About McGuffey · Our Town
Things to do in and around Oxford.
Even though it’s a small town, there’s plenty to keep families busy and active. Browse our list of favorite spots in Oxford and the surrounding area.
Right here in town
Oxford
Parks, museums, classes, and more, many of them on or near Miami University’s campus.
Art Explorers, Miami University Art Museum
Story and related crafts on the last Thursday of the month. The museum is also fun for an outing.
Visit website →Dogwood Grove and the Formal Gardens
On Patterson Avenue, a perfect picnic spot with a duck pond, and just over the footbridge, the Formal Gardens.
Visit website →Hanover Playground
Between Oxford and Hamilton on Old Oxford Road. Wear closed-toe shoes; the surface is shredded tires.
Visit website →Hefner Zoology Museum
A little gem in Upham Hall full of specimens, plus a play room for dressing up in animal costumes.
Visit website →Holiday Auto Theatre
One of the few drive-in theatres around, in business for over 60 years.
Visit website →Hueston Sailing Association
Junior Sailing Camp for ages 11 to 15 each summer, plus several “Learn to Sail Days” a year.
Visit website →Hueston Woods
Trails (some toddler-length), camping, a beach, golf, and a Nature Center with birds of prey. (513) 523-6347.
Visit website →Goggin Ice Arena
Skating classes for ages 3 and up, Junior RedHawks hockey, and weekend public skating.
Visit website →Lane Library
Weekly story hours, puppet shows, workshops, and craft sessions.
Visit website →Limper Geology Museum
In Shideler Hall, more than enough rocks to satisfy any junior geologist.
Visit website →McGuffey Preschool Playground
Mondays 10:00am–12:00pm in summer; free play for children 6 and under and their siblings.
Visit website →Miami University Art Museum
A permanent collection and special exhibitions. Free admission and plenty of events for children.
Visit website →Miami University Equestrian Center
Group and private riding lessons for ages eight and up.
Visit website →Miami University Gymnastics
Instruction for ages 3 and up, taught by the Miami Women’s Gymnastics team.
Visit website →Miami University Natural Areas
A vast network of walking trails with downloadable maps and occasional guided hikes.
Visit website →Miami University Rec Center
Swim lessons, a climbing wall, gyms, a leisure pool with a graded entrance, Family Fun Days, and camps.
Visit website →Miami RedHawks Athletics
Football, basketball, and hockey tickets, and most other events are free.
Visit website →Miami Youth Rock Climbing Team
Builds climbing skills, confidence, teamwork, and trust, coached by Miami staff and students.
Visit website →Miami University Youth Programs
An ever-changing list of programs, primarily for school-age children.
Visit website →MOON Co-op
A health food store with local and hard-to-find goods, great for food allergies or sensitivities.
Visit website →Oxford Community Arts Center
Art, music, dance, theatre, writing, and garden activities for adults and children.
Visit website →Oxford Farmer’s Market
Uptown on Saturday mornings, with the Sprouts program for kids each week.
Visit website →Oxford Lanes
Bumper bowling on every lane and child-size balls for the youngest bowlers.
Visit website →Oxford Martial Arts Academy
Adult and child classes, including Tiny Dragons starting at age 3.
Visit website →Oxford Museum Association
Pioneer Farm, the DeWitt Log Homestead, and the Black Covered Bridge.
Visit website →Oxford Parks & Recreation
Parks, pool, and youth sports from soccer and t-ball to swimming and basketball, some from age four.
Visit website →Oxford SAY Soccer
A community league for ages 4 and up emphasizing sportsmanship and fun.
Visit website →Saturday Art
Saturday morning classes taught by Miami Art Education students, ages four to high school. (513) 529-2900.
Visit website →Three Valley Conservation
Little Muddlers gets preschoolers exploring the outdoors: water, bugs, dirt and all.
Visit website →You’re Fired
Paint-your-own pottery with summer camps and nights when the studio fee is waived.
Visit website →30–40 minute drive
Surrounding areas
Brookville Lake
A 5,260-acre lake in Indiana with a beach, boating, fishing, hiking, and a playground.
Visit website →Cope Environmental Center
A 100-acre natural area with hiking and educational programs.
Visit website →The Fitton Center for Creative Arts
Classes, exhibits, and performances in nearby Hamilton.
Visit website →Hayes Arboretum
466 acres with plant and fossil collections, trails, and an auto tour, free of charge.
Visit website →Highfield Discovery Garden
A huge treehouse to climb and a different science theme each week.
Visit website →Kidtoons, Showcase Cinema Springdale
G-rated movies at 10am on Saturdays and Sundays.
Visit website →MetroParks of Butler County
The county parks system, with many events each month.
Visit website →Miami Whitewater Forest
A great playground, a summer sprayground, and paved bike paths.
Visit website →Parky’s Farm
A 100-acre demonstration farm with animals and a two-story indoor play area.
Visit website →Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park
An outdoor sculpture park with puppet shows and events.
Visit website →Sharon Woods Heritage Village
A living history museum of 19th-century Southwestern Ohio.
Visit website →About an hour away
Cincinnati
ArtsWave Guide
Free festivals, arts scavenger hunts, and signature events across the region.
Visit website →Cincinnati Art Museum
In beautiful Eden Park, with free admission.
Visit website →Cincy Arts + STEM
Find after-school classes, camps, and family arts and science events.
Visit website →Contemporary Arts Center
Home to the UnMuseum for kids, plus Art Play for ages 3–7.
Visit website →Cincinnati Museum Center
Three museums in one, including a great Children’s Museum.
Visit website →Cincinnati Nature Center
Lots of great trails and programs for children.
Visit website →Cincinnati Observatory
A working 19th-century observatory with public viewings year-round.
Visit website →Cincinnati Zoo
Animals of every kind, holiday lights, and great summer camps.
Visit website →Dramakinetics
Drama, music, and movement for children, teens, and adults of all abilities.
Visit website →Gorman Heritage Farm
A 120-acre working farm with visits, camps, and festivals.
Visit website →Happen Inc.
Interactive art classes, many free, and the popular Toy Lab.
Visit website →Imago Earth Center
36 acres of urban forest with trails, programs, and camps.
Visit website →Krohn Conservatory
3,500 plant species and the springtime Butterfly Show.
Visit website →Metamora, IN
Indiana’s only functioning 1838 canal town, with shops and festivals.
Visit website →Newport Aquarium
Lots of exhibits and an indoor play area. Call ahead about strollers.
Visit website →About an hour away
Dayton
Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm
Woods, streams, prairies, an education center, and an organic farm.
Visit website →Boonshoft Museum
A children’s museum; free with a Cincinnati Museum membership.
Visit website →Carillon Historical Park
65 acres and 25 historical buildings celebrating Dayton’s inventive heritage.
Visit website →Cox Arboretum
Flowers, ponds, a children’s labyrinth, and a native Butterfly House.
Visit website →Dayton Art Institute
A beautiful art museum with special programs for children.
Visit website →1.5+ hour drive
A day trip
Conner Prairie, Fishers, IN
An interactive history park exploring 19th-century American life.
Visit website →The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
Four levels, a huge dinosaur exhibit, and a historic indoor carousel.
Visit website →COSI, Columbus, OH
A fantastic science museum for kids of all ages.
Visit website →Grange Insurance Audubon Center
A green oasis on the Scioto River, minutes from downtown Columbus.
Visit website →Glen Helen, Yellow Springs, OH
A 1,000-acre preserve with 25 miles of footpaths, waterfalls, and camps.
Visit website →Have a suggestion? We are continually updating this list. If you have additions or corrections, please email us!
A lifelong love of learning begins at McGuffey.
We would love to meet your family. Book a tour and see what makes the McGuffey learning experience unique.
McGuffey Montessori School5128 Westgate Drive, Oxford, OH 45056 · (513) 523-7742
A privately run Montessori school educating students from preschool through Grade 8 since 1983.