Adventure Seekers Archives - Family Fun📍Cincinnati & Beyond

April 12, 2021April 16, 2021

Hocking Hills with the Family

Hocking Hills truly is a great place to take the family. Yes, Hocking Hills is kid-friendly. No, you don’t have to be an avid hiker to enjoy. Seriously! Check out my tips and tricks below – what hikes are kid-friendly and what hikes you should avoid.

There are tons of other adventures too! Try zip lines, archery and spend time fishing at Lake Logan State Park.

What to know before you go to Hocking Hills

Cell service is VERY limited in the region. We have Verizon and there wasn’t a reliable signal most of the weekend. So, plan to get off the grid and enjoy!
Good news, the main attractions are really well marked with turn by turn signs and milage indicators. Since cell service is very limited and I live by directions from my phone, I was worried about finding places. But we got everywhere just fine!
All trails have a parking lot that is very well marked. For the most part, there were bathrooms and picnic tables at each place, perfect for a picnic.
Before you go, download the Hocking Hills App (iPhone & Android) for trail info & offline hiking maps, weather reports & more.
Most of the trails are pet friendly, with the exception of Conkels Hollow Nature Preserve. But, there are a few hikes, which I note below, that I would not bring my dog who tends to pull and get excited
Trails are crowded mid-day, so get out first thing in the morning or late afternoon or go during the week. Click here for Hocking Hills Hiking Maps.

See this Google Map below to get a sense of where all the trails are. I would suggest pairing Ash Cave with Old Man’s Cave and Cedar Falls. Then hit Conkles Hollow and Rock House the next day.

>> Kid-Friendly Hikes in Hocking Hills

I’ll say it again…Yes, Hocking Hills is kid-friendly and no, you don’t have to be an avid hiker to enjoy. Seriously! My first clue, we ‘hiked’ behind a stroller on one of the trails that was paved. High-fives to that mama! Also, someone behind us was on crutches for the Old Man’s trail hike. Totally BA, lady!

See below for kid-friendly hikes. And for ones you should do if you have older kids or get away without the littles!

Ash Cave Trail in Hocking Hills

To get there: Just follow the road signs for Ash Cave and park in the parking lot across the street.
Trail details for Ash Cave: This trail is a quick one with a PAVED path for the part as you walk to the cave, we walked behind someone pushing a stroller. The cave is STUNNING! This is a MUST visit and can be done in 45mins or less. My kids loved to play in the sand inside the cave overhang and climb the rocks inside. They ran through the waterfall, which is obviously seasonal. Visit in winter too – a friend showed me a picture in the winter of the frozen ‘pile’ of water and it sealed the deal. We will go back in the winter!

Old Man's Cave Trail in Hocking Hills

To get there: Just follow the road signs for Old Man’s Cave and park in the parking lot. It’s located right next to the Hocking Hills State Park campsite. And you can actually hike a trail from the RV and tent sites that will lead you to the trail entrance. But, the hike back is a steady, long climb!

Trail details for Old Man’s Cave: This trail is so unique with something amazing to see at every turn. There are waterfalls, ‘devils bathtub’ and small rock caves to climb in, unique bridges and steps cut out of the rocks. This trail can be done in about an hour or less and is kid-friendly, but stay close because there are a few places where holding littles hands is necessary.

Conkels Hollow Nature Preserve in Hocking Hills

**Note, not pets are allowed on these trails.
To get there: Just follow the road signs for Conkels Hollow Nature Preserve and park in the lot.
Trail details for Conkels Hollow: If you have kids, stick to the Gorge trail. It’s a mostly flat, 1 mile trail that ends at a waterfall. The Rim trail is much more difficult and not recommended for kids.

Cedar Falls Trail in Hocking Hills

To get there: Just follow the road signs for Cedar Falls and park in the lot. It’s a small lot, so expect it to be full. If your crew can endure a longer hike, connect from Ash Cave upper gorge (walk up the stairs and turn left at the top – there is sign.) It’s about an additional 2.5 miles to get there.
Trail details for Cedar Falls: A 1/2-mile hike, ending at a beautiful waterfall – the largest in volume in all of Hocking Hills. The hike is moderate and takes about 30 minutes. There are several stairs to climb down & up.

>> Not so Kid-Friendly Hikes in Hocking Hills

These trails are worth if if you can get away without the littles! It truly feels like another world in Hocking Hills!

Rock House Trail in Hocking Hills

**This one is borderline kid-friendly. See my notes below.
To get there: Just follow the road signs for Rock House and park in the lot.
Trail details for Rock House: I would not take my 4 year old on this hike, but I think my 7 & 9 year old could handle it. If you have older kids that are smart hikers, they will LOVE this! Rock House is the only fully enclosed cave in Hocking Hills. It’s stunning and worth the trip. Although this trail allows dogs, I would not take my dog because she pulls and there are too many places to slip!

STEEP cliff warning: There are stairs after the rock house cave that go down to another small waterfall and cave overhang. The stairs have a STEEP cliff off the side and there is no railing, so watch the kids here! See the picture above.

Cantwell Cliff Trail in Hocking Hills

To get there: Just follow the road signs for Cantwell Cliffs and park in the lot.
Trail details for Cantwell Cliffs: The 1 mile hike starts with something called ‘fat woman squeeze’ which is a skinny set of stairs carved into the rock to enter the cave, pictured below. If you are claustrophobic, this might be too intense for you. This hike is very unique and strenuous at times with significant elevation changes and ends with a steady climb back up.

where to stay in Hocking Hills

There are so many choices for cabins and camping in Hocking Hills, it can be overwhelming. We stayed at the Hocking Hills State Campground since we were traveling with a camper. If you’re looking for cabins, I’ve heard great things about:
Cherry Ridge Retreat in Hocking Hills
The Lodges at Cedar Falls
Hocking Hills Treehouse Cabins
Dunlap Hollow, a gorgeous Aframe!
A great place to start is the Hocking Hills Tourism Association page. You can search for available places to stay in Hocking Hills all in one place.

March 31, 2021April 13, 2021

Family Road Trip | Richmond, IN

Looking for a family-friendly getaway with history, adventure and unique charm packed into one weekend? Richmond, IN is worth the trip for the day or the weekend. Visit a historic museum on the underground railroad where thousands of slaves were helped to freedom, tour an elk farm, sample free chocolate all over town and so much more. We were surprised and delighted at all the fun we had!

Consider a trip to Richmond, IN if you’re in Cincinnati, OH (about 1.5hrs away), Columbus, OH (about 1.5hrs away), Dayton, OH (about 50mins away), Indianapolis, IN (about 1hr away).

My top 5 MUST see/eat/do experiences in Richmond: Quiet Harmony Elk Ranch, Levi & Catharine Coffin House, Bismark Donuts, Red Front Grill & Ullery’s Ice Cream. Read more below why I love them!

Want to skip all the planning? Let me take the wheel and follow my weekend in Richmond, IN itinerary. Scroll down to see!

WHere to stay in Richmond, IN

There are several hotel options right off the highway, but I would highly recommend where we stayed, the Hilton Home2 Suites Richmond. It’s perfect for a family with 2-4 kids because the rooms are large with a full fridge, a microwave, 2 double beds AND a pullout couch. The hotel includes breakfast and has a swimming pool (check to see if it’s open yet. It was closed due to Covid when we were there) and an outdoor patio with grills to use.

If you’re looking for an airbnb, check out the list of options from the Richmond Convention and Visitors Bureau including one cottage that has a pool.

WHere to eat in Richmond, IN

Right off 70 in Richmond is a great, local restaurant called Red Front Grill & Bar. It has a very eclectic menu, so there is literally something for everyone. Mexican, great pizzas and delicious subs. I highly recommend the Stromboli Sub or the Philly Cheese Steak with the bourbon sauce. SO good! The atmosphere is great for families and a great place to watch a game – there are TVs everywhere.

Bismarck Donuts is a MUST, and they have a drive thru if you’re on your way out of town. Try the apple fritter, glazed twist with sea salt and the cinnamon roll with maple frosting. WOW, so good.

A stop at the homemade ice cream shop, Ullery’s Ice Cream is also a MUST. It’s the best in town and a family run business that started (and still is) a concession ice cream truck at fairs and festivals. Order from the walk up window, or if the shop is open inside, enjoy the variety of flavors in a freshly made waffle cone, waffle bowl or classic ice cream parlor glass bowl.

Ullery’s is a part of Richmond’s Chocolate Trail so grab a passport to start your free samples! See more of the chocolate trail below.

Buffalo Wings & Rings is right by Home2 Suites and is a great option for lunch or dinner. I enjoyed the grilled salmon caesar salad and my picky mac n cheese kids really appreciated the kraft mac and grilled cheese option.

Mancino’s Pizza & Grinders is a perfect stop for lunch. The pizza is delicious!

If you’re looking for more options, check out this list of restaurants in Richmond my friend Stephanie, from Consistently Curious.

Sample ALL the Chocolate in Richmond, IN

Speaking of eating, kids and adults will love The Chocolate Trail throughout Richmond and surrounding town. With the passports, you can visit 14 places to get FREE chocolate samples including ice cream samples, a brownie for kids, chocolate milk, chocolate chip cookie, a HUGE piece of fudge, chocolate tea, chocolate candy and even a chocolate votive candle.

To get started, grab a Chocolate Trail Passport from The Old National Road Welcome Center: 5701 National Road E. (U.S. 40), Richmond, IN 47374.

The Underground Railroad Grand Central Station

a This is a MUST SEE ATTRACTION In Richmond, IN

One of the main attractions and a HIGHLIGHT of the weekend was visiting the LEVI AND CATHARINE COFFIN HOUSE museum and historical sight. It was a main stop for freedom seekers on the underground railroad and became known as ‘grand central station’ because they assisted THOUSANDS of freedom seekers to slavery. It was fascinating and humbling to experience for myself and my kids (4, 7 & 9). My oldest had recently learned about Harriet Tubman, so it was especially eye opening for her.

The interactive museum sets the stage for what slaves experienced and brings some context into the struggle they endured to escape, explaining free states vs. slave states and bounty hunters.

After exploring the museum, you enter the house through the same door that thousands of freedom seekers entered. There, you learn about the business they ran and how that helped fuel their ability to help so many freedom seekers. It’s an amazing experience and worth the trip.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids over 3. Tours last a little over an hour, but you could easily stay longer.

Outdoor Aventures in Richmond, IN

We always like to find outdoor adventures in every new city we meet. Fresh air and stretching our legs is always a welcomed activity. If you’re looking for this, try one of these options that are perfect for families:

Hiking at Hayes Arboretum. The nature center was closed due to Covid when we visited, so we hiked. The blue and yellow trails are less than one mile in length, and great for families with some elevation changes but nothing too hard even for my 4 year old. There is a paved trail that is longer and also gives you the option to drive through the arboretum. The Natural Playscape is fun for the little ones.

Thistlethwaith Falls is an unexpected find. You’re driving through an industrial area and all of a sudden you pull off and find a waterfall. We appreciated it because there was no hiking involved, just a set of steps down to a great places to fossil hunt at the base of the falls. This is close to Bismarck Donuts, so be sure to make that a stop.

Free bike rental for riding on the Cardinal Greenway. Bring kids bikes and rent adult bikes for free at Cycling & Fitness Warehouse, 213 N 3rd St, Richmond, IN 47374 which is just 100 yards or so from the start of the bike trail. Don’t forget helmets!

Quiet Harmony Elk Ranch

This place is a must see mid May through September. When in season, think of it as elk ranch meets a fall pumpkin festival! Viewing the massive, gorgeous elk is a memorable and unique experience, worth the trip. But, they also offer barrel car rides, tunnel slides, a playground, back country ATV rides to view the elk and tours in your car to view the elks grazing. Something to keep you and the kids busy all day. When you get hungry, grab an elk burger on a homemade bun and delicious homemade fudge that’s FREE if you have a chocolate trail passport.

We shopped in the trading post and brought home elk jerky, steak and burgers. Wow, so good and such a healthy option. Once we go back in season, I’ll do another post about all the fun!

Fun, One-of-a-Kind Museums in Richmond, IN

Car lovers will swoon at the Model T Museum in Richmond’s Depot District. Admission is $5 for 13+ and open Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. My kids weren’t totally interested, but I had to drag my husband out of there ;). They have over 30 Model T Ford cars of all kinds including a festival concessions car, a grocery car, a medic vehicle from the war and many more. It’s look, don’t touch kind of place, so don’t expect to sit in the cars.

We didn’t have time to experience the Wayne County Historical Museum , but it’s a great option for the history lovers in your family. See Egyptian mummies and the Egyptian room, Richmond-made cars, pioneer exhibits, and more.

Other stops to consider in Richmond, IN

Fountain Acres Amish Market for delicious sandwiches, candy and cheeses. This is just down the road from the Levi Coffin House.
Hiking the Conifer Trail at Cope Environmental Center.
Tour Abbott’s Candies Factory, a candy factory started in 1890. Tours are free and available M-F 9-3.
Outdoor Sculpture Trail on the I.U. East campus
Canoe and paddle boat rental on the Middlefork Reservoir

Make Richmond, IN a Pit Stop between Columbus and Indianapolis

Driving between Columbus and Indianapolis? Richmond, IN is the perfect pit stop for the day or even overnight. If you only have a little time, here’s my suggestion:
1. stop at BISMARCK DONUTS to grab some really great donuts – on par with Holtman’s Donuts in Cincinnati – thumbprint cookies & smoothies. They are open until 1pm daily.
2. stretch your legs at an unassuming, small waterfall off the side of the road called Thistlethwaite Falls. I would have never guessed it was there! No hiking involved, just walk down the steps and let the kids hunt for fossils.
3. stop at Warm Glow Candle Outlet for a sandwich and a piece of homemade pie at the hearth cafe. Then stay to shop. It’s a whole lot more than candles. It’s like if the Cracker Barrel gift shop and a fancy flea market had a baby. Great prices, tons of unique decor and of course, candles!

Don't Miss Meltdown Ice Festival in Richmond, IN

This annual festival occurs in January and brings artists from all over the US to display their incredible ice sculptures. There is music, food trucks, activities and interactive ice sculptures for kids. Be sure follow the Richmond Meltdown Facebook Page for announcement of dates or check out the Richmond Meltdown website here. See all the fun the weekend provides, including fireworks, fire & ice shows, in the Richmond Ice Festival post from my friend at Consistently Curious.

A Weekend Itinerary in Richmond, IN

Don’t want to plan the weekend? Just follow this weekend guide for fun with your family. This is based on travel May 15-early October, so be sure to double check locations are open.

FRIDAY:
Stay: Home 2 Suites, 5950 National Rd. E., Richmond
Dinner: Red Front Grill, 4725 National Rd. E., Richmond
Ullery’s Homemade Ice Cream Parlor, 168 Fort Wayne Ave

SATURDAY:
Donuts & Breakfast sandwiches at Bismark Donuts, 1241 NW 5th St, Richmond, IN 47374
Levi & Catharine Coffin House, 201 US-27, Fountain City, IN 47341
Warm Glow Candle for shopping, 2131 N Centerville Rd, Centerville, IN 47330 – this is WAY more than candles. It’s a Cracker Barrel gift shop mixes with an artisan flea market.
Lunch at Mancino’s Pizza & Grinders, 217 National Rd. W., Richmond – YUM!
Ride bikes on the Cardinal Greenway. Bring kids bikes and rent adult bikes for free at Cycling & Fitness Warehouse, 213 N 3rd St, Richmond, IN 47374 which is just 100 yards or so from the start of the bike trail. Don’t forget helmets!
Dinner at Firehouse BBQ & Blues, Little Sheba’s or Buffalo Wings & Rings.

Here’s your google map to follow!

SUNDAY:
Explore Quiet Harmony Ranch 10684 Morrison Mikesell Rd New Paris, OH 45347

November 6, 2020April 13, 2021

Bernheim Forest Giants

Seeing the Forest Giants at Bernheim Forest, or the Giant Forest Trolls as my kids called them, is perfect family day trip to hike and explore, just south of Louisville. BONUS: Bernheim Forest is a dog friendly day trip, so bring the pup along too!

Family Day Trip from Cincinnati

Whether you’re starting out from Cincinnati (about 2 hours), Indianapolis (just over 2 hours), Lexington (1.5 hours) or Nashville (just over 2 hours), make the trip a fun surprise for the family. Don’t tell them where you’re going and give them these clues as you drive to see if they can figure it out!

Play the song ‘Fixer Upper’ from the movie Frozen because there are great moss covered rocks on the trails that look like the trolls from the movie.
Let the kids watch the movie Frozen II on the way down there and tell them ‘we’re getting warmer’ when the Giant shows up in the movie.
Hand them this The BFG word search on a clipboard to do in the car.
Give them a snack that giants eat like gummy worms or gummy bugs. Or make a butterfly snack bag like this one from Raising Little Superheroes.

Besides watching a movie on the trip, we LOVE to listen to podcasts on roadtrips. Check out my favorite Podcasts for Kids that parents actually want to listen to also.

Seeing the Forest Giants at BERNHEIM FOREST

It costs $10/car to enter Bernheim Forest – this is a suggested donation. You get a map when you enter, but follow the signs directing you to the Forest Giants. Park and follow the yellow giant feet painted on the path to start the hike. The trail is along a gravel or dirt path, with parts of it through the woods. It leads to 3 HUGE Forest Giants constructed of pieces of wood. The detail is truly fantastic. One of the giants is a treasure collector, so you get to view all the treasures ‘she made’ and collected.

Bernheim Forest is open during Covid, but they have fencing around the giants so you can’t touch them like you used to be able to.

Bernheim Forest Hiking Trails

The land is truly gorgeous with so many trails, streams and ponds. You can spend hours here hiking, playing, relaxing and exploring the forest giants. Check out all the hiking trails at Bernheim Forest.

Fun facts: Did you know Bernheim Forest has about 16,000 acres of land? It produces 102 billion pounds of oxygen per year. WOW!

Bernheim Forest | More than just giants

Trails: There are over 40 miles of trails. Several are family friendly and moderately easy. Sections of both the Nursery Loop Trail and the Two Ponds Loop are paved, so strollers or bikes are welcome. We took the Sun and Shade loop on the way back from seeing the last giant and all 3 kids did well with it.

Enjoy a picnic: There is a gorgeous natural amphitheater there that looks out on the pond. This is a great place to have a snack or enjoy a picnic lunch.

Camping: Just behind the amphitheater and lake are camping spots with electric hookups! During normal times, there are camping events available to the public.

Canopy Tree Walk: Walk above the trees! Check out the boardwalk canopy tree walk that allows you to view the land from above the forest canopy.

Play areas: Coming soon, the Playcosystem will be a 10-acre natural playground for all ages.

Kid-Friendly Restaurant: The restaurant is currently closed, but Isaac’s Cafe focuses on LOCAL food, including edible flowers and kid-friendly meals.

Going without kids? Stop by the nearby Forest Edge Winery afterwards, or even a spot on the Bourbon Trail.

Want to stay closer to Cincinnati? Check out the Top 10 Things to do at the Cincinnati Nature Center.

Note, the visitors center is currently closed due to Covid restrictions, but there are portable restrooms available all over the property and hand sanitizing stations outside the restrooms.

May 6, 2020May 10, 2021

17 Best Podcasts for Kids

Y’all, podcasts aren’t just for adults. There is some great content out there directly created for kids. We listen on long road trips to pass the time or a random Tuesday when I’ve had enough of the Kidz Bop Hits.

Speaking of Kidz Bop, have you seen their dance breaks on my post on awesome celebrity virtual dance parties?

Also, did you know you can ask Alexa to play a podcast for you? Try it! Here are the captain family favorites!

Podcasts for Kids

The Big Fib– one’s a liar, the other one’s telling the truth. Each week, a kid interviews two experts on a topic and has to determine, through a series of questions, which is the expert and which one is a liar.

Tumble Science Podcast for Kids explores stories of science fun for the whole family. Check out The Science of Smell and other fun topics related to science discovery.

Wow in the World is made from NPR and each episode is based on facts and questions from science and technology that intrigues kids! They have a cute feature called Two Whats!? And A Wow!

The Past and The Curious is a history podcast for kids, but parents, you might learn something too. History was NOT my favorite school subject, so, yeah, I’m learning too.

Brains On! is all about the science questions curious kids have! We loved the episode, Flush! Where does our poo and pee go?, because ‘poo’ is a favorite subject in this house ;)! There are tons of other topics, including Bigfoot, Unicorns and Dragons: Making Sense of Myths.

If you like that, you’ll probably like the Smash Boom Best podcast, also produced by Brains On crew. It’s a debate show for kids & families during which they take two cool things, smash them together and let’s you decide which is best. Alien vs Robots. Sharks vs Skunks. Chocolate vs Cheese. How do you ever decide?

This podcast reminds me of one my sons favorite book series called Who Would Win? This series explores battles between 2 things to see who would win! Grab a copy or a set if your kids likes the podcast.

But Why is a show for kids, led by kids. Kids ask the questions which fuel the subject matter for the shows as they answer the questions! A few favorites, Do Animals Get Married?, ‘Are Llamas Ticklish?’ and What Is Electricity?

Story Pirates is such a fun listen. Hosted by actors, comedians, improvisers and musicians, they adapt stories submitted by kids into sketch comedy and musical theater. We’re big fans in this house!

Red School Bus is a clean comedy podcast from Father/Son duo sharing hilarious real-life stories. Kids can submit their own real-life stories and hear it ‘on air’ when they read the story.

Noodle Loaf is an interactive music podcast created by a dad and music-ed specialist that will get your kids dancing, laughing, singing and having fun. Check out more fun with their videos on their YouTube Channel.

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is an awesome fairy tale podcast for kids about extraordinary women in history from all over the world. Just like the book (<–link), that explores women who have done amazing things, this story podcast dives deeper into the lives of these bad*$ women!

PODCASTS FOR LITTLE KIDS

Highlights Hangout is a monthly podcast that brings Highlights Magazine to life in a whole new way. This is good for the little kids. They have the kids talk on the podcast, which is super exciting for other kids to hear. It plants a little bit of excitement in their brain, like maybe they can be famous too

StoryNory Podcast explores classic fairytales in a silly and engaging way, perfect for the little kids!

Podcast stories and audible Books

Longer car ride? Remember the days of books on tape from the library? Yikes, I’m showing my age! Try an Audible book from Amazon, they’re even better. Have the Harry Potter series read to your entire family.

The Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl – think of this as a DJ for kids that parents want to hang with. Looking for a playlist of music that both kids and parents will enjoy? These eclectic 2 hour shows offer fun songs that kids and parents enjoy! Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child is another good one like this!

The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian – Start at episode 1 and venture along with Finn, his friends and their pet robots solve the mysteries in the universe. This is great for 15-20 min breaks of fun, or binge-listen on a long road trip.

Don’t want to listen to the podcast WITH them? Grab some cute unicorn headphones like these!

Or some basic kids headphones to keep in your car and a headphone splitter if you have more than one kid listening. Then, crank up your tunes and cruise.

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