Fall break is the first real break of the school year and often the first chance for students to go home since they arrived in August. But for some students, the long weekend is too short to go home, or even to leave campus. For those who are staying on campus during the break, here are some alternatives to spending the weekend at the veritable ghost town that Cedarville becomes during break.
2nd Street Market
Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the 2nd Street Market is a great place to get food, produce and homemade products. Located in a historic former railroad building, the market is a great place to spend some time with friends and get some yummy treats.
Location: 600 E. 2nd Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402
Hours: Thursday & Friday 11:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.; Saturday 8:00 a.m. —3:00 p.m.
Here’s the link to their website.
Cincinnati Freedom Museum
The museum features stories of freedom, both long ago and recent. Explore stories of heroes in the fight against slavery during the late 1800s and stories of people who battle human trafficking today. The museum looks over the Ohio River, which served as the border between slave and free states during the Civil War and is the perfect backdrop for the museum experience.
Location: 50 East Freedom Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Hours: Tuesday—Saturday from 11 a.m.—5 p.m. (Last entry at 4 p.m.)
Link to website: http://freedomcenter.org/.
Clifton Mill
Located just down the road in the small town of Clifton, the Mill is perfect for a tasty meal away from campus. One of the most popular menu items are their giant pancakes. Available in buckwheat, buttermilk and cornmeal, these pancakes are so big, the Mill has its own pancake challenge. If you can finish two of the monstrosities on your own, you get a third free.
Location: 75 Water Street, Clifton, Ohio 45316
Hours: Monday —Thursday from 9 a.m.—4 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. —8 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. —8 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.—5 p.m.
Website: http://www.cliftonmill.com/
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Featuring animals from Australia, the Congo, Asia, North America, Africa and the ocean, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is great for a day trip. See tigers, elephants, alligators, stingrays, gazelles, bears, sharks, wolves, zebras, tigers, manatees and many other animals.
Location: 4850 West Powell Road, Powell, Ohio 43065
Hours: 10 a.m.—5 p.m.
Website: https://www.columbuszoo.org/
Creation Museum
Filled with 160 interactive exhibits, the Creation Museum brings the stories of the Bible to life through displays and characters that are remarkably true to Scripture. Walk through the Garden of Eden, explore a portion of the Ark and see life-size dinosaur skeletons. The Museum houses a theater and planetarium with incredible shows. A large garden and petting zoo are perfect for some time outside, maybe spent with a book from the well-stocked bookstore. The Museum is in Kentucky, so expect to spend most of the day there, but it is well worth the trip.
Location: 2800 Bullittsburg Church Road, Petersburg, Kentucky 41080
Hours: Monday—Friday from 10 a.m.—6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.—6 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m.—6 p.m.
Website: http://creationmuseum.org/
King’s Island
Feeling the itch to visit a theme park? King’s Island is home to a wide variety of entertainment. Daredevils can ride rollercoasters both big and small. The more laid back can play games, attend a show or ride one of the less intense rides. The food is delicious, but expensive, so you might want to pack your own.
Location: 6300 Kings Island Drive, Kings Island, Ohio 45034
Hours: Friday, Oct. 17, 6 p.m.—1 a.m.; Saturday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m.—1 a.m.; Sunday, Oct. 19, 11 a.m.—7 p.m.
Website: https://www.visitkingsisland.com/
Local Hiking Spots
There are several local places that are ideal for taking a nature hike. And, since it is fall, the view is often breathtaking. Several spots have waterfalls, streams and pools as well as the opportunity to encounter wildlife such as deer, chipmunks and many species of birds. You might even want to pack some food and a blanket for a picnic in the woods.
Locations: Indian Mound Reserve/Cedar Cliff Falls, Glen Helen Nature Reserve, Massie Creek Park, etc.
Website: http://www.gcparkstrails.com/ParkSelector3.html
Peifer Orchards
Craving some fresh-picked fruit? Peifer Orchards is in nearby Yellow Springs has 16 kinds of apples to choose from. Go by yourself or with a group and get some delicious fruit for eating and baking. Afterward, reserve a dorm kitchen and make pies, tarts or doughnuts to celebrate the break.
Location: 4590 US 68 North, Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387
Hours: Monday—Friday 10 a.m.—6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.—5 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.—5 p.m.
Website: http://www.peiferorchards.com/
Victoria Theatre
If you’re in the mood for some classical music, try the Victoria Theatre. Tickets are fairly inexpensive, depending on the seat, and the theatre is nice for a relaxing evening out. The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra has two shows playing during fall break, Mozart to Mahler and Mahler: the Visionary, and there is a solo concert by musician Bruce Hornsby on Oct. 18.
Location: 138 North Main Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402
Hours: Check the website for performance times
Website: http://www.victoriatheatre.com/
Yellow Springs
Whether you go for the shopping, the food or just to experience the uniqueness, a visit to Yellow Springs is a must for every Cedarville student. Walk the streets, enjoy street music from local “buskers,” explore the shops and find the things you were expecting…and many things you weren’t. Appreciate the small town, pictured above, for what it is and get a look at a way of life that is far different than life at Cedarville.
Location: 101 Dayton Street, Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387
Hours: Check for each store and restaurant
Website: http://www.yellowspringsohio.org/
Emily Finlay is a senior journalism major and campus news editor for Cedars. She loves writing, reading, making obscure references in normal conversation and every type of geekery.
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