As Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine slowly allows the reopening of the state's economic drivers, many local facilities that have been closed since March are announcing opening dates, as well as the precautions they'll take to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
Restaurants; salons, barber shops and day spas; gyms; day cares; and many retail shops are already open. On Thursday, June 4, DeWine announced zoos, movie theaters, family entertainment centers and more could open. The following day, he announced casinos, amusement and water parks, outdoor theaters and others could reopen two weeks later, on June 19.
All local parks - save for playgrounds - have remained open throughout the pandemic.
"We have done this in phases," DeWine said during his June 5 briefing. "We wanted to layer this. We wanted to reserve those things that had more people that potentially had higher risk for later. ... Because frankly, we didn't know what the results would be. And we still don't know."
As local institutions get the go-ahead, many are announcing reopening dates later than what DeWine announced. Below is what we currently know is opening when. We will continue to update this list as reopenings are announced.
June 8 - certain pools at Cincinnati Recreation Centers and YMCAs will open; National Corvette Museum
June 10 - Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden; playgrounds; Entrainment Junction
June 12 - Coney Island; you can read a list of the amusement park's FAQs and new policies here
June 15 - The first floor of The Public Library of Cincinnati/Hamilton County's Downtown branch opens. Many branches are currently offering curbside pick-up and some drop boxes are open. In a note to patrons, library Director Paula Brehm-Heeger wrote, "It is our goal to be able to provide services at all our locations by the middle of July. A phased approach is what is realistic and sensible, given our temporarily reduced staffing due to budget cuts and the ongoing pandemic." More details are available on cincinnatilibrary.org.
June 18 - Harriet Beecher Stowe House opens with tours made by appointment only
June 19 - Miami Valley Gaming; Jack Casino; Belterra Park; Esquire Theatres
June 20 - Cincinnati Art Museum; Reds Hall of Fame and Museum
June 22 - Newport Aquarium opens for annual passholders; learn more about their reopening rules here
June 24 - The Contemporary Arts Center opens to members
June 25 - Newport Aquarium opens to the public; learn more about their reopening rules here
June 26 - Great Wolf Lodge
June 27 - The Voice of America Museum will be open every Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. with no reservations required
July 1 - National Museum of the U.S. Air Force; Contemporary Arts Center opens to public using timed ticketing
July 2 - Kings Island opens to season pass holders; learn more about the park's new protocols here
July 7 - The Cincinnati Observatory will open for daytime tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12-4 p.m. On July 10, it will begin offering evening programs every Friday at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Online reservations are required
July 8 - American Sign Museum
July 10 - Taft Museum of Art opens to members and to the public the following day, July 11
July 11 - Behringer-Crawford Museum reopens with temporary hours of 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday
July 12 - Kings Island opens to the general public; learn more about the park's new protocols here
July 17 - Cincinnati Museum Center
July 24 - National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Aug. 20-28: The Western & Southern Open is scheduled to go on as planned - just not in Mason. On June 16, organizers announced the tennis tournament would move to New York this year to minimize players' travel. If you purchased tickets, refund information is available here.
This list was originally published on June 5 and will be updated.
