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Roadtrip

FromOhio Festival Lands in Springfield May 29–30, and Yes, It’s Free!

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Remember IndieCraft? It got a glow-up. The festival formerly known as IndieCraft is back this spring under a new name, a new mission, and a lineup that leans hard into its best instinct: that you don’t actually need to fly anyone in to throw a great music festival in this state. FromOhio Music Festival takes over downtown Springfield Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30, with eleven Ohio indie acts, two historic venues, and a weekend of craft beer and local food — all free and open to the public.

The pitch is right there in the name. Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton have quietly been running one of the more interesting regional indie scenes in the country, and FromOhio is built around the idea that a great festival bill doesn’t have to look outward to fill itself out. This year’s lineup is a real cross-section of where the corridor is right now:

  • The Ophelias (Cincinnati) are arriving fresh off Spring Grove, their new Julien Baker–produced LP on Get Better Records
  • Carriers (Cincinnati) — Curt Kiser’s heartland-rock-meets-dream-pop project is touring behind their 2025 LP Every Time I Feel Afraid. Stereogum’s been calling them “dreamy, Dylan-esque” for a reason.
  • M Ross Perkins (Dayton) is a 60s-inspired psych-pop charmer, written up in American Songwriter and Uncut
  • crabswithoutlegs (Dayton / Columbus) is an amazing 12-piece neo-soul-fusion powerhouse and 2023 Dayton Battle of the Bands winners
  • Heather Redman & The Reputation, Mol Sullivan, Visitor, Multi Ultra, Novel Vibrations, Rug, and Jess Lamb rounding out the bill across indie, soul, shoegaze, and rock

Mol Sullivan is one of the performers at this year’s FromOhio Music Festival

Performances split between Mother Stewart’s Brewing (a craft brewery in a beautiful old downtown warehouse) and the historic State Theatre, which are both walkable and genuinely lovely venues to see a band in. More food vendor and brewery partner announcements are rolling out in the weeks ahead, so keep an eye on socials.

Springfield’s about 30 minutes up I-70. Call it a day trip, call it a mini-vacation, call it the easiest free weekend on your spring calendar, but get it on the calendar!

The details:

  • When: Friday, May 29 & Saturday, May 30, 2026
  • Where: Mother Stewart’s Brewing (102 W. Columbia St.) & the State Theatre (19 S. Fountain Ave.), Downtown Springfield
  • Cost: Free and open to the public
  • More info & schedule: fromohiofest.com | @FromOhioFest | search “FromOhio” on Spotify for the official playlist

Roadtrip: The Art of the Brick: An Exhibition of LEGO in Cincy

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After touring over 100 cities in 24 countries and entering CNN’s list of “Must-See” exhibitions, Art of the Brick is finally open in downtown Cincinnati!. The exhibit immerses the visitor in a cheerful and colorful world. The artist used more than a million bricks, creating over 100+ works of art that can make adults and children smile and reflect.

A Million LEGO® Bricks Come To Life At This Cincinnati Exhibit — Get 1 Child Ticket Free!
Art of the Brick: An Exhibition of LEGO®

The collection includes many sculptures alongside re-imagined versions of some of the world’s most famous art masterpieces, such as Michelangelo’s David, Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Visitors will also find a 6-metre-long reproduction of a Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton and an innovative, multimedia collection of LEGO photography produced alongside award-winning photographer Dean West. The experience is further enhanced with an interactive audio guide, offering deeper insights into each piece

Art of the Brick

Former New York City lawyer turned contemporary artist Nathan Sawaya is the mastermind behind this stunning exhibition that takes these small plastic LEGO® bricks and turns them into stunning, larger-than-life masterpieces.

If you’re a lover of classic art like Gustav Klimt’s famous portrait of ‘The Kiss’ will be on display, as well as Michelangelo’s ‘David’ statue, and replicas of Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’, Edvard Munch’s ‘The Scream’, and Da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’.

Art of the Brick: An Exhibition of LEGO®

If you have a family member with a penchant for the prehistoric, don’t miss the 20-foot Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton.

Art of the Brick: An Exhibition of LEGO®

Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’ at Art of the Brick exhibit
Replica of Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’ at Art of the Brick: An Exhibition of LEGO®

If you’re a lover of classic art, then you must see these famous works transformed before your eyes. Gustav Klimt’s famous portrait of ‘The Kiss’ will be on display, as well as Michelangelo’s ‘David’ statue, and replicas of Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’, Edvard Munch’s ‘The Scream’, and Da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’.

Opening times:From 9am to 9pm depending on the weekdays through February (more info here)

Duration:60 minutes

Age: All ages welcome. Children under the age of 4 can visit free of charge. Children under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult.

Price: $13.90 for children and $19.90 for adults

Accessibility: The venue is wheelchair accessible

Exhibition Hub Art Center

18 West Fourth Street 45202 (downtown Cincinnati)

Roadtrip: 7 Hidden Museums in the Cincy Region You Need to Visit

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Think you’ve seen everything the Cincy Region has to offer? Think again! Beyond the well-known attractions lies a world of quirky, off-the-beaten-path museums that are sure to surprise you – and maybe even creep you out a bit. From ventriloquist dummies to an entire exhibit dedicated to neon signs, these museums offer a unique glimpse into the Cincy Region’s culture, history and charm. 

Whether you’re traveling for work or a weekend getaway, these hidden gems are worth adding to your itinerary.

A monkey dummy at Vent Haven Museum is seated in front of a wall of framed historic photographs.
Vent Haven is a museum you won’t ever forget (photo: Callie Budrick)

1. Vent Haven Museum (Fort Mitchell, KY)

Step into a world of ventriloquist dummies – yes, you read that right. The Vent Haven Museum houses the world’s largest collection of ventriloquism memorabilia, with over 900 dummies on display. It’s fascinating, a little eerie, and truly one-of-a-kind.

 

One of the most surprising aspects of the museum is how deeply knowledgeable and passionate the tour guides are. The guide during my visit lived right next door (a park of the job) and opened my eyes to the deeper history of ventriloquism. We discussed everything from changing art forms to the importance of preserving even uncomfortable pieces of history – like dummies with outdated and harmful depictions. It’s thought-provoking in ways you wouldn’t expect.

 

Note: Tours are by appointment only, so be sure to call ahead to plan your visit.

A row of lucky cat statues wave
Think these lucky cats are cute? Now imagine thousands of them. (photo: Luke Jones)

2. Lucky Cat Museum (Cincinnati, OH)

Love cats? Then you’ll be in heaven at the Lucky Cat Museum! This small but vibrant museum is dedicated entirely to maneki-neko, those iconic waving lucky cats you’ve seen in shops and restaurants. With over 1,000 lucky cats in the collection, the sheer volume alone is impressive.

 

One of my personal favorites is the disco ball lucky cat – it’s shiny, fun, and impossible not to smile at. Whether you’re a cat person or just appreciate quirky cultural icons, this place is a blast. Like Vent Haven, this museum is by appointment only, so plan ahead!

american sign museum interior
The American Sign Museum is a literal trip through neon history (photo: Visit Cincy)

3. American Sign Museum (Cincinnati, OH)

Walking through the American Sign Museum feels like stepping back in time. The walls are filled with colorful, glowing signs – everything from vintage neon advertisements to hand-painted signs from decades past. While I haven’t made it there myself yet, I’ve heard rave reviews about how immersive the experience is. It’s like time travel, but with neon lights guiding the way.

 

If you’re a fan of design, history, or Americana, this museum is a must-see. Plus, visitors are welcome to take photos during their tour, and who doesn’t love a good neon glow-up for their Instagram feed?

The miniature train set at Behringer-Crawford Museum
The Behringer-Crawford Museum in Devou Park features an impressive miniature train set that is interesting for all ages (photo: Behringer-Crawford Museum)

4. Behringer-Crawford Museum (Covington, KY)

Located in the beautiful Devou Park, the Behringer-Crawford Museum is a celebration of Northern Kentucky’s local history, art, and culture. From vintage trains to dioramas of life along the Ohio River, the exhibits provide a rich look at the area’s heritage.

 

One of the coolest features is the interactive train display, which is a hit with visitors of all ages. After your museum visit, take a stroll through the surrounding park for one of the best views of the Cincinnati skyline.

 

5. German Heritage Museum (Cincinnati, OH)

If you want to dig into Cincinnati’s German roots, the German Heritage Museum is a hidden treasure. Tucked away on a quiet property, the museum offers a collection of artifacts, photographs, and stories that highlight the contributions of German immigrants to the region.

 

This museum is especially interesting if you’re curious about the Oktoberfest traditions and German architecture that are still prominent in the city today. The Cincy Region is home to the second-largest Oktoberfest celebration in the world, after all.

The exterior of the Cincinnati Fire Museum
From vintage firefighting tools to information about the evolution of fire safety – the Cincinnati Fire Museum is definitely an under-the-radar attraction in downtown Cincinnati (photo: Cincinnati Fire Museum)

6. Cincinnati Fire Museum (Cincinnati, OH)

For something truly unique, visit the Cincinnati Fire Museum, which celebrates the city’s role as the birthplace of paid professional firefighting in the U.S. You’ll find historic fire engines, vintage firefighting gear, and interactive exhibits that let you experience what it was like to be a firefighter in the early days.

 

Kids (and let’s be honest, adults too) will love the hands-on fire pole and siren displays. It’s a fascinating look at how fire safety has evolved over the centuries. The museum even includes an interactive experience that simulates a house fire with hopes of spreading fire safety awareness to visitors of all ages.

The Cincinnati Observatory, set under a starlit night sky
Don’t miss the chance to stargaze from one of the oldest telescopes in the country at the Cincinnati Observatory (photo: Cincinnati Observatory)

7. Cincinnati Observatory (Mount Lookout, OH)

Ready to reach the stars? The Cincinnati Observatory, known as “The Birthplace of American Astronomy”, offers both historical and stargazing experiences. Established in 1843, this beautifully preserved observatory houses one of the oldest working telescopes in the country.

 

Visitors can attend public stargazing events where you can view celestial wonders through the telescope. On a clear night, it’s nothing short of magical. Even during the day, the guided tours provide great insight into the history of astronomy and the observatory’s role in science education.

 

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to add some unique and memorable experiences to your trip, these hidden museums in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are sure to deliver. They offer a mix of fun, history, and local charm that you won’t find anywhere else. So go ahead – step off the beaten path and discover something new!

This post was written by Callie Budrick and originally appeared on VisitCincy.com