3 Weekend Getaways Near Cincinnati

Dayton, Ohio: 50 miles northeast of Cincinnati Sights in this National Aviation Heritage Area range from humble (the Wright brothers' bike shop) to humbling (the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force). The popular Dayton Air Show (July 17-18) stars the Blue Angels. Pictured at left: The Wright flyer sculpture at RiverScape Metro Park. (800) 221-8235; daytoncvb.com

Read Midwest Living's two-day Dayton itinerary

Yellow Springs, Ohio: 62 miles northeast of Cincinnati The 1960s might be history now, but funky Yellow Springs never got the memo. Many shops have a hippie vibe--even baby clothes smell like patchouli! Glen Helen Nature Preserve rounds out a day trip, and the Winds Cafe is special-occasion worthy. (937) 767-2686; destinationyellowsprings.com

(A version of this story appeared in Midwest Living® July/August 2010.)