Extended Weekend Getaways - in Ohio

Your Perfect Midwest Reunion - Maumee Bay State Park

By Sarah Miller/ Freelance Travel Writer

Planning a multi-generational getaway? Finding a place that fits toddlers, teens, parents, and grandparents can, let’s be honest---be more of a trick than a treat. Far-flung destinations can take up valuable vacation time and money. Touristy destinations and theme parks can be a logistical nightmare. Sometimes it’s just nice to keep things simple. Maumee Bay State Park in Ohio, right on the shores of Lake Erie, is ideal for multi-generational reunions.

Suite Dreams or Connecting Cottages?

State park stays are generally affordable, but what sets Maumee Bay State Park apart from other similar parks is their variety of reunion overnight accommodations. The park boasts accommodations to fit every budget and style. In fact, there are four different options.

The Maumee Bay Resort Lodge and Conference Center offers light-filled soaring windows that overlook the bay including an on-site restaurant. With organized activities for kids and families, this hotel-like experience provides suites overlooking Lake Erie or standard rooms. If your crew needs to burn energy, there’s an indoor pirate-themed playground, heated indoor pool, sport courts, and arcade room. Looking for quiet? There are plenty of nooks with board games and books to read fireside.

Maumee Bay Cottages overlook the Scottish-links golf course or natural woodlands and wetlands. Select ADA accessible cabins and pet-friendly cabins allow all family members to attend. Some cottages have connecting wooden walkways made especially for multiple families. Choose from 2 or 4-bedroom cottages where kids can have their own bunk beds. With a full-size refrigerator and stocked kitchenware, families can prepare meals together. Those staying in the cottages have access to all the lodge amenities like the pool and indoor sports courts.

For a reunion getaway where everyone is under one big stylish roof, The Reunion Cabin fits the bill. This new stylish, modern home is right on Lake Erie and sleeps up to 18 people. With four suites, this two-story lake home has plenty of places to sleep and relax. Families can gather around the two-story fireplace and catch a game on the large screen television. The state-of-the-art kitchen has a large island to eat around, or guests can eat on the expansive covered porch with lake views.

Finally for those that already have their own little hotel on wheels, or RV rather, the Maumee Bay State Park Campground might be the perfect reunion solution. Select sites are open in the fall and it’s a quiet time to camp.

Making Memories

What’s perfect about Maumee Bay State Park is that multi-generational reunions are possible. Since all your entertainment is at one centrally located spot–nature trails, indoor/ outdoor sports courts, etc.-you can easily meet up for activities.

Of course, not everyone will want to do the same thing. Say your group wants to play at the pickleball courts near the lodge— great! Some can play pickleball, others can watch, and still others might decide to play cards in the lodge.

Making memories is what Maumee Bay helps you do. Build memories on the beach, golf course, marina, or around the campfire. With nature at your doorstep, you’ll find plenty of ways to connect.

Outside Maumee Bay State Park: Surrounding areas offer further fun diversions for your group. Other wildlife preserves are within ten minutes as are pumpkin farms and restaurants. Nearby Toledo has city offerings like the Toledo Zoo, The Toledo Museum of Art, the National Museum of the Great Lakes, and more.

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Family Fall Activities in Butler County

Article and Photos submitted by travelbutlercounty.com

As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, there’s no better time to plan a memorable family weekend getaway. Butler County, Ohio offers a ton of fall activities that are perfect for creating lasting memories. From pumpkin patches to local festivals to fall flavors— there’s something for kids of all ages to enjoy. Come embrace the beauty of the season and make the most of a family getaway in Butler County this fall!

Farm Festivities

Visiting a pumpkin patch is a quintessential fall activity! Find pumpkins and so much more at these charming local farm festivals. Find everything from fresh flowers and produce, a pick-your-own pumpkin patch and fresh apple cider at Garver Family Farm Market; a family-farm of more than four generations located in Monroe. You can even meet their adorable farm dog, Case.

Another family favorite is the Fall Festival Weekends at Barn-N-Bunk Farm Market in Trenton.

Weekends during September and October, Barn-N-Bunk Farm Market offers a wide range of festivities including a pumpkin patch, sunflower field, food vendors, and activities for kids. Each weekend features a different special theme, from helicopter rides to costume contests.

Kids and adults alike can enjoy a beautiful autumn day at Jackson Family Farm in Middletown during September and October weekends. Find pumpkins, farm animals, pedal tractors, and two giant pumpkin jumping pads; one for older kids and adults, and a smaller jumping pad dedicated for small kids and toddlers.

Niederman Family Farm is another great place to make family memories. Located in Liberty Township, their Fall on the Farm Festival runs from the end of September through October for all kinds of fall fun. They’re known for their 14acre corn maze and famous cinnamon-sugar donuts, but you can also take a hayride and explore their pumpkin patch to choose your perfect pumpkin.

The world’s largest indoor train journey is located in West Chester and EnterTRAINment Junction hosts a kid-friendly indoor Halloween celebration like no other. Jack O’Lantern Junction transforms Main Street with Halloween decor and provides fall fun for the whole family. Walk through a Trickor-Treat maze with no scary ghouls and stops at treat stations. This event also has the area’s only indoor pumpkin patch!

For those who enjoy thrills and a good scare, you can get your adrenaline pumping at Land of Illusion Haunted Scream Park in Madison Township. September through October, you can hit the Middletown Haunted Trail for a terrifying trek through the dark and daunting woods. There are a total of six different haunted attractions, and live spooks guarantee a different fright each and every night.

Outdoor Adventures

Fall foliage in Butler County is simply breathtaking, making it an ideal time to explore the great outdoors. Plan a day of hiking at Rentschler Forest MetroPark in Fairfield Township where you’ll encounter vibrant displays of red, orange, and gold throughout a 400-acre park. It’s a beautiful place for a family nature walk, including about a half-mile frontage along the Great Miami River, and acres of woodland.

When the air turns crisp, it’s a clear sign of fall and who wouldn’t love to cuddle up to enjoy a movie under the stars? Holiday Auto Theatre in Hanover Township is a staple in Butler County and a beloved family tradition. As one of the only drive-in movie theaters remaining in Ohio, Holiday Auto Theatre is a nostalgic experience for adults and a memorable experience for kids alike. It’s the perfect option for family and friends looking for a fall night out, offering double features, seasonal movies, and fresh popcorn at their full snack bar.

Looking for a unique way to enjoy the outdoors? Animal lovers can fill a fall afternoon in Oxford at Nation Road Horse Rental to enjoy the fall weather on horseback. This family-owned and operated farm offers four different guided trail rides through October for adults and kids ages 8 and up, as well as pony rides for kids ages 3 to 7. Nation Road provides options for all experience levels, including first-timers all the way to experienced riders.