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Things to Do in Cincinnati

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byCindy

Cincinnati is a large, vibrant city in the southwest corner of Ohio. There is a diverse selection of things to do in Cincinnati, from museums to nature preserves to fine dining. It’s all available in Cincinnati!

vertical image with a photo of the Cincinnati skyline at night, a photo of the Great American Ball Park and a photo of Findlay Market. A white strip across the top has the text Things to Do in Cincinnati

Map of Things to Do in Cincinnati

About Cincinnati

Nicknamed Cincy, Cincinnati was the birthplace of William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States.

The three professional sports teams with their home grounds in Cincinnati are the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball, the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League, and FC Cincinnati of Major Soccer League.

Things to Do in Cincinnati

In this article, we are focusing on more than 40 of the very best things to do in all areas of Cincinnati.

horizontal photo of the Cincinnati Bell Connector outside Findlay Market
Photo credit: METRO

Cincinnati Bell Connector

The Bell Connector Streetcar is a free electric streetcar that travels in a 3.6-mile loop around downtown Cincinnati. Popular destinations on this route include Great American Ballpark, Fountain Square, Findlay Market, Brewery District, and Washington Park.

Use this streetcar if you are spending a day in Cincy to take the worry out of your traveling and parking arrangements!

horizontal photo of the bridge over twin lakes at Eden Park Cincinnati

Eden Park

Eden Park is an urban park in the Mount Adams region and is home to the Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, and the Krohn Conservatory.

Landmarks within the park include the Hinkle Magnolia Garden, Seasongood Pavilion, and Mirror Lake.

The Twin Lakes area was once an old quarry, now converted into two lakes joined by a footbridge.

There are playgrounds and natural play areas, some short walking trails, and views of the Ohio River.

horizontal photo of the inside of one of the display rooms at the Cincinnati Art Museum

Cincinnati Art Museum

Located in Eden Park, the Cincinnati Art Museum has a huge range of exhibits and they also host traveling exhibitions each year.

The Museum offers events from free family programs to Summer camps, talks with artists and scholars, and educational programs.

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

Situated on a hill in Eden Park, with a view of downtown Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Playhouse has been putting on shows for more than 60 years.

The first shows in the 1960-61 season included Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, Androcles and the Lion by George Bernard Shaw, and Orpheus Descending by Tennessee Williams.

More recently, theater-goers have been able to see Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, and Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling.

horizontal photo of the outside front of Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
Photo credit: CincinnatiUSA.com

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

Cincinnati Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the United States. It opened its doors in 1875 with a very small collection of animals on 65 acres of land. It has now expanded to 74 acres of land and houses nearly 1,700 animals.

The Zoo was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1987 for the architecture featured in the Elephant House, the Reptile House, and the Passenger Pigeon Memorial.

Cincinnati Zoo’s most famous resident is Fiona the Hippo who was born in 2017, six weeks prematurely, and was nursed to independence by a dedicated team of carers. Her ups and downs were shared with the world every day for almost two years.

Cincinnati Zoo has a full calendar of educational events, particularly for children, but the whole family can get involved.

The Garden at the Zoo has thousands of plants providing for the many pollinators and birds they attract. You can get involved in the ‘Plant for Pollinators’ challenge which is a campaign to increase pollinator habitat in the Greater Cincinnati region.

horizontal photo of the outside of the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati

Great American Ball Park

The Great American Ball Park in The Banks region of Cincinnati is the home of the Cincinnati Reds professional baseball team.

Behind-the-scenes walking tours are available and the stops include Crosley Terrace, Bally Sports Club, Lexus Diamond Club, and Visitor and Home Dugouts. The tours last for between 75 and 90 minutes. Check the website for dates and times.

The Reds Hall of Fame and Museum is a 16,000 sq. ft. facility on two floors. Self-guided tours last around 45-60 minutes.

Other, non-sporting events are available such as weddings and catering services.

horizontal photo of the inside of the American Sign Museum with lots of lit signs and hoardings

American Sign Museum

The American Sign Museum covers more than 100 years of American sign history in 20,000 square feet of indoor space.

Exhibits include a typical ‘Main Street, USA’ with shop windows with sign-related objects and curiosities.

At this museum, you can learn about American history, pop culture, branding, changes in technology, and more. This is interesting and fun for all ages!

You can download a selection of Scavenger Hunts that challenge you during your visit. These include Preschool Hunt, Children Hunt 1 and 2, Food Hunt, and Science Hunt.

Guided tours of the museum are available on weekends, and the museum is open to the public from Wednesday to Sunday.

horizontal photo of the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal

Cincinnati Museum Center

The Cincinnati Museum Center is a multi-museum complex in Union Terminal, a historic train station, and a National Historic Landmark in the Over-the-Rhine region.

The museums in this complex include the Cincinnati History Museum, The Cincinnati History Library and Archives, The Children’s Museum, and the Museum of Natural History and Science.

There is a gift shop and five eateries:

  • Nourish 513 – sandwiches, burgers, and salads
  • Cup and Pint – coffee, pretzels, and ice-cold treats
  • Rookwood Ice Cream Parlor – featuring Graeter’s Ice Cream
  • Coffee Cart – featuring Coffee Emporium coffee and snacks
  • Bean Sprouts – a playful eating experience for kids and adults with choices for families with allergies and other dietary requirements
horizontal photo of the outside of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center building in Cincinnati

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is in The Banks region of Cincinnati. This museum highlights the natural barrier that separated the slave states of the south from the free states of the north.

With permanent and traveling exhibits, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center shares stories of freedom heroes and the escape of the slaves.

The Underground Railroad was neither a railroad nor underground. It was a collaboration of people with a passion for ending slavery. These people risked their own lives to transport slaves from the south to the free north.

Homes, barns, churches, and businesses embraced the desire to keep the ex-slaves safe, these locations were known as ‘stations’ and the owners as ‘station-masters’. The escapees were ‘passengers’ and those who had arrived at safe houses were called ‘cargo’.

It is estimated that the Underground Railroad helped guide around one hundred thousand enslaved people to freedom.

It may surprise you to know that there are an estimated 21-45 million enslaved people in the world today. The biases may be different, but the end result is the same.

horizontal photo of the Cincinnati Music Hall front view
Photo credit: Mark Lyons courtesy of Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Cincinnati Music Hall

Cincinnati Music Hall was built in 1878 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1975. The Victorian-Gothic building is home to Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and May Festival.

Indoor and outdoor tours are available, check the website or social media for more information.

horizontal photo of the Roebling Suspension Bridge from the Kentucky side of the Ohio River, with the Ohio Cincinnati skyline in the background
Photo credit: Alias Imaging

Riverwalk

The Riverwalk in Cincinnati is a paved walkway along the riverfront. It passes by many attractions, and you can enjoy part of the several-mile walk or all of it. Places of note along or just off of the Riverwalk include the Roebling Suspension Bridge, Smale Riverfront Park, Taylor-Southgate Bridge, Sawyer Point, and the Purple People Bridge.

If you stay on the Kentucky side of the river between the Taylor-Southgate Bridge and the Purple People Bridge, you will be able to visit the Newport Aquarium.

horizontal photo of Fountain Square a night with a lot of people at the tables and the fountain is lit in red
Photo credit: Alias Imaging

Fountain Square

The Fountain Square area is a restaurant and entertainment hub in downtown Cincinnati. The Square offers activities and events year-round.

The outdoor ice rink is open daily from early November to mid-February (Presidents’ Day), and this rink takes over the square during that time.

For the rest of the year, there are events such as Lunch on The Square, Trivia Night, Jazz at The Square, community open mic night, roller skate rink, and much more.

horizontal photo of the outside of the Findlay Market building in Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati

Findlay Market

Findlay Market is Ohio’s oldest continuously operated public market and is the go-to place for everything fresh! Located in the Over-the-Rhine region, Findlay Market is open Tuesday through Sunday year-round and has more than 50 full-time merchants.

Meat, fish, poultry, fruit and vegetables, flowers, cheese, deli, ethnic foods, and many more products are available at this cherished Cincinnati institution.

Jungle Jim’s International Market

Jungle Jim’s is a huge grocery store with departments including fresh produce, international produce, specialty produce, natural foods and supplements, beer and wine, cigars and liquor, as well as a massive American grocery section.

Jungle Jim’s has two rules, the first is to treat customers like gold, the second is to have fun doing it! Shopping here is not a chore, it’s a full experience.

horizontal photo of The Beast Roller Coaster at King's Island with views of a wooded area in the background
Photo credit: Kings Island

Kings Island

Kings Island is a 364-acre amusement and water park. There are rides, live entertainment, food, and events held at Kings Island. This amusement park is in Mason, but Cincy claims it as its own!

As the premier entertainment destination in the Midwest, Kings Island makes for a great day out for all the family.

Some of the rides are Banshee, Congo Falls (water), Diamondback, and The Beast. Planet Snoopy Kids’ Area features over 20 Peanuts-themed attractions.

Check the website and social media for seasonal events and entertainment.

Breweries in Cincinnati

There are more than 80 breweries in Cincinnati, producing tastes of the past as well as unique American beer styles.

horizontal photo of the inside of Rhinegeist Brewery in Cincinnati with people sitting at bench tables and beer vats in the backgrounds
Photo credit: Wendy Pramik, for USA Today

Here are some of the breweries that welcome the public.

Eating in Cincinnati

There are so many places to eat, Fountain Square has eating and drinking places all around it. The Riverwalk has many places to stop for a drink or a meal. Here we list some of the places to eat in all the areas of Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Parks

There are 5 regional parks, 70 neighborhood parks, and 34 natural areas managed by Cincinnati Parks. Below is a list of 14 of the larger parks in the area.

Cindy’s Insider Ohio Tips

Cincinnati is such a happening city, I love spending time here, no matter who I go with, there will always be something we can all enjoy. A stroll along the Riverwalk is a great way to pass some time on a warm day. Of course, the zoo and a visit to Fiona is always worth a couple of hours of your day!

Let’s Discover Things to Do in Cincinnati Ohio

Have you visited Cincinnati, or do you live in the city? What are your favorite things to do there? We would love to know! Leave a comment below and share your experience.

You may also like to discover Things to Do in Dayton, Ohio, and Things to Do in Lancaster Ohio. If you are looking for a day out with the children, check out our article about Things to Do in Ohio with Kids! To learn all about our great state, Things to Do in Ohio has lots of information!

Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc, are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email at [email protected], and we can get it updated.

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Cindy Gordon, the owner of VisitOhioToday.com, is a passionate Ohioan with a deep love for her state's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Her mission is to showcase Ohio's hidden gems and major tourist attractions through her website, offering visitors a comprehensive guide to all the wonders the Buckeye State has to offer. With a wealth of experience as a seasoned small business owner in the media industry, Cindy also manages four other websites in the food space, demonstrating her commitment to sharing her expertise and enthusiasm with a wider audience. Through her dedication, Cindy has become a trusted source for anyone looking to explore Ohio's diverse and vibrant offerings.

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