From Morning To Night, We’ve Put Together The Perfect Family Friendly Summer Day In Butler County, Ohio

In Southwest Ohio, Warren County is hailed as Ohio's Largest Playground; and indeed, with a world-class amusement park, epic resort, and tons of gorgeous parks, Warren County is definitely worthy of such acclaim. However, as a lifelong Ohioan, I'd argue that the neighboring Butler County is just as exciting as its world-famous sibling -- and with a diverse array of indoor and outdoor attractions, it's perhaps even more family friendly. To test this theory, I've put together the perfect summer day in Butler County, Ohio, and I think it shows just how fun and family friendly this region is.

Snuggled in southwest Ohio, Butler County is an unexpected mix of bucolic Buckeye State farmland and world-class attractions. It's one of the most populated counties of Ohio, yet somehow maintains a distinct "small town" feel that's very appealing to families.

I've called this region of the Buckeye State home for most of my adult life, and now, as a mom raising four kids, I often find myself in Butler County with my crew. Here are some of our favorite places to visit for a picture-perfect summer day in Butler County, Ohio.

Butler County is home to the official Ohio Donut Trail, which features a baker's dozen deserving bakeries and mom-and-pop shops in the area. You can't go wrong with any of them, but our favorite is Holtman's, a Cincinnati icon that offers a ton of unique flavors *and* even vegan varieties!

Run off that sugar high at one of Butler County's many MetroParks; our favorite is Voice of America. With an epic playground, beautiful bike loop, and rentable pedal boats, this park never fails to wear my kids out!

Need a rainy-day Plan B? No worries -- Butler County is home to *the* EnterTRAINment Junction, AKA The World's Largest Indoor Train Museum. With tons of interactive exhibits and even an indoor playground, it's a great spot with oodles of kid appeal.

One other rainy day contingency for kids more into "cars" than "trains" is the Salty Dog Museum. This hidden gem is an ode to vintage automobiles (including fire trucks!), and its open showrooms are perfect for kids to explore.

Please note that, while the museum is free to visit, you will need to call and set up an appointment!

After a morning of exploration and adventure, it's time to break for lunch. There are great places to dine all over Butler County, but family's favorite restaurant is Northstar Cafe.

This Ohio restaurant has a few locations, but the Liberty Center restaurant is the only one in the area! There are kid-friendly favorites like pizza and burritos, but I highly recommend the Northstar Burger, a delicious hand-formed *veggie* burger that's a big hit with carnivores, vegetarians, and even picky kiddos! And the fries with rosemary aioli are bomb... or fire... or whatever the kids these days are saying.

After lunch, let your meal digest a bit while wandering one of my hidden gems in Ohio: Pyramid Hill. The perfect combination of an art museum and outdoor park, Pyramid Hill’s 300 acres are marked with 80 larger-than-life sculptures in an environment of meadows, forests, and gardens. It's incredibly family friendly and a marvelous place to spend an hour or two before heading to the last activity of the day...

...iFly! This is a place where kids can quite literally soar to new heights. At iFly, flyers can be as young as three years old. Flight suits, helmets, goggles, and instruction are all provided -- all you need to bring is an open mind and willingness to take the leap... which, as you can see from this picture of my little stuntman, is quite a thrilling opportunity.

We've flied and run and seen art, trains, and automobiles, and by now, the whole family is ready for a nap. I have just one more stop, and it's a summertime must in Butler County, Ohio: The Cone. This is a place that needs no introduction; it's a seasonal favorite hailed as the best soft serve in Cincinnati, served up from a whimsical, larger-than-life cone-shaped castle.

If this isn't the cherry on top of a delightful summer day in Butler County, Ohio, I don't know what is.

Are you familiar with Butler County, Ohio? Between the Three Cs, Appalachian and Amish country, and river and lakeside towns, it's easy to overlook this Ohio county -- but to do so would be to miss out on some of Ohio's most family friendly experiences... and eats!