If you haven’t been to Washington Park on a Saturday… in the summer… on “City Flea” day, you don’t know what you’re missing! Artisan vendors, antiques, food trucks and kids’ activities make an already-amazing park even cooler. I’m telling you — Washington Park is the place to be this summer, and here’s why:
1. The City Flea
This Etsy-meets-Grandma’s-attic is seriously cool. The entire lawn was covered with vendors, making me feel like I was in a very chic European marketplace or hip outdoor concert.There were local artists selling screen-printed Ohio love tees (and onesies!), stunning Queen City prints and wooden artwork and beautifully crafted, handmade jewelery.
However, it was very family-friendly at the same time. Julian and I had so much fun perusing the vintage tents, touching the various signs and small toys and figures. The store owners were all very nice, and the live music playing in the background gave the whole experience a great “vibe” (am I too old to say that??).
The next City Flea is August 15 from 10 am – 4 pm — be there!
2. The Events
3CDC is well loved in Cincinnati for flipping the city and bringing together our community along the way. Washington Park is home to some epic events and the best part– most of them are free and family friendly!
Last weekend, Happen, Inc. set up a giant cardboard brick area where kids could build their own forts, houses and towers. My kids were naturally all over this, and had a blast building, demolishing and rolling around in the blocks.
3. Summer Cinema
If your kids are older, let them stay out past their bedtime on a Wednesday night for Washington Park’s Summer Cinema. Every Wednesday from 9-11 pm, families can camp out on the lawn for a free, family-friendly film featuring classics such as Groundhog Day, The Goonies and Back to the Future II.
Or, hire a babysitter and take your other half out for a fun date night!
4. Interactive Water Park
Washington Park’s splash park is state-of-the-art. Smack in the center of the park, this splashpark is 7,000 square feet of fun, and features 130 pop up jets that can be synchronized to music and lights (we heard “Teenage Wasteland” and it was pretty awesome watching a synchronized water show to this classic), cascading water steps and a large boulder with water flowing over the sides.
Seriously — if you want to “go big” with the #summerofsplashparks, go to Washington Park!
5. Children’s Playground
Bonus Points for…
- Very clean, convenient bathrooms,
- A well-lit, easily accessible, reasonably prices parking garage directly below the park with entrances on either Elm or Race Streets,
- A dog park on the grounds which my animal-obsessed 2-year-old loved,
- “Park Ambassadors” at the Playground for added safety and rule-enforcing,
- Lots of greenspace for picnics,
- Free summer concerts
- Beautiful views of Music Hall, Downtown and historic OTR
So… what are you waiting for? Make a point of spending some time at Washington Park during this home stretch of summer — you’ll be taken aback by this place!
Take a pic of your kids at the Water Park and share it with us on Facebook or Twitter for the #summerofsplashparks!