Stroll along the Roebling Blue, taste local flavors, or watch the street art or an iconic match – no visitor will run out of things to do in Cincinnati.
The place is widely recognized for its stunning architecture, remarkable museums, incredible theaters, and nationally distinguished educational institutions.
Almost every type of tourist will find their very own corner in Cincinnati. Sightseeing, visiting museums, and experiencing the rich flavors and vast culture of “The Queen City” are some of the best ways to spend your time in Ohio.
1. The Blue Chip City: Why Visit the Queen of the West?
You cannot miss a trip to the iconic city of Cincinnati.
The Blue Chip Campaign was created to attract industries and employment to the city. The “Blue Chip“ theme was chosen to transmit an idea of the business community similar to a blue chip stock in terms of quality, dependability, and stability.
The place is not nicknamed the “Queen City” for no reason. With its notable culture and glittering azure skyline, the great sites of Cincinnati surely live up to their popularity for locals and tourists.
So, it is not much of a surprise that the city of Cincinnati has gained royalty status by being the Queen of rich history, culture, and art, among other things.
And even though it is a tad underrated as a holiday destination, tourists will be amazed by the abundance of unusual activities they can enjoy.
Vibrant and bright, this city captivates visitors with its trendy restaurants, gorgeous riverfront, and historical attractions.
So get ready to plan your next vacation at “The City of Seven Hills, and with this guide, discover the most wonderful things to do in Cincinnati.
2. Visit the Blue Chip City
The city is filled with an endless and varied number of amazing things to do, see, and try. Art lovers, sports fans, history buffs, nature lovers, shopaholics – every kind of visitor will find something unique and fun to enjoy while they stay in this city.
With this comprehensive guide to the top things to do in Cincinnati, you can find the most wonderful time of your life while on your vacation in this city of Ohio.
2.1) Cincinnati Art Museum
Built in 1881, the Cincinnati Art Museum can be found in the city’s famous Eden Park.
It can be easily ranked among the best things to do in Cincinnati, with the place being the home of some of the finest art collections in the whole world.
It has more than 67,000 works, many going back as far as six thousand years.
One of the oldest museums in not only the city but the country as well, the Cincinnati Art Museum also exhibits the evolution of human beings over time.
The museum is certainly one of the most amazing places for adults and kids and is suitable for a great family outing.
Each year, the Cincinnati Art Museum exhibits national and international events with various special exhibitions, perfect for tourists of every age.
Furthermore, there are more than seventy galleries that visitors and tourists can enjoy free of cost.
Another must-visit within the grounds of the Cincinnati Art Museum is the Rosenthal Education Center or REC, which offers an opportunity for families to enjoy a fun, interactive, and educational event that is particularly popular among children.
The museum also displays extraordinary art, statues, murals, and masterpieces from famous artists like Ingles, Giovanni Vincent van Gough, and Picasso.
So, if you consider yourself a lover of art, visiting the Cincinnati Art Museum should be at the top of your list of things to do in Cincinnati.
2.2) Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
Found in Avondale, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is the second oldest zoo in the country.
The place is the home to the Lindner Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW), which was founded to increase and promote conservation and protection endeavors of the environment and animals.
The huge zoo takes pride in having around two thousand animals and three thousand plant species, stretching over sixty-five acres of ground beyond the city.
Apart from being the first place where the successful breeding of California sea lions was done, the zoo is also home to many beautiful, common, and rare varieties of plants and animals.
Visiting the Cincinnati Zoo, you will see birds and animals like little blue penguins, barred owls, passenger pigeons, blue and gold macaws, lemurs, elephants, giraffes, and much more. Rare exotic and endangered ones can be seen at CREW and are also rare treats.
The Cincinnati Zoo Botanical Garden is an explosion of sweet fragrances and brilliant colors. A relaxing stroll in the beautiful botanical garden is no less popular with stunning flowers like Moonbeam Coreopsis, Blue Star Amsonia, Red Barrenwort, Christmas Fern, and Wild Blue Indigo.
If you are a nature lover interested in plants and animals, a day at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is among the best things to do in Cincinnati.
2.3) Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum
So maybe a cemetery is not a typical place for holiday sightseeing. But Spring Grove Cemetery is no ordinary graveyard.
Over 700 acres, it is the third biggest cemetery in the country.
Acknowledged as a US National Historic Landmark and recorded on the US National Register of Historic Places, the Spring Grove Cemetery is the ideal place to spend a relaxing day.
Talk about a peaceful walk along the beautiful grounds while admiring the artistic work of the sculptures, beautifully made gravestones, and pretty ponds.
Or, if you wish to learn more about this historic site, you can take a tour and learn more about the cemetery’s resting legends. This makes a great activity during the spooky season of Halloween.
2.4) Cincinnati Music Hall
This historic Venetian Gothic site on the National Register of Historic Places, spending time at Cincinnati Music Hall is one of the most popular places to visit in Cincinnati for history nerds.
This elegant space has mesmerized audiences since its establishment.
With operas to concerts by legendary icons and celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Johnny Cash, this is a place of rich culture.
Additionally, Cincinnati Music Hall is also home to the Cincinnati Ballet and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, but the catalog of concerts and events here goes far beyond that.
Getting to experience any shows here will surely blow your mind, but if you are looking for something more, try the behind-the-scenes tour and make your trip much more special.
2.5) Eden Park
A stunning public park full of wilderness and foliage in the pretty Mount Adams area by the Ohio River, the heavenly Eden Park is considered the heart of the city by many.
The vast green space with clear blue skies has a little something for everyone – hiking trails and biking tracks through nature, gardens, picnic places, and playing grounds ideal for families with children or a charming lake to relax by.
Moreover, the Cincinnati Playhouse of Eden Park also delivers remarkable musicals and plays in two theaters.
2.6) American Sign Museum
You will never run out of museums while visiting the amazing spots in Cincinnati.
In an industrial neighborhood about a ten-minute ride north of downtown, this unique twenty thousand-square-foot museum is devoted to – you may have already suspected it – signs!
With endless items on exhibit that date back over a hundred years, American Sign Museum includes neon signage, classic vintage film billboards, and distinctive roadside direction boards.
2.7) National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
A fascinating historical glamour on the waterfronts of the Ohio River, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is devoted to bringing light to the war against slavery and the conservation of one of the USA’s most significant independents.
Stretching over three different buildings based on specific themes – Courage, Cooperation, and Perseverance, the National Underground Railroad Museum gives phenomenal interactive sessions and trips that provide tourists an extraordinary insight and idea of what life looked like in darker periods.
2.8) Smale Riverfront Park
With one of the best riverwalks, Smale Riverfront Park is Cincinnati’s biggest riverfront park and is a fantastic area to appreciate the local scenic views.
Located along the beautiful Riverwalk, Smale Riverfront Park is Cincinnati’s biggest riverfront park and a fantastic area to appreciate the local scenic views.
With numerous acres of gardens, water games, and sports areas, this is the perfect place to spend a day during the hot summer.
Children will love the playground; the spot is ideal for family picnics. Don’t forget to visit the outstanding Carol Ann’s Carousel; your trip will be memorable.
So, a trip to the Riverfront is a must when you visit Cincinnati.
2.9) Findlay Market
Placed in the notable over-the-Rhine area in downtown Cincinnati, Findlay Market is the city’s most known and oldest open-air market, functional all the year-round.
Established in 1852 and recorded on the National Register of Historic Places, the Findlay Market is well-liked by locals and tourists.
Open from Tuesday to Sunday, the market has an assortment of fresh harvests, from juicy fruits and vegetables to quality meats and fish.
The handmade snacks of the Findlay Market are also quite a hit among visitors.
If you are in Ohio during summer, visiting Findlay Market must be on your list of things to visit in Cincinnati. The season has a wide selection of craft beers and lovely live music.
2.10) Taft Museum
Another museum to include in your list of things to do in Cincinnati is the Taft Museum of Art. It is a National Historic Landmark and is believed to be one of the greatest small art museums in the USA.
The museum has a vast fine art collection of American and European varieties.
The Taft family, who were great art collectors, donated their home built in the Greek Revival design and their impressive collection of art to the public of Cincinnati in 1927.
The Taft Museum has since been the proud exhibitor of the masterpieces of Goya and Rembrandt, along with the most incredible Gothic ivory statue in the United States.
The Taft Museum of Art hosts numerous interesting and exciting activities like guided tours, talks, and live music events.
A special event called Art in the Afternoon highlights presentations by local artists and their works.
You can also visit the William Howard Taft National Historic Landmark on Mount Auburn.
Still looking for more museums to visit and enjoy? The city is certainly not lacking in any way, with historic places, galleries, and museums for you to discover.
The most well-known are the Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati History Museum, Duke Energy Children’s Museum, Contemporary Arts Center, Vent Haven Museum, and many other history museums.
2.11) Sawyer Point Park and Yeatman’s Cove
Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove form a gorgeous mile-long expanse of the park along the riverfront.
Between Smale Riverfront Park and Berry International Friendship Park, Sawyer Point Park has award-winning landscaping, a concert arena, tennis courts, volleyball courts, the famous Armleder Memorial Sprayground, the Serpentine Wall, and the Showboat Majestic.
The place is a unique blend of nature and urban. There are always fun and exciting events all day – music concerts, fun festivals, or an impressive display of colorful fireworks.
2.12) Cincinnati Observatory
The Cincinnati Observatory of Cincinnati is a completely active nineteenth-century observatory accessible to the public.
It encourages research and twenty-first-century astronomy and science while maintaining the great observatory’s legacy.
The Cincinnati Observatory is in a beautiful building crowned by a silver dome. It is the home to one of the most ancient functional telescopes of the whole Western Hemisphere.
Authorized as a National Historic Landmark, the Cincinnati Observatory and its gorgeous lands are located in the heart of central Cincinnati and can easily be accessed by visitors.
Formerly a research site and now an educational center, the observatory hosts a wide range of exhibitions and activities all year round.
You will find interesting and fun activities and events like astronomy lessons, telescope training, fund-raising events, and even movie nights.
2.13) Cincinnati Dinner Train
Want to have a fine dining experience during your stay in Cincinnati? The Cincinnati Dinner Train is a rare and marvelous way to eat out in style, accompanied by Cincinnati’s most gorgeous scenic beauty.
This place can cater to about thirty restaurants with three vintage and classic dining cars – all beautifully furnished.
The journey begins from the BBQ Revue parking lot on Madison Road, goes through downtown to the riverfront, and finally ends at Oakley after 3 hours.
Guests are treated to vintage-styled cozy booths and fine eating arrangements.
A four-course meal is served in fragments all through the trip. After dinner, the guests are encouraged to unwind while sipping a drink or two at the bar.
The Cincinnati Dinner Train also offers exceptional dining tours in one of the two luxury cars that can only be rented for particular events.
2.14) Great American Ball Park
The Great American Ball Park is an exciting place for all sports lovers.
Apart from cheering for America’s most beloved game with a huge hotdog in hand, you also can take a trip to the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum. Here, you will find fun trivia about the team, its history, and facts about the players.
Outside of the central baseball season, the Great American Ball Park hosts many assorted events.
2.15) Newport Aquarium
Newport’s prominent attraction has more than 20,000 beautiful and rare creatures.
Along with its wide range of animals, the Newport Aquarium also organizes various outreach events to create awareness among the public about marine and aquatic conservation and protection.
By taking a tour of the Newport Aquarium, you will see majestic creatures like sharks, ribboned sea dragons, alligators, penguins, unicorn fish, blue tang, shark rays, and more.
Don’t forget to participate in the Underwater Scavenger Hunt Around the World to dive deep into the brilliant blue universe, and you may win a four-pack of annual passes!
2.16) John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge
The majestic John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge has symbolized the city since it was completed in 1866.
The iconic blue landmark bridges downtown Cincinnati with Coviarea’s best area’s best attractions.
Constructed and designed by John A. Roebling (also the builder of the famous Brooklyn Bridge), the Roebling Bridge was the longest in the world when it was completed in 1867. It was also the first bridge to use diagonal stays and vertical suspenders.
A crucial aspect of the city’s skylines, the Roebling Bridge is also considered a National Historic Landmark and is grandly honored yearly at the Roeblingfest.
Make sure to catch up and spend a few hours at this event if you can, as, during this time, regional restaurants, diners, bars, and talented artists unite to showcase their brilliance and skills.
3. FAQs on Things to do in Cincinnati
Have more queries on the fun activities of Queen City? Read on to find the answers to the most frequently asked questions on the best things to do in Cincinnati.
3.1) Where Can You Find the City of Cincinnati?
The beautiful city of Cincinnati sits along the Ohio River on the other side of the suburbs of Covington and Newport.
The city can be found at the northern part of the convergence of the Licking and Ohio rivers, marking the state line with Kentucky.
3.2) Why Should You Take a Trip to Cincinnati?
The Queen of the West has many examples of remarkable architecture, amazing museums, wonderful theaters, and nationally prominent educational institutions, colleges, and universities. It is also a pretty popular center of global trade and business, along with a popular center of sports, music, and entertainment.
3.3) What Are Some of The Most Amazing Things to Do in Cincinnati?
In the amazing city of Cincinnati, you will never run out of wonderful activities, sites, and Art Deco architecture to see or places to visit.
However, the most popular things to do in Cincinnati are visit the Roebling Suspension Bridge, Great American Ball Park, Eden Park, Coney Island Park, Cincinnati Art Museum, and Cincinnati Zoo And Botanical Garden.
You can also try the trendy diners throughout the city, enjoy the American legacy tours, or splurge on a fun shopping trip at Findley Market, Riverside Centre Antique Mall, or Hyde Park Square.
Closing Thoughts: Visit the Queen of the West
You have now discovered all the charms and allures of the beloved Queen City. So why wait any longer? The city of Ohio is a must-visit destination for any tourist. As you can see, with so many things to do in Cincinnati, you will never experience a dull moment during your stay here.
So make the decision today and plan your next vacation. Pack your bags for a trip to the state of Ohio – “The Heart of it All.” In Ohio, you take the trip of a lifetime by visiting Cincinnati and experiencing the magic of Blue Chip City.
With never-ending sights to see, amazing places to visit, unique flavors to taste, pretty little things to buy, and great shows and events to go to, no one can ever run out of fun and enjoyable things to do here.
Last Updated on by Pragya Chakrapani
