Parents with kids complaining about nothing to do are surely not anywhere near Columbus, Ohio. Columbus offers water parks, an interactive science museum, a zoo and an aquarium. Kids of all ages will be entertained and, quite possibly, appreciative of your ability to find the best attractions.
Kids of all ages will enjoy Columbus' Center of Science and Industry (COSI), a hands-on museum and learning experience. COSI is best for kids age three and up. The younger set should try the kidspace play area, where they can play with a water table or climb the tree playhouse. Older kids, from ages 6 to 10, will enjoy the Ocean and Space exhibits where they can use sonar technology and pretend to be an astronaut. Teens and pre-teens, as well as adults can discover the grittier side of science in the Life exhibit, which shows what happens from birth to death and everything in between. COSI often has live shows, such as rats playing basketball, and limited engagement exhibitions, such as the artifacts of the Titanic or the science behind bodily functions. Visitors looking for the extreme will find the John Glenn Extreme Screen Movie Theater, which is seven stories tall and 83 feet wide, and shows 3D films. All of this is bound to make the kids hungry, so head to the Atomic Cafe for lunch options, such as burgers, sandwiches and pizza. Kids who don't want to leave should take part in the Camp-In Overnight or Camp-In Day Programs, where kids can participate in activities and see a movie on the Extreme Screen. COSI is open seven days a week except for major holidays. Garage and on-street parking is available nearby for a fee.
Center of Science and Industry (COSI)
333 W. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
888-819-2674
www.cosi.org
For a water park adventure at any of time of the year, head to the Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark Resort. Fort Rapids offers a climate-controlled park in which the water is always a pleasant 84 degrees. The water park offers a wide range of aquatic activities, such as a kiddie pool with slides, a 40-foot tall play structure with slides, and a river ride complete with rapids. The daring can test out the four water slides, one of which includes a funnel. Visitors seeking some dry fun should explore the Activities Alley where they can try their hand at mining or take part in the weekend fun, such as kiddie karaoke and kiddie dance parties. Food and snacks are available at the resort gift shop or the water park concession stand, D.B.'s Sidewinder Cafe. The water park is part of the Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark Resort, but day passes for non-resort guests are available. Call prior to your visit to confirm that day passes are available. The water park is open seven days a week, but sometimes must close for maintenance. Day-pass guests are urged to bring their own towels. On-site parking is available.
Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark Resort
4560 Hilton Corporate Drive
Columbus, OH
877-337-7527
www.fortrapids.com
Head north to the suburbs for the true wildlife of Columbus, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. See animals of all kinds, such as cougars, Asian elephants, rhinoceros, and black bears and reptiles, like Gila monsters and Komodo dragons. The Shores exhibit, at the Aquarium, features alligators, Humboldt Penguins and manatees. Guests are allowed to bring coolers into the Zoo, but are limited to a snack and drink per person. Snacks and lunch options are available throughout the park. The Zoo is also home to an amusement park, Jungle Jack's Landing, and a water park, Zoombezi Bay. Head to Jungle Jack's Landing for rides, such as the Sea Dragon roller coaster and African Express electric train. Zoombezi Bay, opening in the spring of 2010, offers Roaring rapids, Wild Tide pools and the Cyclone raft cruises, in which guests can reach a speed of 20 miles per hour. Kids from grade one to 12 can take part in overnight programs at the Zoo, which allow the kids to get an in-depth look at some of the exhibits and experience the Zoo at night. The zoo is open seven days a week, except for major holidays, and the hours of operations vary. On-site parking is available for a fee.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
4850 West Powell Road
Powell, Ohio 43065
800-666-5397
www.columbuszoo.org
