We recently visited Butler County, Ohio in Southwestern Ohio and had a blast! While our trip was sponsored, all opinions and thoughts are purely our own. If you don’t know, Butler County is in between Cincinnati and Dayton including the towns of Oxford, Hamilton, and Fairfield. It’s just about two hours from our hometown of Columbus, Ohio so I would definitely suggest an overnight trip so you can do all these family friendly activities listed below!
We stayed in the town of Hamilton, Ohio which is going through a bit of a rebuild so their downtown area is pretty adorable. We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott and it was super nice and conveniently located hotel. We had a pretty awesome view that overlooked the river and there was even a free concert the first night we arrived!
You could argue that our hotel should make it the 11th family friendly spot because it had a pretty awesome swimming pool which is Baby O’s favorite vacation activity, besides dancing and eating everything.
1 – Rentschler Forest Metropark
Location: 5701 Reigart Road, Fairfield Township OH 45011
Details: “About four miles northeast of the City of Hamilton’s pretty waterfront and historic downtown, along SR 4, lies the Rentschler Forest MetroPark. The park has over 400 acres that include acres of woodland, about a half-mile frontage along the Great Miami River, remnants of the old Miami-Erie Canal, a prehistoric Indian earthwork, a reconstructed wetland, and ample opportunities for a wide variety of outdoor recreation activities.”
Fun Fact: A parking pass is required, free for Butler County residents but $5 daily/$10 annually for non-residents.
2 – Butler County Donut Trail
2 – Location: 12 locally owned donut shops located in Butler County
Details: There are 12 donut shops sprinkled throughout Butler County where you can purchase a wide variety of delicious donuts, get your donut trail passport stamped at each one, then receive a pretty cool t-shirt for completion. There are options like pineapple fritters, a crazy amount of apple fritters, and even fruity pebbles donuts!
Fun Fact: They are hosting a a donut trail cycle challenge on September 1st, 2018! Sign up here.
3 – Roll On In
Location: 102 Main St, Hamilton, OH 45013
Details: I love a good fast casual restaurant and Roll on In did not disappoint. It’s a sushi version of Chipotle with options for a sushi burrito, bowl, or a salad with loads of fresh toppings, proteins, and my absolute favorite, sauces!
Fun Fact: They have delicious wonton chips that are absurdly addicting and just $2.
4 – DORA
Location: Downtown Hamilton, Ohio within the DORA areas
Details: “Adults are able to stroll the downtown and Main Street areas with alcoholic beverages bought from participating businesses. Drinking will be allowed seven days a week from noon to midnight within the DORA.” This means you can walk all around with a pint in your hand, which is lovely on a summer day! We waltzed from Municipal Brew Works to Quarter Barrel Brewery & Pub.
Fun Fact: Municipal Brew Works frequently has live music and is surprisingly pretty toddler friendly… just make sure they stick to the apple juice ;).
5 – WEB Extreme Entertainment
Location: 7172 Cincinnati-Dayton Rd. West Chester, Ohio 45069
Details: “The WEB Extreme Entertainment’s mission is to help our guests create fun, lasting memories and experiences that strengthen families and friendships.” They offer Laser Tag, Ten Pin Bowling, Go Kart Racing, tons of arcade games, and a menu filled with pizza, burgers, and chicken wings too!
Fun Fact: The Beard is weirdly good at the crane machines so we always leave these places with several (and then some) prizes.
6 – EnterTrainment Junction
Location: 7379 Squire Ct, West Chester, OH 45069
Details: “Voted Ohio’s Best Family Entertainment Center, EnterTRAINment Junction is unlike any indoor family entertainment center. You can marvel at the world’s largest indoor train display. Slide, climb and play in a children’s play area. Discover at the railroading museum and more! It’s like a theme park all indoors!”
Fun Fact: There is a super cute little train ride outdoors but adults be careful because I may or may not have almost tipped it over when I tried to climb inside.
7 – Jolly’s Drive In
Location: 210 N Erie Hwy Hamilton, Ohio
Details: Jolly’s Drive In has been around for 81 years and has all the staples of a classic drive in diner. Everything on the menu is under $5 including their pretty amazing root beer. If you want to make it even more toddler friendly, stick inside the car and have them bring it straight to your car.
Fun Fact: You can also ask for a brown cow so you can some ice cream in with your delicious root beer.
8 – Flub’s Dariette
Location: 997 Eaton Ave, Hamilton Ohio 45013
Details: “The Dariette, as it was originally named, was purchased by Mike and Ann Connaughton on May 1, 1965, from George and Louise Waggonfield. After their first year of operation, they changed the name to “Flub’s Dariette” or now simply referred to as “Flubs”. It is a place where friends meet to enjoy a wide range of freshly made, family-recipes. From delicious sherbets, Italian ice, to vanilla and chocolate creamy whip cycloned or topped with a variety of “goodies”.”
Fun Fact: They have a “baby” sized scoop for just $0.75, how is that for toddler friendly?
9 – Jungle Jim’s International Market
Location: 5440 Dixie Hwy Fairfield, OH 45014
Details: “With two locations, more than 500,000 square feet combined, hundreds of thousands of products, and over 70 countries represented, Jungle Jim’s International Market is locally grown, but internationally known. We’re a destination for foodies, tourists, and weekly shoppers alike; from just around the corner to across the pond and beyond. Everyone who walks through our doors can shop without borders, and they share that experience with so many others.”
Fun Fact: They have numerous events throughout the year like an International Craft Beer Festival, Backyard Bash, and even a really awesome Cheese Festival.
10 – Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum
Location: 1763 Hamilton Cleves Rd., Hamilton, OH 45013
Details: “Pyramid Hill is a 300+ acre sculpture park with 60+ monumental outdoor sculptures displayed in a landscape of rolling hills, meadows, lakes, and hiking trails. The park also features an Ancient Sculpture Museum that displays Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Syrian and Egyptian sculptures dating to 1550 B.C. The Museum Gallery hosts exhibitions by local, regional and national artists.”
Fun Fact: You can rent a golf cart also known as an “art cart” to travel around the Sculpture Park!
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