Fort Ancient Earthworks & Nature Preserve is an ancient earthwork complex built on a ridge 2,000 years ago. Fort Ancient is included as part of the serial UNESCO World Heritage Site Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, which comprises eight sites in Ohio. Here, an extraordinary historic site is complemented by a museum, a reconstructed Native American garden and three miles of hiking trails with scenic overlooks.

Fort Ancient also offers the Third Friday Archaeology Tour, held on the third Friday of every month. Those interested in archaeological history can explore the site from different perspectives: through the earthworks, the museum exhibit and the trails with their scenic overlooks.

River Landscapes and Trails

Hisey Park offers a different landscape, where wooded hillsides and floodplain meadows meet across 158 acres. An overlook affords views across the river valley. At Landen-Deerfield Park, Simpson Creek defines the northern side; the creek is a tributary of the Little Miami River. Both places offer distinctive natural scenery, but with different character: hillsides and floodplains with an overlook at one, and a creek that shapes part of the other park.

Morrow Veterans Park is also shaped by its waterfront location. It lies between the Little Miami River and the Little Miami Scenic Trail and has a canoe and kayak launch for paddling on the Little Miami Scenic River. Little Miami Canoe and Campground offers trips by canoe, kayak, raft or tube on the Little Miami River; the route can extend up to 18 miles. When planning, you can choose between a designated launch for canoe and kayak trips and a variety of longer river outings.

Boating, fishing and water skiing are available at Caesar Creek Lake. Armco Park adds a 110-acre lake for fishing and boating. The park also has an 18-hole executive golf course. Together, these offer water activities on two different lakes alongside a clearly defined golf option.

Train Rides and Other Experiences

The Lebanon, Mason & Monroe Railroad, or LM&M Railroad, offers one-hour train rides along a scenic, six-mile route as well as seasonal themed rides. Train rides operate every weekend from Easter through Christmas. Check the seasonal schedule before your trip.

Kings Island offers more than 80 rides and attractions, including Planet Snoopy. Kings Island’s Soak City water park has more than 50 slides and pools. Tennis is another event attraction: the Cincinnati Open is held at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason.

The Harmon Museum houses the largest collection of Shaker artifacts in the United States. Caesar’s Creek Pioneer Village offers tours of original Quaker buildings, first built in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Interactive activities there include Maple Sugar Camp, Harvest Festival and Civil War Encampment.

Festivals and Cultural Events

The Ohio Renaissance Festival takes place at Renaissance Park, a 30-acre English village near Harveysburg and Waynesville. The festival features a fully armored jousting tournament, shopping for handcrafted leather goods, historical clothing and freshly forged swords, foods such as turkey legs, and other entertainment. Dates vary from year to year; check the dates for your travel year.

The annual Ohio Sauerkraut Festival takes place on the second full weekend in October in historic downtown Waynesville. More than 30 nonprofit food booths serve sauerkraut prepared in a variety of ways. Since details may change from year to year, it is a good idea to check the dates and offerings for your planned trip. The Lebanon Horse Drawn Carriage Parade & Christmas Festival is always held on the first Saturday in December and includes a daytime parade and a candlelight parade.

For live Broadway-style entertainment, La Comedia offers professional dinner theater. Warren County is accessible via Interstates 71 and 75. The experiences on offer include cultural sites, river and lake activities, train rides and events with a range of seasonal schedules.

Discover more destinations: Mason, Springboro, Maineville, Hamilton, Hocking County, Athens County, Lucas County, Madison.

For the broader travel overview: Ohio.