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There's more than meets the eye in southern Ohio and neighboring Kentucky, where family attractions abound in the least likely places.

For general information on the Cincinnati area, visit the Greater Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau or call them at 513/621-2142, in addition to checking out our suggestions below.

The Newport Aquarium
One Aquarium Way
Newport, KY 41071
859/261-7444
The Newport Aquarium houses 7,000 aquatic creatures in specifically themed galleries. Visit the spectacular sharks exhibit, where visitors can study a variety of sharks, stingrays, and exotic fish as they walk through the 84-foot-long winding tunnel or observe feeding time at the largest open-air shark viewing area. There are King Penguins and Gentoo Penguins set against an Arctic stage of falling snow. In winter, your kids may prefer to visit the swamplands to observe the American alligators at a safe distance. Hidden Treasures of the Rainforest Islands is an exciting newer exhibit with Asian otters, pythons, and lorikeets.

Cincinnati Museum Center
Union Terminal
1301 Western Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45203
800/733-2077
Cincinnati Union Terminal, a renovated art deco train terminal and national historic landmark, houses this comprehensive Museum Center, which is comprised of the Cincinnati History Museum, the Museum of Natural History & Science, the Robert D. Lindner Family OMNIMAX Theater and the Cinergy Children's Museum all under one roof. The nearly 30,000 square-foot children's museum is designed for infants to ten-year-olds and includes a "Kids' Town," an adventure-based wilderness setting called "The Woods," and the "Energy Zone" play area.

The Beach Waterpark
2590 Waterpark Drive
Mason, OH 45040
(Kings Island Area, 20 minutes north of Cincinnati)
800/866-SWIM, 513/398-SWIM
Whether you're a thrill seeker or a relaxer, the Beach Waterpark (open late May to September) has a ride to satisfy everyone in the family. From the thrilling Banzai triple-drop speedslide, to the Kahuna Beach wave pool, to the Lazy Miami River, the Beach is one of the nation's top five waterparks, and it's not hard to figure out why. The Aztec adventure, the only water roller coaster in the Midwest has 500 feet of stomach turning dips and dives. Free fall off the Cliff, where the five-story drop is rated one of the best and most thrilling rides in existence. Or relax at the Pearl, a heated spa pool surrounded by rock formations and waterfalls!

Fort Ancient State Memorial 
6123 State Route 350
Oregonia, OH 45054
800/283-8904
Just a short drive from Cincinnati along the Little Miami River, southeast of Lebanon in Warren County, your family can find this preserved Native American fortress and National Historic Landmark. The state of Ohio allocated almost $3 million for the preservation of this landmark, which may originally have been built as early as 100 BC by the Hopewell Indians.

Krohn Conservatory
1501 Eden Park Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45202
513/421-5707
Completed in 1933, this conservatory is designed to mimic several different extreme climates for the purpose of growing and observing rare and beautiful plant life. Visitors can expose themselves to an indoor rain forest, desert garden, tropical jungle, or orchid house. The most exciting event held is the annual butterfly show.

Party in the Park
Yeatman's Cove Park
805 Pete Rose Way
Cincinnati, OH 45202
513/579-3124
Every Wednesay night in April through August from 5:30 to 10:30pm, join 8,000 people by the Ohio River and the Great American Ball Park for the party of the week. Since 1978, tourists and locals alike have come to hear the live music from favorite local bands and see the swift moves of the National Champion University of Cincinnati Dance Team for free.

National Underground Railroad Center
50 East Freedom Way
Cincinnati, OH 45202
513/333-7500
This three-pavilion, 158,000-square-foot museum highlights the journey of the slaves who gained freedom through the Underground Railroad. Here your family will learn about courage and the human right for freedom first hand. The centerpiece and main exhibit is the "Slave Pen," an authentic 19th century wooden structure recovered from Kentucky that was once used to hold more than 75 slaves in "storage." Other educational displays include, "Brothers of the Borderland" and "The Struggle Continues," which shows vistors how the fight for freedom, even in our contemporary times, is not over in the United States and in other parts of the world.