What are some local attractions?

 

• Paramount's King's Island
  6300 Kings Island Drive
  P.O. Box 901
  Kings Island, OH 45034
  513-754-5800; 800-288-0808
  
  Hours: 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-May 26; thereafter, closing times vary through the season, with nine days with a midnight closing in July and August. New this year: The park's fireworks display will always be at 10 p.m. (on days the park is open until 10 p.m. or later) to accommodate families with children.
  Admission: $44.99 general admission (includes "Pay Once, Visit Twice" option: good for second day's admission - for the same person - any time during the 2005 regular season); $26.99 children (under 48 inches) senior citizens (age 60 and older) and military discount (with identification); $29.99 after 5 p.m. General admission tickets are $34.99 on PKI's Web site and at Blockbuster locations (does not include "Pay Once, Visit Twice" option). Online discounts available.
  Parking: $9; preferred parking $15.

 

• The Beach Waterpark
  2590 Waterpark Dr.
  Mason, OH 45040
  513-398-2040; 800-886-SWIM
  Ohio's largest waterpark features more than 40 waterslides and attractions on 35 acres near Kings Island. The Beach boasts the Midwest's only watercoaster, Aztec Adventure, a 500-foot long flume that sends riders up, around and down a 30-foot drop into a pool guarded by Cobras. Palme trees, white sand, reggae bands, a wave pool and waterfalls are other features. If you can wait until later in the day, admission drops to $9.99 after 5 p.m. AAA members can get discounted tickets through local AAA branches.
  Hours: May 21 and 22, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; May 27 through June 10, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; June 11 through Aug. 21, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Aug. 22 through Sept. 5, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sept. 10 and 11, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed July 23.
  Admission: General admission $26.99, $10.99 for children(5-9) and seniors. Season passes: Children and seniors, $29; general admission, $92; family of four, $230. Group discounts available.

 

• Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens
  3400 Vine St.
  Cincinnati, OH 45220
  513-281-4700; 800-94-HIPPO
  Spend a day exploring the animal kingdom in Cincinnati's 70-acre zoo, home to 700 animal species and 3,000 types of plants. Wander through the rain forest in Jungle Trails for glimpses of endangered baboons and exotic plants from Asia and Africa. Pay your respects to Indonesia's giant native, the Komodo dragon, the world's largest and most dangerous reptile and a special gift from the president of Indonesia. Or visit the lush Florida swamplands in Manatee Springs for a look at the endangered animals once mistaken for mermaids.
  Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday - Friday, Memorial Day through Labor Day, with exceptions. Open until 8 p.m. on Saturdays; Call for off-season hours.
  Admission: Non-member admission is: Adults, $12.95; seniors ages 62 and over, $10.95; children ages 2 to 12, $7.95. Admission is free for members. Group discounts available.
  Parking: $6.50.

 

• Newport Aquarium
  One Aquarium Way
  Newport, KY, 41071
  859-261-7444
  Journey around the world and explore the Red Sea, sample the Amazon and stop by an active Ohio Riverbank at the Newport Aquarium. The aquarium features more than 65 exhibits and 13 galleries, including the Jellyfish Gallery, the Kingdom of Penguins, Coral Reef and Surrounded by Sharks. Each exhibit is themed to make tours enchanting and exciting. Go eye-to-eye with piranhas, poison dart frogs, sharks, penguins, stingrays and more than 500 other species. The aquarium's newest addition, Hidden Treasures of the Rainforest Islands, features an Indonesian rainforest, complete with waterfalls, native plants, replicas of ancient ruins and many different animals.
  Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Summer Hours: May 27 through Sept. 5, open daily, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (open Saturdays until 9 p.m. beginning June 4); Closing at 6 p.m. May 28 and July 16; Closing at 4 p.m. on Sept. 4. Ticket sales end 90 minutes prior to closing time to allow ample visitation time.
  Admission: Adults $17.95, Children ages 3-12 $10.95 and Seniors(65+) $15.95. Children 2 and under admitted free.