Southwestern Ohio attractions, things to do

Here is a sampling of popular summertime venues and things to do — come rain or shine:

THEME AND WATER PARKS

The Beach Waterpark

Description: The water park features 50 rides and attractions for adults, kids.

Location: 2590 Water Park Dr., Mason (across from Kings Island, Warren County)

Open: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 22-23 and Sept. 11; 10 a.m. to closing times vary May 28-Sept. 6; some rides don't open until noon

Admission: $27.99; or $10.50 for senior citizens 60 and older and children 48 inches and smaller, free for children 2 and younger; online discounts, family, group and season passes available

Parking: $7.50

New attractions: Cliffside Cabana Cove — scenic landscaping, palm trees, sand and a seating area next to the Cliff (a slide that drops five stories in three seconds) as well as two luxury rental cabanas for families or groups; the Cliff, the Riptide and the main volleyball court have been resurfaced and renovated

Most popular attraction: Aztec Adventure (a "water coaster" that propels your fast-moving inner tube out of a jaguar's mouth) and the Cliff slide

Least-busy days: Tuesday and Thursday

Wheelchair access: Yes

Where to buy Tickets: At the park and online

Information: (513) 398-SWIM, 800-886-7946, www.thebeach waterpark.com

Coney Island

Description:The park includes classic rides, water slides, live shows and miniature golf.

Location: 6201 Kellogg Ave., 10 miles east of downtown Cincinnati (Hamilton County) 8 p.m. May 29-Aug. 29, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 30-Sept. 6, operating hours vary for rides

Admission: Sunlite Pool — $11.95 for those 5 and older; or $3.95 for children 2 to 4; free for children 1 and younger; Classic rides — $11.95 for those 5 and older; or $6.95 for children 4 and younger; Combination admission — $21.95 for those 5 and older; or $9.95 for children 2 to 4; free for children 1 and younger; after-4 p.m. discounts available

Parking: $7

Shows: MP3 Shuffle — a quick-changing dance party with today's popular music; Motown Review — songs from Motown's greatest hits; Farmland — clap your hands and stomp your feet as kids of all ages explore a musical life on the farm

Most popular attraction: Sunlite Pool, with four water slides

Least-busy day: Tuesday

Wheelchair access: Yes

Where to buy Tickets: At the park and online

Information: (513) 232-8230, www.coneyislandpark.com

Great Wolf Lodge

Description: The indoor water park includes slides, pools, a dumping bucket and an outdoor pool area.

Location: 2501 Great Wolf Drive, Mason (Warren County)

Open: Year-round

Admission: Must be an overnight guest; various rooms and suites available

Parking: Free

New attraction: Triple Twist — a five-story water slide featuring a high-speed drop into a huge funnel, followed by twists and turns and two more funnels

Most popular attraction: Fort Mackenzie, a four-story treehouse water fort with water sprays, climbable nets and bridges

Least-busy days: Midweek May and September

Wheelchair access: Yes

Reservations/Information: (513) 459-8885, 1-800-913-9653, www.greatwolflodge.com

Kings Island, Boomerang Bay Water Park Resort

Description:The park offers more than 80 rides, including 14 roller coasters (and the Beast, the world's longest wooden coaster), shows and attractions as well as Boomerang Bay, a 15-acre water park.

Location: Kings Island Drive, Kings Island, Mason (Warren County)

Open: daily, operating hours vary through Aug. 29; select weekends through Oct. 31; Boomerang Bay Water Park Resort (free with park admission) will be open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily May 22-Aug. 29 and Sept. 4-6 (subject to change)

Admission: $48.99 for those ages 7 to 59 or 48 inches and taller, for two days; or $29.99 for senior citizens 62 and older and children 3 to 6 and less than 48 inches tall, for one day; free for children 2 and younger; evening discounts, group and season passes available

Parking: $10; $15 preferred

New attractions: Boo Blasters on Boo Hill, an interactive 3-D ride; Planet Snoopy, featuring 18 rides and attractions that bring the Peanuts gang to life

Most popular attraction: Diamondback roller coaster and the Beast roller coaster

Least-busy day: Wednesday

Wheelchair access: A guide for disabled guests is available at the front gate at guest relations

Where to buy Tickets: online, at the park and participating AAA, Kroger and Meijer locations

Information: 513-754-5700, www.visitkingsisland.com

Wake Nation Cincinnati

Description:Wake Nation is a water-sports complex for wakeboarding, water skiing, kneeboarding, and wakeskating without the use of a boat. Riders are pulled on a 10-acre lake at 18 to 20 mph by an overhead cable-pulley system. For advanced riders there are challenging jumps, including floating sliders, grind rails, table tops and kickers.

Location: 201 Joe Nuxhall Way, Fairfield (in Joyce Park, Butler County)

Open: operating hours vary May-October

Admission: $25 for two hours, $30 for four hours, $35 all-day pass; season passes and equipment rental available, free for spectators

Parking: free

New attractions: The Practice Pond is a separate body of water with a brand-new “easy-start” system to make riding even easier for beginners, and it allows children 5 and older an opportunity to ride; new and improved obstacles will be placed on the main lake

Least-busy day: Tuesday

Wheelchair access: yes

Where to buy Tickets: at the park

Information: 513-887-9253, www.wakenation.com

OUTDOOR DRAMAS

Magic Waters Summer Theatre

Description:28th season of mysteries, dramas and children's shows

Location: 7757 Cave Rd., 4 miles west of Bainbridge (Ross County)

Performances: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 7 p.m. Sundays June 11-Aug. 29. Consider the Lilies (June 11-13); Sherlock Holmes’ American Cousin in the Adventure of the Walking Corpse (June 18-20, 25-27, July 9-11); Hansel and Gretel (July 16-18, 23-25, 30-31, Aug. 1); Hamlet (Aug. 13-15, 20-22, 27-29)

Admission: $7, or $4 for senior citizens, $3.50 for children

Seating capacity: 165, plus hillside seating for lawn chairs

Wheelchair access: yes

Running time: about 90 minutes to 2 hours

Information: 937-365-1388, www.highland-ohio.com/magicwaters

‘Tecumseh!’

Description:38th season for the outdoor historical drama about the Shawnee leader

Location: Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre, 5968 Marietta Rd., Chillicothe (Ross County)

Performances: 8 p.m. Mondays -Saturdays, June 11-Sept. 4

Admission: $22.95, or $20.65 for senior citizens, $15.95 for children 10 and younger

Seating capacity: 1,689

Wheelchair access: yes

Running time: 2 hours, 45 minutes

Information: 866-775-0700, www.tecumsehdrama.com

OUTDOOR MUSIC

Fraze Pavilion

Location: 695 Lincoln Park Blvd., Kettering (Montgomery County)

Performances: May 22 (7:30 p.m.): Parrots of the Caribbean; June 4 (8 p.m.): Vince Gill; June 5 (7:30 p.m.): Straight No Chaser; June 10 (8 p.m.): Kris Kristofferson; June 11-12 (8 p.m.): the Menus; June 13 (7 p.m.): Hall of Fame Spectacular with Dion, the Drifters, Shirley Alston Reeves, the Flamingos, the Soul Stirrers; June 15 (8 p.m.): Sheryl Crow, Colbie Caillat; June 17 (8 p.m.): Gordon Lightfoot; June 18 (8 p.m.): Kenny Loggins; June 19 (7 p.m.): Tommy Castro Band, Charlie Musselwhite, John Hammond; June 22 (8 p.m.): Touch; June 24 (8 p.m.): Ticket to Ride; June 25 (8 p.m.): Bachman & Turner, Lukas Nelson, Promise of the Real; June 30 (7 p.m.): U.S. Air Force Band of Flight; July 2 (8:45 p.m.): Weird Al Yankovic; July 9 (8 p.m.): McGuffey Lane; July 10 (7:30 p.m.): Jeffrey Osborne, Peabo Bryson, Freddie Jackson, Howard Hewett; July 18 (7:30 p.m.): Alice Cooper; July 21 (7 p.m.): Cajun-Zydeco Festival with Lil’ Brian & the Travelers, the Crawdaddies; July 25 (7:30 p.m.): Huey Lewis & the News; July 31 (7 p.m.): Dave Koz and Jonathan Butler, Sheila E., RnR; Aug. 6 (7:30 p.m.): War, Rare Earth, Jack Bruce, Mitch Ryder, Badfinger; Aug. 14 (7 p.m.): Jeff Golub, Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Peter White; Aug. 15 (6:30 p.m.): Richard Marx; Aug. 19 (8 p.m.): Blake Shelton; Aug. 28 (7 p.m.): Cheap Trick, Blondie; Sept. 3 (8 p.m.): Billy Idol

Parking: free

Tickets: free to $65

Information: 937-296-3300, www.fraze.com

Kings Island, Timberwolf Amphitheatre

Location: 6300 Kings Island Dr., Mason (Warren County)

Performances: June 19 (10 a.m.): Joyfest including Fred Hammond, Donald Lawrence, Martha Munizzi, 21:03, Bone Hampton; July 8-10: Spirit Song 2010 featuring Third Day, Casting Crowns, tobyMac; Aug. 7 (7 p.m.): Sean Hannity Freedom Concert with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Charlie Daniels, Michael W. Smith

Parking: $10

Tickets: $42.99 to $76.99 available at www.ticketmaster.com, includes admission to the park and Boomerang Bay

Information: 800-288-0808, 513-754-5700, www.visitkingsisland.com

Riverbend Music Center/PNC Pavilion

Location: 6295 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati (Hamilton County)

Performances: June 2 (8 p.m.): Earth, Wind & Fire; June 6 (4 p.m.): Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker; June 12 (8 p.m.): Harry Connick Jr.; June 15 (7 p.m.): Dave Matthews Band; June 18 (8 p.m.): Tim McGraw, Lady Antebellum; Bamboozle Road Show featuring Boys Like Girls, All Time Low, LMFAO; June 20 (8 p.m.): ABBA: The Music featuring the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra; June 22 (8 p.m.): the Moody Blues; June 23 (8 p.m.): Jeff Beck, Imelda May; June 26 (7:30 p.m.): 311, Pepper; June 30 (7:30 p.m.): Eric Clapton, Roger Daltrey; July 6 (7:30 p.m.): Santana, Steve Winwood; July 7 (8 p.m.): Limp Bizkit; July 9 (8 p.m.): Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band; July 13 (7:30 p.m.): Chicago, the Doobie Brothers; July 15 (7:30 p.m.): Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Drive-By Truckers; July 18 (7:30 p.m.): Brooks & Dunn; July 20 (8 p.m.): Sting featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; July 21 (2:15 p.m.): Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Tour featuring Korn, Rob Zombie, Lamb of God; July 27 (7 p.m.): John Mayer, Train; July 28 (noon): Vans Warped Tour featuring Alkaline Trio, Andrew W.K., Face to Face; Aug. 6 (8 p.m.): Rascal Flatts, Kellie Pickler; Aug. 7 (8 p.m.): John Williams Conducts: A Movie Music Spectacular; Aug. 10 (7:30 p.m.): the Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato; Aug. 12 (6:30 p.m.): Paramore, Tegan and Sara, New Found Glory; Aug. 13 (7:30 p.m.): Creed; Aug. 14 (8 p.m.): Sugarland; Aug. 19 (7 p.m.): REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar; Aug. 27 (7:30 p.m.): Toby Keith, Trace Adkins; Sept. 3 (8 p.m.): American Idols LIVE! Tour 2010; Sept. 4 (7:30 p.m.): Kings of Leon, the Black Keys

Parking: included in ticket price

Tickets: $24.60 to $195.40, available at Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000) or www.ticketmaster.com

Information: 513-232-6220, www.riverbend.org

MUSEUMS

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

Description: The natural history museum, science and discovery center has a planetarium, an observatory and a zoo.

Location: 2600 DeWeese Parkway, Dayton (Montgomery County)

Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday

Admission: $8.50, or $7.50 for senior citizens and children 2 to 12, free for 1 and younger

Parking: free, on-site

Special exhibits: “How People Make Things” (May 30- Aug. 30), exploring the manufacturing process and how ideas become reality

Wheelchair access: yes

Information: 937-275-7431, www.boonshoft museum.org

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park

Description:Several sites in the Dayton area recognized by Congress for the region's leading role in aviation history.

Location: Huffman Prairie Flying Field and Interpretive Center, 2380 Memorial Rd., Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Greene and Montgomery counties)

Open: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

Admission: free

Parking: onsite

Exhibits: Highlighting the research of Orville and Wilbur Wright from 1904-16 at the field

Wheelchair access: yes

Information: 937-425-0008, www.aviationheritagearea.org

Location: Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center and the Wright Cycle Company, 16 S. Williams St., Dayton (Montgomery County)

Open: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Admission: free, onsite

Parking: free, across the street or behind the cycle shop

Exhibits: Featuring one of the original cycle shops and a restored print shop that Orville and Wilbur Wright used

Wheelchair access: yes

Information: 937-225-7705, www.aviationheritagearea.org

Cincinnati Art Museum

Description: The museum features 88 galleries and more than 80,000 works.

Location: 953 Eden Park Dr., Cincinnati (Hamilton County)

Open: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday

Admission: free

Parking: $4, free for museum members

Special exhibits: “Walker Evans: Decade by Decade” (June 12 -Sept. 5), a photographic exhibit of Evans’ work from the Great Depression to the early 1970s; “Vegas 360” (through Sept. 26) by Thomas Schiff, a large-scale photographic exhibit

Wheelchair access: yes, enter at the Dewitt entrance

Information: 513-721-ARTS, 877-472-4226, www.cincinnati artmuseum.org

Cincinnati Museum Center

Description: The center is home to the Cincinnati History Museum, Duke Energy Children's Museum, the Museum of Natural History & Science, the Robert D. Linder Family Omnimax theater and the Cincinnati Historical Society Library.

Location: Union Terminal, 1301 Western Ave., CincinnatiHamilton County)

Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

Admission: $12, or $11 for senior citizens 60 and older, $8 for children 3 to 12

Parking: $6

Special exhibits: “American Journey: The Life and Photography of James Presley Ball” (through Oct. 24), selections from the center’s collection of more than 400 images, artifacts and archival materials; “America I AM: The African American Imprint” (June 19-Jan. 2), including more than 250 rare artifacts from around the world; “The Art of Caring: A Look at Life Through Photography” (July 9- Sept. 19), an exhibition of more than 200 works exploring intimate memories to historic tragedies.

Wheelchair access: visit the website for information

Information: 513-287-7000, www.cincymuseum.org

Contemporary Arts Center

Description: The center focuses on recent developments in painting, sculpture, photography, architecture, performance art and new media.

Location: Lois and Richard Rosenthal Center, 44 E. 6th St., Cincinnati (Hamilton County)

Open: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday (free after 5 p.m.), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed Tuesday

Admission: $7.50, or $6.50 for senior citizens 65 and older, $5.50 for students with I.D., $4.50 for children 3 to 13, free for children 2 and younger

Parking: nearby garages

Special exhibits: “Shephard Fairey: Supply and Demand” (through Aug. 22), featuring more than 80 works created from 1989 to the present, including the “Obama Hope” poster; “Ernesto Neto: Dancing Allowed” through October), an interactive exhibit about one of the most influential artists of his generation,; Pat Steir: Walter & Stone” (through Aug. 22), showcasing the interplay of the paint, her pouring technique and gravity of an artist known for her “waterfall” paintings

Wheelchair access: yes

Information: 513-345-8400, www.contemporaryarts center.org

Dayton Art Institute

Description: The institute touts 27,000 pieces in its permanent collection spanning more than 5,000 years.

Location: 456 Belmonte Park N., Dayton (Montgomery County)

Open: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday -Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday

Admission: free, fee for some special exhibitions

Parking: on-site and street parking

Special exhibits: “All Things Bright & Beautiful” (through June 13), featuring 60 California impressionist paintings from the collections at the Irvine Museum; “Prints From the Great Depression: The Richard and Linda Scott Collection” (May 22-Sept. 26), featuring more than 40 prints created during the 1930s and ’40s as part of the Works Progress Administration’s Fine Arts Project; “Modern Masters From the Smithsonian American Art Museum (July 24 -Oct. 10), featuring 43 key paintings and sculptures by 31 celebrated artists of the 1950s

Wheelchair access: yes

Information: 937-223-5277, 800-296-4426, www.dayton artinstitute.org

Fort Ancient

Description:Fort Ancient features 18,000 feet of earthen walls built 2,000 years ago by American Indians.

Location: 6123 Rt. 350, Oregonia (Warren County)

Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday -Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday

Admission: $6, or $5 for senior citizens, $4 for children 6 to 17

Parking: free, on-site

Special exhibits: the largest prehistoric hilltop enclosure in the United States, featuring 9,000-square-foot museum and access to earthworks and hiking trails.

Wheelchair access: yes, the site does feature traditional hiking trails with limited access

Information: 513-832-4421, 800-283-8904, or www.fortancient.org

National Museum of the United States Air Force

Description:The military aviation history museum boasts more than 400 aerospace vehicles — many rare and one-of-a-kind — along with thousands of historical items.

Location: 1100 Spaatz St., Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, near Dayton (Montgomery County)

Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Admission: free

Parking: free

Special exhibits: Starting in June, the museum will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War with special events and the renovation of the Korean War exhibit in the Modern Flight gallery.

Wheelchair access: yes

Information: 937-255-3286, www.nationalmuseum.af.mil

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Description: Features exhibits that chronicle the route slaves took to freedom as well as information about the people who helped them along the way.

Location: 50 E. Freedom Way, Cincinnati (Hamilton County)

Open: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday -Saturday

Admission: $12, or $10 for senior citizens, educators and students with I.D., $8 for children 6 to 12, free for children 5 and younger with an adult

Parking: $4.50 in the Freedom Center underground garage, numerous garages nearby

Special exhibits: “Textural Rhythms” (June 15-Aug. 14), showing the connection between quilt-making and jazz.

Wheelchair access: yes

Information: 877-648-4838, 513-333-7500, www.freedomcenter.org

SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park

Description:The 13th-century American Indian village along the Great Miami River offers a step back in time.

Location: 2301 W. River Rd., Dayton (Montgomery County)

Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday -Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday

Admission: $5, or $3 for senior citizens and children 6 to 17

Parking: free, on-site

Special exhibits: featuring an 800-year-old reconstructed Fort Ancient village and an interpretive center

Wheelchair access: yes, but the outdoor areas including the reconstructed village have mulched, unpaved paths

Information: 937-268-8199, www.sunwatch.org

SPORTING EVENTS

BASEBALL

Cincinnati Reds

Location: Great American Ball Park, 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati (Hamilton County)

Home games: May 24-27 vs. Pirates; May 28-30 vs. Astros; June 7-10 vs. Giants; June 11-12 vs. Royals; June 15-17 vs. Dodgers; June 25-27 vs. Indians; June 28-30 vs. Phillies; July 16-18 vs. Rockies; July 19-22 vs. Nationals; July 30-Aug. 1 vs. Braves; Aug. 9-11 vs. Cardinals; Aug. 13-15 vs. Marlins; Aug. 27-29 vs. Cubs; Aug. 30 -Sept. 1 vs. Brewers; Sept. 10 -12 vs. Pirates; Sept. 13-16 vs. Diamondbacks; Sept. 28-30 vs. Astros

Admission: $5 to $230, free for children 3 and younger if sitting on an adult's lap, additional $5 charge for Cleveland Indians series

Parking: various lots within walking distance of stadium

Wheelchair access: yes

Tickets: available through Tickets.com, 877-647-7337; at the park; or online

Information: 513-765-7000, www.cincinnatireds.com

Dayton Dragons

Location: Fifth Third Field, 220 N. Patterson St., Dayton (Montgomery County)

Home games: May 22-24 vs. Bowling Green; June 1-3 vs. Kane County; June 4-6 vs. Clinton; June 18-20 vs. Great Lakes; June 28-30 vs. Fort Wayne; July 1-3 vs. Great Lakes; July 10-12 vs. Great Lakes; July 21-23 vs. Cedar Rapids; July 24-26 vs. Quad Cities; July 28-30 vs. Bowling Green; Aug. 7-10 vs. West Michigan; Aug. 11-13 vs. Lansing; Aug. 21-24 vs. Lake County; Sept. 1-3 vs. Bowling Green; Sept. 4-6 vs. South Bend

Admission: $7 to $15

Parking: various lots within a half-mile walk to the stadium

Wheelchair access: yes

Tickets: 937-228-BATS (2287)

Information: 937-228-2287, www.daytondragons.com

Chillicothe Paints

Location: V.A. Memorial Stadium, 17273 Rt. 104, Chillicothe (Ross County)

Home games: June 3 vs. Richmond; June 6 vs. Nashville; June 8-9 vs. Slippery Rock; June 10 vs. West Virginia; June 18-19 vs. Lorain; June 23-24 vs. Nashville; June 29 vs. Richmond; July 1 vs. Butler; July 2 vs. West Virginia; July 10 vs. Slippery Rock; July 15 vs. West Virginia; July 17 vs. Lorain; July 18 vs. Terre Haute; July 19 vs. Slippery Rock; July 22 vs. Danville; July 23 vs. Lorain; July 26-27 vs. Butler; July 29 vs. Dupage; July 31 vs. DeKalb County; Aug. 1 vs. Butler; Aug. 4 vs. West Virginia; Aug. 6 vs. Dubois County; Aug. 7 vs. Richmond

Admission: $6, or $5 for senior citizens and children 12 and younger

Parking: onsite

Wheelchair access: yes

Tickets: 740-773-8326

Information: 740-773-7117, www.chillicothepaints.com

PRO FOOTBALL

Cincinnati Bengals

Location: 1 Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati (Hamilton County)

Preseason home games: Aug. 15 vs. Denver; Aug. 20 vs. Philadelphia

Admission: $65 to $85

Parking: various lots within walking distance of the stadium

Wheelchair access: yes

Tickets: 866-621-8383

Information: 513-621-3550, www.bengals.com

TENNIS

Western & Southern Financial Group Masters & Women’s Open

Location: Lindner Family Tennis Center at Kings Island, Mason (Warren County)

Dates: Aug. 7-15 (women); Aug. 15-22 (men)

Admission: $22 to $42 for women's single-session tickets, or $11 to $21 for children 14 and younger; $20 to $50 for men's single-session tickets, or $10 to $15 for children 14 and younger

Parking: free

Wheelchair access: yes

Tickets: available through Ticketmaster, 800-745-3000, and online

Information: 513-651-0303, www.cincytennis.com

HORSE RACING

River Downs

Location: 6301 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati (Hamilton County)

Season: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 6 (post time 12:55 p.m.); simulcasting daily

Admission: free; box seats with TV in lower clubhouse, $3; upper clubhouse, $3 with TV

Parking: free

Wheelchair access: yes

Information: 513-232-8000, www.riverdowns.com

ZOO

CINCINNATI ZOO & BOTANICAL GARDEN

Description: The second-oldest zoo in the country has more than 500 animals and 3,000 plant species and is internationally known for its research and conservation efforts.

Location: 3400 Vine St., Cincinnati (Hamilton County)

Big attractions: 4-D Special FX Theater, with effects such as wind and scents; Sumatran rhinos, the only ones on display in the United States; “Zoo Babies,” through May 31, including a bongo, bonobo, white-handed gibbon, sand kittens and miniature cows; “Dragons!” exhibit, opening June 5, with the largest, longest, smallest and most colorful monitor lizards

Open: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Admission: $14, or $9 for children 2 to 12 and senior citizens 62 and older, free for children younger than 2

Parking: $7

Wheelchair access: yes; rental: $10 manual, $30 electric. Stroller rental: $9 single, $13 double

Information: 513-281-4700, 800-94-HIPPO, www.cincinnatizoo.org