Ohio Kicks Off Summer Travel Season with New Experiences

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- With peak travel season fast approaching, Ohio's tourism industry is unveiling a wide variety of new experiences perfect for travelers seeking affordable yet first-class opportunities.

"2010 is shaping up to be an exciting summer for tourism experiences with new animals at Ohio zoos, two new water rides and plenty of new events," said Ohio Tourism Director Amir Eylon. "Ohio is conveniently located within a day's drive of roughly 60 percent of the U.S. population, so we hope travelers will take advantage of the combination of new, budget-friendly experiences and our close-to-home location."

Following are just a few highlights of the new exhibits, events and attractions that make Ohio Too Much Fun For Just One Day! For more information, visit DiscoverOhio.com, follow us on Twitter @DiscoverOhio or become a fan of the Ohio Tourism Division on Facebook at www.facebook.com/discoverohio.

The Triple Twist at Great Wolf Lodge – Mason

Located at Kings Island, Great Wolf Lodge debuts its newest waterslide, The Triple Twist, featuring a high speed, five-story drop into a huge funnel, with twists, turns and two more funnels. www.GreatWolf.com

Kings Island's Planet Snoopy – Mason

On Kings Island's opening day, the world's most popular beagle, Snoopy, and the entire PEANUTS gang came alive in the park's new Kids Area, Planet Snoopy. The park also features Diamondback, which debuted in 2009 as the park's tallest, fastest and meanest coaster. www.VisitKingsIsland.com

Polar Frontier at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium – Powell (May 6, 2010)

This spring, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will introduce the new Polar Frontier exhibit area. In addition to the return of polar bears to the zoo, Polar Frontier will house Arctic foxes, Alaskan brown bears and reindeer. Check out the 167,000-gallon pool overhead while walking through the underwater viewing area to catch a glimpse of bears playing in the water. www.ColumbusZoo.org

Cedar Point's Shoot the Rapids – Sandusky (May 15, 2010)

Cedar Point's newest water adventure, Shoot the Rapids, will take riders on a 2,100-foot-long journey, through a wooded area and around an illegal still used for brewing sweet-tasting elixir, all while encountering surprise water elements and special effects. Opening in the spring of 2010 with a price tag of $10.5 million, it's the most expensive water ride ever built at Cedar Point. www.CedarPoint.com

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden's Dragons! Exhibit (June 2010)

Rated the No. 1 attraction in the region and one of the top zoos in the nation by Zagat Survey, the zoo debuts a new Komodo dragon exhibit this year. In addition, the exhibit will feature several species of monitor lizards. www.CincinnatiZoo.org

Safari Outdoor Adventure Park at Kalahari Resort – Sandusky (Summer 2010)

The country's largest indoor waterpark resort is expanding again with its new Safari Outdoor Adventure Park. Designed with an African village theme and set above the resort's outdoor waterpark, the experience will feature six-story towers that launch guests, a zip line, a ropes course and a rock climbing wall. www.KalahariResorts.com/oh

Korean War 60th Anniversary Exhibit – National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Dayton (June 2010)

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, along with other community organizations, will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War with special events and a renovation of the museum's Korean War exhibit area. Activities take place June 24 – 26, and include Wright-Patterson Air Force Base's sixth-annual Freedom's Call Military Tattoo and a ceremony at the Korean War Memorial in downtown Dayton. www.NationalMuseum.af.mil

Tall Ships – Downtown Cleveland Harbor (July 2010)

Starting July 7, 2010, the Tall Ships return to Cleveland for a four-day festival that includes ship boardings, a wide variety of exhibits and displays and even sail aways. These spectacular vessels represent maritime history from the Revolutionary War, Great Lakes trading schooners and more. The ships will enter Cleveland's harbor and begin a Parade of Sail in preparation for the opening of the festival. www.DiscoverOhio.com

Check www.DiscoverOhio.com for more exciting and affordable travel opportunities close to home. To order a free copy of the 2010 Ohio Travel Planner or the 2010 Spring/Summer Calendar of Events, visit www.DiscoverOhio.com or call 1-800-BUCKEYE. The Ohio Travel Planner and Ohio Calendar of Events also are both viewable online. Trained travel counselors are available to assist 1-800-BUCKEYE callers weekdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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 $39 billion in total sales in 2008 and 452,000 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.

SOURCE Ohio Tourism Division