Where Are You?

This time of year many families face the same predicament: It’s winter. It's cold. Kids are bored. But the perfect solution is one quick car trip away.  

If You Go

Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
3000 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis encourages advance tickets.  Buy them here.
(Save up to 20% by purchasing two weeks or more in advance.)

Billed as the biggest and best children’s museum, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis doesn't disappoint. And the best part: it’s great for kids of all ages. 

When a friend mandated that I visit with my kids, I thought, “But they’re not exactly kids anymore.” At 17 and 16, I figured they were long past being interested in that sort of thing. 

I was dead wrong. 

In fact, once my older daughter learned about the Scooby Doo Mansion Mayhem exhibit, she knew exactly how she wanted to spend her birthday. Inside a spooky mansion, we joined other “meddling kids” to solve the mystery of a jewel-stealing ghost hiding from police. If you want in on the action, act fast: the exhibit closes Jan. 22. 

But even after it’s gone, there is plenty to do and see. Our family loved the Dale Chihuly exhibit, Fireworks of Glass, which is best viewed from a prone position, they say. The centerpiece, though, is the blown glass tower that can be seen from every floor of the museum. It's one of Chihuly’s largest permanent sculptures, with more than 3,200 pieces of blown glass. 

Kids (and adults) who love space will find their fill here. In Beyond Spaceship Earth, you can step into a replica of the International Space Station, try on astronaut gear and perform experiments. Space history buffs can see astronaut artifacts and learn more about the men and women who’ve entered the world of space exploration. 

An area where our family spent a great deal of time was the exhibit The Power of Children. Each vignette shows a peak onto the lives of four extraordinary 20th century children—Anne Frank, Ruby Bridges, Ryan White and Malala Yousafzai.  

Elsewhere in the museum, take a trip to modern-day Greece, explore the tombs of ancient Egypt and the wonders of the sea. The museum’s most popular exhibit is Dinosphere®, which opened in 2004. It, like so many of the exhibits here, finds a way to captivate kids of all ages. 

Mom and dad will enjoy the trip down memory lane in the exhibit American POP. Music, fashion, toys and TV shows all take the spotlight as pop culture is put under the microscope. Kids, too, get a glimpse into the toys and music of years gone by, from Donald Duck to One Direction. 

Sit inside an Indy car, check out miniatures, ride a carousel and go on a train adventure – there is something for everyone at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. 

– Kathrine Nero

Over the River

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, American roads and airports saw record travel. As we roll into December, travel to see friends and family is sure to keep up that pace.

Whether you are driving or flying, planning ahead is the best way to avoid hassles – and potential meltdowns for all ages – this sometimes stressful season.

Since the travel season can be fraught with twists and turn, Kara Hitchens, the manager of public and government affairs for AAA Cincinnati, Miami Valley & Northwest Ohio, offers their recommendations for safe and fun trips.

Holiday Prep for Travelers

• Schedule a vehicle maintenance inspection completed before taking off if traveling by car.

• Download the AAA app to help find the cheapest gas prices along the road.

• Set up music playlists and GPS before taking off to avoid distractions.

• Make sure your AAA membership is up to date. Roadside Assistance crews will be out in full force to rescue any stranded drivers.

• If flying, download your airline’s app to be sure you are immediately notified of any changes to the schedule.

• Pack your identification and any medical and insurance items in an easily accessible spot whether inside your carry-on bag of pocket. Do not pack them in your luggage.

Going a beyond a roadtrip?

Mindy Kershner, senior manager of communications & community affairs at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, offers advice for air travel – whether you going to the family homestead or jetting off for a holiday getaway!

Before you even pack your suitcase, Kershner recommends you make sure you’re technology is up-to-date.

“Download your airline’s app to get real-time notifications sent directly to your phone,” says Kershner. “That way you’ll be alerted to any flight status changes. You can also check-in and download your boarding pass easily within the app.”

Kershner also suggests allowing yourself ample time. If you are traveling internationally, it’s best to arrive three hours before for your flights. For domestic flights, two hours is still the best plan.

For other details, head to www.cvgairport.com. At CVG’s website, you’ll find information on parking, security wait times, along with shopping and concessions, which can also work as great last-minute gifts! (Graeter’s, anyone?)

Mom's Favorite

It was my mother’s favorite painting.

Every time she visited me on the job as director of marketing at the Cincinnati Art Museum, she would ask to stop by and pay a visit to the van Gogh. I gladly showed her the way through the Great Hall up the grand staircase to the European galleries, where a crowd usually stood by the painting.

As I was reading the Wall Street Journal last Thursday, there it was, a picture above the fold of the beloved painting from the CAM’s collection, “Undergrowth with Two Figures” (1890) by Vincent van Gogh. The prized painting entered the storied Cincinnati collection in 1967, a bequest of Mary E. Johnston in the year of her passing along with 30 other paintings by famous names: Picasso, Matisse, among others.  

Per the article, “Undergrowth with Two Figures” is one of the star attractions in the new exhibition at the Detroit Institute of Arts titled “Van Gogh in America” on view through Jan. 22, 2023. The painting is in the Queen City’s collection thanks to Miss Mary Johnston (1890-1967), the niece by marriage of William Cooper Procter, who served as president of The Procter & Gamble Company. According to a Cincinnati Enquirer report, Miss Johnston (as she was known) was treated like a daughter by the Procters, as they had no children of their own. They taught her the value of giving. As their heir, she ensured their fortune benefitted the Episcopal Church and other causes such as Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Art Museum, and Society of the Transfiguration.

Mary Johnson

Miss Johnston was active in the Episcopal Church at every level, including campaigning for construction of the National Cathedral in Washington. For Christ Church in Glendale, she underwrote an addition with offices, classrooms and a chapel designed by local architect Woodie Garber (demolished). Besides the church, Miss Johnston’s interests included nursing, education, agriculture and art. She was a missionary in the Philippines, served as a battlefield nurse in World War II, studied under the innovative educator Maria Montessori in Rome, and operated a farm.

Among her greatest gifts was Procter Hall at the UC College of Nursing. A talented artist, Miss Johnston gave a collection of 30+ paintings valued at $2 million to the Cincinnati Art Museum in 1967, a value now that has increased by many zeros. The significant gift to the CAM was reported nationally at the time with a feature in The New York Times.

Thanks to Miss Mary E. Johnston for her largess to the Cincinnati Art Museum and thanks to Cincinnati Art Museum for giving me these fond memories with Ms. Pat Reau.

I think it’s time for a road trip up I-75 to see the van Gogh exhibition at the DIA.

– Jackie Reau

C'est Si Bon

Paris! The name immediately conjures images of stunning monuments, like the opening montage of an Audrey Hepburn film – the Eiffel Tower, the Arch de Triomphe, Notre Dame!

But as you walk through the streets of the city you start to see the smaller yet no less significant reminders of the city’s history.

Small white plaques, just above eye-level on many buildings, are almost unnoticeable. But during the final week of August, bouquets of flowers with a red, white, and blue ribbon bearing the insignia of the mayor of Paris draw your attention. These plaques mark the locations where French resistance fighters during WWII fought and died during the Liberation of Paris.

Amid the plaques and cobble stones and old bridges, history is everywhere. As residents and tourists walk through the streets to work, the Metro, or a café, the past is present. The flowers on the buildings, the cranes at Notre Dame, and the bouquinistes selling their wares along the Seine reinforce that sense, simultaneously existing in a 21st century metropolis settled by the Celts in 259 BCE. Taken together, these all exemplify the city’s motto “Fluctuat nec mergitur” (“[She] is tossed [by the waves], but does not sink.”). While Paris has rightly staked her claim as the capital of fashion, food, art, and romance, it should also be thought of as the capital of resilience.

In early August, Delta brought back the nonstop flight from CVG to CDG. No need to rush through the airport or scramble for connections with this flight. And with a Fifth Third Bank close to the gate you can easily exchange money. Then relax, have a drink, and wait for your flight – Which is the pace my husband and I took for this trip.

Some people can sleep on long flights. I am not one of those people. I struck up a conversation with my seatmate, a sister from Saint Paul Cristo Rey who was traveling to Paris and then to Nairobi. I hadn’t even landed in France and already my horizons were expanding!

The flight from CVG arrives around 8 a.m. After customs, much of which is now automated, and baggage pick-up, we were on way to the RER train and into the city around 9 a.m.

The RER ticket at 11.40€ is the cheapest, quickest, and most direct way into Paris. We were staying at the Hotel Fontaines Du Luxembourg (in the Sixth Arrondissement) – the RER stop at the Luxembourg Gardens was about a five minute walk from the hotel.

The first day in Paris is always filled with PLANS. Go here, do this, eat that. But the actual first say is a weird state between asleep and awake – buzzingly aware that it’s the middle of the night back home but excited that it’s mid-morning in France. You’re hungry, but don’t know for which meal.

Though Paris is a big city, the river makes navigation simple and the Metro makes getting around easy. The impulse may be to do all the things, but be aware of what you’re sacrificing. My advice is to have one thing you want to do, then leave time and space to enjoy the city. The French, after all, have a word (flâneur) to describes one who strolls idly though a city, taking in the experiences.

Since we arrived on a Wednesday, our hotel room was ready early, so we were able to check in and get settled almost right away. This quiet first day would culminate in a scenic boat ride on the Seine, which is something I’ve wanted to do since I was 15 and learning French in Sr. Madeleine’s class.

Mon cherie, it was not to be!

Not the boat I wasn’t on.

We got to the embarkation spot 20 minutes before the scheduled departure. Since we hadn’t had dinner (or maybe it was lunch) we stopped at the Franprix and bought a baguette, two pears, and a mini-goat cheese assortment set. We tore into the bread with our bare hands, stuffing the cheese into the soft pockets owe had torn off, and greedily eating during our impromptu picnic.

We were soon joined by a family from Manhattan – grandfather (Gaga), father, and son who were making their third, second, and first trip to Paris, respectively. Gaga’s first visit was in 1955. “Ten years after the War, so much energy, but people who knew very bad times.” So, on the banks of the Seine, in the shadow of the Notre Dame I talked about The Big Red Machine with a Mets fan. Then the delightful young Irish couple arrived, equally confused about where the boat was, but instantly adding to the fun.

Eventually a boat from the company came by and the captain gestured we had to catch the boat at the Eiffel Tower, which was nowhere near where we were. The lesson, if any, is to check your email for ticket information on you travel day, no matter how tired you are. However, had we done that, we might have gone on a boat ride but we’d have one less story to tell.

LIBERTÉ, ÉGALITÉ, FRATERNITÉ

The story told by the plaques throughout the city now has a proper home. The Museum of the Liberation of Paris opened in 2019 on the 75th anniversary, housed in a bunker above the Montparnasse train station where the Resistance ran their efforts lead by Col. Rol-Tanguy.

Admission to the museum is free, but the mixed reality tour of bunker (in your choice of language!) is an additional cost. Tours of the command post are every 30 minutes. Located twenty meters underground, you descend 100 steps wearing your VR goggles, as you take on the role of a journalist for a French newspaper. Once there you, interview leaders, review maps and objects, and witness the Resistance’s efforts.

The museum also includes artifacts and photos about the lives of General Leclerc, Free-French leader, and Jean Moulin, first President of the National Council of the Resistance, along with a timeline of the Resistance efforts. The newsreel footage of Charles de Gaulle marching into Paris with the Free-French army feels a bit like watching footage of Washington crossing the Delaware.

The temporary exhibition Women War Photographers, covering 75 years of international conflicts from 1936 to 2011, creating a bridge between Lee Miller’s work in WWII to Carolyn Cole’s images from Afghanistan.

Genco!

The museum’s setting in Montparnasse means it is surrounded by lively restaurants and vibrant markets. Be sure to look for “service continu” as many places close from 2 to 7 p.m., which means amazing restaurant isn’t open at 3 p.m. when you’re hungry. We found Café Daguerre for drinks and a late lunch, with a lively terrasse. At one point, my husband instinctively moved his hand down to pet a dog who walked by our table.

A few minutes later the dog, and a woman, returned and asked “Are you French? You were so kind to my dog before…” She was gesturing with the leash and we are all but taking it from her. Though she didn’t need to, she explained she had to run into a nearby store but she couldn’t take her dog in, so would we watch him.

As she walked away, we asked his name – He was Genco. We offered him some water and he waited patiently for his owner’s return.

SHOCKING

Of course, art museums are always on the agenda in Paris. I must confess that I didn’t go to the Louvre, though I did visit the Musee des Arts Décoratifs which is in the Louvre complex. You can enjoy walking through the courtyard, past the Pyramid, and onto the Rue de Rivoli to enter the MAD.

On view through Jan. 23, Shocking! is a retrospective of the work of Elsa Schiaparelli, a designer celebrated for her surrealism-inspired accessories, clothes, and more. The exhibition has been lauded in Vogue and The New York Times and includes costumes, accessories, jewelry, perfumes, drawings, paintings and sculptures. It is a walk through fashion, art, and French history, touching on her collaborations with Salvador Dali, Jean Cocteau and Man Ray and juxtaposing her innovative designs with those of the fashion house’s current creative director Daniel Roseberry.

After our unsuccessful boat ride on our first night in Paris, we decided to give it another try. This time it worked! On a whim we stopped by the Paris Seine kiosk and they had availability for the Maxim’s dinner cruise. The three-course dinner also featured live music and attentive service. Though we didn’t get the history and commentary so often offered on these cruise, we did have wine and chocolate.

NOTHING SACRED

A trip to Paris isn’t complete without a visit to at least one church. One of the most famous, and photographed, churches is Sacré Coeur in Montmartre. In contrast to the many Gothic cathedrals in the city, Sacré Coeur is in a Roman-Byzantine style, built between 1875 and 1919.

You can tour the church itself, walking along the church’s outer aisle to see the altars and chapels dedicated to the saints. Occasionally a priest reminds the crowd to be quiet, as they are in a church after all.

Sacré Coeur is perhaps most famous for its steps (296!) that take you to top of the building, with incredible panoramic views of Paris. If those who built the church wanted to reinforce the idea of man’s place in the world,

Montmartre offers remarkable contrast – one of the Metro stops for Montmartre is at Pigalle, the city’s former red-light district. Some of the history remains in the shops in the area and the Moulin Rouge, but it is mostly a busy, if not entirely picturesque, commercial district.

IT’S ACADEMIE

One of my favorite activities on vacation is laundry! Even laundry is magical in Paris. Because in Paris, you can have lunch and walk through the Luxembourg Gardens while you’re doing laundry.

Keeping in the spirit of the flâneur, it’s good to spend a day wandering around Paris. I walked through a few of the covered passages. These arcades with glass roofs, built in the 19th century, are now home to shops, cafes, and even classrooms. Some 20 covered passages remain on the Right Bank each with their own charm.

The gardens of the Palais-Royal are also a perfect spot for a walk and people watching. On a Sunday afternoon, the gardens were full of people and dogs enjoy the late afternoon sun.

As I exited the gardens I heard music – LOUD MUSIC. I didn’t immediately know where the music was coming from. Certainly not the cafe on the corner, but as I continued to walk I came upon the plaza at the Académie de la Comédie-Française.

The plaza was filled with dancers! On a Sunday evening in Paris, couples were dancing while delighted onlookers enjoyed the scene. Perhaps you’ve seen this on Instagram, but in person it’s truly moving and absolutely breathtaking. It was an expression of pure joy in the midst of a cynical world.

Thousands of words over thousands of years have been written about Paris, from Julius Caesar to Julia Child. But for a city that has witnessed both the best and the worst of history, there is always more to say.

It turns, no matter the state of the world or your own state of mind, Audrey Hepburn was right. “Paris is always a good idea.”

–Tricia Suit

Is This Heaven?

If You Go

The drive isn’t terrible, a little over seven hours. Convenient flights go through Chicago through American Airlines from CVG to Dubuque and you’ll be there by early afternoon.

The widest choices for lodging are in Dubuque, although anywhere in the area is going to be about a 20-30 minute (or more) drive to the baseball site.

Once you’ve finished your visit, stop by downtown Dyersville and visit their antique shops, take a selfie in front of one of the downtown baseball murals, and drop in for lunch at the Textile Brewing Company, 146 2nd Street Northeast for craft beer and flatbreads.

The Field of Dreams movie site is free to visit, but they gratefully take donations to keep the place operating. You can stay overnight at the three-bedroom farmhouse (rates start at $500), reserve the Event Center barn and rent out the original baseball field for yourself, your family and friends ($150/hour).

Visit https://www.fieldofdreamsmoviesite.com/ for more information.

There may not be another movie location, not even the house in Cleveland from “A Christmas Story” or Connecticut’s “Mystic Pizza” that has captured tourists’ imagination quite like Dyersville, Iowa and “Field of Dreams.” The 1989 movie still resonates with baseball fans, especially those who remember playing ‘catch’ with a parent in the back yard.

Reds fans got a unique look at the location for the second MLB “Field of Dreams” game on August 11, when the Reds played the Cubs. While the Reds technically were the home team, Cubs blue was the dominant color-the Cubs have ties to Iowa through their Triple A affiliate, the Iowa Cubs, who play in Des Moines. And, with Chicago being a 3-4 hour drive, it was within easy reach of Cubbie fans.

First, some history: The Iowa Film Commission helped select the site of the “Field of Dreams” baseball diamond, about four miles outside of Dyersville, which itself is about 25 miles west of Dubuque. The movie was shot at the farm where the baseball diamond was constructed, along with Dubuque and nearby Galena, Illinois.

Where the major league baseball diamond is set up is about two football fields away from the farmhouse and original diamond used in the movie. The farmhouse usually is open for tours (it wasn’t during the MLB visit) and nearby barns are used for event centers and merchandise sales. By the way, the 2021 “Field of Dreams” game between the Yankees and White Sox brought in about 20,000 visitors for an 8,000 seat ballpark and had an economic impact of around $6 million.

For baseball fans and movie buffs, the visit is truly magical. Parents and their kids can spend the afternoon playing catch on the original movie field and walk through the cornfields that are still next door. (Fun Fact: The corn grown at the site is now used to brew booze. Drew Storen, a former Reds pitcher, is behind the Field of Dreams Whiskey Company. On the same day as the Reds-Cubs game, the company released its Triple Play canned cocktail of corn whiskey and Arnold Palmer mix, using distilled corn from the Field of Dreams site.)

You enter the area at the original movie site, just in front of the baseball diamond. To get to the MLB diamond, fans HAVE to walk through the cornfields-the walk featured cutouts of Reds and Cubs players, and music from the movie. Makes for endless photo-taking opportunities.

Unfortunately, there won’t be another chance to attend an MLB game there in the near future. In September 2021, baseball Hall of Famer Frank Thomas and his business partners purchased a controlling interest in Go the Distance, LLC., the movie site's ownership. The agreement calls for Thomas to serve as chief executive officer and former MLB general manager Dan Evans to be chief operating officer.

As part of their purchase, the ownership group announced an $80 million plan to expand the site, including nine new diamonds, a youth player dorm and a new hotel. In addition, Travel Dubuque and a new non-profit have floated plans to build a permanent MLB ballpark there (the site of the last two games is temporary). The ballpark would cost around $50 million and would also be used for concerts, summer ball, college tournaments and the like. With all of this, the movie site would remain intact but construction will keep MLB away for at least a year.

Ironically, that was the original plan for that area. Denise Stillman, her husband and son traveled to the movie site from their home in Oak Lawn, Illinois back in 2010 and after their visit, she had the idea to turn the area into a youth sports complex. She bought the land in 2012 and lobbied MLB to play a game there to promote the idea of a youth baseball complex. Unfortunately, Denise passed away in 2018 and didn’t get to see her own “Field of Dreams” come true. But everything she wanted to happen is indeed happening, from the MLB game to plans for the youth sports complex.

The site is the host of a number of special events, including Ghost Player games and, at the end of August, an American Cornhole Organization (ACO) three-day tournament. Cincinnati’s Frank Geers is behind the event, featuring an open-to-anyone competition as well as an invite-only tournament for the ACO’s top 40 players. Find out more at https://americancornhole.com/field-of-dreams/.   

 – Betsy Ross

Purple Reign

If You Go

Sunshine Acres Lavender Farm
2471 Moore Saur Rd
​Morrow, OH
www.sunshineacreslavenderfarm.com.

Open Saturday, July 16, 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Sunday, July 17, 9 a.m.–8 p.m., and Sunday, July 24, 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Other days coming soon!

Wish you were frolicking in Provence right now? But instead, you're stuck at your desk, trying to finish that report that was due two days ago?

Well, take a deep breath and get ready to enjoy a bit of la belle jolie in your own backyard.

Sunshine Acres is a 40-minute drive from downtown Cincinnati in Morrow. The farm is open select days during the summer lavender season for U-Pick days and shopping.

When you pull in, you’ll notice yo’'re on a private drive. (The Clark family who owns and runs the farm lives on the property!).

Follow the signs to park and walk up to the barn.

Photos by Shae Combs

Inside the barn you'll find a gift shop with everything from lavender soaps and scrubs to lavender jewelry AND lavender coffee. (There’s fresh eggs too!) The kind and super helpful owners are there as well. 

They will explain the process for cutting your own lavender bunches ($10 each, scissors provided) and touring the perfectly petite farm. You can also pay for parking ($5).

Next, step outside the barn and into the field. It’s roughly the size of a football field and wheelchair accessible, with no stairs.

Make sure to say hello to the chickens, fainting goats, and the Clark family dog on your way there!

From there, frolic away! The Clarks tell us you’re welcome to take pictures, take a seat in the shade or buy a glass of “U–pick”(-the-price) lemonade from their kids’ lemonade stand. 

You can spend as little or as much time at the fields as you’d like. But heads up, this weekend and next are the last two scheduled dates for U–pick events. 

The Clarks tell us additional dates could be added, it just depends on the season.

– Lauren Artino

Driving Enthusiasm

AAA’s beloved TripTik has gone digital!

On the Road

Curious about gas prices on your trip? The AAA Gas Calculator will help you plan and budget for your trip.

Want to create a TripTik? Visit triptik.aaa.com to get started.

“You can look at the route, figure travel times, and see attractions along the way,” says Jamie Johnson, a retail manager with AAA, who runs two stores in the area. But now you can create the TripTik – a trip mapping plan – on your own.

Even though Wallethub chose Cincinnati as one of this year’s best summer travel destinations, that doesn’t mean we don’t still want to get out of town.

“We’re seeing people plan trips in the 5-hour timeframe,” Johnson says. “They’re staying close to home but still finding a lot to do.”

One perennial favorite is the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area.

Johnson notes that both Indianapolis, with its great zoo and children’s museum, and Columbus, home of COSI, are also popular spots this year.

“They are great ideas for family vacations, or even day trips,” says Johnson.

Of course, Western Michigan is another top spot.

“That west coast, from Ohio all the way up to Traverse City is just full of people from Cincinnati!” says Johnson.

Though nearby cities and Lake Michigan are a draw, they aren’t the only vacation options.

“People love parks,” says Johnson. “More people are going now to Hocking Hills in Ohio and Red River Gorge in Kentucky.”

Looking for something off the beaten path? Johnson mentions Madison, Ind. “It has a great park (Clifty Falls State Park) and fun downtown with restaurants, shops, and lots to do.”

No matter where you’re headed, AAA is reminding drivers to “slow down and move over,” for emergency vehicles and tow trucks. It is part of AAA’s effort to ensure the safety of service technicians, tow truck operators, and first responders who put their lives at risk each time they respond to a member’s call for help.

“Drive safely and have patience,” Johnson says. “You don’t have to be the first one there.”

It's Magic

There are only a handful of places where wearing sequined mouse ears and fanny packs while consuming daily Dole Whips is socially acceptable. Orlando’s Disney World is one of them.

Sign me up.

Also, we call fanny packs “belt bags” now, so they sound much cooler.

In case you’re hoping to squeeze in a late summer tip to the mouse’s house, let me give you a few pointers. I’m no Disney travel expert, but we’ve been enough times that I’d like to share some of what we’ve learned. 

Beating the heat

First, let’s talk about that heat.

People will ask you, “Why would you visit Florida in the summer?” It’s a valid point. But let me point out that most of the days were there in mid-June, it was hotter in Cincinnati than in Orlando.

But dealing with the heat there can be difficult.

You know the obvious: hats, light colors, sunscreen. But be careful: my younger daughter got sunscreen in her eye, prompting a visit to the Disney First Aid building. (An overly cheerful urgent care.) The medical professionals inside were extremely nice and sent her on her way with eye drops and stickers – and a story we’ll tell for a while.

Back to the heat: choose your park wisely. EPCOT is 95% concrete. There’s not a ton of shade to be found, even in the World Showcase. So maybe this is one to visit on a cloudier, rainy day. Animal Kingdom, on the other hand, has tons of gorgeous shade trees, not to mention water rides.

Hollywood Studios has the most shops and boutiques, so you can duck in for a quick shot of A/C and a $40 T-shirt.

Magic Kingdom has a fair number of air conditioned rides, which are a nice way to break up the day. Family favorites include Haunted Mansion, Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, and yes, for some reason, the campy Carousel of Progress.

Smaller crowds, shorter waits

This was our seventh Disney trip, and by far the one with the smallest crowds. And this meant wait times for most rides were better than any year prior. 

I’m assuming it’s because Disney is limiting crowds. Of course, it won’t confirm that, or say how many daily reservations it’s allowing (more on that later). But what it means to tourists is that your wait times will likely be shorter. The longest line we waited in on our most recent trip was 40 minutes. 

It also means you have to plan ahead. To enter a Disney park now, you have to have a ticket AND a reservation. The ticket gets you into the park, the reservation lets the Disney folks know which park you’ll be visiting. And some parks WILL SELL OUT. 

We were walking into Hollywood Studios this summer when the family next to us was told that because they had only tickets – no reservations – they couldn’t enter the park, since it was “sold out.” We scurried out of there before the inevitable meltdown happened. So just be forewarned.

“Be sure you have a fully charged battery – because once that phone dies,
so does all of your ticket info.”

Technology is great, until it isn’t

Everything is paperless at Disney these days, which, on the surface is amazing. You just hold up your phone (you don’t even have to open an app!) and you’re scanned right in. The problems arise when the virtual tickets just don’t work, like they did with two of our four. Be sure you have a fully charged battery – because once that phone dies, so does all of your ticket info.

No more Fast Passes

Gone are the days of getting free Disney Fast Passes, those “go to the head of the line” tickets. Instead, you pay extra now for the Disney Genie service and Lightning Lane passes. It’s $15 per ticket, per day, and I’ll tell you that this is the best money you’ll spend. Using your phone, you can reserve the rides you want starting at 7am, and then pick another ride or attraction every two or so hours until the parks close. Certain rides have an even more expensive “save my seat” situation, but for most of us, this is the only upgrade we’ll need.

Sometimes, spending money to save time and sanity is absolutely worth it.

Other times, find ways to save a few bucks. Did you know Disney allows you to bring in food and drinks! We packed snacks for long lines and bottles of water that we could refill throughout the day. And the day we hopped parks, we stopped and ate a quick fast food lunch – off-campus – to break up the day. 

But don’t you fret: we sought out those cult-favorite Dole Whips – a delicious reward for a trip well-planned. 

– Kathrine Nero

Happy Campers

Let me start off by saying: I am not a camping person. Or at least – I thought I wasn’t a camping person. A night at Kings Island Camp Cedar Luxury Campground in Mason changed my mind.

Life in the cottages

My family and I stayed in one of Camp Cedar’s luxury cottages. Think tiny houses, impeccably furnished, with a full kitchen, bathroom and 50” TV. There are several configurations of the cabins, sleeping anywhere from 4-12. We stayed in the Hickory, which easily accommodated the four of us, and really, we could have squeezed in a few more.

If You Go

For more information about Camp Cedar, or to book your stay, go to visitcampcedar.com.

My younger daughter commandeered the upstairs loft, my older daughter grabbed one of the bunk beds and my husband and I dumped our stuff in the back bedroom before heading out to check out all that Camp Cedar had to offer.

Camp Cedar offers golf cart rentals, which was a great way to see the entire 53-acre property. In addition to the 73 luxury cottages, there are 180 RV parking spaces.

But that’s just the beginning.

Right in the middle of the property are two pools, a playground for the kids and Belize Street, full of food-truck inspired restaurants attractive to even the pickiest of eaters.

Cabanas are available at the pool, which we took full advantage of in this midwestern heat. Right next to the family pool is a 21-and-up pool, with a full-service bar nearby.

Frozen drinks without the sounds of screaming kids can have its advantages, you know. :)

But the kids who will love this: splashing in the zero-entry pool, enjoying crafts and activities led by Camp Cedar employees, exploring the areas surrounding the cabins, making s’mores at the fire pits.

There’s also a brand new pickleball court, a workout room, cornhole and bocce ball. The Little Miami walking trail is a cedar-chip (get it?) mile-long path around Camp Cedar’s perimeter.

And if you forgot something, the Coyote Creek Camp store has everything you need: from s’mores fixins to swimsuits.

To cook or not to cook: it’s not a question

The cabins have an eat-in kitchen and an outdoor grill, but if your idea of vacation is not cooking, a quick walk or golf cart ride to Ironwood Grill & Tap is your best bet.

There, in addition to a lovely lobby with board games and TVs, you’ll find a full-service restaurant with the friendliest servers you’ll find. 

The girls enjoyed virgin strawberry daiquiris, the adults sampled Camp Cedar’s beer and wine selections and we all munched on delicious bar and grill food: wings, veggie burgers, mozzarella sticks and pizza. 

The night ended watching the fireworks at nearby Kings Island, which you can easily see from the porches of many of the cabins. But if you have tickets to KI, Camp Cedar provides a free shuttle every 15 minutes throughout the day for pickup and drop-off.

The next morning, we stopped by The Dry Bean for a quick cup of coffee and a muffin before we headed out for a day at Kings Island.

A staycation that feels like a vacation

Camp Cedar somehow makes you feel like you’re not just a mile away from Kings Island, within spitting distance of the highway. But its proximity to Cincinnati combined with its getaway feel makes it the perfect summer staycation spot.

– Kathrine Nero

Fit for a Queen

Ready to head across the pond? Photographer Shae Combs offers plenty of travel inspo for a trip to London. Check out her can’t-miss spots and fun tips to make the most of your next trip.

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Go to a Football Match

This was technically the reason we went to London in the first place! My husband is a Chelsea fan so I bought him tickets for our anniversary. We had so much fun at Stamford Bridge, watching exceptional football with die-hard fans.

Ride the Tube

I know, I know. Everyone tells you to ride the tube when you go to London, but when people ask what my favorite parts of our trip were, I always mention the fabulous public transit. Cabs and Ubers are very expensive in London, but the longest tube ride we took only cost £2.50. We were lucky enough to be staying close to a station and we used the tube as a quick and simple way to get all around the city.

Visit the Sky Garden

The Sky Garden is London's highest public garden and is completely free and open to the public (just book your free tickets ahead of time!) The garden is pretty, but the best part of the Sky Garden is the fabulous 360 degree view of London from above. Why pay to go to the Shard when you can get a birds-eye view of the city for free? We made the most of our visit with a bottle of wine while we watched the city below.

Check Out Some World-Class Museums

We only had time to visit three of London's finest museums, but each one was interesting and beautiful. From design, to Natural History, to Modern Art-- there is definitely a museum for everyone's tastes (and the best part is... they're all FREE!)

Enjoy a Picnic at a Park

London is renowned for its beautiful parks. We enjoyed walking through Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, and St. James' Park. We also decided to take the trip up to Primrose Hill with a bottle of wine to enjoy while we relished the London skyline in the distance. 

Look for Hidden Gems

We stumbled across some truly beautiful places while walking around the city. St. Dunstan's-in-the-East, Daunt Books and the Mews streets of Notting Hill were some of my absolute favorites. I love to wander around a new city and see what I come across. 

Force of Nature

It’s never too early to plan, or take, your next vacation. If you are looking for a relaxing, back-to-nature retreat close to home, the new Kings Island Camp Cedar is a great destination.

Even before Kings Island officially opens April 16, cottages and campsites are open now for overnight stays, making Camp Cedar a great getaway for families enjoying spring break or a long weekend together.

If you’re looking for a casual bite or a sweet treat, the resort’s Belize Street offers a fresh take on urban dining with food truck-influenced favorites. Fresh Tortilla has tacos and burritos, while Route 66 features classic American favorites such as burgers, hotdogs, fries and more. For those with a sweet tooth, the Urban Cow is a popular spot for soft-serve and hand-dipped ice cream, along with midway standards such as elephant ears, funnel cakes and cotton candy.

Camp Cedar has activities for all ages. In warmer weather, kids can enjoy one of Camp Cedar’s two pools. Families can test their skills with shuffleboard and bocce courts, or work out in the fitness area. Also, gas-powered golf carts are available, so the whole family can tour the grounds. Weekends will have special programming, so one one can ever say they’re bored!

A range of cottage options complement the outdoor lifestyle with a modern-day glamping experience. Each cottage features a private bedroom with luxe linens, lounge area, kitchen, bathroom, air conditioning and heating units, patios with picnic tables, and even housekeeping service upon request.

Going to Camp Cedar is like going on vacation without the hassle of travel. With activities to keep everyone entertained and amenities like outdoor fire pits, it’s a great getaway for rest and relaxation. Camp Cedar’s 53 acres to explore, there’s lots to do, and once Kings Island opens, guests get early admission to the park. It’s a great way to celebrate spring, right in your own back yard.

Best Coast

by Betsy Ross

If you had the “Bengals in the Super Bowl” square on your bingo card, congratulations.

For the rest of us, a last-minute trip to Los Angeles for the Big Game is warranted this week. And whether you’re going to the game or just heading to LA. to get out of the ice and into the sunshine, here are some tips on getting around a Super Bowl City.

First, and most importantly, bring your vaccination card. I cannot emphasize that enough. You will need it for entry into many restaurants as well as venues. In fact, to get into the NFL Experience at the L.A. Convention Center downtown, you need your vax card as well as your ID, even before you get to the ticket scanner.

Mask mandates are in full force in Los Angeles County, stricter than the state’s. Right now, masks are supposed to be worn inside SoFi Stadium for the game, but County Supervisor Katheryn Barger is asking health officials to modify the mandate before Sunday.

Second, there ARE tickets available. Don’t take the stories about tickets being $70,000 or the lowest price is $6,000 as gospel. My theory is, there are ALWAYS tickets available, especially at the last minute. And it’s much easier to find those tickets when you’re on site. I’m a prime example: In the last six weeks I have purchased tickets to three different events that I couldn’t attend because of conflicts. I ended up giving them away. There are always tickets around.

Now, back to what to do while you’re in L.A. The aforementioned NFL Super Bowl Experience is always a great time. If you attended the MLB All-Star Game Fan Fest in 2015, you have an idea of what the Super Bowl Experience is like. Covering one whole floor (and another annex just for the NFL Pro Shop), the Super Bowl Experience is a fan’s playground, especially for the kids.

Autographs from players, skill games, memorabilia and, of course, your photo with the Super Bowl trophy, are available. The displays with Super Bowl rings, old uniforms and vintage photos are of interest, no matter which team you support. Ticket prices for the first weekend were $20, for Super Bowl weekend, it’s $40 with kids under 12 free. Get your tickets (mobile) here.

What else is there to do this week? Well, remember, Los Angeles hasn’t been the host for a Super Bowl in nearly 30 years, so the city is getting all “fancy like” for the week. The Bud Light Super Bowl Music Fest features Halsey and Machine Gun Kelly on Thursday, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani on Friday, Green Day and Miley Cyrus on Saturday and it’ll be held at the crypto.com Arena (the old Staples Center) downtown.

Want to cruise instead of going to the game? Carnival Cruise Lines has a Super Bowl cruise out of Long Beach that leaves Friday and comes back Monday and includes a pep rally Saturday and watch party Sunday. And if you want to have a “super” celebration, attend the Taste of the NFL at the Petersen Automotive Museum on Wilshire Blvd. on Saturday. It’s changed formats—instead of featuring local chefs from the NFL cities, it’s now a celebrity-driven event. Tickets are $1,000 each, benefiting GENYOUth’s End Student Hunger Fund. 

No matter how you celebrate, having your home team in the Super Bowl is a once-in-a-lifetime event for most of us. If you have the chance to come out to L.A., take advantage of the hoopla—and enjoy the game.

Starry, Starry Night

If You Go

THE LUME Indianapolis at Newfields
4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208-3326

Tickets: Public, Adult $25; Youth (6-17) $17; Child (5 & under) Free

Member, Adult $20; Youth (6-17); $13; Child (5 & under) Free

Tickets include General Admission. However, General Admission tickets do not include THE LUME.

discovernewfields.org/lume

With the recent news that Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience would be coming to Cincinnati this summer –location TBD! – you may want to get a sneak preview right now!

You can step into a digital world of art at THE LUME Indianapolis and explore the combination of great art and cutting-edge technology with floor to ceiling projections of paintings by Vincent van Gogh as well as featurettes inspired by his work.

Photo: Shae Combs

Photo: Shae Combs

Photo: Shae Combs

Photo: Shae Combs

Photo: Shae Combs

Photo: Shae Combs

Photo: Shae Combs

Photo: Shae Combs

Photo: Shae Combs

Photo: Shae Combs

Photo: Shae Combs

THE LUME Indianapolis is a permanent exhibition at Newfields, featuring not just digital art but also original paintings by Van Gogh, Cezanne and Gauguin. Nearly 150 state-of-the-art digital projectors transform two-dimensional paintings into a three-dimensional world that guests can explore while walking through 30,000 square feet of immersive galleries. THE LUME Indianapolis has 60 minutes of digital content that runs continuously and simultaneously in all the digital galleries. This cultural experience was created by Australian-based Grande Experiences.

THE LUME Indianapolis is a full, multi-sensory experience — featuring sounds, smells, and tastes. The experience includes a special, curated snack and beverage menu available inside the experience.

Newfields not only has THE LUME Indianapolis, but is also home to the IMA Galleries, Lilly House, The Beer Garden, and The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park. Nearly 150 state-of-the-art digital projectors transform two-dimensional paintings into a three-dimensional world that guests can explore while walking through 30,000 square feet of immersive galleries. 

Winning Big

It wasn’t only the US Men’s National Team who enjoyed a victory in Cincinnati. The whole region saw a W.

The tourism numbers are in from the USA vs. Mexico soccer match held at TQL Stadium on November 12 and they measure up as one of the largest tourism weekends for the region since the pandemic began.

“Cincinnati shined bright as our community came together to host the USA vs. Mexico World Cup Qualifier Match at the TQL Stadium,” said Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley. “From hoteliers and restauranteurs to all the stores, bars, and shops in between, we showcased the charm and energy that is the hallmark of our city. I am proud of our hospitality industry, our public servants, and our residents, who showcased why this is such a great community. I look forward to continuing to put Cincinnati on the map as the ideal environment to host world-class international events.”

While the US Men’s National Team won the match 2-0 with a capacity crowd of 26,000 at TQL Stadium, local hotels also had a big win with downtown hotels at 95.1% occupancy and hotels in Hamilton County at 77.6% occupancy on the evening of the match (Source: Smith Travel Research).

“The hotel occupancy and revenue figures from the USA vs. Mexico match were the highest we’ve seen since the start of the pandemic,” said Julie Calvert, President & CEO of the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Hotel occupancy was on par with our two largest annual tourism weekends, The Cincinnati Music Festival and the Flying Pig Marathon.”

Anchored by the match, the weekend hotel business in Hamilton County topped $3 million in revenue.

“With such a diverse group of visitors, US Soccer had the forethought to provide interpreters to bridge the communication divide,” said Hamilton County Commission President Stephanie Summerow Dumas. “It was exciting to hear the roar of the crowd and see the fireworks as I road by TQL Stadium during the game. We are on the brink of something phenomenal in Hamilton County.”

Hosting the match was important for Cincinnati’s hospitality leaders since the city is on the short list of U.S. cities vying to host FIFA World Cup in 2026. The 2026 Cincy Local Organizing Committee, comprised of hospitality, business, civic and government leaders, recently hosted a contingent from FIFA and US Soccer for a site visit of facilities, fan fest locations and hospitality amenities. The final selection of U.S. Host Cities is likely to be announced in early 2022.

“Our city was electric during the USA vs. Mexico match,” said Jeff Berding, President of FC Cincinnati. “We proudly showed FIFA and US Soccer officials along with the international soccer community that Cincinnati can successfully host major soccer matches in electrifying fashion while rolling out the red carpet for fans from around the world.”

Sports bars and restaurants also reaped the benefits of the big match, including those at The Banks, where a US Soccer-endorsed Watch Party was held last Friday evening.

“The excitement from the USA vs. Mexico soccer match was palpable, it had the enthusiasm of a Reds playoff game mixed with a Bengals-Steelers game topped off with a UC basketball tournament match up,” said Jim Moehring, owner of the Holy Grail at The Banks. “Our revenue from the Watch Party was up 50 percent, and was most welcome as we continue to recover from the pandemic.”

Additionally, more than 200 media credentials were issued to journalists who covered the match for domestic and international media outlets.

Widespread Magic

The highly anticipated “Most Magical Celebration on Earth” has arrived at Walt Disney World to mark 50 years of magic and joy. The merriment kicked off on October 1st, 2021 and is set to last a whopping 18 months! There are plenty of new sights, sounds and snacks and plenty of time to see them all. 

–Shea Combs

Beacons of Magic

To celebrate Disney World’s 50th anniversary, special light shows illuminate park icons each night: Spaceship Earth at Epcot, Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios and the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom. These short shows are separate from the firework spectaculars that Disney is known for and, with the exception of Spaceship Earth, are entirely projection-based. Spaceship Earth got a bit of a makeover and now sports actual lights between the reflective panels that create its iconic look. This is a spectacular addition and will remain even after the 50th anniversary festivities come to a close. The Beacons of Magic shows run about every 10-15 minutes at their respective parks.

50th Anniversary Snacks

No one does snacks as well as Disney, and they did not disappoint with their 50th anniversary offerings. From EARidescent churros to 50th anniversary cupcakes and Walt’s favorite chili cheese dogs, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

A must-try is the Mickey Mouse Dome Cake at Gaston’s Tavern in Magic Kingdom. This chocolate-glazed sweet treat consists of spiced chocolate cake filled with creme brûlée and decorated with edible mickey ears and a 50th anniversary castle logo.

Another swoon-worthy snack is the boozy Marceline Mudslide at the Plaza Restaurant in Magic Kingdom – a blend of Breckenridge Porter beer and vanilla ice cream and garnished with chocolate syrup, whipped cream and crispy chocolate pearls. The 50th anniversary celebration is the perfect time to try something new at the parks!

50th Anniversary Merch

It's impossible to go to Disney World and not buy a souvenir to commemorate the trip. 50th anniversary ornaments, pins, shirts, mugs, etc, can be found all over the parks and in every price range. Disney is releasing new anniversary merchandise in waves, so there will be something new regardless of when you visit throughout the year-long celebration.

Enchantment

The brand new Magic Kingdom fireworks spectacular is not technically a part of the 50th anniversary festivities, but it debuted the first weekend of the celebration. The nightly show includes amazing fireworks, fantastic music, and breathtaking projections on Cinderella’s Castle. The previous show, “Happily Ever After” may have had a catchier title song, but the projection mapping for “Enchantment” is better by far. Fireworks shows have always been the best way to end a day at Magic Kingdom and “Enchantment” is not to be missed.

The Parks

The rides, the characters, the magic – it’s all there, just dressed up for the anniversary celebration. Cinderella’s castle got a pink and gold revamp with a massive “50” medallion on the front. Cavalcades of characters and dancers glide down the streets of each park and wave to excited spectators. EARidescent decorations denote that this is a special time for visitors. Disney’s “Fab 50” golden character statues can be found spread over all four parks. Magic has and always will abound at the Happiest Place on Earth.

Around the Bend

Saturday’s game between Notre Dame and the University of Cincinnati probably has been circled – in red – on a lot of calendars ever since the matchup was announced. Bearcat fans still remember how Coach Brian Kelly, after taking UC to back-to-back BCS bowls, left for South Bend after a quick team meeting and fare-thee-well at the annual football banquet. And fans weren’t happy.

So expect a lot of red at Notre Dame Stadium and a Cincinnati fanbase eager to show that the Big 12-bound Bearcats are worthy opponents for the Irish. With both teams nationally ranked, it should be a competitive matchup.

Never been to South Bend for a Notre Dame game? Well, no matter which team you cheer for, a visit to campus on a football weekend is a special experience. First, let’s start with the basics. After basically no fans last season, the Irish are welcoming back crowds, with some changes in protocol, including: 

• MASKING – When indoors on campus, masking is required. If you’re outdoors and unvaccinated you are expected to wear a mask. 

• CASHLESS – For a safer and better guest experience Notre Dame Stadium will not accept cash this season, not even for programs inside the stadium. Bring your debit or credit card.

• MOBILE TICKETING AND PARKING PASSES – Take the time to download your tickets and/or parking passes to your mobile wallet prior to arriving at the gate on Saturday. Nothing worse than holding up the line while you’re looking for the email link with the tickets. Need help with this process? Go to UND.com/mobiletickets 

• CONCESSIONS – They are serving a basic core menu of items to fans this year. Additionally, if it’s warm, fans will be allowed to bring two sealed water bottles into the Stadium.

• Have a purse? Don’t bring it. You can bring the clear NFL-type bags, but basically nothing else.

On Fridays an entire slate of activities is scheduled, starting with Football Fridays at the Eck presented by Guinness, for alumni and fans with tailgate food, music, ND celebrity interviews, all at the Eck Visitors Center adjacent to the bookstore. Lectures and tours are held throughout campus on Fridays—go to https://gameday.nd.edu/ to see the schedule for UC weekend. 

Saturday before the game you can tailgate in style at the Tailgate of Champions presented by Daredevil Brewing Company at the Legends of Notre Dame Patio for a cool $125 per person. If you like to do your own tailgate, you’ll need a parking pass in advance to one of the many lots around the stadium. (again, download on your phone) 

If you’d rather just sightsee around campus before kickoff, many of the charitable organizations and dorms sell sandwiches and drinks on the main quad, so you can always get a bite there. 

The player walk is always a special experience as the team walks from the Hesburgh Library (Touchdown Jesus) to the stadium—that starts at 12:15 p.m. The Notre Dame Marching Band also gives a pre-game concert in the stadium and takes the field at 1:45 p.m., so get to your seats early to watch that. 

Martin Sheen’s Laetare Medal

One of the best times to tour campus, and a time when it’s not as crowded, is Sunday mornings. You can go into the administration building (The Golden Dome) and look up inside the dome, or go downstairs to the lower level and see the award winners for the Laetare Medal, an annual award given by the University of Notre Dame in recognition of outstanding service to the Catholic Church and society. Actor Martin Sheen, former Speaker of the House John Boehner, singer Aaron Neville, and musician Dave Brubeck are just some of the honorees. 

A visit to the campus isn’t complete without a stop at the Grotto, just behind the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Its full name is the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes and is a one-seventh scale reproduction of the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in France. Whether it’s to light a candle or just sit and reflect, the Grotto is a peaceful place to spend a few moments of reflection.

Driving to Notre Dame should take you a little over four hours from Cincinnati. However, be aware that there is construction—a considerable amount of construction—on I-74 to Indianapolis, and on U.S. 31 heading to South Bend, so leave yourself extra time if you’re going up Saturday morning. And have fun! 

–Betsy Ross

Holy Toledo

Toledo’s famed Inverness Club is the site of the year’s Solheim Cup, the biennial golf tournament for professional women golfers between teams from Europe and the U.S. While the teams will battle it out on the course Saturday through Labor Day Monday, there is plenty to see and do away from the course to keep you busy between tee times.

For starters, the Fan Fest at Promenade Park Friday night features a concert by Gwen Stefani that follows Solheim Cup opening ceremonies at 5 p.m. And after the first day of play Saturday, you can head back to Promenade Park for a concert by Chris Young.

But there’s more to do and see, especially if you’re a foodie and want to hit some of the more popular places around town. For a quick bite, go to Nick and Jimmy’s (www.nickandjimmys.com, 4956 Monroe St.) for a fried bologna sandwich and your choice of their list of domestic, import, craft, micro brew and specialty beers.

If you are looking for something a little more substantial, dig into a steak at Mancy’s Italian Grill (mancysitalian.com, 5453 Monroe St.) Their Wednesday Happy Hour from 4-6 p.m. includes their Somm Select Featured Wines for $6 a glass.

Even if you’ve never been to Toledo, you probably know the name Tony Packo, a favorite of Toledo native Jamie Farr’s character on M*A*S*H, Corporal Klinger. Tony Packo’s (www.tonypacko.com) has been serving up Hungarian food since 1932, including the signature Packo’s Chili Hot Dog. There are several in town but you want to go to the original at 1902 Front Street. And you can toast your favorite team’s Solheim win with a margarita and authentic Tex-Mex food at Loma Linda (www.lomalindamexican.com, 10400 Airport Highway.)

If you have an afternoon away from Inverness, check out the Toledo Museum of Art (www.toledomuseum.org), 2445 Monroe St., one of the most beautiful museums in the Midwest. With more than 35 galleries, along with a Sculpture Garden and Glass Pavilion, you’ll see paintings and sculptures by Bearden, Cézanne, Calder, Close, Cole, Degas, van Gogh, El Greco, Holbein, Kiefer, Matisse, Miró, Monet, Picasso, Rembrandt, Rubens, and Turner; masterworks from antiquity and Asia; decorative arts; and a renowned glass collection.

The Solheim Cup is just one attraction to take in during your Toledo stay, so set aside plenty of time over Labor Day weekend to see Toledo like a native!

– Betsy Ross

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The 2021 Solheim Cup is at Inverness Club in Toledo Aug. 31 through Monday, Sept. 6. For details visit www.solheimcupusa.com.

Wunderbar

• Thursday, Sep. 16, 5 p.m.–midnight

• Friday, Sep. 17 - 11 a.m.–midnight

• Saturday, Sep. 18 - 11 a.m.–midnight

• Sunday, Sep. 19 - 11 a.m.–9 p.m.

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati® ist back, this September – with longer hours and an extra night of zelebration! The event, presented by Samuel Adams, will now open one day earlier and stay open one hour later

“Our community is roaring back, and Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is making its return in a big way,” said Jill P. Meyer, president and CEO of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, producer of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati. “Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is one of our region’s best loved traditions and we’re excited – for our all of us – to eat, drink and dance together again.”

“Cincinnati’s sister city, Munich, is the original and the world’s largest Oktoberfest. As that tradition is not happening in 2021, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is going to borrow the title of ‘Biggest Oktoberfest on the Planet,’” said Cynthia Oxley, director of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati. “With an extra night of reveling and extended hours each evening, the party is going to be even bigger.”

First held in 1976, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati has grown to be America's largest Oktoberfest. The celebration of German food, beer, music, and traditions is held on Second and Third Streets in downtown Zinzinnati. Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is presented by Samuel Adams and produced by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber.

Learn more at www.OktoberfestZinzinnati.com.

Up for Detroit

On a recent day trip to Detroit, thanks to the Delta Air Lines Meeting Exchange and their partner, Visit Detroit, I was able to revisit one of my favorite places to explore from my childhood days in Toledo. 

Our Delta flight to Detroit in less than an hour was convenient and easy and the hospitality in Detroit began with lunch at PARC (www.parcdetroit.com) in a lively downtown spot with outdoor summer activities happening all around us. I enjoyed the salmon salad and an Arnold Palmer. 

If you are planning a trip this summer to Detroit, I highly recommend staying at The Element, a hotel in the heart of the city that is walkable to Detroit Tiger Stadium, Little Caesars Arena and many more destinations around downtown. The Element (www.marriott.com) is also home to one of the hottest clubs in Detroit, The Monarch Club, a rooftop bar beautifully appointed with vistas of all of downtown.

The Monarch Club (www.monarchclubdetroit.com) features a variety of signature cocktails and an impeccable wine list, and the celebration of our  visit began with a champagne toast on the rooftop of The Monarch Club. We then headed to a hip street near Wayne State University called West Canfield Street, where we could have spent the entire day. This strip is a must see on your visit of Detroit. 

Start with a stop at Bon Bon Bon (www.bonbonbon.com) to enjoy sweet treats from the “babes” (that’s what they call themselves) who run the store with more than 30 gourmet options of designer chocolates. We left with a sampler box of 12 (I recommend the s’mores chocolate).

Next door is Detroit native and White Stripe’s lead singer Jack White’s music store, Third Man Records, (www.thirdmanrecords.com)  that he opened in 2001. It is without a doubt the coolest music store I’ve ever visited, featuring a record and novelties lounge, live stage, mastering studio and most impressive, an album pressing manufacturing facility. This is where you can press your own album featuring your own music–500 black vinyl albums would cost $3.25 per unit. 

Two doors down, the fun continues with a visit to Shinola Detroit. Founded ten years ago, Shinola takes its name from the defunct Shinola shoe polish company. This American retailer produces watches, bicycles and leather goods. Add a Shinola watch to your next gift list. (www.shinola.com) 

Our next stop was Detroit Vineyard and its tasting room, located adjacent to Ford Field where the Detroit Lions play. Detroit Vineyard brings in fruit from select vineyards throughout Michigan, showcasing the best of Michigan’s viticulture, right in downtown Detroit. A wine tasting flight of five wines featured a mix of sauvignon blanc, two offers of chardonnay, rosé and a red blend. Tastings are $20 to $25 and reservations can be made at www.detroitvineyards.com. You might also want to check out their wine club, as they can ship directly to you.

Our last stop was a beautiful dinner at Highlands Restaurant atop the Renaissance Center, the global headquarters of General Motors. The classic steakhouse had an epic wine list and a 360° view of downtown Detroit and Windsor, Canada. Be aware: The 72-floor glass elevator ride is not for the faint of heart.

While our group enjoyed three courses, I recommend the tuna crudo featuring crispy rice, avocado puree with fresno chili, baked crescenza ravioli with a hint of black truffle, crispy mushrooms and parmesan.  My entre was a prime New York strip. I did take a very long look at the foie gras brulee, and you might, too. 

Our day in Detroit ended with a quick Delta flight to CVG with ideas for a long weekend to explore the Motor City. 

For more ideas on your weekend visit to Detroit, visit www.visitdetroit.com. 

–Jackie Reau

Your Own Backyard

Sometimes the perfect vacation is steps away from your home.

Amanda Orlando, of WARM 98, lived all over as a kid. But now she is a proud Westsider with an outdoor living area that is an oasis for her family, pets, and friends. She shares what she loves about her private oasis and things to consider for your own backyard.

ON THE MAP: We live in Delhi township. #WestsideBestside

We just renovated our pool and yard – We actually had it scheduled with companies we met at The Home and Garden show BEFORE the pandemic. We are so glad we had it on the books or who knows when it would have been done!

PRO TIP: You’ve heard of a “smart home”? We have a “smart yard”! Thanks to my husband, we have everything running through apps! The pool, the lights, and the sound system are all run with our phones.

BEST THING EVER: Our favorite thing? The lighting! We underestimated the impact of great lighting. Nighttime swimming is our favorite activity these days.

You can hear Amanda Orlando weekday mornings from 5:30 to 10 a.m. on the “WARM Morning Show with Jim & Amanda on WARM98.5.” She is a recent recipient of the Gracie Award from the Alliance for Women in Media for her work this past year during the pandemic.  The Gracie Awards recognizes exemplary programming created by women, for women and about women in all facets of media and entertainment as well as acknowledging individuals who've made inspirational contributions to the industry.  

 Amanda has been a Cincinnati morning radio staple since she graduated from UK back in “19-None-of-your business.” She’s also done a number of local and national television projects which have included being the National Television spokesperson for Value City, entertainment reporter for WLWT and a cohost on the local late-night Fox show, “Cincinnality.”

 She resides on the westside of Cincinnati with her husband David and two kids, Athena and Parker.