Things to Do in Florence

The Drake Planetarium & Science Center captivates young minds with educational shows as well as after-school programs that teach creative problem solving and teamwork. Planetarium shows cover a wide range of topics and teach audiences to recognize seasonally changing constellations, planets, and lunar foliage. Starry Nights at the Cincinnati Astronomical Society invite stargazers to peep into the universe through the facility's powerful telescopes or highly magnified monocles, and laser light shows also grace the planetarium dome with 2-D, 3-D, and abstract animations choreographed to classic rock and holiday-theme recordings.

Inspired by their training with Swami Rama—the founder of the Himalayan Institute—Carol and Charles Crenshaw motivate students to deepen the connection between their bodies and minds at Inner Peace Yoga Center. At their nonprofit studio, Carol and Charles strive to honor Swami Rama by cultivating a sanctuary for relaxation and self-discovery through meditation and yoga classes. Six levels of yoga classes help beginners and experienced yogis alike to build strength and relieve tension, encouraging them to work at their own pace. During meditation classes, the focus is solely on the mind. Patrons drift into a meditative state to quiet anxiety over the day’s tasks or worries about dinosaurs re-emerging from extinction. A core focus on community drives the center, with community-centered events bringing people together for pasta cookouts, in-depth workshops, and community-service initiatives.

Tommy Evans, who has been diving since 1983, shares the beauty of the underwater world through his hobby—aquatic photography—and his business: Central Coast Dive Center. At the PADI-award-winning center, dive instructors can introduce students to diving basics, such as operating the air tank and making sure its full of laughing gas. They also can prepare them for PADI-open-water certification and other more advanced certificates.

Students can practice in the onsite heated pool, or in natural waters on the center’s trips to Little Cayman, Cabo San Lucas, and other tropical locales. To complement its classes and trips, the center stocks gear from high-end brands, such as Atomic Aquatics, Zeagle, and Henderson.

Helping a friend move. Spryly climbing stairs. Jogging with the dog. The team at CrossFit Anax believes physical fitness is all about increasing your day-to-day functionality. So, they lead a daily-changing regimen of CrossFit classes that focus on workouts to strengthen everyday movements, such as running, lifting, pushing, and waving away pollsters on the street. Instead of overseeing armadas of elliptical machines or treadmills, they engage patrons in games of toss with medicine balls and send them sprinting, heaving kettlebells, and dropping for push-ups. They mix up activities each session to stave off the boredom of repetition, keeping everyone involved and meeting their fitness goals. CrossFit Anax’s trainers know, though, that total body fitness is only possible with a nutritious diet, so they also educate their monthly members and guide them to better eating habits with monthly check-ins.

Flying Hoofs Stables’ head trainers, Jessica and Asha, dedicate its 19-acre plot of Kentucky land to instruction in proper horsemanship. A surrounding network of trails and an outdoor arena provide ample space for catching wind in the hair during summer camps and trail rides, whereas a second indoor arena sets the stage for the stable’s lessons. Here, beginners get a first taste of proper horsemanship and tack fundamentals, and advanced riders receive customized instruction in a choice of styles including Hunter, the classic English riding style, or Jumper, a prerequisite for learning horse hopscotch.

At Cincinnati Bikram Yoga, students of all experience levels get acquainted with the 26-posture routine designed by practice founder Bikram Choudhury. Each class unfolds in a studio heated to a balmy 105-degrees, which helps melt even the stiffest muscles into healing stretches. This toasty atmosphere aims to cleanse bodies of toxins as they twist, bend, and balance their way through each pose and breathing exercise, sending a fresh batch of oxygen pumping towards every organ, tendon, and gland. Since the muscles are always kept warm, it also facilitates deeper stretches and boasts benefits ranging from increased stamina and stress reduction to better flexibility and balance. Because the practice is known for turning students' calories into a sheen of sweat over the span of 90 minutes, Cincinnati Bikram Yoga is equipped with men's and women's showers. Students are advised to bring their own mats, washcloths, and water.