Quick getaways for (or with) Mom: Travel in Threes

Written by admin on April 25, 2011 – 9:35 am

Quick getaways for (or with) Mom: Travel in Threes Take Mom to see a queen in Cincinnati this Mother’s Day. The exhibit on Cleopatra at the Cincinnati Museum Center runs through early September.

QUICK GETAWAYS FOR (OR WITH) MOM

What mom couldn’t deserve a holiday? But you better get planning — Mother’s Day is just a week away. If you need ideas, consider these three close-to-home getaways, for three different types of moms.

1. Treat Mom like a queen by taking her to the Queen City to learn more about the last queen of Egypt. “Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt” runs through early September at the Cincinnati Museum Center . On Mother’s Day, the museum has a special brunch planned (reservations required by Wednesday: 513-287-7021). To make her really feel like royalty, book a night at the historic Cincinnatian Hotel .

2. If Mom favors Mother Nature over museums, consider an overnight to an Ohio state park. Several have special Mom’s Day activities planned for next weekend (note: most are on Saturday). Among the options: A Mother’s Day Paddle at Van Buren State Park near Findlay; Mother’s Day Breakfast at Maumee Bay State Park near Toledo; and Mother’s Day Mini Golf at Paint Creek State Park near Chillicothe. For details: tinyurl.com/momparks

3. If Mom prefers a mud wrap to a hike in the mud, book a spa getaway. The Inn at Cedar Falls in Ohio’s Hocking Hills region offers a Mother-Daughter Slumber Party, which includes meals and a spa treatment. With younger kids, consider a weekend away to Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, which is offering a Mother’s Day weekend package that includes Sunday brunch, water-park passes, plus a spa gift certificate.

SPECIAL DEALS AND PACKAGES

1. Mohican State Park Lodge near Loudonville is offering a Zipline Package that includes an overnight stay, breakfast, plus passes for two to the nearby Tree Frog Zipline Canopy Tours. Rates start at $249 Sunday through Thursday; $269 Friday and Saturday.

2. The James Chicago is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a Five of Your Favorite Things package, featuring the hotel’s most popular amenities. Among the perks: a complimentary room upgrade, two hourlong massages, in-room breakfast, cocktails and use of the hotel’s car service. Packages, starting at $359, are available through June.

3. The Hyatt Regency Buffalo has created a BFF Package, which includes overnight accommodations, breakfast, wine and cheese, cocktails, spa and restaurant discounts, an in-room movie and more. Rates start at $149. For information: 1-888-591-1234.

EVENTS NOT TO MISS CLOSE TO HOME

1. Celebrate Ohio authors at the annual Ohioana Book Festival from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday in Columbus. The event, at Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center on Jack Gibbs Boulevard, features author readings, panel discussions and more. Featured authors include Ted Gup, Andrea Cheng, Robert Greer and many others.

2. Enjoy fishing for free in Ohio’s waterways next weekend. “Free Fishing Days” — Saturday and Sunday, May 8 — are designed to promote the sport by allowing anglers to fish without a license in Lake Erie, the Ohio River and everywhere in between.

3. Fans of old Westerns will gather next weekend (Friday-Saturday) for the annual Hopalong Cassidy Festival in Cambridge, near the hometown of actor William Boyd, who for decades portrayed Cassidy in movies and on TV. The event features cowboy look-alikes, Western music, a Western collectibles sale and meet-the-stars events. Activities take place at the Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center, 7033 Glenn Highway. Information: 1-800-933-5480.

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