Up until even just a couple of weeks ago, it was unclear what entertainment destinations were going to reopen in Ohio (and Kentucky) this summer. What were kids going to do? How were parents going to entertain their children? Or themselves? What about general humans who appreciated spending several hours in air-conditioned attractions or bodies of water to avoid the unbearable seasonal humidity?
While many typical summertime activities have already been canceled — music fests, the state fair, other assorted summer festivals — the rest that are reopening have been modified to accommodate for COVID-19-related health precautions. But just like sunscreen and sunglasses are essential warm-weather protection, it seems easy enough to add a face mask, hand sanitizer and/or a healthy dose of social distancing to your seasonal arsenal.
So here are several lists of things you can do this summer to get out of the house and into the outdoors or another building to have some fun and possibly have your temperature checked by a stranger.
Nine Attractions
As of press time, these major museums and amusement parks had announced dates to open their doors/gates/what have you for the season. Most also have special pre-opening dates in place for members.
Coney Island — Coney Island’s Sunlite Pool and Cannonball Cove reopened June 12. In case you missed it: The park got rid of all of its rides last year because research showed most guests were coming to hang by “the world’s largest recirculating pool,” not ride the Ferris wheel. Big changes here are social distancing guidelines, capacity limits and that guests are asked to wear masks — unless they are in the water, in which case they are asked not to wear masks (choking hazard). Note: 2020 passes are good for the 2021 season as well. 6201 Kellogg Ave., California, coneyislandpark.com.
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden — The zoo reopens to the general public on June 17, with reduced capacity and timed-entry tickets. Reservations for a specific time and date are required and can be made online. Guests are encouraged to wear masks, stand a “zebra’s length” apart and must enter through the Erkenbrecher Avenue gates. Rides and indoor attractions are closed for the time being, and current food options are grab-and-go. 3400 Vine St., Avondale, cincinnatizoo.org.
Cincinnati Art Museum — The museum reopens to the public June 20 and is requesting guests register for a free timed-entry ticket in advance. Hours will be shortened through early July, with special member hours Saturday and Sunday mornings. The Rosenthal Education Center is closed, but the Terrace Cafe, Museum Shop and new Art Climb staircase are all open. “Something Over Something Else”: Romare Bearden’s Profile Series is on view through June 21; Gorham Silver: Designing Brilliance, 1850–1970 is on view through July 5; Women Breaking Boundaries is also on view (end date TBD). 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams, cincinnatiartmuseum.org.
Newport Aquarium — The aquarium reopens to the public June 25 with a reduced capacity and social distancing guidelines in place. All guests must wear a mask (except those under the age of 3) and have their temperature taken before entry. If you have a fever above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, you and your party have to come back another time (refunds are available). Animal encounters (no shark petting) and interactive exhibits are closed. 1 Aquarium Way, Newport, newportaquarium.com.
Contemporary Arts Center — The CAC will reopen to the public July 1. While admission remains free, visitors are asked to reserve a timed-entry ticket in advance so the museum can limit capacity. Masks are encouraged. Portuguese street artist Vhils’ explosive and anticipated solo show Haze is still on exhibit (now through March 2021). 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown, contemporaryartscenter.org.
Kings Island — If you want blue ice cream or to ride the new Orion giga coaster, you’ll need to wait until July 12 — and then complete a health screening 24 hours prior to your visit (online or on the Kings Island app) and have your temperature taken upon entry. Guests are also required to wear masks and make a reservation in advance to comply with capacity limits. Keywords here: sanitizing, social distancing, safety. They haven’t released an opening date yet for waterpark Soak City, but they have said that all 2020 Kings Island season passes will be good for the 2021 season. 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason, visitkingsisland.com.
Cincinnati Museum Center and Holocaust & Humanity Center — Both museums, located in Union Terminal, have a target reopening date of July 17. Like every other institution, they are asking guests to purchase timed tickets to limit capacity, maintain social distancing and to please wear a mask. Some interactive and high-touch exhibits will be offline. More details are forthcoming on both websites. Maya: The Exhibition is still on view at the CMC. 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate, cincymuseum.org. holocaustandhumanity.org.
Taft Museum of Art — The Taft says it expects to make a formal announcement regarding its reopening in mid-June. For now, you can view Far Flung, a large-scale “unique fantasy experience” on the front lawn of the museum. International sculptor Patrick Dougherty twisted more than six tons of willow tree saplings into a whirling structure that calls to mind a hobbit home. 316 Pike St., Downtown, taftmuseum.org.
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center — The Freedom Center is reopening July 24 and is asking guests to purchase timed tickets (online preferably) to manage capacity. 50 E. Freedom Way, Downtown, freedomcenter.org.
Three Drive-In Movie Theaters
BY HAILEY BOLLINGER, WILLIAM MEYER
Starting Memorial Day weekend, the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (CHCURC) transformed the neighborhood’s historic Hollywood Theatre — a former 1920s single-screen cinema — into a drive-in movie experience for the community.
Films are screened on the back of the theater building and moviegoers tune in to their car radios to listen to the audio. Films start at 9:15 p.m.; parking begins at 8:15 p.m. Currently there are 43 spots per showing and tickets are $20 per car.
It was so successful the first weekend that organizers decided to extend the event through the rest of the summer.
“We have been discussing the concept of a drive-in theater behind the Hollywood for a while now as part of a plan to bring the Hollywood Theatre back to life. Then, COVID-19 happened,” says Seth Walsh, executive director of CHCURC. “With people spending so much time apart, we wanted to find a safe way to bring the community back together. It also became a great way to support our local businesses by having them provide food for the event.”
For example, during the second weekend the drive-in was held, Red Rose offered pizza by the slice and hot dogs for sale from a walk-up window.
Walsh says “the realities of COVID mean we’ll need to continue social distancing throughout the summer,” so movies will be running Thursday through Sunday in June. And, he says, if there’s interest, they may expand to more nights in July.
Here’s the current schedule:
June 18: Madagascar
June 19: The Hate U Give
June 20: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
June 21: Love, Simon
June 25: Fever Pitch
June 26: Sonic The Hedgehog
June 27: The Martian
June 28: Arrival
The final movie of the summer will be screened Sept. 7. 1538 Cedar Ave., College Hill, hollywooddriveintheatre.com.
UPDATE: The drive-in has released its schedule through July and added Monday showtimes.
The Greater Cincinnati area also has two other traditional drive-in theaters — Holiday Auto Theatre in Oxford and Starlite Drive-In in Amelia — which screen both first-run and nostalgia flicks.
Todd Chancey, one of Holiday Auto Theatre’s owners, says that the drive-ins’ prominence in local and national news due to the closure of indoor theaters because of the pandemic is boosting business. (Indoor theaters have since been allowed to reopen in Ohio; the Esquire, Mariemont and Kenwood theaters have a soft reopening June 19-21, for example.)
“Drive-ins are getting a lot of attention, and folks are showing up and realizing ‘Wow, this is a great experience and was one even before the current state of COVID-19,’ ” he says.
Both of the decades-old cinemas have updated the policies on their websites to inform patrons about changes due to COVID-19. Most changes relate to capacity limits, how tickets are sold (online sales are encouraged) and social distancing as it applies to concession stands and restrooms.
Check out upcoming screenings online. Starlite films are $9 for adults (Tuesdays are car-load nights: six people in one car costs $23) and start at 9:10 p.m. Holiday films are $9.25 for adults and start at 9:10 p.m.
Starlite Drive-In, 2255 State Route Ohio-125, Amelia, starlitedriveinohio.com. Holiday Auto Theatre, 1819 Old Oxford Road, Hamilton, holidayautotheatre.com.
Six Bike Trails
BY SETH ROBINSON
From March 16 to April 6 of this year, local bike trail use was up 30 percent compared to last year — some trails even tripled their traffic, according to Tri-State Trails, which “connects people and places via a regional trail and bikeway network” — as people started using their quarantine time to get outdoors and exercise.
“Trails and bikeways are one of the few places that remained open during the stay at home order, and have proven to be an essential amenity for our community during this crisis,” said Wade Johnston, director of Tri-State Trails at Green Umbrella.
And that trend has continued, with media outlets like CNN and The Guardian calling bicycles the “new toilet paper,” as demand has them flying off store shelves.
With more than 570 miles of trails, we asked Tri-State Trails’ Johnston his picks for the six best trails people should bike this summer — especially with social distancing in mind. Here’s what he said. Learn more at tristatetrails.org.
Little Miami Scenic Trail — “One of the most popular — and busiest — trails in the region. It traverses 78 miles from Cincinnati to Springfield, Ohio. It’s the southern leg of the 326-mile Ohio to Erie Trail, and Great Parks of Hamilton County is about to start construction on a bridge that will connect to Lunken Airport. The rural sections are definitely less busy if you are trying to social distance. From Loveland south it’s always packed on a nice day. There’s an 8-mile spur into Lebanon called the Countryside YMCA trail.”
Ohio River Trail — “There’s about 3 miles downtown in the Cincinnati riverfront parks, and another 4 miles around Lunken; these sections are connected by bike lanes along Riverside Drive. The section at Schmidt Field is right along the river and extra wide for physical distancing. Cincinnati is currently building a connection from Salem Road out to Sutton Road to connect Lunken Airport to Coney Island. You can also explore the Kentucky side of the Ohio River on the Riverfront Commons trail. There’s about 2 miles through Covington and Newport — also known as the Riverwalk — as well as shorter segments in Dayton and Ludlow. The Dearborn Trail also follows the Ohio River for about 6 miles from Lawrenceburg to Aurora, Indiana.”
Wasson Way — “This is the region’s newest rail-trail. Right now there’s about 1.5 miles between Madison Road and Montgomery Road. Tri-State Trails helped secure $6 million last year to extend the trail west to Avondale and east through Ault Park to the Murray Trail. Through our #CROWNcincinnati project, we are working to connect this to the Ohio River Trail and Mill Creek Greenway to create a 34-mile trail loop around the city.”
Mill Creek Greenway — “There’s about 2.5 miles from Spring Grove Village through Northside to South Cumminsville. There are public art installations, including Space Walk, a to-scale model of the solar system that glows at night. There’s also a public orchard installation. You can ride on Canal Bikeway, following Central Parkway and Eggleston, to connect to the Ohio River Trail at Sawyer Point.”
Devou Park and Mt. Airy Forest — “Beautiful natural surface trails right in the heart of the city. Great for mountain biking and hiking.”
Great Miami River Trail — “There’s 7 miles from Fairfield to Hamilton, 9 miles in Middletown, and 55 miles from Franklin through Dayton to Piqua. The connection between the Middletown and Franklin sections is scheduled to start construction this year!”
Eight Public Pools
BY GRACE DEARING
The Cincinnati Recreation Commission (CRC) reopened seven of its 24 pools on June 8: the Dempsey Pool, Evanston Pool, McKie Center Pool, Dunham Armleder Aquatic Facility, Hirsch Pool, Oakley Pool and Pleasant Ridge Pool.
“Even though this summer doesn’t look or feel quite the same as other summers, we are pleased to be able to offer our citizens some relief from the heat and a place where families can have some fun together,” says CRC Director Daniel Betts.
All pools will be following new health and safety protocols. Each will have a maximum capacity and there will be specific blocks of time when the pool will be available for public swimming. Guests are asked to make reservations in advance. And to allow for the most people to have access to the pool, there will be a limit on how many blocks of time you can reserve. The pool will be cleaned and sanitized after each time block. Guests will also have their temperature checked before entry and be asked a series of wellness questions. They must also sign a waiver and wear a mask when they enter or exit, or when they aren’t in the water.
Only the spraygrounds at the McKie, Pleasant Ridge and Oakley pools are open at this time. (Cincinnati Parks’ Armleder Memorial Spray Ground in Yeatman’s Cove and the Washington Park sprayground are also open, with capacity limits and safety protocols in place.)
“The goal of these policies is to ensure appropriate social distancing, accommodate an enhanced cleaning and sanitation schedule and maximize the availability of these important community resources to as many residents of Cincinnati as possible,” says the CRC in a press release.
The 2-hour all-city swim block fee is $2 for adults and $1 for children and seniors for all pools except Dunham, which has a 3-hour swim block for $5 for adults and $2 for seniors and children. Get more info and specific time blocks cincyrec.org.
Dempsey Pool — This pool has a zero-depth entry, six lap lanes, spray features and a two-flume slide. Capacity is 68. Hours are noon-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. 933 Hawthorne Ave., East Price Hill, call 513-251-4123 to reserve a block.
Evanston Pool — This spot features a shallow pool, wading pool, water slide and zero-depth entrance. Capacity is 61. Hours are noon-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. 3204 Woodburn Ave., Evanston, call 513-861-9417 to reserve a block.
McKie Center Pool — The McKie offers a deep pool, wading pool and diving board along with pool decks. Capacity is 32. Hours are noon-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 1655 Chase Ave., Northside, call 513-681-8247 to reserve a block.
Dunham Armleder Aquatic Facility — This pool has a shallow pool, water slide and zero-depth entrance. Capacity is 113. Hours are noon-7 p.m. daily. 4356 Dunham Lane, Sayler Park/Westwood, call 513-251-5862 to reserve a block.
Hirsch Pool — This facility offers a water spray, water slide, shallow pool, wading pool and zero-depth entrance. Capacity is 58. Hours are noon-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. 3630 Reading Road, Avondale, call 513-751-3393 to reserve a block.
Oakley Pool — This classic neighborhood pool has a diving board and wading pool. Capacity is 32. Hours are noon-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 3900 Paxton Ave., Oakley, call 513-321-9320 to reserve a block.
Pleasant Ridge Pool — This spot offers a deep water pool, diving board and shallow wading pool area. Capacity is 32. Hours are noon-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 5915 Ridge Ave., Pleasant Ridge, call 513-731-7894 to reserve a block.
Over-the-Rhine’s Ziegler Pool is another public pool — this one operated by 3CDC — which also has a reservation system in place. Each two-hour reservation block can hold 75 swimmers. Sessions are 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m., 12:45-3 p.m. and 3:30-5:45 p.m. There are additional sessions for lap swimmers at 7-7:45 a.m. and 8-8:45 a.m. for 10 people — two per lane.
Ziegler reservations are open to anyone, whether or not they have a season pass. But you must register online at least a day in advance. There is a $4 flat rate per person; any financial assistance vouchers will be distributed through neighborhood organizations. There is a waitlist if sessions are full. And if the pool is closed because of weather, rain checks will be given. 216 Woodward St., Over-the-Rhine, zieglerpark.org.
Six Boozy Juice Pouches
BY OLIVE COLLINS NIESZ
In a time when nothing feels normal, a little bit of nostalgia goes a long way in making us feel better. What better way to relive the summers of your childhood than with an ice-cold juice box on a hot day? And if that doesn’t do it for you… what if we told you there was liquor in them? Boozy juice pouches — like storage bags filled with cocktails — are making their way into bars and restaurants around the city, and we have collected a guide on where to find them.
Northside Yacht Club — Boasting perhaps the most creative name in the city for this trend, Northside Yacht Club offers the Capri Sun of Anarchy: lavender lemonade with vodka, all bagged up and ready to enjoy for $10. The bar also has Garfield-bedecked “Life’s a Beach” stickers on the booze bag’s label, which you can add to your nostalgia sticker collection. 4227 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, northsideyachtclub.com.
Jerry’s Jug House — The Yacht Club’s sister bar, Jerry’s, debuted their jalapeño and cardamom margarita in a bag in early April. Since then, they have added a classic margarita, peach margarita, peach bourbon iced tea and even the Bloody Jerry to their “paradise pouches” collection. The fun doesn’t stop there though, you can pick up Jolly Rancher Jell-O shots to go with your juice box for 3 for $10. To quote their Instagram, “it slaps.” 414 E. Seventh St., Newport, jerrysjughouse.com.
The Fairfield Café + Bar — The Fairfield has added three permanent “boozy bags” to their menu, including the vodka, blackberry and lemonade Fairfield Hooch; the lemonade, gin and honey-filled Bees Knees; and the classic Whiskey Sour. Owner Kate Moeves explains that they wanted to “play up the fun picnic environment” and utilize their outdoor space by offering these options. The Fairfield will be introducing a new boozy bag flavor every week, designed by their bartenders. 700 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue, thefairfieldbellevue.com.
Libby’s Southern Comfort — Libby’s takes the trend to the next level by offering not only boozy slush bags, but boozy slush pops as well. All slush products come in Libby’s classic Cheerwine Bourbon slush flavor, with rotating flavors available as well. Grab a 16-ounce bag for $12 or six pops (feel free to mix and match flavors) for $15. Throw them in the freezer to save for later or enjoy now, but get them fast because Libby’s says they sell-out quick. 35 W. Eighth St., Covington, libbyssoutherncomfort.com.
The Listing Loon — Drink your way around the world with a Lucky Dog Sake juice box at the Listing Loon for $7 or five for $30. The sake has a whopping 13.5 percent ABV and can be enjoyed chilled or room temp. Feeling fruity? They also offer pouches of their Uncle’s Sangria made with four different muddled berries and Uncle Nearest whiskey. Owner Melanie Quallen says it is “perfect for sipping on a warm summer night.” 4124 Hamilton Ave., Northside, facebook.com/thelistingloon.
Goose & Elder — More Uncle Nearest. Driven by their partnership with the whiskey, Goose & Elder is now offering their Tiki To-Go booze bag. Each bag contains enough for two servings of the tropical juice: orange, pineapple, lemon, bitters, almond, cinnamon and, of course, Uncle Nearest whiskey. Pick up a bag for $18; grab two and a food item for a free Uncle Nearest rocks glass. 1800 Race St., Over-the-Rhine/Findlay Market, gooseandelder.com.
Six Hiking Trails
BY SETH ROBINSON
Whatever you’re into — whether it’s biking, hiking, fitness, nature, horseback riding or just a casual stroll — you can find it within the Great Parks of Hamilton County and their list of trails. If you’re an avid explorer, you may want to consider entering their Hiking Staff Program. If you’ve ever been on a public trail, or even just a walk, you know the person with a hiking staff. And you know that every time you see the hiking staff person, you can’t deny asking yourself, “Where’s my hiking staff?”
You can become the hiking staff person. All you have to do is hike seven Great Parks trails and fill out a form confirming your explorations and then purchase your staff for $3. Oh, and every year you complete the seven trail task, you can add a medallion to your staff commemorating your work. So not only will you be a walking staff person, you’ll be a bedazzled walking staff person. You’ll practically own the trails.
You can pick any of the trails listed on Great Parks of Hamilton County’s website, but here are three to start with. Learn more at greatparks.org.
Winton Woods — This Springfield Township trail runs along Winton Lake and features 2.6-miles of paved trails, including a 1.1 mile fitness trail and the 1.1 mile Kingfisher nature trail, plus an additional 0.7 miles of horseback trails. 10245 Winton Road, Springfield Township.
Sharon Woods — Sharon Woods is known for its Gorge Trail, which has been a designated state nature preserve since 1977 due to its abundance of native plant and animal life. This nature trail is made for casual strolls through 0.7 miles of natural scenery and breathtaking woodsy views. 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville.
Miami Whitewater Forest — The largest park of Great Parks of Hamilton County, Miami Whitewater Forest has multiple trails for explorers to navigate. Visitors can really expect to get their numbers up on the 7.8 mile Shaker Trace trail. This trail wraps around the Miami Whitewater Forest where you’ll find yourself taking in all sorts of scenery like lake views, wetlands, never-ending prairies and rich farmland. 9001 Mt. Hope Road, Harrison.
And if you want to explore some more, Cincinnati Parks’ system was just ranked no. 5 in the nation by the Trust for Public Land in their Annual ParkScore Index Report. Parks and trails have remained open during COVID-19 and Cincinnati Parks is encouraging users to maintain social distancing and healthy habits while outside. Rocky Merz, Cincinnati Parks’ business services division manager, recommends these trails. Learn more at cincinnatiparks.com.
Mt. Airy Forest — “Last year, the city and partner organization CORA (Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance) opened the first 1.4-mile section of the new Mt. Airy Multi-Use Trail, which includes mountain biking. The trail is the first off-road bike trail in Cincinnati Parks. Phase two will total 1.5 miles and work is underway now. Bikers and hikers are sure to enjoy this popular new attraction nestled within Mt. Airy Forest, our largest park at 1,474 acres.” 2239 W. Fork Road, Mt. Airy.
The Riverfront Trail — “Bordering downtown Cincinnati are three connected signature parks extending 2 miles along the scenic Ohio River — Smale Riverfront Park, Sawyer Point and Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park. Here, it’s easy to take in the beauty of the river, the majesty of downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. For nature lovers, despite its urban setting, Smale Park has even been designated as an arboretum.” 166 W. Mehring Way, Downtown.
French Park — “Last summer, the hiking trail system at French Park was refurbished, including the construction of new bridges, steps and reopening sections of trail closed due to fallen trees, debris and erosion...These trails, weaving around a beautiful stream, are great for individuals, friends and the whole family.” 3012 Section Road, Amberley Village.
Seven Creamy Whips
BY GRACE DEARING, WILLIAM MEYER
Four years ago, a bright blue and green soft serve truck parked itself smack dab in the center of Walnut Hills. With its colorful branding and playful slogan, “Life is hard enough, your ice cream should be soft,” Green Man Twist quickly became a soft serve staple in its community. However, this ice cream food truck serves more than just creamy whip, slushies and hot dogs — Green Man Twist’s core mission is to serve its community as well.
Green Man Twist was co-founded by R.H. Sweeten, Anne Leeman, Mark Leeman and Katy Dietz, all of whom have been working in Walnut Hills for more than a decade. In 2007, amid the recession, the group was working on rehabilitating housing properties that previous landlords had either lost or given up on. As Walnut Hills slowly began to revitalize and housing became more expensive, the group’s core mission has shifted to preserving affordable housing for long-term and lower-income residents.
It wasn’t long before the idea of opening a business that aligned with this vision sparked between Mark and Sweeten. As a Walnut Hills native, Sweeten has become a valued mentor and consultant for Green Man Twist to ensure that nothing “unnecessary or unhelpful” happens to the neighborhood. Mark says the co-founders wanted to open up a business for many reasons, including to raise up social entrepreneurs.
“We were living in a neighborhood with a lot of poverty and we just knew a lot of people and a lot of young people who needed work,” he says. “We wanted to run a business where everyone gets to experience what it’s like to be an entrepreneur and to leave their mark on a business.”
Green Man Twist was also built on the foundation of bringing people of all different backgrounds together by providing a platform where neighbors can meet and get to know each other. Its public and central location aids in accomplishing this mission. The desire to connect people across races, religions and cultures is also seen in the way that Green Man Twist is managed. As a nonprofit, Green Man Twist gives 100 percent of all profits back to the community through entrepreneur training, affordable housing and education initiatives. But, Mark says, they do not sacrifice the quality of the product to do so.
“We think that one of the ‘bottom lines’ for any organization ought to be to address the inequalities that exist,” Mark says. “We seek to run our business by consensus, where everyone has a voice and is given dignity and a safe place to use it.”
Green Man Twist is open 3-9 p.m. Fridays-Sundays. 770 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills, greenmantwist.com.
Looking for more soft serve? These Cincinnati creamy whips are open and have COVID-19 plans in place to keep customers safe. (This is obviously not a list of all Cincinnati-area creamy whips; we know.)
Bold Face Dairy Bar — This whippy-dip-style walk-up window in East Price Hill aims to serve their community with both creative creamy whip flavors — like cardamom or bourbon barrel stout — and affordable options, like the $1.75 baby cone. Look for social distancing markers when ordering. 801 Mount Hope Ave., East Price Hill, boldfacedairybar.com.
Putz’s Creamy Whip — The family-owned creamy whip has been a summertime staple for over 80 years and serves up soft serve, shakes, sundaes, banana splits, cyclones and other frosty treats, as well as a wide variety of ballpark eats like cheese coneys, walking tacos and soft pretzels. For COVID, Putz’s asks that only one guest at a time stands at its pick-up and walk-up windows, which are sanitized between customers. 2673 Putz’s Place, Mt. Airy/Northside, putzscreamywhip.com.
Gold Top Dairy Bar — Known for its famous blue raspberry ice cream, Gold Top has been a favorite of the White Oak area since it was built in 1968. The Dairy Bar has removed its outdoor seating and recommends customers send only one person per party to prevent crowding. 2810 Blue Rock Road, White Oak, goldtopdairybar.com.
Zip Dip — Zip Dip literally shines like a beacon of light through the dark — the iconic neon lightning bolt adorning the roof is unmistakable. It was added to the building in 1951 and has been guiding customers through summer heat waves to ice cream salvation ever since. This summer, there is now a designated order window and a designated pick-up window, and the waiting area has been extended and marked with arrows to both display the flow of traffic. 4050 Drew Ave., Bridgetown, zip-dip.com.
Mt. Healthy Dairy Bar — Mount Healthy Dairy Bar has been serving leaning towers of soft serve for more than 60 years. The picnic area is closed for now and social distancing markers have been added on the sidewalk to keep customers safe in line. 7840 Hamilton Ave., Mount Healthy, facebook.com/MHDB98.
Norwood Delite Creamy Whip — Outdoor seating is available at this classic creamy whip, and it has been spaced to accommodate social distancing practices. Marks have been placed to remind guests to distance themselves. 4490 Forest Ave., Norwood, facebook.com/norwooddelitecreamywhip.
Five Canoe Liveries
BY WILLIAM MEYER
Local canoe and kayak liveries are geared up to put sun-thirsty folks on the river. Here are a few regional businesses’ plans for their coronavirus-related regulations this season. Note: Most transport buses have reduced capacity and will require guests to wear masks onboard.
Green Acres Canoe — Green Acres is only renting out single-person, sit-on-top kayaks. Additionally, the minimum age to participate is 13, and dogs are currently not permitted. To ensure social distancing, only its 8-mile trip is available and you have to purchase tickets online. The food truck, food court and other “close gathering areas” are closed. Everyone must sign a waiver before their trip. 10465 Suspension Bridge Road, Harrison, greenacrescanoe.com.
Loveland Canoe & Kayak — Loveland Canoe & Kayak is open for business and currently offers one trip: the “Castle Adventure Trip.” Check-in will be performed outside, as the building is closed to the public. Restrooms, however, remain open. Children must be 5 or older to participate. Both single-person kayaks and tandem kayaks are available for rent. Equipment and vehicles will be sanitized between uses. Trips should be booked in advance online and you must sign a waiver. 174 Karl Brown Way, Loveland, lovelandcanoe.com.
Morgan’s Canoe and Outdoor Adventures — Morgan’s requests that all transactions are made online to limit contact between patrons and staff, but walk-ins may be accommodated depending on capacity. Morgan’s has two locations: Fort Ancient and Brookville. Only its 8-mile trip is available in Brookville; the Fort Ancient location is starting off the season offering a 3-mile trip with a walk-back option up the Little Miami Bike Trail. Canoes, kayaks and rafts can be rented, but rafts will only be rented to families that live together. Pets are allowed on the 3-mile trip. Only one representative per group of customers is allowed inside the check-in building. Both guests and staff are required to wash their hands after using the restroom (that should go without saying). 5701 OH-350, Oregonia; 7040 Whitewater River Lane, Brookville, Indiana, morganscanoe.com.
Scenic River Canoe Excursions — Only single-person kayaks will be available to rent, and its 8.5-mile “Remington’s Run” is the only available trail. Reservations can only be made online. Dogs are not permitted, and no minors (under 13) may participate. Customers are also not permitted to bring their own equipment until further notice. 4595 Round Bottom Road, Terrace Park, scenicrivercanoe.com.
Tippecanoe and Kayaks Too — According to an email from owner Kile Genslinger, the business has social distancing markers inside its check-in building, and its staff will wear masks where appropriate. Customers are limited to a maximum of four in the check-in building and are asked to wear masks inside, and the business asks that reservations and waivers are made and signed online. Dogs are not permitted. Its 7.5, 17 and 25-mile trips will be available, according to its Facebook page. To maintain social distancing, only single-person and tandem kayaks will be available for rent. 9630 Hamilton Cleves Pike Road, Harrison, tippecanoeandkayakstoo.com.
