Curving along the Ohio River, Cincinnati displays its history with vintage paddle boats, prominent museums and a tribute to the Underground Railroad. With a reinvented riverfront strip and lively public market, there’s plenty to keep you engaged and active in this thriving Ohio metropolis.
Things to do in Cincinnati
Findlay Market has been the heart of Cincinnati since the mid-1800s, overflowing with local arts and crafts, fresh produce and vintage clothing. For trendy boutiques and international cafes, head over to 1896 Hyde Park Square, about 10 minutes from downtown.
Travelling with children? They’ll stay happy all day at Kings Island, an enormous amusement park featuring a replica of the Eiffel Tower, the Diamondback roller coaster and a Planet Snoopy playground with rides and games. All ages can enjoy the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden with 35 hectares of lush landscaping and hundreds of animal exhibits.
See the universe through giant telescopes at the Cincinnati Observatory, with stargazing on select evenings. If you’re a sports fan, catch a Cincinnati Reds home game at the riverfront Great American Ball Park and tour the Reds Hall of Fame Museum. Save some time for exploring the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, a stunning tribute to slave escapes in the 1800s.
You can spend hours at the Cincinnati Museum Center, which cradles a cluster of museums inside the 1933 Union Terminal building. Costumed interpreters bring history to life at the Cincinnati History Museum, while the Duke Energy Museum offers multiple zones catering to kids, including Little Sprouts Farm and Kid’s Town.
Getting around Cincinnati
Pedestrian-friendly bridges cross-cross the Ohio River, making it easy to walk the city. A modern streetcar system operates downtown and shuttles provide transportation to ballgames and along the riverfront. Taxis, buses, metro trains, rental cars and bike shares ensure plenty of transportation.