Things to Do
Fun For All
Back to Things to DoFun for All!
All programs require preregistration and follow Cincinnati Nature Center's COVID Program Safety Protocol. Please register online well in advance of the class start date to ensure placement.
As of August 23, 2021, masks are required in all our buildings for all vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Masks are not required outdoors or under pavilions and tents.
Click on the program dates for pricing, registration information and full descriptions.
CLICK HERE to view the Events & Programs Calendar.
CLICK HERE to sign up and be notified for various upcoming programs.
Visitor Center Nature Moments
Join us at the Rowe Visitor Center for interactive programs presented by a naturalist. Members free; nonmember adult $9 and nonmember child $4 (includes daily admission).
Native Fish and Red-eared Slider Turtle Feeding, Tuesdays, 11 am
Nature Discovery at the Nature Nook, Thursdays, 12 pm
Snake Handling and Feeding, Every Other Tuesday, 11 am
Click here to register for your preferred program date and time.
Pawpaw Hunting at Long Branch Farm & Trails
Saturday, September 18, 6-7:30 pm
Wednesday, September 22, 6-7:30 pm
Friday, September 24, 6-7:30 pm
Venture “way down yonder” to treasure hunt for ripe pawpaw fruits. We’ll explore the history, science, and lore of the “Ohio Banana.” Members $6; nonmembers $11 (includes daily admission).
Family Flashlight Scavenger Hunt at Long Branch Farm & Trails
Saturday, September 18, 8:30-10 pm
What could be more fun than a night hike? A scavenger hunt at night! During this night hike, we’ll use our senses and our flashlights to experience nature in a new way. Members $7; nonmembers $12 (includes daily admission).
Hike for Your Health with RRT
Sunday, September 19, 2-3:30 pm—Far Ridge Trail at Rowe Woods
Sunday, October 17, 2-3:30 pm—Lookout Trail at Rowe Woods
Sunday, November 14, 2-3:30 pm—Woodpecker Trail at Long Branch Farm & Trails
Grab your Hike for Your Health passport and get hiking with Nature Center staff and a representative from Roads Rivers and Trails (RRT), a local adventure outfitter. Join us each month as we traverse our trails (approximately 2-3 miles each hike). Purchase your passport ahead of time, available at the Rowe Visitor Center for $4. Members $6; nonmembers $11 (includes daily admission).
Full Moon Walks
Monday September 20, 8:30-10 pm—Autumn Harvest Moon at Long Branch Farm & Trails
Wednesday, October 20, 7:30-9 pm—Hunter’s Moon at Rowe Woods
Friday November 19, 7:30-9 pm—Beaver Moon at Long Branch Farm & Trails
Hit the trails at night and enjoy the full moon, natural history moments, and special readings. Recommended for adults and children 8 and up. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).
Fall Equinox Trail Run for Women and Girls
Saturday, September 25, 10-11:30 am
Celebrate the fall equinox with us! Join us on our award-winning trails as we mindfully “unplug” from our daily lives and “plug into nature.” This will be a two-stage trail run. Stage 1 will be approximately two miles on beginning-intermediate trails. Stage 2 will be approximately three miles on intermediate-advanced trails. Join us for stage 1 only or continue for the full five-mile experience. The run is appropriate for ages 12 and above.
Pawpaw Ice Cream Day for Families!
Saturday, September 25, 1-2 pm
Calling all ice cream connoisseurs! Join us for a fun afternoon of learning about pawpaw trees and their fruit. We’ll hike through the pawpaw patch, open up the fruits, learn about their history, and see how ice cream is made. We’ll end our time together with a taste test of our native hand-made pawpaw ice cream. Members $8; nonmembers $8.
Make a Hiking Stick
Sunday, September 26, 10:30-11:30 am
Saturday, October 23, 8:30-9:30 am
Saturday, October 23, 10:30-11:30 am
Grab a pre-harvested honeysuckle branch and craft it into a hiking stick with our hand tools. Use our leather stamping set and brass tacks to embellish your new hiking companion. Members $7; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission).
Black Walnut Hunting at Long Branch Farm & Trails
Wednesday, October 13, 6-7:30 pm
Celebrate our native black walnut by helping us gather and process this year’s crop. Head out on the land to hunt for black walnuts and help husk them with our antique equipment. Members $6; nonmembers $11 (includes daily admission).
Nighttime Trail Fest (For Kids!)
Spiders, bats, and bones, oh my! Don your costumes for this non-spooky woodland Halloween adventure. Enjoy on-trail nature crafts, activities, and festive treats as the sun sets on the autumn forest. Members $8; nonmembers $8 (includes daily admission).
Mini-Boat Float Challenge
Saturday, November 6, 3-4:30 pm
Will your imaginary tiny riders survive the journey down Avey’s Run? Join us for this special STEM program on boat building with natural material to find out! We’ll explore the principles of float and sink and boat construction while we build. Members $5; nonmembers $10 (includes daily admission).
Wildflower Seed Harvesting Project at Long Branch Farm & Trails
Give back by gathering wildflower seeds during this family-friendly learn-by-doing volunteer project. On this walking and working tour, we’ll visit the fields to harvest then take your through cleaning, drying, and processing seeds that will be used to improve our sites. Head home with native plant seeds, inspiration, and tips for your own yard. Members $6; nonmembers $11 (includes daily admission).
Create Your Own Tile Hands-On Workshop
Saturdays, November 20 and November 27, 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm
Sundays, November 21 and November 28, 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm
Make a special gift or keepsake! Meet local ceramic artist, Bonnie Mitchell, and learn how to carve your own image into a tile using the sgraffito technique during this workshop. Members $25; nonmembers $30 (includes daily admission).
Flint & Steel Fire Making
Sunday, November 21, 2-3:30 pm
Make fire with flint and steel in this hands-on class. We’ll cover safety and how to find and prepare natural tinder then coax flames from sparks. We’ll celebrate by roasting marshmallows. Members $7; nonmembers $12 (includes daily admission).
Gobble Wobble Walk
Friday, November 26, 11 am-12 pm
Shake your tail feathers and walk off those extra scoops of mashed potatoes! Enjoy nature stories on guided walks on our most family-friendly trails. Join us for a lovely walk along Geology Trail! Members $6; nonmembers $11 (includes daily admission).