Roadschooling is a great way to integrate your kid’s schooling into your lifestyle and vacations. This new type of schooling is becoming more and more popular as parents want more flexibility with their children’s education and many businesses are offering remote positions.
Roadschooling turns the world into your children’s classroom by finding shapes, patterns, and even math in nature. It can also make history come to life as you visit historical sites.
While Ohio might not seem like the most exciting state to roadschool through, being from Ohio, I know firsthand that there are a TON of cool places to check out! Caves, lakes, zoos, Yellow Springs, waterfalls, historical sites, and more – there’s something here for everyone.
1. Cincinnati Music Hall
The Cincinnati Music Hall is a National Historic Landmark as well as a landmark of the city. Since it was built in 1878, the music hall has housed the Cincinnati Opera, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, exhibitions, sporting events, and political conventions.
To make visiting the music hall an educational experience, you can study some of the area’s history beforehand. The music hall also offers tours of the building. Tickets cost $15 per person and $5 for children under 12. They also offer special group discounts if you purchase more than five tickets for the tour.
If you are looking to enjoy not only a tour but a cultural experience as well, you can attend one of the many performances that take place in the Cincinnati Music Hall. Events range from operas, musicals, ballets, and concerts, so you are sure to find something your family can enjoy together.
Tickets to see a performance at the music hall are usually a bit more expensive than tour tickets, but worth it to be able to participate in such an enriching cultural experience.
2. Loveland Castle
The Loveland Castle, otherwise known as Chateau Laroche, is a castle located in Symmes Township, Ohio. The castle was constructed by Harry D. Andrews in the 1920s and his Boy Scout troop. After over 50 years, the castle was complete. There is a variety of activities available to visitors to Loveland Castle today. You can learn about Harry, his service in World War I, and his troop- the Knights of the Golden Trail. The castle grounds are the perfect place to picnic and play games.
Visitors can also enjoy the German, French, and English architectural aspects of the castle. Swords and weapons are also located throughout the castle.
3. CoSi
Cosi is the Center of Science and Industry and was inspired by the Museum of Science and Industry located in Chicago. COSI has been educating its visitors for over 55 years since its doors opened on March 19, 1963. The center is home to countless exhibits ranging from ‘Marvel: Universe of Super Heros’ and ‘Cuba’ to the dinosaur gallery and planetarium.
The Center of Science and Industry is open from 10 am to 5 pm. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $20 for children under the age of 13.
4. Cincinnati Zoo
The Cincinnati Zoo is one of the oldest in the United States and has one of the largest varieties of animals in a midwest zoo. The zoo opens to the general public at 10 am If you want to skip the line, visitors recommend that you buy your tickets online.
The main complaint of visitors of the Cincinnati Zoo is that its layout is confusing, so you might want to buy a map at the entrance for $1. The Cincinnati Zoo is also quite large, so make sure that your kids are prepared to walk and bring strollers for little ones that might need a rest.
Your kids will enjoy not only seeing all the different animals but learning about them and their habits from friendly staff members. If you want your kids to have an even more interactive experience, you can sign them up for a Wild Encounter.
During Wild Encounters, zoo staff will help you safely interact with different animals by being in their habitat and seeing the behind-the-scenes work that goes into caring for these animals. Some of the encounters even let you feed or bathe the animals, which is an experience your kids will be sure to remember.
5. Sunwatch Indian Village
Sunwatch is an archaeological site that was first discovered and excavated in 1986 by John Allman and Charles Smith. They saved the site from being impacted by the expansion of a nearby sewage treatment plant in the early 1970s and the site was opened to the public in 1988. Archaeologists have reconstructed the ancient village which visitors can explore, learn about the native Indians, in addition to the interpretive center that houses many artifacts that have been discovered on the site.
This is a great place to come to learn about history, scientific theory, and archaeological processes. The archaeological park is closed on Mondays but is open from 9 am to 5 pm. Tuesday through Saturday, and from 12 pm to 5 pm on Sundays.
6. Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum
The Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum is one of the oldest and largest cemeteries in the area. The cemetery started in 1845 and the grounds spread over 733 acres. The cemetery is the resting place for many prominent Cincinnati natives, many of which have streets or buildings named after them. There is a visitors center on the grounds with maps available. However, if you don’t feel like going out on your own, tours are available.
If you take your kids here for an educational experience, you can teach them some of the histories of the people that were buried there. You can also take this chance to learn more about your family history- who knows, maybe you have a relative buried there! Programs like FamilySearch can help you find your deceased relatives’ gravestones.
7. Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm
The Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm is an experience-based education center (perfect for roadschoolers) that teaches about ecosystems and sustainable agriculture. In addition to regular sites and tours, the center offers special events and exhibits throughout the year such as the Pancake Brunch, Native Plant Sale, and the Farm Babies Fest.
They also recently opened up a fun exhibit with wooden creatures carved into large trees. They are larger than life. You have to see them to believe it!
Since this is an educational facility, they do most of the teaching for you, but you can always discuss the most exciting things you learned about on the drive to your next adventure.
8. National Museum of the US Air Force
The National Museum of the US Air Force is located in Dayton, Ohio at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and features over 350 aircraft and missiles. It is the oldest museum of its kind. The museum offers coloring pages as well as activities your children can do during your visit, which takes some of the teaching and planning burdens off of your shoulders. The National Museum of the US Air Force also offers children’s camps and courses along with a flight simulator.
You can visit the museum any time between 9 am to 5 pm any day of the week. Admission, parking, and tours are free. Visitors say that it is definitely worth visiting, and some mention that you might even need to schedule out two days to make sure you don’t miss anything. As you tour the museum, you will not only be wowed by the planes and how huge the museum is, but you’ll also learn and have a deeper appreciation for engineering, mechanics, and history.
9. Yellow Springs
Yellow Springs is a small town in Ohio known for its recreational activities, laidback vibe, and artsy village full of cool people. While you and your family are staying in Yellow Springs, you can visit Glen Helen Nature Preserve or John Bryan State Park. This area would be great to visit if you are teaching your kids about biology, ecosystems, wildlife, botany, birdwatching, waterfalls, or other natural sciences.
The local dairy farm, Youngs Dairy, is a must-see. Your kids can learn about different farm animals and how milk gets turned into other products all while enjoying freshly made ice cream. They also have a small park, miniature golf, batting cages, a driving range, tractors to climb on, and a restaurant.
Or you can just enjoy the laidback, friendly atmosphere, buy some tie-dye shirts, and check out the local art.
10. Hartman Rock Garden
The Hartman Rock Garden is an art environment created by artist Ben Hartman. He worked on it from 1939 to 1944 to create his own space of peace, tranquility, and solitude. His works often feature the themes of history, religion, and patriotism.
After Ben’s death, his wife Mary preserved his “garden of love” adding her own floral touches. Today, the garden is open year-round and doesn’t charge admission. The Hartman Rock Garden is a great place to expose young minds to the variety and versatility of art and artistic expression.
11. Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve
If you are teaching your kids about geology, Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve is the place to go. The highlight of the preserve is the dolomite and limestone gorge. You can teach and show your kids how there was one interglacial and post-glacial canyon cutting.
Clifton Gorge also features a river, cliffs, and beautiful and rare wildflowers. Although the preserve spreads out over 268 acres, there are only four trails that cover just three miles.
While it may seem odd to have all that space closed off, the limited trail access keeps the nature preserve healthy. It also means that you won’t have to carry your kids through a long hike.
12. Heritage Village Museum
The Heritage Village Museum and Educational Center is home to a 19th-century town. The buildings present there today came from all around Ohio and Kentucky. While here with your traveling, homeschooled students, you will all learn about this area of Ohio and the people who settled it.
You can embark on a self-guided tour or a guided tour, however, you can only go inside the buildings with a tour guide. The museum is only open for guided tours during the summer season from May to September.
13. Put in Bay
Put in Bay is another spot you’ll want to put on your list of places to visit in Ohio. Put in Bay is the perfect place to experience Lake Erie and a part of the Bass Islands. To get to the island, you will need to take a ferry from the mainland. Once you’re on the island, I recommend renting a golf cart. The island is small enough to get around by golf cart and it’s so much fun riding from place to place.
The island features shops and restaurants along with trails and nature preserves – the best of both worlds. While you are there, the kids can learn about the local fishing industry and environment, enjoy some arcades and good food, and swim.
At the northern tip of Ohio, you aren’t far from Canada.
14. Hueston Woods
Hueston Woods State Park is a fun place to learn about geology, biology, ecology, and paleontology. The state park was once covered in a shallow sea that left behind remains of ancient marine animals that you and your kids might be lucky enough to find.
In the park, you can go hunting for fossils, golf, fish, boat, bike, swim, hike, and ride horses. If you are in need of a day inside, you can visit the nature center where you will learn about the native plants and animals. The nature center also houses native animals that were injured or unable to survive on their own and is open every day from 10 am to 4:30 pm.
15. Fostoria Rail Park
Fostoria, Ohio was founded in 1854 when the Indiana railroad was starting to be built. During the railroad boom, there were three railroads that came through the small town of Fostoria. The rail park is a great way to teach your kids about modern technology and how it can quickly change a landscape. Today, over 100 trains still pass through the area every 24 hours.
16. Hocking Hills and Old Man’s Cave
Hocking Hills State Park is located just southeast of Columbus, Ohio. In Hocking Hills, you can enjoy the outdoors along with shopping and dining. One of the most popular areas in the park is Old Man’s Cave which was named after a hermit who lived there in 1796. Within Old Man’s Cave, there are five main areas: Upper Falls, Upper Gorge, Middle Falls, Lower Falls, and Lower Gorge.
Conclusion
So if your travels bring you to Ohio, or through Ohio (most likely) to a more exciting destination, I hope you’ll enjoy some of our favorite areas and attractions in Ohio. If you visit any of these locations, I’d love to hear about it below.
What are some of your favorite, must-see roadschooling stops in Ohio? Natural landmarks, historical sites, or even recreational attractions! Let’s keep the list going in the comments below.
Happy travel schooling!
