Close-to-Home Spring Break
Spring break is right around the corner! I’m sure we are all excited to be out of school with so much freedom, but what to do with all this time? Don’t fret! Here are 10 great ways to make your break feel like a vacation!
“Tunes and Blooms” - Cincinnati Zoo
Tunes and Blooms is a great way to spend your April Evenings. Every Thursday in April from 5:00-8:30pm local bands come and perform at the Cincinnati Zoo’s beautiful gardens. Admission is FREE after 5pm and parking is only $10! The live music starts at 6pm.
April 7th: Highly Likely
April 14th: Whiskey Bent Valley Boys
April 21st: The Cliftones
April 28th: Restless Leg String Band
Butterfly Show - Krohn Conservatory
Each spring thousands of butterflies flutter around the Krohn Conservatory, bringing their unique and mesmerizing beauty into the safe environment. This year's theme is “Butterflies of the Nile''. Get lost in the floral beauty of the exhibit, intricately designed to mimic the lush, rich gardens of ancient Egypt. Featuring Orchids, Palms, fish ponds, and of course, butterflies, the Butterfly Show is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature in CIncinnati.
It is open everyday from 10 AM to 8 PM, March 19th - June 19th.
Tickets are $10 for 18+, $7 for ages 5-17, and FREE for children under 4.
Masks are required for ages 4+ and there are no more than 40 people allowed in the Conservatory per hour!
Butler County Donut Trail!
Head out on a sweet adventure around Butler County Ohio! Using the donut trail passport, follow the set path to find delicious and local donut shops! Once you’ve reached all the spots with your passport, you will be rewarded with the official Donut Trail T-Shirt!
Cincy Art Museum Programs
Black Future Series: Creativity in Dialogue - On select Thursday evenings in April, CPS Aiken New Tech High School students bring the galleries to life with their original spoken performances. These events are part of the Black Future Series, brought about by David Driskell and the Kamoinge Workshop. Performances are on April 14th, 21st, and 28th from 6:30-7:00 PM.
Black Future Series: A Conversation on Black Art Collectives–Past, Present, Future - Follow up the spoken performances with an insightful discussion led by Toilynn O’Neal, Founding Director of the Robert O’Neal Multicultural Arts Center. Her focus centers around the importance of Black Art collectives and movements throughout history. This features an esteemed panel of black artists and historians like Jimi Jones, James Pate, Annie Ruth, Kamoinge Workshop, and Beuford Smith. This event explores African American history and culture through a creative lens, and the incredible ways African American artists used their voices and talent to influence their communities. This event is free but has limited seating. It goes from 7:00-8:00 PM on April 14th.
Still Life Painting Workshop! Learn about techniques and materials used by professional artists! Paint what you see in a new fun way with renowned artist, Cedric Michael Cox, from 1-3PM on Saturday, April 16th.
Downtown!
If you’re up for an adventure, head downtown! Indulge yourself in the local cuisine or a walk in Smale Riverfront park. Check out The Banks or stroll through Fountain Square! Maybe even set sail on an Ohio Riverboat Cruise and see the beautiful Cincy Skyline from a new point of view. This spring break is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the many new and exciting ways to enjoy our hometown of Cincinnati!
Concerts
Check out your local venues and enjoy some live music! Bogarts and Ludlow Garage are the perfect environment for a fun evening with friends. Take a look at the schedules linked below!
Yellow Springs!
If you’re looking to get out of Cincy for a day, piling into a car with your friends and taking a short roadtrip is the perfect way to get away, without having to pay or plan too much! A little over an hour away from Cincy is the adorable hippie town of Yellow Springs, OH. With welcoming cafes and local boutiques, Yellow Springs couldn’t be a better vacation destination. Not to mention the breathtaking nature reserves that surround the town. If you’re the nature type, the hikes this town has to offer are perfect for you!
Hocking Hills!
Located in Logan, OH, Hocking Hills is the ideal scenic beauty. With 25 miles worth of hiking trails, your day would be filled with the art of Mother Nature as you indulge yourself in the local waterfalls, rock formations, and recess caves. Although this is a little over 2 hours away, the incredible destination is worth it.
Hoosier National Forest
About 3 hours West in Bedford, IN is the breathtaking Hoosier National Forest. Although quite the drive, there is no question the beautiful hike is worth it. With over 200,000 acres of land and 260 miles of hiking trails, it is impossible to get bored of the nature this destination has to offer!
Oxford
Looking for a more relaxed day trip? Head up to Oxford, OH! This college town is absolutely perfect for a day of shopping with friends. Head to the famous Bagel and Deli or walk through the welcoming walls of Wild Berry boutique! You could even show yourself around the nearby Miami University campus!
Though you may not be catching a plane to the Bahamas, or exploring the west coast, beauty and adventure lies surprisingly close to our home. So, grab your family, friends, or loved ones and explore our area this spring break!