Question:  Terry Houston asks: I'd like to take a car trip within a 150-mile radius of Cincinnati. Any suggestions?

Answer: Mary Ann Bayer, travel professional at the AAA office in Cincinnati suggests several trips.  If you are looking for someplace close to home, consider Indianapolis, which is approximately 100 miles from Cincinnati.  The Children’s Museum , for children of all ages, is a good place to start your adventure.  Meet a mummy, climb a limestone wall, ride the world famous carousel, sail through space at the planetarium and experience dinosaurs like never before.  You won’t be bored.  The museum is a AAA GEM attraction.  If speed is your interest, try the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  Visit the Hall of Fame Museum and see cars that have actually won the Indianapolis 500.  A film about the track’s history and highlights is shown every half-hour.  Ride around the actual race track in a bus and get an idea what the drivers see.  The time will pass fast!  White River State Park in the heart of the city contains many attractions to choose from.  And, don’t miss the Indianapolis Zoo that offers a 64 acre cageless zoo of exotic animals within 5 different living habitats, an aquarium, a dolphin show and plenty more.  Also, you will find White River Gardens, the Eiteljorg Museum of the American Indian, NCAA Hall of Champions and so much more.  The history lover should plan to visit Conner Prairie near Noblesville, Indiana just northeast of Indianapolis. This facility offers a historic town, farm, Indian camp with all “residents” in appropriate costume of the period.  If shopping, walking tours or sports are your interests, Indy has so much to offer and enjoy.  You can find more details on AAA.com and members can request free TourBook guides at your nearest AAA office.  Travel counselors will be happy to help you find the right accommodation to fit the needs of you and your family.

Heading south to Louisville will also find a wide variety of attractions available to enjoy.  Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs is a facility that offers two floors of horse racing artifacts, interactive exhibits and art concerning the great traditions of the Kentucky Derby.  A thirty minute walking tour of Churchill Downs is available along with a “Backside” and “Insiders” tour.  This is a AAA GEM attraction and offers discounts to AAA members.  The Frazier History Museum exhibits 1000 years of world history beginning with medieval Europe and ending with the early 20th century.  It contains a collection from one of Britain’s Royal Armories and other arms and armor.  This is also a GEM attraction and offers a AAA discount.  And, where can you find a 120 foot, 68,000 pound baseball bat?  Why the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory,  of course.  This distinguishing landmark is the entrance of the facility where you can watch a film, look at exhibits and actually see baseball bats being produced. AAA member discount offered. 

If amusement parks are your thing, Mary Ann says to try Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom  and the Hurricane Bay Water Park.  Six Flags offers 110 rides and 8 roller coasters.  Check for member-discounted tickets at your local AAA office.  If your interests tend to run to historic buildings, this is the place to be.  Louisville has its share of those also. Locust Grove, a Georgian mansion, housed many distinguished visitors including 3 presidents and was a one-time home of George Rogers Clark.  Farmington, a 14 room Federal style designed and planned by Thomas Jefferson for Joshua Speed, is another GEM attraction with a AAA member discount.  Louisville is worth a visit for the whole family and about 100 miles from Cincinnati.

And last, if you want a history buff’s weekend in less than 100 miles – take a drive down the AA Highway (Route 9) and make a stop at the Walcott Covered Bridge at the intersection of Route 9 and KY 1159 and take a few pictures.  Continue on to Maysville on the Ohio River.  The influence of the river trade during the 1800’s is evident in Maysville’s architecture - the grillwork of the row houses along Third St. is reminiscent of New Orleans.  See the history of Maysville depicted through a series of painted murals on the city’s floodwall.  Visit the Visitors’ Center at Third and Bridge Sts. for walking tour information.  Plan to visit the Kentucky Gateway Museum,  formerly the Mason County Museum now on Sutton St.  It has a new name, location and focus and is more regional in scope and more inclusive.  The Kentucky Gateway Museum Center is listed on the Civil War Discovery Trail and is designated as a Freedom Station by the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati.  Also, visit the Bierbower House  on 4th St. in town.  It was a “safe house” where many runaway slaves sought shelter as part of the main escape  route used by slaves heading north to freedom. 

Should you decide to spend the night in Maysville there are accommodations and restaurants aplenty for a small town.  Visit Old Washington, just a few miles south of Maysville, just off US 68 -- especially if you are looking for antiques and more historic 18th century buildings.  The Visitors’ Center is a log cabin on the left as you enter the town.  Continue your journey south on US 68 about 20 miles to Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park.  Accommodations and a restaurant are available there.  This is the site of Kentucky’s last Revolutionary War engagement.  There is a monument to the battle and museum in the park.  While you are in the neighborhood, visit another covered bridge.  From Blue Licks go north on US 68 a short distance turn left on Highway 165 and drive a few miles, then turn right on Highway 1029 a few miles and look for the Johnson Creek Covered Bridge on the right and take a few more photos.  This has just scratched the surface of the history in this area and history buffs can find more details on AAA.com and members can request a free Kentucky/Tennessee TourBook guide