The Cincinnati Nature Center at Rowe Woods is such a treasure in our city. You can visit many times and never have the same experience twice! A yearly membership is a great investment that your family can use year-round because the center is open and there are even events during the winter. **NOTE: Make sure to check their website to see their policies on daily visit reservations and more.
Here are my top 10 favorite things to do at the Cincinnati Nature Center, in no particular order. Don’t try to do them all at once, though!
1. The Man Made Stream
This gem is inside the Nature PlayScape area, which is perfect for the littles. Even my 9 year old loves this spot. This man made stream offers mini waterfalls, a great creek stream and treasures to be found. Wear boots, water shoes or just let the kids play barefoot. Hunt for fossils, traverse down the rocks (a bit slippery) and look for creatures! There is no shade in this part, but there is a small canopy with bench nearby to watch them play.Ā
2. The Nature PlayScape Area
The Nature PlayScape area is perfect for the littles to run and play. Kids who are just starting to walk will love this area – parents, you’ll love it too because it’s gated! Even my kids older kids (7 & 9) enjoy it, but eventually want to adventure further.
Inside the area includes:
* Little ‘trails’
* A mud pie zone (that you can easily avoid if you want)
* Benches to relax in the shade
* A cool area with logs and tree stumps to build with
*A small sand area
* Interactive maps and questions about nature, butterflies and more that you can assist with along the wayĀ
3. events in the playscape
They are often hosting really fun family friendly events in the Nature PlayScape. From nature storytime to crafty Tuesdays to nature painting and more. Heading there for an event is a great way to get familiar with the place! Check out the Calendar of Events in the PlayScape. Don’t forget to check out all the awesome events they host year round.Ā
4. Mashburn Family Discovery Trail
We love to trek this trail starting near the parking lot of the playscape. The orange trail, the Mashburn Family Discovery Trail is a super easy, flat hike (more like a stroll, so even the new walkers can do it.) There are tons of treasures along this hike including Matt’s Pond, but be sure to hold little ones hands here because there are no railings around the deck! The trail loops around so your family will see many different things that I highlight below, including the Lotus Pond and the Log Cabin.Ā
5. the Log Cabin & THe lotus pond
Follow the Orange trail (Mashburn Family Discovery Trail), a super easy, flat hike to find some great places to play and discover in nature including:
* Matt’s PondĀ
* An old log cabin. My kids could play house in this cabin for hours while I enjoy the rocking chair on the front porch.
* If you keep walking past the house and turn left, you will find the lotus pond. There are frogs for days here in this green, lilypad filled pond. And if you’re there late spring, you can’t miss them because they are loud. And I mean LOUD because it’s mating season. It’s really cool if you happen upon that timing.
6. Houses in the woods made from branches
Keep going past the Lotus Pond on the Mashburn Family Discovery Trail to find a collection of branches, sticks and tree stumps that have been made into ‘houses’. This area is nestled in the shade and really fun for kids to play and make believe in, especially if it’s hot. There’s usually an area where kids can rebuild the big houses or make teepee.
7. Classes for tots to tweens
The Covid concerns have canceled a lot of things, including some of the nature programming. But, under normal circumstances, there are weekly classes, year-round, for kids ages 1-13! Check out their schedules to see if openings are available. Also, did you know they host an accredited nature preschool? It’s a really cool hands on learning experience. Their yearly open house is usually in late January or early February if you or someone you know may be interested in learning more!
8. Hiking and creekin' on the Geology & Discovery trails
There are some really awesome hiking trails at the Cincinnati Nature Center and there’s something for everyone. If you have tots who just want a nature stroll, try the Mashburn Family Discovery Trail as I mention above.Ā
Check out the trail map here (image below) and trail descriptions to find out which best suits your mood and skill level. My favorite trails are the pink (Wildflower) and the purple trail called The Geology Trail. They are family favorites and has a pretty easy decent into the creek. Bring water shoes or old gym shoes you don’t care get wet. Tons of fossil hunting and treasures to find in the creek.Ā
9. feeding the fish and turtles at POWEL Crosley Lake
Feeding the fish & turtles at Powel Crosley Lake is a perfect break from hiking. We like to do the purple trail and then come back up to the Rowe Woods Visitors Center to purchase the brown bags of fish food – just from the cashier there. Bonus, there is a SUPER cute gift shop here with a range of gifts for kids and adults that are unique and not something you can find elsewhere.Ā
The turtles and fish LOVE to be fed and get super close. Be diligent with the little ones as there is no railing on the walkway. I always make my kids sit before giving them the fish food, and then of course obsessively watch them to make sure they don’t fall in ;)! Is my mom anxiety showing?! š
10. Adult EVENTS You WILL LOVE
There are tons of cool events for adults to enjoy the nature center. The annual event, Hoots & Hops, is a great date night or GNO option. There are food samples from local restaurants in the lodge, plus food trucks and local brews to sample along the trails. It’s a super casual event and a great way to get to see more of the nature center, without your kids! Plus, they often host events like trail yoga, nature photography walks and more!
If you love to get out and explore and want more ideas, try my favorite shaded playgrounds in Cincinnati or hiking adventures!Ā