklamc]

Have all you Cinci people been the the Gap distribution outlet? I hear it's not as good as it used to be? I don't know if others consider shopping a vacation activity but I plan on my next trip including that plus Ikea and Jungle Jim's!

 

[LadyBeBop]

Have all you Cinci people been the the Gap distribution outlet? I hear it's not as good as it used to be? I don't know if others consider shopping a vacation activity but I plan on my next trip including that plus Ikea and Jungle Jim's!

The Gap is hit and miss as always. I actually has some pretty good luck theist few times I was there. And I'm Pooh-sized, so it's hard to find clothes that fits.

 

[bmderd2]

I agree...defintely Kings Island on a weekday and the Reds game. Most Sunday home games are Family Days and if you buy tickets in advance it's first ticket full price rest of the family half price.

If you will be in town long enough our zoo is nice, but I would do two days at kings island versus a zoo day while on vacation. Also if your kids are older the Airforce Base is cool.

As far as hotels go we have a CoCo Keys water resort that is pretty resonably priced and sometimes has specials. There is also Kings Island Inn. It is a little dated but you can get rooms cheap.

Have fun

 

[NeedaVacation03]

We have KI season passes and try to spend a few days each month in Cinci area. We love Jungle Jims and Union terminal museum. We usually do not stay downtown anymore, but we used to love Garfield suites. We have wondered how the Underground railroad museum is and want to try that one of these days.

 

[Jenny-momof3]

Wow~ Didn't realize how many of us are from the Dayton/Cincinnati area!

I would definitely do Kings Island...for 2 days if possible. That way you have plenty of time for rides and the huge waterpark! And if you can go midweek the crowds will be much better! There's a Kroger close to the parks that you can get your discounted tickets at!

Skip the aquarium....been many times and it's just not worth it ( we got a cheapy deal on annual passes a few years ago but even then I didn't feel it was worth it.

A Reds game is always fun...and the concession stand a PP mentioned is a must!

If you're into shopping, there's an outlet center at the Mason exit..which is also the Kings Island exit.

I'm not a zoo person but my kids love it so I go. The Cincy Zoo is very nice and the food prices aren't too bad. You can get a whole LaRosa's pizza, a few drinks and 2 bags of chips for about $25.

I personally loathe the Air Force Museum but know plenty of people that love it! I'm not much of a history person and couldn't care less about airplanes...but my DH takes my son there a few times a year and they really enjoy it.

As far as hotel deals...staying downtown Cincinnati is going to cost you more and since you're wanting to do Kings Island, your still a ways away by staying downtown. Maybe look in the Mason or Sharonville area....maybe even Middletown ( between Dayton and Cincinnati)

To the PP that asked about the Gap distribution outlet...we used to go about every 3 months. The last 4 times we've gone we bought nothing! So we're done making the trip as we're a tad north of Dayton so it's about a 90 minute drive to find nothing.