If there’s a Shangri-la in Cincinnati, I think we just found it. Greenacres is a beautiful oasis located just outside of Montgomery as you head into Indian Hill. It’s hard to believe that we never stumbled upon this hidden gem before. Now that we have, I wanted to share it with you. We had an old fashioned FOD (Family Outing Day) last weekend and I read that the Greenacres Foundation was having an open house so we decided to check it out.
As we entered the gates, I knew we were in for something special. We drove down the most gorgeous tree lined drive that opened up to a stunning estate. Did we time travel to the English countryside? Were Lady Mary or Lord Grantham going to stroll by? Friendly volunteers in orange shirts were directing us to park. After parking, we explored some of the grounds outside. They were something to see. Spraying fountains, gorgeous flower gardens, well maintained grounds and huge trees adorned the property. You really need to visit to take in all the grandeur.
The outdoor fountain
Beautiful grounds
Next we headed inside the estate. Here we received an open house trail guide highlighting 7 areas to visit on the property. At each stop, you would get your trail guide stamped and at the end of your tour, a prize awaited. The main estate is filled with art. Here the Greenacres Arts Center offers art education programs (music, dance, visual arts, drama), summer camps and free field trips for schools. They will work with your teacher to come up with an amazing field trip for the students. It was so much fun walking through this grand home. If you go, take note of the clever wrought iron designs that adorn the outside windows. In the dining room, volunteers were helping kids with a kite making activity. If you ventured down to the basement area, you were in for a visual treat. There was an indoor pool (now covered with a wooden floor) but you could just imagine this being used in its heyday. Just outside the pool area, there is a large covered area perfect for an outdoor wedding or special occasion.
Greenacres Arts Center
Loved the winding staircase with art a plenty!
The covered pool (see the blue tile that surrounds it, imagine sitting on the side resting your feet in the cool water).
We then walked to the Greenacres Greenhouse. We learned that the greenhouse had been restored and saw the pictures of the greenhouse when it was covered with overgrown vines and in disrepair. If you visit, take time to walk through this amazing structure. It is now used to maintain and beautify the grounds throughout the entire property (now, that’s a lot of ground to cover). They also offer garden education programs for kindergarten through college students.
Our third stop was the indoor riding arena and the stables. Friendly equestrians greeted us and answered questions about the horses and stables. They offer equine education programs, horseback riding lessons, scout badge programs and more.
Beautiful Stables
Dean, a friendly thoroughbred.
Stops 4-6, took us away from the main estate and we drove to see the Pond Site, Old Church, and Spooky Hollow Farm. I learned that Greenacres provides on-site educational programs for students in grades K-12. There are naturalist programs and nature camps too. There is also a large garden on site that they use to grow organic produce for the Freestore Foodbank. The program is called Volunteer for Veggies.
The Old Church
Now that we completed most of the tour, my girls were ready to head to Greenacres Farm Store to collect their prize. They received a Greenacres reusable water bottle, a perfect gift to end the tour. At the Farm Store, you can purchase produce or meats that have been raised on Greenacres. It’s the true meaning of “from farm to table”. The Farm Store is open 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Gardens in the back of the Farm Store.
Greenacres offers events and programs all year long. Click here to check out their upcoming events. They also have programs for adults that include art & wine or beer tastings and workshops. Many thanks to all the volunteers who welcomed us to the open house and to the Greenacres Foundation for valuing the arts, education and nature.
From Greenacres: “Greenacres Foundation is a non-profit, private operating foundation established in 1988 by Louis and Louise Nippert. The Nipperts purchased Greenacres Farm in 1949 and wanted to preserve the land for the education and enjoyment of future generations.”
Greenacres Arts Center
8400 Blome Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45243
Phone: 513-891-4227
8255 Spooky Hollow Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45242
When not blogging for Family Friendly Cincinnati, you can find Kristin writing on her personal blog, MasonMetu (from me to you).
