Division Releases

Attractions Across Ohio Honor Armed Forces, Families with Discounts
Museums, halls of fame, zoos and more salute Ohio's service men and women
6/26/2009

CONTACT:
Tamara Brown at (614) 466-8591

COLUMBUS, Ohio (June 26, 2009) - Spending time with friends and family before or after serving their call of duty is often at the top of a lengthy to-do list for Ohio's men and women who are serving overseas. Even while they are away, members of military families back home look for opportunities to grow closer to one another. Already affordable destinations across Ohio are honoring the state's Armed Forces and their families by offering unforgettable experiences at amazing discounts. With Independence Day just around the corner, we are reminded that freedom isn't free. Offering discounts to Ohio's military families who want to get away and reconnect is one way Ohio's Tourism Industry and the Ohio Tourism Division are saying "Thank you."

Following is just a sampling of military discounts available to Ohio's service men and women looking for fun and exciting travel opportunities close to home with family and friends. For additional discounts, visit www.DiscoverOhio.com and click on "Special Offers for Ohio's Military Families" in the content rotator (center section) of the site or call 1-800-BUCKEYE. Ohio is Too Much Fun for Just One Day!

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Canton (Northeast Ohio)
Are you ready for some football? The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the country's premier sports showplace full of interactive exhibits spread throughout five inter-connected buildings. Enjoy the Moments, Memories & Mementos Gallery featuring football's finest moments and players with interactive units that allow football artifacts to function as windows to stories about each Hall of Famer. The Pro Football Today Gallery emphasizes the contemporary game and contains four main exhibits including NFL Goes Global, The Pro Bowl, Rookie Record and Career Records. Military Discount: All military members receive free admission with military I.D. ($18 savings)

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Cleveland (Northeast Ohio)
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum displays some memorabilia that you won't see anywhere else, like Janis Joplin's 1965 Porsche 356c Cabriolet. On permanent display is Hang on Sloopy: The Music of Ohio, an exhibit that chronicles the music and careers of some of Ohio's most well-known musicians, including Dean Martin, Devo, The O'Jays, the Isley Brothers, Bootsy Collins and more. Don't miss the Bruce Springsteen exhibit (opened in March), the first to showcase "The Boss's" regular working man life and musical career. The Hall of Fame, provides an amazing shrine to rock and roll's hall of fame inductees through multimedia presentations combining film footage, music, interviews, animation and still photography. Military Discount: All military members receive $17 admission with military I.D. (regularly $23)

Cedar Point, Sandusky (Northwest Ohio)
There's a reason Cedar Point has been voted the "Best Amusement Park in the World" for 11 years in a row! The park boasts 75 rides including 17 roller coasters, more than any amusement park in the world. If you dare, check out the Top Thrill Dragster, Cedar Point's tallest and fastest roller coaster (420 feet and 120 miles per hour, respectively). Additional fan favorites include Millennium Force, the Magnum XL-200 (celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2009) and the Raptor (celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2009). Also check out the child-friendly Planet Snoopy; Soak City, a huge outdoor waterpark; and Challenge Park, an outdoor entertainment complex that features go-karts and miniature golf. Military Discount: All military members and their immediate family receive $33.99 admission with military I.D. (regularly $43.99)

Toledo Zoo, Toledo (Northwest Ohio)
The Toledo Zoo is home to more than 6,000 mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, invertebrates and innovative exhibits that get you up-close-and-personal with many zoo favorites! Don't miss the Arctic Encounter where visitors can get face-to-face with polar bears, or stop by the Hippoquarium to watch a massive hippo gracefully float by. New in June 2009 is Nature's Neighborhood, an interactive children's zoo that gives kids a chance to connect with an amazing array of animals like goats. This educational facility also teaches children proper pet care through interaction with its animals. Military Discount: All military members receive free admission with military I.D. ($11 savings) and immediate family members receive group rates (contact the Toledo Zoo at 419-385-5721, ext. 3092 for more details).

Motts Military Museum, Groveport (Central Ohio)
The Motts Military Museum exhibits chronicle stories of the American Revolution, Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and Desert Storm. An exhibit on NASA includes artifacts from the Apollo 13 mission and astronauts' personal items from the space program. The exhibit Medals showcases a medal given for the liberation of Kuwait and is the only Foreign Service award for the Gulf War authorized by the U.S. government to be worn by U.S. military personnel. The POW Exhibit showcases a gas mask used by Capt. Sallie Durrett of the Army Nurse Corp while she was held captive from 1942 - 1945 in World War II. These exhibits serve to remind everyone that freedom isn't free. Personal tours are available when prior arrangements have been made. Military discount: All active military members receive free admission with military I.D. ($5 savings)

COSI, Columbus (Central Ohio)
Named the No. 1 science center in the country in 2008 by Parents Magazine, COSI is a dynamic, hands-on facility. New in June 2009, the Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science exhibit challenges visitors to use clues to solve the mysteries of hidden stories and artifacts. Other exhibits traverse the worlds of the ocean and space. Brave the High Wire Unicycle and ride across the Atrium, high over the crowds at COSI or listen to the in-depth story of human life from birth through death and all the steps in between (you can even see what your face will look like years from now). Military Discount: All military members receive free admission with military I.D. (does not include movies - $13.75 savings) and half off for immediate family members.

TECUMSEH! Outdoor Drama, Chillicothe (Southeast Ohio)
Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Tecumseh! is the epic life story of the legendary Shawnee leader who struggled to defend his sacred homelands in the Ohio Country during the late 1700s. Produced by seven-time Pulitzer Prize Nominee and Emmy Recipient, Allan W. Eckert, the drama's beautiful Native American Music Score, recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra, fills the air. A herd of galloping horses, live military cannon fire and dazzling battle sequences make this production a truly unique experience. Military Discount: All military members and their immediate family receive 25 percent off admission with military I.D. (see Web site for admission prices)

The Wilds, Cumberland (Southeast Ohio)
One of the largest and most innovative conservation centers in the world, the Wilds is home to a number of exotic animals roaming freely across acres of rolling hills. Located on nearly 10,000 acres in Southeast Ohio, this must-see adventure is home to rhinos, giraffes, zebras, antelope, cheetahs and more. The Wilds works to educate the public on its innovative, in-depth science and education programs through guided tours on safari-like buses. Be sure to stop by the birding station, butterfly habitat walking trail and more. Military Discount: All active military members receive free admission with military I.D. ($20-$27 savings)

Taft Museum of Art, Cincinnati (Southwest Ohio)
Formerly known as the Baum-Longworth-Taft House, the Taft Museum of Art was built in 1820 and is listed as a National Historic Landmark. The museum is noted as an excellent example of American Palladian architecture and holds a vast collection of art including European old master and 19th-century American paintings, Chinese porcelains, European decorative arts, Limoges enamels, watches, sculptures and furniture. Military Discount: All military members and their immediate families receive free admission with military I.D. ($8 savings for each person)

About the Ohio Tourism Division
The Ohio Tourism Division is the premier source of information for travelers and media about Ohio's vibrant tourism experiences, attractions, and economy. Division marketing programs contributed to an estimated $38 billion in visitor sales in 2007 and 454,000 jobs sustained by visitors to the state. A part of the Ohio Department of Development, the Division's mission is to promote and celebrate Ohio's unique travel opportunities and market the state's outstanding quality of life.

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Editor's Note: Travelers are encouraged to call ahead to confirm pricing and terms of all military discounts.