The Journey > The Destination

Before I start planning a new trip, I always get input from my kids on where we should go. Sometimes we all immediately agree, sometimes we play a game to choose from all of the suggestions and other times one of the three of us has really strong opinions about where to go. Two years ago, I asked my daughters where they wanted to go for spring break and my youngest daughter immediately said "I've always wanted to go to Cincinnati!" I wish I had a photo of my expression when she said it because I know it was an equal mix of surprise and confusion. I asked her, "What do you know about Cincinnati and why do you want to go so badly?" Her response was "I don't know, it just sounds fun."

At the time, my only personal memory of Cincinnati was Skyline Chili and I also knew that my favorite ice cream in the world, Graeter's was there. Since I make most decisions based on food, I said "Then let's go to Cincinnati!"

I spent a few weeks researching and planning sights, restaurants and activities and I knew it would be a fun week. But it was actually a fantastic week! We spent the first night in Nashville to break up the drive and stayed at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel, went to Centennial Park and The Parthenon, toured Belle Meade Plantation and had breakfast with friends the next morning.

After making our way to Cincinnati the next day, we went straight to the Smale Riverfront Park and playground to release some energy. Over the next several days, we explored Cincy at our own pace walking the John A. Roebling suspension bridge from Cincinnati to KY, going to the Cincinnati Zoo, climbing the Carew Tower Observation Deck, taking a BB Riverboat dinner cruise where the girls spent time hanging out in the bridge with the captain and dancing the night away with other kids, exploring the Cincinnati Museum Center, learning from the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, attending a night-time planet viewing at the Cincinnati Observatory, eating Skyline Chili, dining at local restaurants like Sugar n' Spice (the girls' favorite) and eating Graeter's Ice Cream every single afternoon (still my favorite). Anytime we needed a break throughout the week, we'd make our way back to the Riverfront playground to soak up some sun and enjoy relaxed play time. Our week in Cincinnati rivals any trip that we've taken to much farther lands.

Great adventures can happen within your own city, your own state, within driving distance, across the country or around the world. Don't put so much pressure on picking the perfect location or spending a lot of money. Just go, do, see and most importantly, enjoy the journey.