Visitors to Kings Island will have an opportunity to step back up to 245 million years in time when the world's largest animatronic dinosaur park debuts May 26, 2011.

More than 60 life-sized dinosaurs will be on display (some as tall as 30 feet high) in Dinosaurs Alive! at Kings Island, including 56 animatronic models, in a spectacular outdoor Jurassic forest setting!

The multi-sensory and interactive dinosaur park brings inspiration, science and technology together at Kings Island where guests will also hear the sounds and see the movements of these animatronic creations made to replicate nearly every feature of the dinosaurs.

Guests will experience 6 main scenes and 6 thematic exhibits as they make their way along a 4,000-foot long path spread throughout nearly 13 wooded acres.

Throughout this Jurassic journey, you'll learn about what the dinosaurs ate, when and where they lived, how they protected themselves, and how they adapted to their prehistoric world.

Adding to the thrill and excitement are the 4 dinosaurs with interactive consoles which allow guests to guide dinosaur movement so they can see how scientists believe each dinosaur moved its arms, tail, mouth and eyes. Other highlights include an excavation site replica, a kids' paleontological dig site where visitors can uncover prehistoric fossils, and a 1,500 square-foot dinosaur-themed gift shop that will feature more than 500 items.

Dinosaurs Alive! at Kings Island will be open daily beginning May 26 from 10:00 a.m. until dusk. The dinosaur park is not included with general park admission or a 2011 season pass.

A separate admission ticket of just $5.00 is required for this major attraction. Guests visiting Kings Island can purchase Dinosaurs Alive! admission tickets at the park or in advance online through the park's website.

On March 10, 2011, in an official announcement, the museum at Fort Ancient was granted accreditation by the American Associations of Museums, one of the most prestigious recognitions granted to a museum.

This high honor places Fort Ancient in esteemed company. Notable museums that have earned the AAM accreditation include the Smithsonian, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and Chicago's Field Museum.

The accreditation process, which is too lengthy to explain in a blog post, takes more than two year s to complete and involves thorough inspection of the museum and examination of its exhibits. Only about 5% of the museums in the United States have been granted the accreditation after completing this process.

The accreditation isn't the only honor bestowed upon the historic Native American site. Fort Ancient was granted National Historic Landmark status in 1964.

And in recent years, Fort Ancient has been placed on the shortlist for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Receiving this designation would place Fort Ancient on a global scale alongside famous sites such as Stonehenge, the Taj Mahal, the Great Barrier Reef and more.

Many new rides, shows and events will make their debut in 2011. Here is a rundown of all the exciting details so you can mark your calendar and plan your getaway to Ohio's Largest Playground!

WindSeeker at Kings Island debuts April 30th

Kings Island will delight thrill seekers in 2011 with WindSeeker, a 301-foot-tall tower that will spin riders 30 stories above the park at speeds up to 30 mph.

Seated in two-person swings that will allow your feet to dangle, you will slowly begin rotating in a circular motion as the swings ascend the tower. When you reach the top, the swings will reach speeds up to 30 mph, flaring out 45 degrees from the tower! WindSeeker will make its debut when Kings Island opens for the 2011 season in the spring.

Smithsonian Exhibit at the Warren County History Center

The Warren County History Center will host a traveling Smithsonian Exhibit "Beyond Baseball, The Life of Roberto Clemente," August 27 - October 12. In this exhibit, you will learn how in his 38 years, Roberto Clemente became a baseball legend in the United States, but in his homeland and throughout Latin America he became a national and cultural icon.

Western & Southern Open now a combined event

For the first time the best men's and women's tennis players in the world will play throughout the same week at the Western & Southern Open (August 13-21).

In one trip to the Lindner Family Tennis Center you see stars from both the WTA and the ATP tours playing on courts right next to each other. Imagine seeing a day of highly energized, competitive matches featuring Andy Roddick, Rafeal Nadal and Venus Williams in the afternoon then watching Roger Federer and Serena Williams that night!

Night Hunters exhibit at the Cincinnati Zoo

Night Hunters, a new exhibit about nocturnal predators and prey at the Cincinnati Zoo merges the best of the Zoo's Nocturnal House and Cat House (opening May 2011). The new indoor interactive experience will feature many diverse species such as a bearcat, aardvark, fishing cat, clouded leopard and much more! But don't worry, all your favorite big cats - lions, tigers and cheetahs - will still be roaming about in their outdoor homes.

Warren County Civil War Trail

In conjunction with the 150 year anniversary of the start of the Civil War, you can now explore Warren County's "Civil War Trail" by visiting the Warren County Genealogical Society and the county's other museums and historical societies.

Along the trail, you will discover how Ohio played an important role in the winning of the American Civil War. Learn about daring Confederate raids performed by Morgan's Raiders, how Ohio produced the generals (Grant and Sherman) who helped win the war for the Union and much more!

If your kids are looking for a Spring Break full of warm weather and tons of water, but a trip to Orlando, Destin, or Gulf Shores isn't in your budget, look in your own backyard to Great Wolf Lodge for an unforgettable Spring Break adventure!

With more than 400 woodland-themed suites, Great Wolf Lodge is a family-style resort with plenty of room to accommodate your entire family (and friends). Each of the Lodge's suites comes with a video game console for the kids, wet bar with microwave for the adults, and free wireless internet.

Your family can relax comfortably in a KidCabin® Suite with its one queen bed, sofa sleeper, fireplace, 25" big screen TV, plus a log cabin with one bunk bed and one day bed and 15" flat screen TV. Multi-family groups love the Loft Fireplace Suite because of its three queen beds, including one queen bed in a loft room, semi-private living area with sofa sleeper, vaulted ceilings, fireplace, private balcony, one-20" and two-25" big screen TV's.

By now, you have checked into your room and unpacked your bags. You turn your head to check the view outside on your room's private balcony and when you turn back around, the kids have changed into their swimsuits, grabbed their towels and have gathered by the door waiting to be let loose into a world full of endless water activities.

Don't keep them waiting any longer and blaze a path to Bear Track Landing, the resort's mammoth, 78,000 square-foot indoor water park. Always a balmy 84 degrees, Bear Track Landing promises tons of big fun thanks to its 12 waterslides, six pools, a one-of-a-kind water coaster and a four-story treehouse waterfort! Don't worry, there is an adult whirlpool so you can rest, relax and regain your energy, because your time on the water coaster is far from over.

Once you dry off, there is plenty of more fun and adventure waiting for you inside the Lodge. Transport you and your kids into a world of Renaissance-style fantasy when you play the live-action adventure game, MagiQuest. Cross into a three-dimensional, interactive world and become the main character in a live action adventure game, completing magical challenges located throughout the resort!

The family fun doesn't stop there. Your pack will love Nightly Story Time in front of the Great Clock Tower, plus all the arts and crafts available inside the Cub Club.

You can even treat your little ones to a manicure or pedicure inside Scooops Kids Spa where every treatment includes an ice cream treat. But don't forget to set aside a little me time with a facial or massage inside Elements Spa.

To make your Spring Break Trip a reality, Great Wolf Lodge is currently offering a Spring Break Blast package. For more things to do during a Spring Break trip in Warren County, visit our events page or check out our family attractions page.