Things to do
Summer Activity Checklist
Posted on May 27
Make sweet summer memories with these local activities.
It's the season of soft serve ice cream, suntans, and stories to share. As another memorable summer is upon us, you can use this bingo checklist to make the most of it! Check out some of the best summer activities below.
1. Mural Tours
Liberty Center Murals (Pictured) — Find Kelsey Montague #WhatLiftsYou murals, and additional indoor/outdoor murals.
StreetSpark Mural Tour — Download the StreetSpark Map and visit all 14 vibrant murals throughout Hamilton.
Changemakers of Oxford — Learn about the important activists and civil rights history in Oxford at this public mural.
2. Local Creamy Whips
The Cone (Pictured) — This local favorite features famous soft-serve ice cream, kiddie rides and games too.
Flub's Dariette — This 50-year-old ice cream stand is a summer staple, with locations in Fairfield, Hamilton and Ross.
Spring Street Treats — Specializing in soft-serve treats with a ton of flavors and toppings to choose from.
The Dip — A perfect sign of summer is a cone, banana split, ice cream sundae, or milkshake from this stand in Fairfield.
3. Nature & Hiking Trails
Governor Bebb MetroPark (Pictured) — Check out any of the amazing MetroParks, offering fresh air and historical flair.
Nation Road Horse Rental — Explore the scenic trails of Oxford on horseback with any of these five guided trails.
Rentschler Forest — This 400+ acre park offers trails, a prehistoric Indian earthwork, wetlands, and river views.
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park — Over 300 acres of hills, valleys, and ponds adorned with 80+ monumental sculptures.
4. Local Museums
Salty Dog Museum (Pictured) — This tactile museum takes you through the evolution of classic automobiles.
EnterTRAINment Junction — Featuring multiple exhibits, like the A-Maze-N Funhouse and Imagination Junction.
BC Warbirds — This museum that includes historic aircrafts, including the wonder and history of flight.
5. Water Adventures
Wake Nation (Pictured) — No boat, no problem! Go wakeboarding, water skiing or conquer the Adventure Zone.
Aqua Adventures — Land of Illusion's water park features paddle boards, sand volleyball, inflatables, and much more.
Oxford Aquatic Center — Make a splash in their huge pool, lazy river, kiddie area, or on the waterslides.
6. Rootbeer Floats
The Jug (Pictured) — Established in 1932, this local icon serves classic cheeseburgers and rootbeer floats by car hop.
Jolly's Drive In — Over 70 years, keeping old-fashioned burgers, chili-dogs and root beer as their focus.
J&E Rootbeer — Reopened by the current owners in 2022, this local spot has been serving hotdogs, burgers, sodas, and more for over 35 years.
7. Get Active
Great Miami River Trail (Pictured) — Almost 100 miles of beautiful paved trails and river views, connecting different communities.
Harbin Park — This park in Fairfield is regionally-renowned for it's mountain biking trails for all experience levels.
The Pickle Lodge — Play pickleball at the 2nd largest indoor facility in the country with 17 indoor courts and 5 outdoor courts.
8. DORA
DORA stands for Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas. The Program allows people to order an alcoholic beverage from a participating establishments and explore the city while drinking (in designated areas). Find DORAs in parts of Hamilton, Liberty Center, Middletown, and Oxford. Specific rules vary by each city, learn more here.
9. Summer Concert Series
Photo credit: Enjoy Oxford
Live After 5 — Enjoy live music every Thursday night with Liberty Center's Summer Concert Series. The concerts are free to attend from 6-9PM, and don't forget to grab your favorite DORA beverage to sit back and relax.
RiversEdge Concerts — RiversEdge Park & Amphitheater is a beautiful place for a summer concert, located right along the banks of the Great Miami River. Tickets are free unless otherwise stated.
The Takeover On the Square — Enjoy food trucks and local breweries while enjoying tunes from 6-9PM.
Explore more outdoor concerts here.
10. The Donut Trail
The Butler County Donut Trail is a favorite summer tradition for some families and friends. A new t-shirt color and design comes out every year, so you can complete the trail and collect a new t-shirt every summer. It's a fun activity for everyone, and you are able to do it in one day, over a weekend, or over a few months. Learn more about the Donut Trail and get our top tips here.