Mt. Airy Forest

If you haven’t taken your kids to Mt. Airy Forest yet, you’re missing one of Cincinnati’s best kept secrets. The climbing structure and tunnels keep the little ones busy while you actually get to sit down — there’s shaded seating and picnic tables, plus a BBQ area if you want to make a real afternoon of it. Trails wind through the forest and connect to open grass fields, so older kids (up to 14 or so) can burn off energy while the toddlers do their thing closer to the playground. There’s a pond nearby that always makes the walk back feel worth it, and the tree cover keeps things cool even on hot summer days. Parking and restrooms on-site, which honestly makes or breaks a family outing.