With Father's Day right around the corner we wanted take a minute to reflect on some of the great things to do with dad  in Warren County as well as get some ideas from you. Share some of your favorite Father's Day activities in the comments below and you could win a great getaway for you and your dad (details at the bottom)!  

Canoeing:
Take dad on an outdoor adventure! With multiple liveries along the Little Miami Scenic River, you can paddle your way downstream and discover for yourself why the Little Miami is one of the Top 10 scenic rivers in the country. Whether aboard a canoe, kayak or raft, you will quickly see that the excellent water quality, gentle current and abundant wildlife make the Little Miami River the region's premier recreational waterway for family trips, beginner outings and experienced excursions.

Fishing:
If there's one thing dad knows how to do, its bait a hook. Take him down along the banks of the Little Miami River, or out to Caesar Creek State Park near Waynesville. Anglers of all ages will enjoy fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass as well as some of the best crappie fishing in the state. Before you go be sure to download the lake map as well as attain a valid Ohio fishing license.

Trains:
If your dad's like mine he's fascinated with trains - displays, memorabilia and the engines themselves. If so, the LM&M Railroad makes a great excursion! Hop on for a one hour train ride that will take you on a journey through the beautiful rolling countryside of Warren County and listen to the conductor tell the history of the area and the railroad itself. Also, you could take your train enthusiast to EnterTRAINment Junction, the home of the world's largest indoor train display with 25,000 sq. ft. of model trains. With additional attractions like the A-Maze-N Funhouse it's fun the whole family will enjoy.

Golf:
What father doesn't enjoy an afternoon on the links? In Warren County you'll find a challenging mix of golf courses designed to test golfers of all skill levels, including 4 championship courses and one of the top public golf courses in Ohio, Shaker Run Golf Club. Course like The Golf Center at Kings Island, Crooked Tree Golf Course and many more are ready to challenge your game, so tee it up and spend the day with your father playing courses designed by Ohio icon Jack Nicklaus and famous golf architect Arthur Hills.

Now it's your turn! Tell us your favorite father's day activity from the past or what you plan to do this June 17th and you will be entered to win a great getaway for you and dad that includes:

• A 6-mile canoe excursion on the Little Miami River from Morgan's Outdoor Adventures (2 canoes).
• A family pass to ride the LM&M Railroad (includes 2 adults and 1 child).
• $50 Gift Certificate for dinner at Ole Friends Tavern in Lebanon
• AND a 1-night stay at the Drury Inn Middletown

Winner will be chosen randomly and will be contacted via email.

 Click here for official rules.

Summer time in Cincinnati will truly be the season of music! With the World Choir Games coming to the Queen City this summer, Cincinnati families can share the joy of world class music. However, the World Choir Games are just one of the great musical events in the region this summer. From Bluegrass to Broadway to Blues, Warren County has something for every kind of music lover.

World Choir Games July 4- 14

The World Choir Games is the headliner for this summers musical events and is the largest international choral competition in the world held every two years. With previous games held in Austria, China and South Korea, Cincinnati will set the stage for the first Choir Games to be held in the U.S. This is a great opportunity for families to experience the music of different cultures. The World Choir Games are held at three different locations downtown including US Bank Arena, The Aronoff Center and Music Hall. Walking maps are available with event schedules for each venue. Learn more about the World Choir Games and even find ways that you can get involved right here!

Spirit Song 2012 June 28 - June 30

The 19th annual Spirit Song concert series, which features the most popular, contemporary Christian music, is coming to Kings Island once again. The Spirit Song concert series will span three days with music from a variety of Christian artists and speakers including Switchfoot, Mosteller, Toby Mac and more! Those planning to attend Spirit Song are encouraged to enjoy all the fun and excitement of Kings Island. Kings Island, the largest amusement and waterpark in the Midwest, has over 80 rides, attractions and performances including 14 thrill rides, an award-winning kids' area, the world's largest animatronic Dinosaur Park and the all-new Soak City Waterpark, it's fun for all ages! Families should also explore the near by Great Wolf Lodge that features an indoor water park and attractions like a pint-size bowling alley that the whole family can enjoy. Discover more about Spirit Song here.

Caesar's Creek Ol' Tyme Music Festival, June 15-17

For those who enjoy bluegrass and folk music, the Ol' Tyme Music Festival at Caesar's Creek Pioneer Village is the place to be. Your family will enjoy three stages of music throughout the historical village with historical re-enactors. What's more, attendees are invited to bring their own instruments to join in the fun! Families should also explore the grounds of Caesar's Creek State Park as they'll find a great deal of outdoor activities to be enjoyed by all including a beautiful lake, hiking and biking trails, campgrounds and more. Learn more about the Ol' Time Music Festival and the state park here.

La Comedia Dinner Theater 2012 Playbill

Get a taste of Broadway right here in southwest Ohio! La Comedia Dinner Theatre features six Broadway-style shows a year and a mouth-watering dinner buffet -making it a great value for the whole family. La Comedia is currently running "Happy Days" based on the hit television show of the same name through July 1, 2012. Seussical the Musical will then begin shows on July 11th  and run through September 2nd. For a complete list of upcoming shows, view the playbill for La Comedia here.

Macy's Music Festival 2012, July 27-28

The Macy's Music Festival will celebrate its 50th anniversary at Paul Brown Stadium in Downtown Cincinnati. This summertime event is a great way to bring the family together to enjoy Grammy-award winning artists and chart-topping legends. The Macy's Music Festival features R&B artists including the O'Jays, Eric Benet, Monica and many more set to perform that weekend. To learn more about the artist set to perform visit the Macy's Music Festival online.

Lebanon Blues Festival, August 4

The Lebanon Blues Festival is a free event for the whole family, featuring eight bands, delicious food and a deluxe beer garden. Set in historic Lebanon, the Blues Festival will host the Blues, BBQ and Bumpers Car Show with more than 150 classic cars on hand. The festival runs from 11 am - 11 pm. Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and/or blankets for the spectator area. Get the full line-up, a list of vendors and more here.

Summer Music Series Presented by Coca-Cola at Cincinnati Premium Outlets

Coca-Cola and Cincinnati Premium Outlets have teamed up to showcase some of the regions best musical acts as part of the 2012 Summer Music Series. Shoppers will be entertained from noon-3pm every Saturday from now until September 1st by the good vibes of everything from classic rock to bluegrass and jazz. Some of the entertainers include Revolver, Hickory Robot, Velvet Soul and the Paul Hawthorn Jazz Trio. For a list of more entertainers and information about the Summer Music Series please visit Cincinnati Premium Outlets online.

Looking for more great events happening in Warren County? Be sure to search for your travel dates on our calendar of events.

 

 

Do you have children? Do you travel? Well then the tips below should help ease some of the stress that comes along with planning and packing up to hit the road for summer vacation.

As summer approaches, we begin thinking about our summer travel plans with the family. Whether you travel with young children or adolescents, it's important to make considerations to make traveling as simple as possible.

1) Do your research:
When planning your vacation, you'll likely make reservations or plans for certain attractions or activities. If this is the case, make sure you're aware of things like:

• An attraction's hours of operation
• Customer reviews
• Prices
• Nearby attractions
• Parking
• Possible traffic

Taking these things into consideration will provide you with useful information for developing an agenda for your family vacation.

2) Map out an agenda:
This may seem like a no-brainer, but having an agenda set in place will allow you and your family to get the most out of summer vacation. It's also important to map out an agenda according to the make up of your family. When traveling with small children, having a strict itinerary is best because having planned activities cuts down on free time when they can get fussy. On the other hand, if you're traveling with older children or adolescents, prepare an agenda with openness to an unplanned activity. As children get older, they may enjoy the element of spontaneity.

3) Budget Accordingly:
As the economy continues its recovery, many families still face financial burdens -especially when it comes to summer traveling. Once you've done your research, write out how much every element of the vacation will cost including:

• Flight arrangements
• Hotel Accommodations
• Gas prices
• Admissions to local attractions
• Menu information for nearby restaurants

Budgeting for a vacation is no easy task. When traveling, remember that anything can happen. If possible, try setting aside a certain amount for any emergencies that may arise. For additional help be sure to check out this cool tool aptly named Budget Your Trip.

4) Be conscious of gas prices:
If anything has gotten in the way of your family's summer travel plans, it's gas prices. The cost of gas can add up, especially if you're traveling long distances. Keeping a fuel log can help determine how much you're spending on gas as it pertains to your family vacation budget. Also, it's important to remember that the price of gas can vary from region to region. It may help to research gas prices in different areas along your route before you set out on the road. Doing so can help predetermine stops along the way where the family can take bathroom breaks while you fill up. This saves both time and money, which can be equally valuable for your family vacation. Use GasBuddy.com to help maximize your fuel savings.

5) Keep the little ones occupied
Sitting still for long periods is not a quality that many kids endear. Packing some snacks and games can really help to exert some of that energy. Make sure to pack these items in an easily accessible spot. For more information and ideas on family fun games check out wejustgotback.com

6) Check and double check everything you've packed:
Again, this seems like a no-brainer, but it's vitally important. After all, there's nothing worse than having to use part of your vacation budget to buy an item you forgot at home. Develop a check list of the things you would never want to go without while away from home. It's a good rule of thumb to remember that you can never pack too much underwear or socks -especially when traveling with children.

Other things to remember are:
• Appropriate clothing
• Appropriate shoes
• Snacks for children
• Bathroom items
   o Toothbrushes
   o Toothpaste
   o Shampoo
• Sunscreen
• Medications

We hope you find this list helpful! Don't forget to check out some of the great getaways, not far away that you'll find in Warren County - Ohio's Largest Playground!