Several state attractions are offering something new to kick off summer
By Corinne Minard
With summer almost here and masks requirements for vaccinated people beginning to be lifted, there may be no better time to start planning some family excursions. The state of Ohio is home to many beloved museums, amusement parks and more that are ready for visitors in the coming months. Here some updates from some of Ohio’s biggest attractions as you begin making your summer plans.
Cedar Point
1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky
Sometimes referred to as the roller coaster capital of the world, Cedar Point is home to 18 roller coasters. This includes Millennium Force, which was named the best steel roller coaster in the world from 2010 to 2015 by Amusement Today. The park’s newest attraction isn’t a roller coaster, though—it’s Snake River Exhibition, a riverboat ride that takes riders on a risky mission.
Cincinnati Museum Center
1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati
Visitors to the Cincinnati Museum Center will be able to step back in time to the Ice Age with the reopening of the Ice Age Gallery July 1. The updated gallery features saber tooths cats, dire wolves, mastodon and a walk-through ice cave.
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
3400 Vine St., Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Zoo plans to open its newest attraction, the Kanga’ Klimb Aerial Adventure Course, the summer. The elevated ropes course, which is traversed in a helmet and harness, gives participants an aerial view of the Roo Valley habitat. You’ll need to overcome 50 obstacles, including swinging logs and a tight rope, to get to the end.
Coney Island
6201 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati
First opened in 1886, Coney Island has gone through a number of changes since its first year. Today home to the Sunlite Pool, several waterslides and a “sprayground,” the park’s newest attraction is the Challenge Zone, a massive inflatable obstacle course in the pool’s deep end. Those who take the challenge will tackle more than 150 feet of inflatable obstacles, money bars and balance beams.
COSI
333 W. Broad St., Columbus
The Center of Science and Industry, aka COSI, is reopening June 3 after closing to the public March 13 last year. The museum will be open Thursday through Sunday each week as it continues to monitor COVID-19 in the state. While some of the museum’s experiences will be closed—particularly some of the hands-on activities—the “Cuba” exhibition has been extended and the “Animation Academy” exhibition will open in June.
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
1777 E. Broad St., Columbus
The Franklin Park Conservatory is some to more than 400 species of plants from around the world and hosts many different biomes in which to explore—from the Himalayan Mountain Biome to the Pacific Island Water Garden. This summer, visitors can stroll through the outdoor exhibit, “In the Garden: Color to Discover.” The exhibit will feature foliage and flowers of every color and pieces from the conservatory’s topiary collection.
Kings Island
6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason
Kings Island, the largest amusement and water park in the Midwest, opened its newest roller coaster, Orion, last year. The ride drops riders from more than 300 feet—making it one of only seven giga coasters in the world—and takes them to speeds over 90 milers per hour. New this year is Camp Cedar, the park’s new luxury camping resort. Projected to open soon, the resort offers both cottages and RV sites as well as amenities like two outdoor pool areas, restaurants and a walking trail.
