Things to Do in Burlington

Beneath glimmering disco balls and colorful graffiti murals, roller skaters of all ages and experience levels careen across the hardwood floors of Fun Factory Roller Skating's indoor rink. The kid-friendly melodies of Radio Disney serenade pint-size skaters each Saturday morning, and top pop ballads resound across the rink on Saturday and Sunday nights. Gearing up patrons for wheeled motion, the onsite shop equips patrons with skates for rent or purchase, though customers are responsible for feeding and watering them.

Beyond the rink, the facility's sizeable arcade engages thumbs, and a bounce house ricochets lively lads and lasses off colorful, cushioned walls. After an action-packed day of exertion, guests can refuel at the concession stand with pizza and snacks. The center opens its facilities for private parties, field trips, and fundraisers while frequently inviting costumed characters to interact with kids and talk Wall Street with adults.

BB Riverboats began with a deceptive motto and a fleet of zero. In 1977, Ben Bernstein opened a restaurant in a converted steamboat, whose motto was “The Romance of Riverboat Dining.” Intended as tongue-in-cheek, the motto instead confused customers, who arrived hoping for a scenic cruise down the Ohio River. To placate his clientele, Ben Bernstein went into business with riverboat industry veteran Betty Blake, and BB Riverboats—named for their shared initials—was born.

Now run by Bernstein’s son, BB Riverboats has increased its fleet to three vessels, including the Belle of Cincinnati, a riverboat outfitted with Victorian details and two climate-controlled decks. On daily cruises down the Ohio, historical narration complements the scenery, while passengers play swashbuckling games and learn to read treasure maps on family-friendly pirate cruises. On the company’s dining cruises, visitors drink in the scenery while noshing on a Hawaiian buffet spread or sampling award-winning wines from StoneBrook Winery. Additionally, holiday cruises honor occasions from Valentine’s Day to Thanksgiving.

The firefighters of Engine Company #45 Firehouse extinguished their last blaze in 1962 after 56 years of fearless public service. Although the team dissipated, the elegant, 1906 firehouse—with Renaissance Revival details and three doors wide enough to accommodate horse-drawn fire engines—remained, languishing as a city storehouse until 1980, when the Fire Museum of Greater Cincinnati moved in. The building was recognized on the National Register of Historic Places and filled with special exhibits acknowledged by Fox19.com and 365 Things to do in Cincinnati. It was also filled with antique firefighting gear that is in excellent condition in spite of years of smoke inhalation.

The collection reveals early 19th-century firefighting tactics with an alarm drum that once warned of fire from the roof of a carpenter shop and was later used to provide rhythm during disco infernos. In the Safe House exhibit, families diagram their homes and create personalized emergency plans while learning tips about fire prevention.

The bowling alleys at Crossgate Lanes, Stone Lanes, and Eastgate Lanes invite gamers to send balls down gleaming runways in expansive, family-friendly facilities. Those weary of drawing straws to count the pins after each ball can take comfort in automatic scoring at all three locations. Each alley also hosts regular glow bowling, with lighting more luminescent than the water-wheel-powered disco balls of the 1970s. Patrons of Stone Lanes can also relax after their games in an onsite lounge, which is outfitted with three televisions.

The experienced instructors at Eastern Hills Indoor Tennis Club know what it takes to win games against tough opponents. Brian Clark and Steve Levine both crossed rackets with skilled rivals while playing for Xavier University and the University of Cincinnati. And Doug Matthews helps lead collegiate students to victory as the assistant coach of Xavier's men's and women's tennis teams. It's this wealth of experience that makes the club’s group lessons so successful. Classes are designed to improve the skills of all players, whether they're well versed in the sport or have only used a racket to bat away a bumblebee.

Amid leafy branches and between gently swaying trees, human beings soar through the air. Dagaz Acres' eco-adventure zipline course lets children, adults, and adult-size children explore woodland canopies up to 70 feet high, and staff ensures that participants glide snugly in their half-body swing harnesses. Adventurers plunge through seven dual ziplines strung over 23 acres of ground and ravines, three canopy-level ziplines, and two bridges. One bridge is a Burma bridge built with varying types of rope, and the other is a plank construction pirate bridge that stretches 90 feet and swings over a ravine to discourage motorcycle-chase sequences. Dagaz Acres' staff members spread their love of outdoors learning to team-building and leadership exercises held in single-day and overnight programs. They train athletic teams and office groups through ground exercises and on a low-challenge ropes course, which allows participants to engage in physical challenges without the added risk of a bird nesting in their hair. The company reflects this passion in its name, Dagaz, which is derived from a Nordic rune meaning "transformational breakthrough change." Staffers enable others to change through adventure as they design, build, and maintain zipline and ropes courses elsewhere through Dagaz Acres Management Inc. construction division.