Traveling the world and the country is fun, but it’s enjoyable to explore close to home, too. Travel Local is your guide to the outstanding attractions located just a drive away.
By the Editors
Cincinnati
Downtown Cincinnati is home to many world-class attractions, but there’s plenty of fun to be found east of the city, too, in Clermont County.
One Clermont County attraction is the Tri-State Warbird Museum. The 22,000-square-foot aviation museum houses 10 World War II-era aircraft, including the Cincinnati Miss, a P-51D Mustang. The museum is open Wednesdays 4-7 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and during those hours visitors can view the aircraft as well as other exhibits, such as the Fighter Group Barracks, aircraft engines and one of the first flight simulators. 4021 Borman Drive, Batavia, OH. 513-735-4500, tri-statewarbirdmuseum.org.
If your family is more interested in nature than history, head on over to the Cincinnati Nature Center in Milford. The center’s Rowe Woods supplies visitors with ample opportunities for exploring the outdoors, from its 14 miles of hiking trails to the Nature PlayScape, an intentionally designed natural area that encourages unstructured play. The center also hosts many events, such as nighttime flashlight scavenger hunts, strolls with naturalists, full moon walks and educational programs. 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford, OH. 513-831-1711, cincynature.org.
While in Milford, make sure to set aside some time to explore downtown Milford. The historic downtown is located along the banks of the Little Miami River and is home to unique locally owned shops, restaurants and more. These businesses include Cincinnati Distilling, the Old Milford Parlor, 20 Brix Wine Bar and Restaurant, Painted River Art Studio, Spiral Groove Records and The Governor Modern Diner. Milford, OH. downtownmilford.com – Corinne Minard
Indianapolis
For a hidden gem in Indianapolis, book a tour of the Indiana Medical History Museum. The one-of-a-kind museum allows guests to visit one of the earliest facilities for psychiatric research, built in 1896 as the Central Indiana Hospital for the Insane. Tours, which can be booked weekly Wednesday through Saturday, are led by a museum guide, who leads visitors through the historic pathology lab and offers an introduction to the beginnings of psychiatric medicine. 3270 Kirkbride Way, Indianapolis, IN. 317-635-7329, imhm.org – Emily Wolfe
Louisville
Just outside of Louisville, visit the James B. Beam Distilling Company for a bourbon distillery tour. Since its founding in 1795, Jim Beam bourbon has stayed in the family—with seven generations distilling the iconic whiskey. Jim Beam has been distilled at the Bullitt County site since 1935, and in 2021, the company renovated its campus for an all-new visitor experience at the James B. Beam company campus. 568 Happy Hollow Road, Clermont, KY. 502-543-9877, beamdistilling.com – Emily Wolfe
Columbus
Located in the heart of Columbus’ charming German Village is Schiller Park, a perfect spot for outdoor activities in the city. The park offers options for sports, fishing and eating outdoors, and is often the location of outdoor performances and festivals during the warm months. Named for the poet Friedrich von Schiller, the park’s name was changed due to anti-German sentiment during World War I, but the name was reinstated after the war. 1069 Jaeger St, Columbus, OH. – Emily Wolfe
Dayton
The world’s largest and oldest military aviation museum, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, calls Dayton home. Located just outside the city at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the museum has 19 acres of indoor exhibits, more than 360 aerospace vehicles (including Air Force One) and multiple flight simulators. This year, to celebrate its 100th anniversary, the museum is hosting multiple special events and tours. 1100 Spaatz St., Wright-Patterson AFB. 937-255-3286, nationalmuseum.af.mil – Corinne Minard
