Family Fun in Butler County, Ohio | Two Hours from Indianapolis

Butler County, Ohio is just outside of Cincinnati and includes some pretty great places for families to visit. Home to Ohio’s Miami University, the Great Miami River, and Liberty Center, a multi-use venue with shopping, dining, and recreation. Pillar attractions and activities like the Jungle Jim International Market and the Donut Trail, make Butler County a foodie destination for kids and adults.

Butler County Ohio with Kids | Where to Stay, Play & Eat

If you’re looking for a fantastic day trip with your children or a weekend getaway, Butler County is a great destination for Indianapolis families — it’s just two hours away and offers a whole different selection of activities than Indy.

Things to do in Butler County Ohio

There’s no shortage when it comes to entertainment and recreation in Butler County. If you want some ideas to plan a weekend of things to do with kids in Butler County, you’ve come to the right link!

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum is a 300-acre art park with an incredible collection of sculptures placed intentionally throughout the park. Your kids will love posing with their favorites and learning about them through a free app with an audio recording sharing information about each sculpture.

Some of the art pieces are interactive and children and adults love discovering through play. Guest can walk the paved trails or rent “Art Carts” aka, golf carts. Don’t forget to stop by the museum on your journey, you’ll see some amazing artifacts, including pieces that date back to 1500!

Henry’s Candy Company

Henry’s Candy Company is a treat shop with classic and retro candy selections. Purchase packaged candy or fill a bag with your favorite candy from the acrylic display boxes. Choose from a huge variety of gummies, chocolates, and hard candies. Kids love the selection and the process of choosing from so many different colors, flavors, and textures.

Liberty Center

Liberty Center is a huge multi-use center with restaurants, shopping, cultural opportunities, and recreation. Some of our favorite local and chain restaurants are within Liberty Center.

Butler County Donut Trail

Butler County Donut Trail is one of the reasons we selected Butler County, Ohio for our weekend getaway. Start each morning with a stop or two along the 13-stop Donut Trail. The donuts you’ll meet along the way are anything but your typical donut…but those are available too if you have a taste for quintessential.

Grab a passport at your first stop and be sure to collect a stamp at each location. When you’ve completed your passport, send away for your very own Donut Trail collectors t-shirt

Jungle Jim’s

Jungle Jim’s International Market is a world-famous grocery store, but it’s not like any other grocery store you’ve ever visited. Kids love the bright, colorful collections of vehicles, amusement park pieces, and displays. Everyone loves the selection of food items and ingredients from all over the world. There’s a radio station, a cooking school, a crazy interesting bathroom situation, and photo opportunities for days.

As you explore this six-acre store, check out the Big Cheese, the pickle barrels, the live seafood tanks, and a massive collection of sodas and beverages. We each had a budget of $10 to spend on whatever we wanted to try. The kids had a blast making choices and finding new flavors and foods they have never heard of.

EnterTRAINment Junction

The largest train display in the world is located in Butler County, Ohio at EnterTRAINment. This complex houses over two miles of train tracks with trains running through beautifully designed displays. Guests can operate lights and sounds and more by way of buttons throughout the building. There’s a seek-and-find for visitors to challenge themselves with and even a great indoor, train-themed playground.

After you’re all done with the trains and other rotating exhibits, there’s another section to EnterTRAINment that features fun houses, mazes, and other mind-bending tricks.

Where to Eat in Butler County, Ohio

McK’s BBQ is a family-friendly BBQ joint in Liberty Center. Indoor and outdoor seating makes this casual dining spot a fun place to take kids year-round. The children’s menu _______. The smoked meats and other delicious comfort food will fill your belly and tantalize your taste buds. Take a peek at the cocktail menu and enjoy one of the unique craft concoctions.

Jolly’s Drive-In

Jolly’s Drive-In is a classic drive-in restaurant with car-side service. Choose from hot dogs, burgers, shakes, and homemade rootbeer. Order your meal at the menu speaker and a friendly carhop will bring a tray to hang from your window and deliver your meal. When you’re all done, press the button for pickup. Your whole family will love this blast from the past.

Fratelli’s New York Style Pizzeria

Fratelli’s Pizza is a local family-owned pizza shop, that serves up fresh-made New York-style pizza. The extensive menu includes pasta, hot sandwiches, wings, garlic knots, fried ravioli, and so many delicious choices. Purchase a made-to-order pizza or pizza by the slice. Every family member can order their favorites or order a bunch of entrees and sides and serve it up family style.

The Cone Ice Cream Shop

The Cone is a giant ice cream-shaped treat shop. Order at the window or the drive-thru. Stop in for a soft serve cone, sundaes, shakes, and a wizzard. While you’re there, children can play on the huge collection of vintage kiddie rides (quarter rides) or play pinball inside. There’s indoor and outdoor seating available.

Where to Stay in Butler County, Ohio

There are many options when choosing where to stay in Butler County, Ohio during your visit. Butler County encompasses seven different cities; Fairfield, Hamilton, Middletown, Monroe, Oxford, Trenton, and some of the city of Sharonville. If you want to stay in a hotel, a bed & breakfast, or even a campground, you’ll find great accommodations.

Large families or those looking for more space will want to look at Staybridge Suites. If you just need a place to stay comfortably, you’ll find that nearly every chain hotel is just a quick drive from anywhere in the area. Additionally, bed & breakfast properties are a popular choice and during the warmer months, a campground is a great bet!

Butler County, Ohio is just a little over two hours from Indianapolis, so it’s a perfect day trip or weekend getaway! Check out the Butler County Tourism website for even more ideas for your travel itinerary.

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