Mama loves a good road trip, especially when it’s not super far and gets us outside for a few hours. Grab some snacks, charge up the iPad for the drive, freshen up the water bottles and join us for U-Pick lavender at Sunset Ridge Lavender Farm in Enon, Ohio. June and early July are prime bloom months for fragrant lavender sprigs. Pick your own bundle of 100-150 stems of vibrant white and purple lavender at Sunset Ridge’s U-Pick with no appointment necessary. Open Thursday-Sunday, spend your weekend sipping on farm-fresh lavender lemonade and perusing the gift shop full of bath products, satche ..read more

From local beaches and creeks to pools and splash parks, there are plenty of places around Dayton and Cincinnati to stay cool. Create your bucket list now for the most epic Southwest Ohio summer! Here are 14 outdoor destinations in Southwest Ohio to cool off at this summer: Otto Armleder Memorial Park 705 East Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati The Otto Armleder Memorial Park is one of Cincinnati’s newest parks and covers 305 acres. The park features paved walking and bike paths, playgrounds, picnic shelters, soccer fields, a 10-acre dog park, and canoe put-in. The park is open from 6:00am to 10:00pm ..read more

Fondly known as “Ohio’s largest playground,” Warren County has definitely earned this designation. Located between Cincinnati and Dayton, this area of Southwest Ohio is the destination for families looking for fun in all forms. Warren County should be on your family’s radar for your next vacation, from nationally recognized amusement and water parks to outdoor adventures and great food.  Warren County CVBWhere to Stay in Warren County There are many great hotel and lodging options in Warren County. Here are two places we visited that aren’t just places to sleep — they’re destinations for ..read more

Whetsel Whip is the ultimate shop for creative foodies who love ice cream. Located in Madisonville, the newly opened ice cream parlor is equal parts aesthetically pleasing and so, so tasty. With gorgeous pink roses covering the shop and bakery next door, Whetsel Whip is one-of-a-kind as far as ice cream shops in Cincinnati go.  The creative menu is a show-stopper with loaded ice cream “nachos” and a rotating flavor menu with cone upgrades like pretzel cone, chocolate chip cookie cone, waffle bowl, waffle cone and our favorite: the large bubble waffle cone. For an extra 50 cents, dip your ..read more

More than 14,000 women in the United States are diagnosed every year with invasive cervical cancer, per the National Cervical Cancer Coalition. The leading cause: human papillomaviruses (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 100% of cervical cancer cases are linked to infection with high-risk HPV. Thankfully, there are two highly effective prevention and early detection methods for cervical cancer: the HPV vaccine and routine screening. “Cervical cancer is one of the very few cancers that have an effective screening,” sa ..read more

While floating down a lazy river at a waterpark can be enjoyable, floating down a real river simply can’t be beat. The rental businesses below offer all the equipment you and your family need to have a fun and safe day floating down one of Southwest Ohio’s prettiest rivers. Check out our guide to choose the right rental for the perfect summer day trip. Great Miami River Adventures on the Great Miami Address: 1995 E. Ross Rd. Tipp City, OH Phone: (937) 266-6252 About: Starting at $40 a person, Adventures on the Great Miami offers a wide variety of water actives. Currently offering a 3.5-mile tr ..read more

Warmer weather is finally here, and it’s the perfect time to enjoy a family meal outdoors! Luckily, Dayton is full of picturesque, picnic-worthy places to enjoy a meal. Assemble a picnic (or grab some carry out) and head to one (or more) of these 5 Picnic-Worthy Parks in Dayton:   Carillon Historical Park Carillon Historical Park is a 65-acre open-air history museum that serves as the main campus for Dayton History. Although not your typical picnic in the park, Carillon is sure to bring a new level of excitement and exploration into your family meal. (Bonus: Don’t ..read more

As we row full speed ahead into summer, your kids might already be tired of the local pool or splash pad. Perhaps you’re looking for another sort of water-centered adventure to mix things up a bit. Canoe or kayak rentals are a fun, family friendly activity that’s sure to be a hit — and lucky for us, Southwest Ohio is surrounded by several canoe-worthy bodies of water! We did our research to find the most family friendly spots for a relaxing afternoon on the water. Check out these 10 local places to rent canoes or kayaks around Southwest Ohio!  Barefoot Canoe 235 East Tipp Pike West Milton ..read more

U-pick berries in Dayton are opening for the season! Our 2023 Guide to Berry U-Pick in Dayton includes everything you need to know on where to pick fresh berries this summer!  Once in a Blue Moon Farm 3984 E. Social Row Rd, Waynesville, OH 45068 (937) 586-8749 Blueberries are expected to open sometime late June or early July for picking. For all the latest information, check their Facebook page. Peifer Orchards 4590 US 68 N., Yellow Springs, OH (937) 767-2208 Offering blackberries, red raspberries, and black raspberries, check the Facebook page for the latest updates on the 2023 season ..read more

Summers in Dayton get hot. We have you covered with 10 places around the area to cool off. From lakes to pools to splash pads, there is an option for everybody to experience a splash park in Dayton. Caesar Creek State Park Photo credit: Yelp/Andrew B. At one of Ohio’s beautiful state parks you can find the perfect oasis for a hot summer day. The lake is perfect for kids to swim around or play Marco Polo. The long shoreline is perfect for making sandcastles, finding rocks, and playing games. All Ohio State Parks have free admission.     Wegerzyn Gardens The Children’s Discovery Garde ..read more