February trip Columbus/Cincinnati

amother

OP ↓

Thu, Dec 26 2024, 12:01 am

I live in Cleveland.
The affordable trip thread made me think about midwinter vacation.
If you were going to do a 2-day trip (overnight in a hotel with indoor pool) to Columbus/Cincinnati, what are the best things to do?
Kids ranging in age 4-16.
Attractions that aren't too expensive (aka I prefer cheap!)
Thanx in advance!!!

Also, Columbus is obviously closer, but it sounds like it would be easier to find kosher food/restaurants in Cincinnati.
Also, I know this is a dumb question, but is there (or are there) shul(s) in Columbus with all 3 daily minyanim?

amother

Clear

Thu, Dec 26 2024, 12:22 am

I went to Columbus during the summer with 2 older kids.

We went to Cosi https://www.google.com/search?.....ebo=0
Which was wayyyyh too young for my kids.

We also went to https://www.otherworld.com/mai.....w_wcB
Which my kids loved and I think might work for you.

The rose garden, book store and archery places would not be for you.

Hashem_Yaazor ↓

Thu, Dec 26 2024, 4:29 am

You can still get away with Cosi with those ages ime... Just let your older kids pick the attractions they want without being tied to the younger kids.
There's a Homewood Suites with 2 bedroom suites and a regular indoor pool but it's not near the areas of the shuls (Berwick and Bexley). Same with Staybridge.

A friend of mine stayed somewhere else that had almost like a mini water park indoors but I don't know what it was called.

That's Columbus.

Cincinnati I really don't know what attractions are good for all ages. There's a museum center that has children's and others in the same building but I don't know what exhibits are teen friendly right now.

Another idea of a similar distance from you is Pittsburgh. My kids had a blast at Carnegie science center this summer, yes even the teens. They have a sports/fitness part the older ones really enjoyed and they found out they could get free soda refills and bought themselves a cup of soda when they were on their own... The little things that make them happy!

amother

Quince

Fri, Dec 27 2024, 10:44 am

If you're going to Cincinnati, you can check out The Ark Encounter. It's a real life replica of Noah's Ark. I think it's about an hour from Cincinnati. I wanted to go when we were there, but they're closed on Sundays.

There is a kollel in Columbus and I'm pretty sure they have daily minyanim.. but obviously not a lot of choices on timing...

amother

Apricot ↓

Fri, Dec 27 2024, 10:53 am

If you have any museum, zoo, or aquarium memberships in Cleveland, check to see which ones have reciprocity with places in Cincinnati or Columbus. Often reciprocity means free admission, but even if it's "just" half off, it makes a big difference.

The Aquarium in Newport, KY (20 mins drive from main frum area of Cincinnati) is nice and manageable with younger kids, but pricy if you don't have some kind of discount.

Cincinnati has a lot of nice parks and playgrounds. Summit Park has outdoor ice skating and a small zip line that younger kids love. Other parks have other stuff. Info is all online.

Perfect North is a snow tubing and ski place about 45 minutes from Cincinnati. You have to check their availability, as it can be weather dependent.

Downtown you can rent motorized scooters and ride around, it's pretty at night.

amother

↑ Apricot ↓

Fri, Dec 27 2024, 10:59 am

Hashem_Yaazor wrote:

A friend of mine stayed somewhere else that had almost like a mini water park indoors but I don't know what it was called.

Probably Great Wolf Lodge.

amother

Periwinkle ↓

Fri, Dec 27 2024, 2:06 pm

The columbus kollel has a minyan 3 times a day.
There is a few options for food in columbus:
East pizza, they make really good pizza
Saba, its a fleshing spot. Falafel, shawarma etc
Matts bakery is a bakery and grocery store.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Tue, Dec 31 2024, 12:03 pm

amother Periwinkle wrote:

Thank you!
Are all these restaurants open?
I see the next poster said one is closedon mondays.

I think COSI would make sense for us. And I can get reciprocal member's from Cleveland science center... Maybe even ace will kick in.

And swimming in a pool when it's quiet.

Lets say COSI is one day, what would you do the other day in Columbus? Gear for 10-16 year olds.
I don't want a climbing jumping skating place because of tznius...

Bowling?

Is there anything fun near the kollel and shul area?

amother

↑ Periwinkle

Tue, Dec 31 2024, 1:02 pm

The pizza store is open everyday of the week
Saba is open everyday besides for Monday
There is a great place called activate, really fun activities for different ages, but it's not right next to the kollel.
https://playactivate.com/colum.....oogle
Let me know if you have more questions

amother

↑ OP

Tue, Dec 31 2024, 7:26 pm

amother Periwinkle wrote:

Looks fascinating but it's expensive! $20/player for 75 min. Is it that amazing?

↑ Hashem_Yaazor

Tue, Dec 31 2024, 7:41 pm

Look for Groupons for ideas...
Like this one https://www.groupon.com/deals/.....oms-1
This is in Grove City which is right outside Columbus (closer to Cincinnati than Cleveland though) and very reasonably priced and probably good for the older ages (full disclosure: I personally have never gone to an escape room but my kids have and enjoyed)