Wheel Fun

The car care experts at Tire Discounters and USTMA recommend drivers play their PART:

• Check tire Pressure monthly,

• Schedule an Alignment every six months

• Rotate tires regularly

• Have a professional check Tread depth

Find the Tire Discounters near you!

Does the weather have you ready to head to the beach? Before you load up the car, make sure you’re literally good to go!

This week is National Tire Safety Week, and Tire Discounters, the country’s largest 100% family-owned and operated tire and service provider, is proud to partner with the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) for this annual initiative. During this time, Tire Discounters aims to educate drivers about the easy, yet essential steps for proper tire care, use and maintenance to ensure road safety.

The USTMA points out that today’s tires are made to perform better than ever before, yet improperly maintained tires can put drivers at risk. Worn-out tires are three times more likely to be involved in a crash than tires with sufficient tread depth.

“The road safety of our customers is the top priority at Tire Discounters every day, and National Tire Safety Week highlights that,” said Charles Curlee, chief operating officer,  Tire Discounters. “We are the home of free alignment, and we also invite drivers to come in anytime for free tire pressure and tread depth checks. All these services are free of charge, and you don’t even need an appointment.”

Tire safety also translates into savings. Routine tire maintenance saves customers money by maintaining optimum performance and tire life. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that keeping car tires at recommended pressure levels can improve gas mileage by up to 3%. In addition, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that properly inflating tires can save up to 11 cents per gallon on gas.

Capital Idea

Still need to plan that summer vacation? We’re here to help, with an assist from everyone’s favorite Cincinnati dish, with a Travel 3-Way!

We’ve put together can’t-miss events, attractions, hotels, eateries, and more that are perfect for Sports Fans, Art Lovers or the Family Unit.

Looking for place that has all the comforts of home but boasts the best science museum in the country (according to USA Today 10Best), is one of the fastest growing cities in the Midwest, and was named one of the best “Destinations for Culinary Travel in 2024” (according to Essence)? Head north on I-71, to Ohio’s capital!

From unique neighborhoods to professional sports and one of top Pride celebration in the country, Columbus is worth the drive.

Sports Fans

From minor league baseball to Big 10 football, there’s no shortage of great sports in Columbus. You can head up now for the Crew and the Clippers, or catch the Blue Jackets later this year.

For a summer trip to see the minor league Clippers, knock it out of the park at the Junto Hotel, (77 Belle St.), located in a lively neighborhood with many restaurants and  shops. It’s also a good central location for exploring the city's unique local culture, restaurants,  and bars. Guests enjoy stunning city skyline views from the hotel's rooftop bar. Bonus: Junto is pet-friendly, for an additional fee.

If you arrive early for a game, you can stroll through the Arena District’s DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment  Area). Participating restaurants provide the option to buy an alcoholic beverage in a unique DORA cup, so you can take a refreshing beverage on your way to a game or event. These DORA restaurants include Betty’s Bar, Sunny Street  Cafe, and Fanatics Sportsbook. Not to mention that all these locations are within  short walking distance of the arenas. The DORA kicks off three hours prior to any event or game at Nationwide Arena, Huntington Park, and Lower.com Field.

But all that carrying a drink or cheering on your fave team can really work up an appetite. The Arena District offers more than dozen options, including Ohio’s top hockey bar R Bar Arena (413 N. Front St.). R Bar shows all international and NHL games, serving pizza, burgers, and fittingly named sandwiches – The Gordie, anyone?

Rattlesnake Pasta: Baked Cajun chicken breast with red & green peppers, red onion, tossed in a signature spicy cream sauce.

Another local favorite is Moran's Bar and Grille (415 N. Front St.). Though named for Chicago mob boss “Bugs” Moran – who spent a decade behind bars at the location in the 1920s when it was an Ohio penitentiary – the restaurant now promises a relaxed atmosphere and a happy hour Monday thru Friday. The menu starts with Jalapeno cheddar hush puppies and house-made sauerkraut balls, with entrees ranging from pasta to fried chicken and ribs to tacos.

Arts lovers

Columbus is home to many arts institutions, like the Wexner Center for the Arts (1871 North High St.) The art gallery is centrally located, just eight minutes from the Arena District and 10 minutes from COSI. Right now, you can see Jonas N.T. Becker: A Hole is not a Void, new photography, video, sculpture, and installation work by the artist-in-residence. Along with visual arts exhibitions, the Wex is also stacked with theater, dance, and music performances throughout the year.

Jonas N.T. Becker, Better or Equal Use: Coalfield Expressway on the former Bull Creek Mountain, 2020/2024. Coal, gelatin, dichromate, and paper, 20 x 24 in. Courtesy of the artist.

While you’re there, you can enjoy the Heirloom Cafe, offering all-day breakfast specialties, fresh salads, and hearty sandwiches. For a pick-me-up, the Crimson Cup has coffee and artisan baked goods.

Looking to dive deeper into the performing arts? Head to the Columbus Theater District for everything from opera and ballet to avant-garde works at The Palace Theatre, Southern Theatre, Lincoln Theatre, and Ohio Theatre. The Brewery District’s Shadowbox Live!, an artist-operated company that produces original works to create immersive experiences.

For a hotel that blends the modern and historic, check into Hotel LeVeque, Autograph Collection. Hotel LeVeque is the second tallest building in Columbus and a local landmark. Amenities include an on-site restaurant, free Wi-Fi, and a 24-hour fitness area.

Family Unit

Consistently named one of the best science museums in the country COSI (Center of Science and Industry) has been blending science education with fun since 1964. COSI eatures more than 300 hands-on exhibits, Ohio's largest planetarium, a Giant Screen Theater, live shows, and an exceptional partnership with the d American Museum of Natural History. Everyone in the fam will be enjoy exploreing the permanent Dinosaur Gallery, where visitors can see a full-sized Tyrannosaurus Rex cast, 100-million-year-old fossilized amber, an 8-foot titanosaur femur cast, and much more.C Close to the museum is a 6.5-acre park that includes a splash pad, playground, picnic tables, and swings. Through Sept. 24, you can see Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition to experience the wonder and tragedy of the world’s most famous ocean-liner.

After an eventful day experiencing the best of what COSI has to offer, indulge at Pecan Penny’s (113 E. Main St.). Pecan Penny’s serves delicious smoked barbecue with traditional sides, so even picky eaters will find something to like. The menu also includes “ghost dogs” – gourmet hot dogs, available with Nathan's All-Beef and vegetarian hot dogs. And don’t leave without dessert – funnel cake fries or pecan pie, of course!

– Kennedy Penn

---

Header image from Brand Columbus, courtesy of Nationwide Realty Investors. Brand Columbus

Fast Car

The 18 Best Road Trips in the U.S. in 2024

Where you’re headed…

• Southern New England

• Northern Arizona Canyons

• Natchez Trace Parkway

• Hershey, Pa., Dutch Country

• Southern Arizona

• Southern California

• Northern CA & Southern OR Coast

• Vegas to National Parks to Vegas

• Smoky Mountains

• Grand Pacific Northwest

• Blue Ridge Parkway – North Carolina

• Route 66 - Eastern New Mexico

• Black Hills

• Utah's National Parks

• Cape Cod

• Big Sky Country

• South Florida

• San Francisco to Lake Tahoe to Reno

– Katie Broome. AAA Travel Editor

Road trips let travelers see the world from a new perspective and explore distant locations. Recent studies indicate that more than 100 million Americans plan for road trips in the summer. Each state offers a unique experience for travelers, so it can be hard to limit your options. Whether you are dreaming up road trip ideas or simply curious about the most popular ones, here we’ll explore 18 of the best road trips in the U.S. and share some of the ways AAA Travel can make planning a breeze.

1. Southern New England

Starting and ending in Boston, this Southern New England road trip quite a bit of history and scenery in one route. One of the best road trips in the U.S., you’ll see sites from the American Revolution along Boston’s Freedom Trail, quaint shops housed in Colonial-era buildings on the streets of Mystic, Connecticut and lavish mansions from the Gilded Age in Newport, Rhode Island. This trip also offers prime leaf-peeping opportunities in late October and early November.

Length: 229.4 miles
Time: 5+ hours
Great for: Couples, history buffs and families

Getty Images / Digital Vision

2. Northern Arizona Canyons

Southwest desert scenery is on full display on this northern Arizona canyons road trip. From the red rock formations of Sedona to the majesty of the Grand Canyon, this loop journey from Flagstaff hits all the highlights. It includes stops at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, the ancient pueblos of Wupatki National Monument and the lava fields of Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.

Length: 274.3 miles
Time: 6+ hours
Great for: Solo and adventure travelers

 JPaulMoore / iStockphoto.com

3. Natchez Trace Parkway

To see the American South in all its glory, the Natchez Trace Parkway is one of the best places to go on a road trip. Stretching from Nashville to Natchez, Mississippi (by way of Tupelo, Mississippi, the birthplace of Elvis Presley), this rural route makes it easy to visit archeological sites, prehistoric ceremonial mounds, Civil War battlefields and the original Native American trail.

Length: 494.6 miles
Time: 10+ hours
Great for: Music lovers and history buffs

Shutterstock.com / Lissandra Melo

4. Hershey, Pa., Dutch Country

Expect to see horse-drawn carriages and historic covered bridges on a drive through Hershey, Pennsylvania, Dutch Country. Named after the German (Deutsch) immigrants who settled there in the 18th century, Pennsylvania Dutch Country offers the unique chance to see people of the Amish, Mennonite and Brethren faiths practicing their simple, modest lifestyle. The road trip also includes a stop in Gettysburg.

Length: 197.0 miles
Time: 5+ hours
Great for: Families and history buffs

Shutterstock.com / Anton Foltin

5. Southern Arizona

From the towering cacti of the Sonoran Desert to the Wild West saloons of Tombstone, photo-worthy sights are aplenty on a drive through southern Arizona. You’ll pass through the vibrant cities of Tucson and Scottsdale on this trip, with art galleries, authentic Mexican restaurants and splurge-worthy resorts along the way.

Length: 547.1 miles
Time: 10+ hours
Great for: Couples and adventure travelers

 iStockphoto.com / Michael Valdez

6. Southern California

It’s sunny skies ahead on this Southern California cruise, which includes a seven-hour journey from Los Angeles to Temecula wine country that features palm tree-dotted beaches, coastal cliffs, rugged desert canyons and a stop in San Diego. Travel editors recommend you plan this trip for spring or fall, as temperatures at some points along the drive can top 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.

Length: 307.4 miles
Time: 6+ hours
Great for: Couples and solo travelers

Shutterstock.com / Yelena Demyanyuk

7. Northern California / Southern Oregon Coast

Definitely not short on scenery, this Northern California and Southern Oregon Coast drive can easily be split up over a few days so you have plenty of time for exploration. You’ll start in California’s Central Valley, then wind your way up the Pacific Coast to see towering redwoods, quaint beach towns, shifting sand dunes and breathtaking ocean views on Oregon’s U.S. 101. (If you drive an electric vehicle, also check out Where to Stop and Recharge on an EV Road Trip Down Oregon’s Coast.)

Length: 380.1 miles
Time: 8+ hours
Great for: Families, couples and campers

AAA Summer Car Care Check List:

1. Check tires and tire pressure -Inspect all four tires and, if you have one, the spare tire as well. Look for cuts, gouges or sidewall bulges. Insert a quarter upside down into grooves to check tire tread. If you see the top of George Washington’s head, it is time for new tires.
   
   Check tire pressure when the car has been idle and tires are cool. Inflate as needed to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure. You will find it listed in the owner’s manual and on the sticker of the driver-side door jamb. Do not use the number on the tire sidewall.

2. Secure and test the battery – The average battery life is 3-5 years. Check the car battery to be sure cable connections are clean and tight and the hold down hardware is secure. Have a service professional do a battery check to determine remaining capacity. AAA Members can always opt for the FREE mobile battery service.

3. Top off engine oil and other fluids -Check that engine oil, coolant and brake, transmission and power steering fluids are at the correct levels for safe vehicle operation. When adding fluids, use products that meet the specifications listed in the owner’s manual.

4. Replace wiper blades and replenish windshield cleaner - Rubber wiper blades naturally deteriorate over time. If wipers streak or fail to clear the windshield thoroughly, replace the blades. Fill the windshield washer reservoir with fluid formulated to remove insects and other debris, and test to make sure the nozzles spray adequately.

5. Check belts and hoses - Reinforced rubber drive belts power the engine water pump and accessories such as the alternator and air conditioning compressor so you should inspect and replace any that are cracked, glazed or frayed.
   
   Note that modern multi-rib or drive belt materials do not show easily visible signs of wear. As a general rule, replace drive belts every 60,000 miles.
   
   Inspect and replace worn, brittle, bulging or excessively soft radiator hoses. Check for leaks around hose clamps and at the radiator and water pump.

6. Keep the AC running cool - Take a test drive with the air conditioner running. If you notice a decrease in cooling capacity, take the car to an auto repair shop for diagnosis. Also, inspect and replace the cabin filter as needed.

7. Make a plan for roadside emergencies – know who to call or make sure your AAA Membership is up to date. 

8. Take advantage of seasonal discounts - Ask about discounted tires and other services.

8. Vegas to National Parks to Vegas

Getty Images / Robert Glusic

A multiday road trip from Las Vegas is a great way to explore the Southwest and check off a few bucket list items. AAA’s Vegas road trip covers 860 miles in Nevada, Arizona and Utah, and includes stops at man-made landmarks like the Hoover Dam and Route 66 and at natural wonders like the Grand Canyon and the hoodoos (rock formations) of Bryce Canyon. (For more inspiration, see Ditch the Glitz for Adventure in Vegas.) 

Length: 857.4 miles
Time: 16 hours
Great for: Solo and adventure travelers and campers

golfladi / iStockphoto.com

9. Smoky Mountains

See the signature haze of the Great Smoky Mountains on this 500-mile loop that provides plenty of ooh- and aah-worthy views of America’s most-visited national park. One of the best road trips in the USA, AAA’s route begins and ends in Knoxville, Tennessee, and includes stops in fun mountain towns like Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Asheville, North Carolina.

Length: 497.8 miles
Time: 10+ hours
Great for: Families, couples and campers

DonFink / iStockphoto.com

10. Grand Pacific Northwest

Soak up views of iconic Northwest landmarks on this Pacific Northwest drive, which covers 550 miles in Oregon and Washington. From the waterfalls along the Historic Columbia River Highway to the summer wildflowers of Mount Rainier National Park, this road trip is sure to please nature lovers. (For even more adventures in the “upper left” of the U.S., see Best Pacific Northwest Road Trips (and When to Take Them).)

Length: 551.1 miles
Time: 10+ hours
Great for: Families and campers

DaleBHalbur / iStockphoto.com

11. Blue Ridge Parkway: North Carolina

America’s longest linear park is also one of its most scenic, which makes the Blue Ridge Parkway a clear winner in AAA’s list of the most popular road trips in the U.S. The portion of the parkway that runs through North Carolina follows curvy mountain roads from Cherokee to the North Carolina-Virginia state line, with plenty of spectacular views and hiking opportunities along the way. You could easily stretch this drive into a multiday trip.

Length: 303.8 miles
Time: 8+ hours
Great for: Families, couples and campers

Konoplytska / iStock

12. Route 66: Eastern New Mexico

The Route 66 road trip is a staple of “Americana” culture and the subject of a particularly catchy tune from the 1940s. This massive highway stretches across two-thirds of the United States, so it’s not uncommon for folks to explore Route 66 bit by bit. The Eastern New Mexico stretch of Route 66 will take you from Albuquerque, New Mexico, the primary setting of AMC’s “Breaking Bad,” to Adrian, Texas — the “Midpoint of Route 66.”

Length: 118.7 miles
Time: 2+ hours
Great for: Americana fans, families and couples

Ultima_Gaina / iStock

13. Black Hills

Mount Rushmore, a scenic memorial that features four of the United States’ most famous presidents, is the center point of this Black Hills road trip. However, there are plenty more historic landmarks along the way, including the legendary gold rush town of Deadwood, South Dakota, and the Jewel Cave National Monument.

Length: 209 miles
Time: 5 hours
Great for: History buffs, families and campers

Sean Pavone / iStock

14. Utah's National Parks

Utah is adored for its delicious food scene and gorgeous natural landscapes. This scenic road trip of Utah's National Parks will let you get up close and personal with some of the most beautiful sights in Utah. Throughout the 1,050-mile voyage, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in Utah’s world-famous natural scenery. You’ll also be able to sample local delicacies from venues like the Sunset Grill in Moab, Utah.

Length: 1,049.3 miles
Time: 19+ hours
Great for: Outdoor adventurers and naturalists

Halbergman / E+

15. Cape Cod

This 174-mile road trip through Cape Cod highlights Boston’s natural beauty and historic significance. During this drive, you’ll encounter a touching monument to John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States. You may also get a chance to admire humpback whales if you visit during whale-watching season, which normally runs from mid-April to October.

Length: 173.7 miles
Time: 6+ hours
Great for: Fishing fans, beachgoers, and whale watchers

 Jon Farmer / iStock

16. Big Sky Country

The term “Big Sky Country” refers to the parts of the U.S. that still largely consist of untouched natural land. This This 425-mile scenic road trip will take you through portions of Montana and Wyoming. Highlights include visits to the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

Length: 425.4 miles
Time: 8+ hours
Great for: Campers, astronomy fans, and naturalists

Crystal Bolin Photography / E+

17. South Florida

Folks have called Florida the Sunshine State since before the 1970s — and for good reason. This popular vacation destination is brimming with sandy beaches and tropical weather. AAA’s 421-mile route through South Florida hits major destinations like Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach. Along the way, you might even see herds of deer or congregations of alligators.

Length: 421.1 miles
Time: 10+ hours
Great for: Wildlife watchers, beachgoers, couples and families

MariuszBlach / iStock

18. San Francisco to Lake Tahoe to Reno

California and Nevada feature a bevy of breathtaking sights and sounds. AAA’s 486-mile route from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe to Reno provides plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in natural experiences near Lake Tahoe — and enjoy some of Reno’s most impressive resorts, like the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino.

Length: 486.3 miles
Time: 9+ hours
Great for: Museum fans, kayakers and hikers

Through the Grapevine

– by Betsy Ross

Imagine that you’re walking along the street in Florence, Italy, and you see a tiny arched wooden door, a little lower than eye level, perhaps with a bell hanging next to it. It looks like a glorified pet door or, from speakeasy days, the kind of door you’d say, “Joe sent me,” when someone inside slides it open.

That, my friends, is a wine window. And it is what it says—you get wine from it.

If you’re a devotee of Stanley Tucci’s old CNN show, “Searching for Italy,”  you know about the wine windows:  Cozy little nooks where you can stop by on your walking tours of the area and purchase a glass of wine to go. Thanks to Mr. Tucci, and the COVID pandemic, they’re seeing a revival as a neighborhood stop and a tourist draw.

First, some history: Wine windows are most prevalent in the city of Florence (around 150 of them) and another 100 are found scattered around towns in Tuscany. They were built out of convenience, then used out of necessity in the 16th century. The convenience was a decree that allowed families that produced wine to sell wine directly to the public without taxes, regulations, etc. The necessity came in 1630 when an outbreak of the plague prevented gathering in restaurants and cafes—wine windows were a socially distanced way to still enjoy a glass.

The windows fell out of favor in the late 20th century but became popular again in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic and now are enjoying a second act as a tourist stop. Some are on main streets, some are in alleyways, some advertise, some are secret little hideaways. But all have basically the same routine—you knock on the door or ring the bell, a disembodied hand slides it open, (think “Thing” from The Addams Family) and you place your order-there might be a drink menu posted outside, there might not. 

You hand over your money or credit card, the door slides closed, then a minute later, two drinks appear in to-go plastic glasses. Easy! 

So how do you find Italy’s wine windows? Several travel sites and bloggers have information on where to find them, including Devour Tours, Buchette del Vino and Solo Sophie. Or, do what we did: Google “wine windows near me” and we found one around the corner from our hotel in Florence’s city center, a five-minute walk away.

The wine window is a unique feature that just adds to the charm and history of the city of Florence. So while you’re walking past Dante’s birthplace or the House of Medici on your way to check out Michaelangelo’s David, you just might find an inviting arched window with a bell outside. Make a quick stop and take in another feature of Florence’s storied past.

Irish Exit

– Betsy Ross

Those of you who have visited Ireland know that it’s hard to take in all the sights around the Emerald Isle in just a few days. While the Cliffs of Moher, Donegal and yes, Blarney Castle are popular stops, this review concentrates on the city of Dublin. Yes, it can be experienced in a long weekend, but planning your stops ahead of time is the key—especially if it’s a busy tourist weekend, as it was when we visited for the Notre Dame-Navy football game.

At Aviva Stadium

Aviva Stadium is the newest of the two major Dublin city stadiums. It is home to both the Irish rugby and soccer national teams.

Notre Dame band

The Band of the Fighting Irish entertains fans before the Notre Dame-Navy game in August. This game was originally to be played during the 2020 football season, but was canceled because of COVID restrictions.

Entertainment at Guinness

The Guinness tour not only includes the history of brewing, but also the history of Irish music and dancing, as demonstrated in the Guinness Storehouse lobby.

Guinness "Stoutie"

You’ve always wanted your face on a beer, right? Well, you can have it during the Guinness Storehouse tour. Takes less than a minute from photo to foam.

The Seafood Bar

Dame Street and the Temple Bar areas are where you want to stop for food and drink. Our best meal by far of the trip was The Seafood Bar just off Dame Street. Freshest seafood we found.

Photo: allthefood.ie

Molly Malone

Good luck will find you if you “touch” Molly Malone’s statue just off Grafton Street.

Jameson tasting

Jameson Irish Whiskey tours include tastings and offer specially distilled whiskeys that you can’t purchase anywhere other than the distillery.”

Dublin Street signs

One thing you’ll notice right away, from the airport to the street signs to transit directions. Public notices are in both Gaelic and English. It’s been this way since the early days of Irish independence in the 1920s. Irish Gaelic is the first official language of Ireland, with English the second.

Transit tickets

Dublin does transit right. You can get just about anywhere you want to go by train, streetcar or bus. To be a pure tourist and see the sights quickly, get a hop-on-hop-off bus ticket. There are a couple of services that will take you past the city’s landmarks in less than two hours.”

First, props to the city of Dublin for its preparations before the game. Several of the tour guides mentioned that the city always adds extra buses, extra trolly cars and extra train cars whenever a special event is scheduled for the city. Locals were as friendly and gracious as could be, and made the trip extra enjoyable. The hospitality industry there knows how to greet guests, and did a wonderful job.

Now, to the city of Dublin itself. Sometimes you have to sit back and remember that the world is a lot older than America—centuries older, to be exact. Dublin can date itself back to the 9th century when the Vikings had a settlement known as Dyflin, from which the name Dublin is derived (according to Fords and Black Pools-History of Dublin-Dublin History and Heritage).  Indeed, the history of the city is everywhere, from its castles to cobblestones to ancient buildings and bridges.

If you have a long weekend and want to see as much as you can, do the tourist thing and dive into public transportation. Leap Visitor cards are a great way to use the train, trolly or bus at a discount price. You can choose from several options: 1 day (24 hours) – €8.00. 3 days (72 hours) – €16.00. 7 days (168 hours) – €32.00. It’s worth every penny, and makes it to easy to navigate traffic. Learn more and buy your Leap card on line here.

Also, invest in a sightseeing bus card. There are several options, including Big Bus Dublin and DoDublin, which is the one we used. A 48-hour bus tour ticket is €35.00 for adults and children under 15 travel free with each adult. Our bus allowed us to get to areas like Trinity College and Guinness for minimal cost, and we could catch the next bus with only a short wait. You can find DoDublin info and purchase information here.

One thing you’ll notice right away—street signs are in English and in Gaelic, as well as verbal notifications on buses and trains. Directions are still very clear and it shouldn’t cause any confusion. It’s more quaint than confusing.

Some quick stops you should plan on making: The aforementioned Trinity College is the oldest university in Ireland, founded in 1592. It is home to the 9th century manuscript, the Book of Kells, containing a handwritten copy of the four gospels of the New Testament. Also on campus is the Brian Boru Harp, Ireland’s old surviving harp. Especially on busy weekends, reservations and tickets in advance are a must to take the Trinity College tours. You can book your tickets here. As an extra bonus, across the street is a line of quaint shops (not all of them touristy) where you can shop for gifts and for yourself. After all, what’s a trip to Ireland without a sweater?

Another stop on the bus tour is the Guinness Storehouse, where Guinness is brewed and shipped around the world. The Storehouse is a tourist attraction all to itself, with seven floors of things to see and do, including a bar area on the roof that offers 360° panoramic views of all of Dublin. You can have a bite to eat on the restaurant level, take the tour, learn how to pour like an expert at the Guinness Academy, get a “stoutie” of your face on the top of a Guinness, and more. Again, on busy weekends, reservations are required and can be purchased (and upgraded) on line:

If another type of brown liquid is your preference, the Jameson Distillery on Bow Street offers tours, tastings and more. Not quite as extensive as the Guinness facility, the Jameson Distillery nevertheless is an education in the art of Irish whiskey with classes on cocktail making and whiskey blending. In addition, special edition bottles are offered for sale here that are not available anywhere else. You can purchase tickets here:

While you’re wandering downtown, the Temple Bar is a must-do. It’s not a singular bar, but a riverside neighborhood with a number of restaurants and traditional pubs. Just south is Dame Street, with shops and watering holes. Barnados Square in front of Dublin Castle is along this street, and it’s a short five minute walk to Grafton Street, with more shopping.

Restaurant fare can be fish and chips or fancier, but the best place by far we found was just off Dame Street at a tiny corner establishment called The Seafood Bar. Limited seating inside and out, but it is worth it to sample the freshest seafood we found in Dublin. Reasonably priced, service outstanding, it’s worth stopping by after an afternoon of shopping. Information and a review are here:

As long as you’re wandering, Suffolk Street is close to Grafton Street and features the statue of Molly Malone (which originally was on Grafton before it was moved, repaired and reinstalled). Molly (by the way, no evidence that she was a real person) was revered in the song, “Cockles and Mussels,” as a young fishmonger with her cart of seafood. Lore has it that she died at a young age of the “fever” but her ghost still walks the streets with her cart. It’s said to be good luck to rub the statue, which would explain her shiny bosom…

Of course, we were there for the American football game between Notre Dame and Navy, held at the 13-year-old Aviva Stadium, the site of soccer, rugby, concerts and more. And, oh yes, Taylor Swift, on June 28th and 29th. The stadium holds 51,000 for American football, about 40,000 of which were Notre Dame fans. Great venue, terrific sight lines and the hospitality staff could not have been more gracious. A train stop literally just outside the gates made getting there and getting back simple. One thing I noticed—we did not have to pass through metal detectors to get in. Is there detection system so sophisticated that they can screen without those obtrusive metal gateways? Perhaps so.

A quick in-quick out tour of Dublin was certainly worth the jet lag, but most the fans we talked to make it a week-or longer-journey. To see the countryside, you’ll need more time, but to experience Dublin city, a weekend was a great sample of everything the city and country have to offer.

In Commmand

Away Game: Washington D.C.

Bengals v. Commanders

Saturday, August 26, 6:05 p.m.
FedEx Field
1600 Fedex Way, North Englewood, MD

From CVG, Allegiant, American and Delta have direct flights to D.C. Southwest flies to Baltimore, which is a 38-minute train ride from D.C.

Washington, D.C. is about an 8-hour drive from Cincinnati.

Sometimes American football ends in a tie, which we were all reminded of last weekend. The Bengals hit the road again this week look for a W, heading to Washington D.C. to face the Commanders.

Making the trip? We’ll make sure you’ve a place to stay, some downtime activities, and even a Cincinnati-friendly sports bar!

Diehard fan

You want to be close to the action, not sitting in traffic. The Courtyard Largo Capital Beltway Hotel is right across from FedEx Field. The Courtyard has three room options which all include wifi and access to the indoor pool and fitness center. Staying here will make the rest of your trip easy so you won’t even have to worry about grabbing an Uber on game day,

If you’re looking for a laid back sports bar in D.C., head to Looney's Pub – College Park. About a 20-minute drive from the stadium area, it’s completely worth the drive. This unassuming sports bar looks quaint, but their food and cocktail menus will impress you. Looney’s has 18 rotating beers on draft and TONS of craft cocktails, shots, crushes, and wine, Don’t miss the crab pretzel (an interesting but must-try combo!) and their one-of-a-kind honey Old Bay wings. This hidden gem has tons of TVs and late hours so you can stop in after the game, have a beer, and get some delicious food.

Washington D.C. does not disappoint when it comes to sightseeing. Everyone knows there’s nothing more American than football, so why not learn some more about our beautiful country? The Smithsonian National Museum of American History is a great option for a weekend trip. Admission is free and you can even improve your football knowledge. The museum has football memorabilia dating all the way back to 1880 including a vintage Bengals pennant, the football used in Super Bowl XIV, the helmet worn by Ohio State player Archie Griffin, and so much more.

On The Bandwagon

Even if you aren’t fully committed to your Bengals fandom just yet, a trip to D.C. is hard to pass up. You can still have catch the game and enjoy all options for you to have the best trip in D.C., while also catching a great game of football.

Stay close to the action and close to the sights of D.C. at The George Hotel by Kimpton. The George offers Keurigs in every room, a 24-hour fitness center, a nightly hosted wine hour, and the. French-inspired Bistro Bis.

If the sightseeing has you hungry, make a stop at Clyde's of Georgetown. With a menu that ranges from classic bar food – burgers and nachos – to upscale options such as a raw bar and filets, Clyde’s is a step above your typical sports bar. Close to The George, Clyde’s also has a fantastic happy hour and live music.

If you’re looking for a place to spend a relaxing afternoon, look no further than the United States Botanic Garden. Admission is free and the experience is priceless. Several different gardens spread across the property including a rose garden, pollinator garden, and a kitchen garden. In the Children’s Garden, young visitors can dig, climb, and play. It’s a great spot to re-charge the rest of your D.C. adventure.

Along for the Ride

If you’re looking for an excuse to take a trip to Washington D.C., adding a Bengals game to the mix certainly adds an element of fun.

If you are looking for an unforgettable stay in D.C., the Gaylord by Marriott is ideal. The dining options include a steakhouse, an interactive sports bar with miniature bowling, a cafe, an 80s-themed rooftop bar with specialty cocktails and retro vibes, and a lobby bar that serves fantastic drinks and stunning views. Need a break? Experience the ultimate relaxation experience at the Relâche Spa.

The Gaylord has an indoor Olympic-size pool made for fitness enthusiasts and energetic kiddos. Their 24-hour fitness center is stocked with cardio equipment, free weights, and exercise bikes. The Gaylord is also right in the heart of D.C. action.

If the walking, swimming, and weekend activities have you hungry, head to Il Canale. This restaurant has over 2,500 5-star reviews on Yelp, and for good reason. Their authentic Italian food will have your mouth watering and won’t break the bank.

Il Canale is known for their delicious pizzas, pastas, and tiramisu. Their menu is huge and includes gluten-free options and kids meals, so there will be something for everyone in your party. They also have a drink menu with a large selection of wines and cocktails. Having trouble deciding what to order because everything looks so delicious? The lobster ravioli (holy yum!) and the La Regina Pizza – tomato sauce, imported mozzarella, fresh prosciutto, ricotta cheese, parmesan, olive oil and basil – are two of their top-rated options. (If you say your mouth isn’t watering right now, you’re lying.)

Sure, D.C. does have lots of great monuments and historic buildings to see, but if you’re looking for something a less touristy, check out the FreshFarm Market in DuPont Circle. This amazing farmer’s market is located in one of the most historic neighborhoods in D.C. and offers wonderful views as well as a great experience. The Sunday market, open from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., offers fresh produce, delicious pastries, fresh eggs, yummy sandwiches, handmade dumplings, seasonal soaps, local beers, live music, and (drumroll please) free samples! This market brings in more than 50 different weekly vendors.

A visit to D.C. is always a great idea. Pair the trip with a Bengals game is a win-win!

– by Marley Smith

Moving the Goal Posts

Away Game: Atlanta

Bengals v. Falcons

Friday, August 18, 7:30 p.m.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 

Direct flights from CVG with Frontier and Delta.

Atlanta is about a seven-hour driver from the Cincinnati area.

If the Bengals first pre-season game has you ready for more football, maybe you should consider a road trip this weekend!

The Bengals head to Atlanta for a Friday night game against the Falcons, and there’s no reason you can’t join them.

Whether you’re a face-painting fanatic or just looking for a little getaway, we’ve got a breakdown of where to stay, where to eat, and what to do to make your trip a little more fun, no matter your level of Bengals-commitment.

Diehard fans

Can we get a WHO DEY from the Bengals faithful! If you don’t want to miss a second of this season, including the pre-season, stay close to the action.

The Reverb by Hard Rock Downtown Atlanta is next to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Among the room choices are Roadie Rooms, with space for the crew, including three queen bunk beds and with two bathrooms stocked with Malin & Goetz products. The rooms include a separate lounge with plenty of seating, a giant TV and even a karaoke system. The RT60 rooftop bar overlooks the city, with a skyline view and great music. 

Looking for other fans? STATS Brewpub is considered “Atlanta’s ultimate sports bar,” and is just a mile from the stadium. You’ll find creative cocktails and plenty of craft beer. The Dirty Bird (crispy chicken, vinegar slaw, and spicy mayo on a toasted brioche bun) and BBQ Brisket Burger will fuel you up for game time, and beyond.

If you have the time, don’t miss the College Football Hall of Fame. It’s must-do for football fans. Along with more than 50 engaging and interactive exhibits, a 45-yard indoor football field, and a celebration of the greatest player and coaches, the current special exhibit The Art of College Football features portraits and action scenes of Hall of Fame coaches and players including Bear Bryant, Bob Devaney, Johnny Rodgers, Archie Griffin, and Danny Wuerffel.

On the Bandwagon

Just getting into the action as a Bengals fan? You don’t want to miss this Atlanta preseason game and we have all the spots you need to check out.

The Glenn Hotel is only a mile from the action at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with plenty of great amenities. With three different dining spots, including a stunning rooftop lounge, you’ll have lots of ways to enjoy your trip off the field.

If you’re looking for a great meal but want to keep that sports bar feel, head to Hudson Grille. Keep it casual with burgers, wings, and nachos, or step it up with steak, shrimp, jambalaya, or salmon. They have a HUGE draft selection as well as craft cocktails. With plenty of TVs and an The outdoor seating area, you won’t miss any of the game action.

If you're in the mood for shopping on your mini vacay, stop by Phipps Plaza. Known for its luxury stores – Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Prada, Versace – and great dining options, it’s a shopping experience you won’t forget.

Along for the Ride

Tagging along with more serious fans? Don’t worry, there's plenty of hidden Atlanta gems for you to try while the fans are at the stadium!

With six different room options, the Hotel Clermont lets you customize your stay. The hotel also offers four onsite dining including a rooftop option with stunning skyline views.

Need an idea for a fun night out in ATL? Head to Wild Leap Brewery. With 17 beers on tap, vodka and bourbon-based cocktails, and spiked slushes, this modern brewery has been a hit since its opened in 2017. Wild Leap welcomes guests of all ages so your whole crew can enjoy a casual night out.

If you only make one stop to eat in Atlanta, though, make it Busy Bee Cafe. Described as “Essential Atlanta Dining” on Tripadvisor, Busy Bee Cafe has some of the best soul food in the United States. They have been serving up delicious fried chicken, candied yams, mac and cheese, and lots more for over 70 years. It’s always busy, so try to make reservations and be prepared to wait a bit – it will be worth it!

Need a little down time? With more than 18,000 works of art, the High Museum of Art is a great daytime excursion, but also hosts programs every Friday night. The third Friday of the month (which falls on the weekend of the Bengals game) is Jazz Night. See two bands play, with cocktails and appetizers are served throughout the evening.

No matter if you’re going to the game or are just to spend some time with your friends, everyone’s a winner with a trip to ATL.

– by Marley Smith

Ready to Roll

Whether it’s visiting grads, celebrating dads or getting out of town for a vacation, summer travel season is here. If you're taking your car on that trip, a couple of quick checks can save drivers time, money, and stress.

Auto experts from Tire Discounters have Summer Travel Guide to help you before you hit the road!

---

Find out more at your local Tire Discounters!

Two(ish) days in LA

If the January cold and gray has you longing for warm breezes and sunshine and a weekend in the City of Angels is just what you need.

Check out what our (somewhat) experienced tour guide discovered to make sure you have a blockbuster break.

In-N-Out burger.

An absolute can’t miss is In-N-Out burger. Expect long lines but exceptional service and, obviously, delicious burgers.

Worth the Hype

Order the “Double Double, Protein & Animal style.”

on the beach

Tuna “sliced as you order” & served atop sliced avocado

Yep. That’s the only way we’ll eat it now. With a “Pier 19” Paloma on the side.

We stayed in Hermosa Beach and loved it. Walk the pier, drink/dine at any of the wonderful restaurants or bars, shop the cutest stores, or sit on the beach relax.

hit the road

Oh, baby, fly away to Malibu

Rent a car, drive up the coast through Malibu to Santa Barbara. Enjoy the views, food and sightseeing.

Rent a car and drive the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) up or down the coast. We drove north a few hours to Santa Barbara. It.was.lovely.

studio magic

Head into Downtown LA and explore. But pack your patience –Traffic nightmares are very real. Instead of sitting in traffic, head over to Burbank and Warner Brother’s Studios for the backlot tour.

Did (or do) you watch Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Charmed, Gilmore Girls, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or ER?

You’ll see where memorable scenes were filmed and more!

We had a blast. There were shows filming while we were there!

Best view in town

Outsmart the crowds and get there a few hours before sunset.

admire the view

Visit Griffith Observatory! Another traffic heads up…Get there a few hours before sunset to soak in everything Griffith Observatory has to offer. A plus? You won’t sit in traffic and have to hike a couple miles up the canyon like we did. But that view is worth it.

We packed a lot into two days! Great food, sightseeing and passing out in the comfiest hotel bed after a busy day – Isn’t that what vacations are all about?

– Lauren Artino

Where Are You?

This time of year many families face the same predicament: It’s winter. It's cold. Kids are bored. But the perfect solution is one quick car trip away.  

If You Go

Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
3000 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis encourages advance tickets.  Buy them here.
(Save up to 20% by purchasing two weeks or more in advance.)

Billed as the biggest and best children’s museum, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis doesn't disappoint. And the best part: it’s great for kids of all ages. 

When a friend mandated that I visit with my kids, I thought, “But they’re not exactly kids anymore.” At 17 and 16, I figured they were long past being interested in that sort of thing. 

I was dead wrong. 

In fact, once my older daughter learned about the Scooby Doo Mansion Mayhem exhibit, she knew exactly how she wanted to spend her birthday. Inside a spooky mansion, we joined other “meddling kids” to solve the mystery of a jewel-stealing ghost hiding from police. If you want in on the action, act fast: the exhibit closes Jan. 22. 

But even after it’s gone, there is plenty to do and see. Our family loved the Dale Chihuly exhibit, Fireworks of Glass, which is best viewed from a prone position, they say. The centerpiece, though, is the blown glass tower that can be seen from every floor of the museum. It's one of Chihuly’s largest permanent sculptures, with more than 3,200 pieces of blown glass. 

Kids (and adults) who love space will find their fill here. In Beyond Spaceship Earth, you can step into a replica of the International Space Station, try on astronaut gear and perform experiments. Space history buffs can see astronaut artifacts and learn more about the men and women who’ve entered the world of space exploration. 

An area where our family spent a great deal of time was the exhibit The Power of Children. Each vignette shows a peak onto the lives of four extraordinary 20th century children—Anne Frank, Ruby Bridges, Ryan White and Malala Yousafzai.  

Elsewhere in the museum, take a trip to modern-day Greece, explore the tombs of ancient Egypt and the wonders of the sea. The museum’s most popular exhibit is Dinosphere®, which opened in 2004. It, like so many of the exhibits here, finds a way to captivate kids of all ages. 

Mom and dad will enjoy the trip down memory lane in the exhibit American POP. Music, fashion, toys and TV shows all take the spotlight as pop culture is put under the microscope. Kids, too, get a glimpse into the toys and music of years gone by, from Donald Duck to One Direction. 

Sit inside an Indy car, check out miniatures, ride a carousel and go on a train adventure – there is something for everyone at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. 

– Kathrine Nero

Over the River

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, American roads and airports saw record travel. As we roll into December, travel to see friends and family is sure to keep up that pace.

Whether you are driving or flying, planning ahead is the best way to avoid hassles – and potential meltdowns for all ages – this sometimes stressful season.

Since the travel season can be fraught with twists and turn, Kara Hitchens, the manager of public and government affairs for AAA Cincinnati, Miami Valley & Northwest Ohio, offers their recommendations for safe and fun trips.

Holiday Prep for Travelers

• Schedule a vehicle maintenance inspection completed before taking off if traveling by car.

• Download the AAA app to help find the cheapest gas prices along the road.

• Set up music playlists and GPS before taking off to avoid distractions.

• Make sure your AAA membership is up to date. Roadside Assistance crews will be out in full force to rescue any stranded drivers.

• If flying, download your airline’s app to be sure you are immediately notified of any changes to the schedule.

• Pack your identification and any medical and insurance items in an easily accessible spot whether inside your carry-on bag of pocket. Do not pack them in your luggage.

Going a beyond a roadtrip?

Mindy Kershner, senior manager of communications & community affairs at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, offers advice for air travel – whether you going to the family homestead or jetting off for a holiday getaway!

Before you even pack your suitcase, Kershner recommends you make sure you’re technology is up-to-date.

“Download your airline’s app to get real-time notifications sent directly to your phone,” says Kershner. “That way you’ll be alerted to any flight status changes. You can also check-in and download your boarding pass easily within the app.”

Kershner also suggests allowing yourself ample time. If you are traveling internationally, it’s best to arrive three hours before for your flights. For domestic flights, two hours is still the best plan.

For other details, head to www.cvgairport.com. At CVG’s website, you’ll find information on parking, security wait times, along with shopping and concessions, which can also work as great last-minute gifts! (Graeter’s, anyone?)

Mom's Favorite

It was my mother’s favorite painting.

Every time she visited me on the job as director of marketing at the Cincinnati Art Museum, she would ask to stop by and pay a visit to the van Gogh. I gladly showed her the way through the Great Hall up the grand staircase to the European galleries, where a crowd usually stood by the painting.

As I was reading the Wall Street Journal last Thursday, there it was, a picture above the fold of the beloved painting from the CAM’s collection, “Undergrowth with Two Figures” (1890) by Vincent van Gogh. The prized painting entered the storied Cincinnati collection in 1967, a bequest of Mary E. Johnston in the year of her passing along with 30 other paintings by famous names: Picasso, Matisse, among others.  

Per the article, “Undergrowth with Two Figures” is one of the star attractions in the new exhibition at the Detroit Institute of Arts titled “Van Gogh in America” on view through Jan. 22, 2023. The painting is in the Queen City’s collection thanks to Miss Mary Johnston (1890-1967), the niece by marriage of William Cooper Procter, who served as president of The Procter & Gamble Company. According to a Cincinnati Enquirer report, Miss Johnston (as she was known) was treated like a daughter by the Procters, as they had no children of their own. They taught her the value of giving. As their heir, she ensured their fortune benefitted the Episcopal Church and other causes such as Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Art Museum, and Society of the Transfiguration.

Mary Johnson

Miss Johnston was active in the Episcopal Church at every level, including campaigning for construction of the National Cathedral in Washington. For Christ Church in Glendale, she underwrote an addition with offices, classrooms and a chapel designed by local architect Woodie Garber (demolished). Besides the church, Miss Johnston’s interests included nursing, education, agriculture and art. She was a missionary in the Philippines, served as a battlefield nurse in World War II, studied under the innovative educator Maria Montessori in Rome, and operated a farm.

Among her greatest gifts was Procter Hall at the UC College of Nursing. A talented artist, Miss Johnston gave a collection of 30+ paintings valued at $2 million to the Cincinnati Art Museum in 1967, a value now that has increased by many zeros. The significant gift to the CAM was reported nationally at the time with a feature in The New York Times.

Thanks to Miss Mary E. Johnston for her largess to the Cincinnati Art Museum and thanks to Cincinnati Art Museum for giving me these fond memories with Ms. Pat Reau.

I think it’s time for a road trip up I-75 to see the van Gogh exhibition at the DIA.

– Jackie Reau

C'est Si Bon

Paris! The name immediately conjures images of stunning monuments, like the opening montage of an Audrey Hepburn film – the Eiffel Tower, the Arch de Triomphe, Notre Dame!

But as you walk through the streets of the city you start to see the smaller yet no less significant reminders of the city’s history.

Small white plaques, just above eye-level on many buildings, are almost unnoticeable. But during the final week of August, bouquets of flowers with a red, white, and blue ribbon bearing the insignia of the mayor of Paris draw your attention. These plaques mark the locations where French resistance fighters during WWII fought and died during the Liberation of Paris.

Amid the plaques and cobble stones and old bridges, history is everywhere. As residents and tourists walk through the streets to work, the Metro, or a café, the past is present. The flowers on the buildings, the cranes at Notre Dame, and the bouquinistes selling their wares along the Seine reinforce that sense, simultaneously existing in a 21st century metropolis settled by the Celts in 259 BCE. Taken together, these all exemplify the city’s motto “Fluctuat nec mergitur” (“[She] is tossed [by the waves], but does not sink.”). While Paris has rightly staked her claim as the capital of fashion, food, art, and romance, it should also be thought of as the capital of resilience.

In early August, Delta brought back the nonstop flight from CVG to CDG. No need to rush through the airport or scramble for connections with this flight. And with a Fifth Third Bank close to the gate you can easily exchange money. Then relax, have a drink, and wait for your flight – Which is the pace my husband and I took for this trip.

Some people can sleep on long flights. I am not one of those people. I struck up a conversation with my seatmate, a sister from Saint Paul Cristo Rey who was traveling to Paris and then to Nairobi. I hadn’t even landed in France and already my horizons were expanding!

The flight from CVG arrives around 8 a.m. After customs, much of which is now automated, and baggage pick-up, we were on way to the RER train and into the city around 9 a.m.

The RER ticket at 11.40€ is the cheapest, quickest, and most direct way into Paris. We were staying at the Hotel Fontaines Du Luxembourg (in the Sixth Arrondissement) – the RER stop at the Luxembourg Gardens was about a five minute walk from the hotel.

The first day in Paris is always filled with PLANS. Go here, do this, eat that. But the actual first say is a weird state between asleep and awake – buzzingly aware that it’s the middle of the night back home but excited that it’s mid-morning in France. You’re hungry, but don’t know for which meal.

Though Paris is a big city, the river makes navigation simple and the Metro makes getting around easy. The impulse may be to do all the things, but be aware of what you’re sacrificing. My advice is to have one thing you want to do, then leave time and space to enjoy the city. The French, after all, have a word (flâneur) to describes one who strolls idly though a city, taking in the experiences.

Since we arrived on a Wednesday, our hotel room was ready early, so we were able to check in and get settled almost right away. This quiet first day would culminate in a scenic boat ride on the Seine, which is something I’ve wanted to do since I was 15 and learning French in Sr. Madeleine’s class.

Mon cherie, it was not to be!

Not the boat I wasn’t on.

We got to the embarkation spot 20 minutes before the scheduled departure. Since we hadn’t had dinner (or maybe it was lunch) we stopped at the Franprix and bought a baguette, two pears, and a mini-goat cheese assortment set. We tore into the bread with our bare hands, stuffing the cheese into the soft pockets owe had torn off, and greedily eating during our impromptu picnic.

We were soon joined by a family from Manhattan – grandfather (Gaga), father, and son who were making their third, second, and first trip to Paris, respectively. Gaga’s first visit was in 1955. “Ten years after the War, so much energy, but people who knew very bad times.” So, on the banks of the Seine, in the shadow of the Notre Dame I talked about The Big Red Machine with a Mets fan. Then the delightful young Irish couple arrived, equally confused about where the boat was, but instantly adding to the fun.

Eventually a boat from the company came by and the captain gestured we had to catch the boat at the Eiffel Tower, which was nowhere near where we were. The lesson, if any, is to check your email for ticket information on you travel day, no matter how tired you are. However, had we done that, we might have gone on a boat ride but we’d have one less story to tell.

LIBERTÉ, ÉGALITÉ, FRATERNITÉ

The story told by the plaques throughout the city now has a proper home. The Museum of the Liberation of Paris opened in 2019 on the 75th anniversary, housed in a bunker above the Montparnasse train station where the Resistance ran their efforts lead by Col. Rol-Tanguy.

Admission to the museum is free, but the mixed reality tour of bunker (in your choice of language!) is an additional cost. Tours of the command post are every 30 minutes. Located twenty meters underground, you descend 100 steps wearing your VR goggles, as you take on the role of a journalist for a French newspaper. Once there you, interview leaders, review maps and objects, and witness the Resistance’s efforts.

The museum also includes artifacts and photos about the lives of General Leclerc, Free-French leader, and Jean Moulin, first President of the National Council of the Resistance, along with a timeline of the Resistance efforts. The newsreel footage of Charles de Gaulle marching into Paris with the Free-French army feels a bit like watching footage of Washington crossing the Delaware.

The temporary exhibition Women War Photographers, covering 75 years of international conflicts from 1936 to 2011, creating a bridge between Lee Miller’s work in WWII to Carolyn Cole’s images from Afghanistan.

Genco!

The museum’s setting in Montparnasse means it is surrounded by lively restaurants and vibrant markets. Be sure to look for “service continu” as many places close from 2 to 7 p.m., which means amazing restaurant isn’t open at 3 p.m. when you’re hungry. We found Café Daguerre for drinks and a late lunch, with a lively terrasse. At one point, my husband instinctively moved his hand down to pet a dog who walked by our table.

A few minutes later the dog, and a woman, returned and asked “Are you French? You were so kind to my dog before…” She was gesturing with the leash and we are all but taking it from her. Though she didn’t need to, she explained she had to run into a nearby store but she couldn’t take her dog in, so would we watch him.

As she walked away, we asked his name – He was Genco. We offered him some water and he waited patiently for his owner’s return.

SHOCKING

Of course, art museums are always on the agenda in Paris. I must confess that I didn’t go to the Louvre, though I did visit the Musee des Arts Décoratifs which is in the Louvre complex. You can enjoy walking through the courtyard, past the Pyramid, and onto the Rue de Rivoli to enter the MAD.

On view through Jan. 23, Shocking! is a retrospective of the work of Elsa Schiaparelli, a designer celebrated for her surrealism-inspired accessories, clothes, and more. The exhibition has been lauded in Vogue and The New York Times and includes costumes, accessories, jewelry, perfumes, drawings, paintings and sculptures. It is a walk through fashion, art, and French history, touching on her collaborations with Salvador Dali, Jean Cocteau and Man Ray and juxtaposing her innovative designs with those of the fashion house’s current creative director Daniel Roseberry.

After our unsuccessful boat ride on our first night in Paris, we decided to give it another try. This time it worked! On a whim we stopped by the Paris Seine kiosk and they had availability for the Maxim’s dinner cruise. The three-course dinner also featured live music and attentive service. Though we didn’t get the history and commentary so often offered on these cruise, we did have wine and chocolate.

NOTHING SACRED

A trip to Paris isn’t complete without a visit to at least one church. One of the most famous, and photographed, churches is Sacré Coeur in Montmartre. In contrast to the many Gothic cathedrals in the city, Sacré Coeur is in a Roman-Byzantine style, built between 1875 and 1919.

You can tour the church itself, walking along the church’s outer aisle to see the altars and chapels dedicated to the saints. Occasionally a priest reminds the crowd to be quiet, as they are in a church after all.

Sacré Coeur is perhaps most famous for its steps (296!) that take you to top of the building, with incredible panoramic views of Paris. If those who built the church wanted to reinforce the idea of man’s place in the world,

Montmartre offers remarkable contrast – one of the Metro stops for Montmartre is at Pigalle, the city’s former red-light district. Some of the history remains in the shops in the area and the Moulin Rouge, but it is mostly a busy, if not entirely picturesque, commercial district.

IT’S ACADEMIE

One of my favorite activities on vacation is laundry! Even laundry is magical in Paris. Because in Paris, you can have lunch and walk through the Luxembourg Gardens while you’re doing laundry.

Keeping in the spirit of the flâneur, it’s good to spend a day wandering around Paris. I walked through a few of the covered passages. These arcades with glass roofs, built in the 19th century, are now home to shops, cafes, and even classrooms. Some 20 covered passages remain on the Right Bank each with their own charm.

The gardens of the Palais-Royal are also a perfect spot for a walk and people watching. On a Sunday afternoon, the gardens were full of people and dogs enjoy the late afternoon sun.

As I exited the gardens I heard music – LOUD MUSIC. I didn’t immediately know where the music was coming from. Certainly not the cafe on the corner, but as I continued to walk I came upon the plaza at the Académie de la Comédie-Française.

The plaza was filled with dancers! On a Sunday evening in Paris, couples were dancing while delighted onlookers enjoyed the scene. Perhaps you’ve seen this on Instagram, but in person it’s truly moving and absolutely breathtaking. It was an expression of pure joy in the midst of a cynical world.

Thousands of words over thousands of years have been written about Paris, from Julius Caesar to Julia Child. But for a city that has witnessed both the best and the worst of history, there is always more to say.

It turns, no matter the state of the world or your own state of mind, Audrey Hepburn was right. “Paris is always a good idea.”

–Tricia Suit

Is This Heaven?

If You Go

The drive isn’t terrible, a little over seven hours. Convenient flights go through Chicago through American Airlines from CVG to Dubuque and you’ll be there by early afternoon.

The widest choices for lodging are in Dubuque, although anywhere in the area is going to be about a 20-30 minute (or more) drive to the baseball site.

Once you’ve finished your visit, stop by downtown Dyersville and visit their antique shops, take a selfie in front of one of the downtown baseball murals, and drop in for lunch at the Textile Brewing Company, 146 2nd Street Northeast for craft beer and flatbreads.

The Field of Dreams movie site is free to visit, but they gratefully take donations to keep the place operating. You can stay overnight at the three-bedroom farmhouse (rates start at $500), reserve the Event Center barn and rent out the original baseball field for yourself, your family and friends ($150/hour).

Visit https://www.fieldofdreamsmoviesite.com/ for more information.

There may not be another movie location, not even the house in Cleveland from “A Christmas Story” or Connecticut’s “Mystic Pizza” that has captured tourists’ imagination quite like Dyersville, Iowa and “Field of Dreams.” The 1989 movie still resonates with baseball fans, especially those who remember playing ‘catch’ with a parent in the back yard.

Reds fans got a unique look at the location for the second MLB “Field of Dreams” game on August 11, when the Reds played the Cubs. While the Reds technically were the home team, Cubs blue was the dominant color-the Cubs have ties to Iowa through their Triple A affiliate, the Iowa Cubs, who play in Des Moines. And, with Chicago being a 3-4 hour drive, it was within easy reach of Cubbie fans.

First, some history: The Iowa Film Commission helped select the site of the “Field of Dreams” baseball diamond, about four miles outside of Dyersville, which itself is about 25 miles west of Dubuque. The movie was shot at the farm where the baseball diamond was constructed, along with Dubuque and nearby Galena, Illinois.

Where the major league baseball diamond is set up is about two football fields away from the farmhouse and original diamond used in the movie. The farmhouse usually is open for tours (it wasn’t during the MLB visit) and nearby barns are used for event centers and merchandise sales. By the way, the 2021 “Field of Dreams” game between the Yankees and White Sox brought in about 20,000 visitors for an 8,000 seat ballpark and had an economic impact of around $6 million.

For baseball fans and movie buffs, the visit is truly magical. Parents and their kids can spend the afternoon playing catch on the original movie field and walk through the cornfields that are still next door. (Fun Fact: The corn grown at the site is now used to brew booze. Drew Storen, a former Reds pitcher, is behind the Field of Dreams Whiskey Company. On the same day as the Reds-Cubs game, the company released its Triple Play canned cocktail of corn whiskey and Arnold Palmer mix, using distilled corn from the Field of Dreams site.)

You enter the area at the original movie site, just in front of the baseball diamond. To get to the MLB diamond, fans HAVE to walk through the cornfields-the walk featured cutouts of Reds and Cubs players, and music from the movie. Makes for endless photo-taking opportunities.

Unfortunately, there won’t be another chance to attend an MLB game there in the near future. In September 2021, baseball Hall of Famer Frank Thomas and his business partners purchased a controlling interest in Go the Distance, LLC., the movie site's ownership. The agreement calls for Thomas to serve as chief executive officer and former MLB general manager Dan Evans to be chief operating officer.

As part of their purchase, the ownership group announced an $80 million plan to expand the site, including nine new diamonds, a youth player dorm and a new hotel. In addition, Travel Dubuque and a new non-profit have floated plans to build a permanent MLB ballpark there (the site of the last two games is temporary). The ballpark would cost around $50 million and would also be used for concerts, summer ball, college tournaments and the like. With all of this, the movie site would remain intact but construction will keep MLB away for at least a year.

Ironically, that was the original plan for that area. Denise Stillman, her husband and son traveled to the movie site from their home in Oak Lawn, Illinois back in 2010 and after their visit, she had the idea to turn the area into a youth sports complex. She bought the land in 2012 and lobbied MLB to play a game there to promote the idea of a youth baseball complex. Unfortunately, Denise passed away in 2018 and didn’t get to see her own “Field of Dreams” come true. But everything she wanted to happen is indeed happening, from the MLB game to plans for the youth sports complex.

The site is the host of a number of special events, including Ghost Player games and, at the end of August, an American Cornhole Organization (ACO) three-day tournament. Cincinnati’s Frank Geers is behind the event, featuring an open-to-anyone competition as well as an invite-only tournament for the ACO’s top 40 players. Find out more at https://americancornhole.com/field-of-dreams/.   

 – Betsy Ross

Purple Reign

If You Go

Sunshine Acres Lavender Farm
2471 Moore Saur Rd
​Morrow, OH
www.sunshineacreslavenderfarm.com.

Open Saturday, July 16, 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Sunday, July 17, 9 a.m.–8 p.m., and Sunday, July 24, 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Other days coming soon!

Wish you were frolicking in Provence right now? But instead, you're stuck at your desk, trying to finish that report that was due two days ago?

Well, take a deep breath and get ready to enjoy a bit of la belle jolie in your own backyard.

Sunshine Acres is a 40-minute drive from downtown Cincinnati in Morrow. The farm is open select days during the summer lavender season for U-Pick days and shopping.

When you pull in, you’ll notice yo’'re on a private drive. (The Clark family who owns and runs the farm lives on the property!).

Follow the signs to park and walk up to the barn.

Photos by Shae Combs

Inside the barn you'll find a gift shop with everything from lavender soaps and scrubs to lavender jewelry AND lavender coffee. (There’s fresh eggs too!) The kind and super helpful owners are there as well. 

They will explain the process for cutting your own lavender bunches ($10 each, scissors provided) and touring the perfectly petite farm. You can also pay for parking ($5).

Next, step outside the barn and into the field. It’s roughly the size of a football field and wheelchair accessible, with no stairs.

Make sure to say hello to the chickens, fainting goats, and the Clark family dog on your way there!

From there, frolic away! The Clarks tell us you’re welcome to take pictures, take a seat in the shade or buy a glass of “U–pick”(-the-price) lemonade from their kids’ lemonade stand. 

You can spend as little or as much time at the fields as you’d like. But heads up, this weekend and next are the last two scheduled dates for U–pick events. 

The Clarks tell us additional dates could be added, it just depends on the season.

– Lauren Artino

Driving Enthusiasm

AAA’s beloved TripTik has gone digital!

On the Road

Curious about gas prices on your trip? The AAA Gas Calculator will help you plan and budget for your trip.

Want to create a TripTik? Visit triptik.aaa.com to get started.

“You can look at the route, figure travel times, and see attractions along the way,” says Jamie Johnson, a retail manager with AAA, who runs two stores in the area. But now you can create the TripTik – a trip mapping plan – on your own.

Even though Wallethub chose Cincinnati as one of this year’s best summer travel destinations, that doesn’t mean we don’t still want to get out of town.

“We’re seeing people plan trips in the 5-hour timeframe,” Johnson says. “They’re staying close to home but still finding a lot to do.”

One perennial favorite is the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area.

Johnson notes that both Indianapolis, with its great zoo and children’s museum, and Columbus, home of COSI, are also popular spots this year.

“They are great ideas for family vacations, or even day trips,” says Johnson.

Of course, Western Michigan is another top spot.

“That west coast, from Ohio all the way up to Traverse City is just full of people from Cincinnati!” says Johnson.

Though nearby cities and Lake Michigan are a draw, they aren’t the only vacation options.

“People love parks,” says Johnson. “More people are going now to Hocking Hills in Ohio and Red River Gorge in Kentucky.”

Looking for something off the beaten path? Johnson mentions Madison, Ind. “It has a great park (Clifty Falls State Park) and fun downtown with restaurants, shops, and lots to do.”

No matter where you’re headed, AAA is reminding drivers to “slow down and move over,” for emergency vehicles and tow trucks. It is part of AAA’s effort to ensure the safety of service technicians, tow truck operators, and first responders who put their lives at risk each time they respond to a member’s call for help.

“Drive safely and have patience,” Johnson says. “You don’t have to be the first one there.”

It's Magic

There are only a handful of places where wearing sequined mouse ears and fanny packs while consuming daily Dole Whips is socially acceptable. Orlando’s Disney World is one of them.

Sign me up.

Also, we call fanny packs “belt bags” now, so they sound much cooler.

In case you’re hoping to squeeze in a late summer tip to the mouse’s house, let me give you a few pointers. I’m no Disney travel expert, but we’ve been enough times that I’d like to share some of what we’ve learned. 

Beating the heat

First, let’s talk about that heat.

People will ask you, “Why would you visit Florida in the summer?” It’s a valid point. But let me point out that most of the days were there in mid-June, it was hotter in Cincinnati than in Orlando.

But dealing with the heat there can be difficult.

You know the obvious: hats, light colors, sunscreen. But be careful: my younger daughter got sunscreen in her eye, prompting a visit to the Disney First Aid building. (An overly cheerful urgent care.) The medical professionals inside were extremely nice and sent her on her way with eye drops and stickers – and a story we’ll tell for a while.

Back to the heat: choose your park wisely. EPCOT is 95% concrete. There’s not a ton of shade to be found, even in the World Showcase. So maybe this is one to visit on a cloudier, rainy day. Animal Kingdom, on the other hand, has tons of gorgeous shade trees, not to mention water rides.

Hollywood Studios has the most shops and boutiques, so you can duck in for a quick shot of A/C and a $40 T-shirt.

Magic Kingdom has a fair number of air conditioned rides, which are a nice way to break up the day. Family favorites include Haunted Mansion, Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, and yes, for some reason, the campy Carousel of Progress.

Smaller crowds, shorter waits

This was our seventh Disney trip, and by far the one with the smallest crowds. And this meant wait times for most rides were better than any year prior. 

I’m assuming it’s because Disney is limiting crowds. Of course, it won’t confirm that, or say how many daily reservations it’s allowing (more on that later). But what it means to tourists is that your wait times will likely be shorter. The longest line we waited in on our most recent trip was 40 minutes. 

It also means you have to plan ahead. To enter a Disney park now, you have to have a ticket AND a reservation. The ticket gets you into the park, the reservation lets the Disney folks know which park you’ll be visiting. And some parks WILL SELL OUT. 

We were walking into Hollywood Studios this summer when the family next to us was told that because they had only tickets – no reservations – they couldn’t enter the park, since it was “sold out.” We scurried out of there before the inevitable meltdown happened. So just be forewarned.

“Be sure you have a fully charged battery – because once that phone dies,
so does all of your ticket info.”

Technology is great, until it isn’t

Everything is paperless at Disney these days, which, on the surface is amazing. You just hold up your phone (you don’t even have to open an app!) and you’re scanned right in. The problems arise when the virtual tickets just don’t work, like they did with two of our four. Be sure you have a fully charged battery – because once that phone dies, so does all of your ticket info.

No more Fast Passes

Gone are the days of getting free Disney Fast Passes, those “go to the head of the line” tickets. Instead, you pay extra now for the Disney Genie service and Lightning Lane passes. It’s $15 per ticket, per day, and I’ll tell you that this is the best money you’ll spend. Using your phone, you can reserve the rides you want starting at 7am, and then pick another ride or attraction every two or so hours until the parks close. Certain rides have an even more expensive “save my seat” situation, but for most of us, this is the only upgrade we’ll need.

Sometimes, spending money to save time and sanity is absolutely worth it.

Other times, find ways to save a few bucks. Did you know Disney allows you to bring in food and drinks! We packed snacks for long lines and bottles of water that we could refill throughout the day. And the day we hopped parks, we stopped and ate a quick fast food lunch – off-campus – to break up the day. 

But don’t you fret: we sought out those cult-favorite Dole Whips – a delicious reward for a trip well-planned. 

– Kathrine Nero

Happy Campers

Let me start off by saying: I am not a camping person. Or at least – I thought I wasn’t a camping person. A night at Kings Island Camp Cedar Luxury Campground in Mason changed my mind.

Life in the cottages

My family and I stayed in one of Camp Cedar’s luxury cottages. Think tiny houses, impeccably furnished, with a full kitchen, bathroom and 50” TV. There are several configurations of the cabins, sleeping anywhere from 4-12. We stayed in the Hickory, which easily accommodated the four of us, and really, we could have squeezed in a few more.

If You Go

For more information about Camp Cedar, or to book your stay, go to visitcampcedar.com.

My younger daughter commandeered the upstairs loft, my older daughter grabbed one of the bunk beds and my husband and I dumped our stuff in the back bedroom before heading out to check out all that Camp Cedar had to offer.

Camp Cedar offers golf cart rentals, which was a great way to see the entire 53-acre property. In addition to the 73 luxury cottages, there are 180 RV parking spaces.

But that’s just the beginning.

Right in the middle of the property are two pools, a playground for the kids and Belize Street, full of food-truck inspired restaurants attractive to even the pickiest of eaters.

Cabanas are available at the pool, which we took full advantage of in this midwestern heat. Right next to the family pool is a 21-and-up pool, with a full-service bar nearby.

Frozen drinks without the sounds of screaming kids can have its advantages, you know. :)

But the kids who will love this: splashing in the zero-entry pool, enjoying crafts and activities led by Camp Cedar employees, exploring the areas surrounding the cabins, making s’mores at the fire pits.

There’s also a brand new pickleball court, a workout room, cornhole and bocce ball. The Little Miami walking trail is a cedar-chip (get it?) mile-long path around Camp Cedar’s perimeter.

And if you forgot something, the Coyote Creek Camp store has everything you need: from s’mores fixins to swimsuits.

To cook or not to cook: it’s not a question

The cabins have an eat-in kitchen and an outdoor grill, but if your idea of vacation is not cooking, a quick walk or golf cart ride to Ironwood Grill & Tap is your best bet.

There, in addition to a lovely lobby with board games and TVs, you’ll find a full-service restaurant with the friendliest servers you’ll find. 

The girls enjoyed virgin strawberry daiquiris, the adults sampled Camp Cedar’s beer and wine selections and we all munched on delicious bar and grill food: wings, veggie burgers, mozzarella sticks and pizza. 

The night ended watching the fireworks at nearby Kings Island, which you can easily see from the porches of many of the cabins. But if you have tickets to KI, Camp Cedar provides a free shuttle every 15 minutes throughout the day for pickup and drop-off.

The next morning, we stopped by The Dry Bean for a quick cup of coffee and a muffin before we headed out for a day at Kings Island.

A staycation that feels like a vacation

Camp Cedar somehow makes you feel like you’re not just a mile away from Kings Island, within spitting distance of the highway. But its proximity to Cincinnati combined with its getaway feel makes it the perfect summer staycation spot.

– Kathrine Nero

Fit for a Queen

Ready to head across the pond? Photographer Shae Combs offers plenty of travel inspo for a trip to London. Check out her can’t-miss spots and fun tips to make the most of your next trip.

---

Go to a Football Match

This was technically the reason we went to London in the first place! My husband is a Chelsea fan so I bought him tickets for our anniversary. We had so much fun at Stamford Bridge, watching exceptional football with die-hard fans.

Ride the Tube

I know, I know. Everyone tells you to ride the tube when you go to London, but when people ask what my favorite parts of our trip were, I always mention the fabulous public transit. Cabs and Ubers are very expensive in London, but the longest tube ride we took only cost £2.50. We were lucky enough to be staying close to a station and we used the tube as a quick and simple way to get all around the city.

Visit the Sky Garden

The Sky Garden is London's highest public garden and is completely free and open to the public (just book your free tickets ahead of time!) The garden is pretty, but the best part of the Sky Garden is the fabulous 360 degree view of London from above. Why pay to go to the Shard when you can get a birds-eye view of the city for free? We made the most of our visit with a bottle of wine while we watched the city below.

Check Out Some World-Class Museums

We only had time to visit three of London's finest museums, but each one was interesting and beautiful. From design, to Natural History, to Modern Art-- there is definitely a museum for everyone's tastes (and the best part is... they're all FREE!)

Enjoy a Picnic at a Park

London is renowned for its beautiful parks. We enjoyed walking through Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, and St. James' Park. We also decided to take the trip up to Primrose Hill with a bottle of wine to enjoy while we relished the London skyline in the distance. 

Look for Hidden Gems

We stumbled across some truly beautiful places while walking around the city. St. Dunstan's-in-the-East, Daunt Books and the Mews streets of Notting Hill were some of my absolute favorites. I love to wander around a new city and see what I come across. 

Force of Nature

It’s never too early to plan, or take, your next vacation. If you are looking for a relaxing, back-to-nature retreat close to home, the new Kings Island Camp Cedar is a great destination.

Even before Kings Island officially opens April 16, cottages and campsites are open now for overnight stays, making Camp Cedar a great getaway for families enjoying spring break or a long weekend together.

If you’re looking for a casual bite or a sweet treat, the resort’s Belize Street offers a fresh take on urban dining with food truck-influenced favorites. Fresh Tortilla has tacos and burritos, while Route 66 features classic American favorites such as burgers, hotdogs, fries and more. For those with a sweet tooth, the Urban Cow is a popular spot for soft-serve and hand-dipped ice cream, along with midway standards such as elephant ears, funnel cakes and cotton candy.

Camp Cedar has activities for all ages. In warmer weather, kids can enjoy one of Camp Cedar’s two pools. Families can test their skills with shuffleboard and bocce courts, or work out in the fitness area. Also, gas-powered golf carts are available, so the whole family can tour the grounds. Weekends will have special programming, so one one can ever say they’re bored!

A range of cottage options complement the outdoor lifestyle with a modern-day glamping experience. Each cottage features a private bedroom with luxe linens, lounge area, kitchen, bathroom, air conditioning and heating units, patios with picnic tables, and even housekeeping service upon request.

Going to Camp Cedar is like going on vacation without the hassle of travel. With activities to keep everyone entertained and amenities like outdoor fire pits, it’s a great getaway for rest and relaxation. Camp Cedar’s 53 acres to explore, there’s lots to do, and once Kings Island opens, guests get early admission to the park. It’s a great way to celebrate spring, right in your own back yard.