Things to Do in Cincinnati

cincinnati things to do

Cincinnati (Cincy) is one of the most beautiful cities in Ohio. It grabs the attention of vacationers for some of the amazing fun things to do in Cincinnati, Ohio, including the captivating Cincinnati Reds, Skyline Chili, museums, the Cincinnati Ballet, craft beer, bourbon, and the list goes on. Thus, Cincy is one of the best attractions known for a lot of things to do and experience. Its undeniable charm and complexity offer a myriad of experiences, and therefore, it turns out to be among the 100 most livable cities in the world. If you are planning a vacation and looking for the best destination to spend some great time with loved ones, then Cincy, is located on the Ohio River. It can be the best place to visit, as it offers a rich history of unique activities revolving around the waterfront. Apart from being one of the tourist destinations, Cincinnati is also ranked as the number one city to live life happily. 

Cincy offers an array of activities to indulge in; therefore, it invites travelers from diverse corners of the world. So, visiting here along with family can be a wonderful experience for the family. The most amazing thing about Cincy is that it is beautiful, comfortable, safe, healthy, and an affordable city to visit and have a great time. Doesn’t it all sound great? Of course, it is amazing, so what else do you need to have a remarkable vacation in the city? Just plan your vacations in this Queen City and immerse in Cincinnati stuff to do like attractions, art & culture, family fun, outdoor recreation, events, bar & nightlife, downtown, and shopping. Each of these activities will win the hearts of vacationers and compel them to spend some more time in between these amazing things to do in the city. If you are excited to know more about the city and some fun things to do in Cincinnati, then here are the details for you. 

Cincinnati City Tourism Guide

Destination Info
  • IATA Code CVG
  • Airport Name Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
  • Airport Address 3087 Terminal Dr, Hebron, KY 41048, United States
  • No. of Runways 4
  • Airport Enquiry No. +1 859-767-3151
  • Official Site https://www.cvgairport.com/
  • Country Code +1
  • Currency USD
  • Ideal Duration 1 to 2 Days
  • Visa Required Not Required for Domestic Traveller
  • Best Time to Visit September or May
  • Airline Serving Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Breeze Airways, British Airways, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Southwest, Sun Country Airlines
  • Attractions Cincinnati Art Museum, Findlay Market, Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

List of 10 Things to Do in Cincinnati

  • 1 Ride the Beast at Kings Island
    Ride the Beast at Kings Island

    If you want to see how brave you are and you love experiencing thrilling activities at its best, then don’t forget to ride the beast at Kings Island. It is a 3,200-foot-long world's longest wooden roller coaster that weaves through the dense forest on the edge of the park. It enables riders to boast 16 airtime hills. The park is spread over 364 acres (147 ha) of land, and it has grown to feature over a hundred attractions, including fourteen roller coasters. As the park is divided into eight themed sections, therefore vacationers can also enjoy the rides of Beast and Banshee, Orion - a giga coaster, that opened in 2020. Vacationers must get the tickets online or right away through its window. So, just plan your vacations with your loved ones and enjoy the tour to the fullest. 

  • 2 Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
    Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

    Founded in 1873 and officially operational in 1875, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is one of the best places to visit in Cincinnati. If you are visiting along with your family, then certainly it is a must-visit place. It is spread over 64.5 acres (26.1 ha) in the middle of the city. The zoo houses approx. 500 species, 1,800 animals, and 3,000 plant species. Apart from exploring these members of the zoo, vacationers can also participate in conserving nature and serving the community. And to add some thrill to the visit, vacationers can participate in the adventure and convey knowledge. A visit to these places will win the hearts of vacationers and compel visitors to visit again and again. 

  • 3 Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
    Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal

    Cincinnati Museum Center is one of the museums and complexes that was built in 1933. The complex has different museums right under the same roof. Some of the most captivating museums you must visit include the Cincinnati History Museum, the Cincinnati Children's Museum, the Museum of Natural History & Science, and the Lindner Family OMNIMAX Theater, along with special exhibitions, exhibits, events, and much more. It’s an award-winning complex of distinct museums and attractions, so on your visit to Cincinnati, you must visit here for a fabulous experience. Now, plan your vacations along with your loved ones to explore these attractions, as it will be fun things in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

  • 4 Findlay Market
    Findlay Market

    You must be thinking, why visit a market? Well, this is not an ordinary market; it is Ohio's oldest continuously operated public market, and its lively charm welcomes more than one million visitors each year. It is also known as one of the most cherished institutions where visitors can see the rich historic architecture of the 19th century. As it is one of the bustling markets of Cincinnati, therefore from farm fresh to locally sourced and special food, everything is available in this market. So, no matter what you want to shop, Findlay Market has something for everyone, be it meat, fish, poultry, flowers, cheese, deli, ethnic, or food. The market meets all your expectations for sure. The market is open from Tuesday to Sunday, and on weekends, you can get a chance to attend the vibrant outdoor market, numerous street performers, and several special events. 

  • 5 Krohn Conservatory
    Krohn Conservatory

    Located in Eden Park, near Cincinnati's East Walnut Hills and Mount Adams neighborhoods, this Krohn Conservatory is widely popular as one of the best attractions of the city, and it houses an incredible botanical garden which is filled with approx. 3,500 plant species. It also draws amazing architecture buffs and has a classic example of the Art Deco. While exploring the Conservatory, vacationers can explore seven distinct collections, which also include the tropical Palm House and the Orchid House, plus six seasonal exhibits. Apart from these attractions, vacationers can’t miss the Butterfly Show and the unique collection of plants on the guided tour during the springtime. The experience of this place is certainly amazing, and it is widely known as one of the best things to do in Cincinnati. 

  • 6 Cincinnati Music Hall
    Cincinnati Music Hall

    The establishment of Cincinnati Music Hall started in 1876 and was completed in 1878 is popular as the classical music performance hall in Cincinnati, Ohio. The hall catches the attention of visitors for being one of the oldest halls in the city. However, along with the elegance of the Old World decor, the hall also meets contemporary standards in technical equipment and amenities. The hall is home to the largest theatres & ballrooms, the fifth-oldest Symphony Orchestra, the second-oldest Opera Company, and longest longest-running choral festival (May Festival) in the Western Hemisphere. If you are a music lover or an artist, then this music hall is the right place for you. A visit to this place is one of the fun things to do in Cincinnati. And if you get the chance to witness the symphony performances, then it is going to be the best experience ever. 

  • 7 Newport Aquarium
    Newport Aquarium

    Located in Newport, Kentucky, right across the river from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, the Newport Aquarium is one of the amazing places to experience the best of the underwater world. It welcomes families to discover thousands of the world’s most exotic aquatic creatures. You will also get the chance to witness the playful penguins, sharks, a visit of smiling stingrays, and very rare-to-find alligators. Apart from these experiences, vacationers will also get the chance to encounter thrilling adventures like the first-in-the-world Shark Bridge, where you can cross inches above a tank full of sharks on a rope bridge. Vacationers will be experiencing the brand-new place of Hatchling Harbor, where vacationers can see the habitat of baby animals that are growing and changing every day. The entire experience of this place is amazing, and it will leave you with a lasting impression for sure. 

  • 8 Fountain Square
    Fountain Square

    Just like Washington DC’s Whitehouse represents the city, likewise, the Fountain Square of Cincinnati has been a symbol of the center of Cincinnati since 1871. On your visit to Cincy, if you want to discover the downtown of the city, then a visit to Fountain Square is a must. In recent years, the place has gone through several transformations and turned out to be the focal point of a thriving entertainment district. There are several signature restaurants and bars that catch the eyes of vacationers and compel them to spend more and more time at the place. Right from the signature restaurants and bars to the annual events in every season, it makes it one of the happening places in the city. So, on your visit to Cincinnati, you need not think about what to do in Cincinnati, as here you will have hundreds of things to experience every day. 

  • 9 Cincinnati Art Museum
    Cincinnati Art Museum

    If you have experienced thousands of things to do in Cincinnati, then a visit to the Cincinnati Art Museum to explore the huge collection of artworks over 6,000 years is a must-have experience. Here, visitors can explore the rich collection of artwork pieces from diverse corners of the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The collection will enable you to understand the rich art and culture of each country and also get the chance to read about the artist. The museum also hosts some events related to the art of the USA and other countries as well, so if you have an interest in exploring and enjoying the art of the world, then you must visit here. It gets open at 11 AM and till 5 PM it is open, so get the tickets accordingly. You can explore it in just 1-2 hours. 

  • 10 Riverboat Cruises
    Riverboat Cruises

    Riverboat cruises are one of the best things to do in Cincinnati, Ohio, as it enables vacationers to enjoy narrated tours and dinner cruises with beautiful views of the city skyline. The city has several cruising service providers with different tour experiences and packages, so grab the most amazing package of your interest and immerse yourself in the beautiful sunset view from the cruise. While enjoying the riverboat cruising, vacationers also get the chance to explore different cities and their cultures. As cruising is available in different options, so choose as per your interest and enjoy cruising with your family. All you need to do is book the package in advance to secure your seat on the boat. So, just go for it. The experience is unmatchable for sure. 

Cincinnati Monthly Temperature

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Low 22°F25°F33°F43°F54°F61°F66°F63°F57°F45°F32°F29°F
High 40°F44°F54°F67°F77°F84°F87°F86°F80°F68°F54°F45°F

FAQs About Things to Do in Cincinnati

1 Is Cincinnati, Ohio, worth visiting?

Yes, Cincinnati, Ohio, is one of the most beautiful cities in Ohio. There are plenty of skyscrapers that sports stadiums dominate. There are many attractions and fun things to do in Cincinnati that offer a wonderful traveling experience to visitors. Right from the unmatchable roller coaster rides to the beautiful sightseeing to enjoying dining and nightlife, everything in the city is awesome, and it leaves a lasting impression on visitors. 

2 How to spend a day in Cincinnati?

If you are visiting Cincinnati for a single day, then there are several attractions and amazing places to visit, such as Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati Art Museum, American Sign Museum, Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum, Krohn Conservatory, and National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Each of these attractions of the place will help you to learn more about the city and also delve into amazing experiences like attending events, experiencing lively nightlife, etc. 

3 What are some best things to do in Cincinnati Ohio?

As the queen city is widely popular for its amazing activities and attractions, therefore some of the things you can’t miss experiencing here are the Cincinnati Reds, Skyline Chili, museums, the Cincinnati Ballet, craft beer, bourbon, etc. Each of these experiences will win the hearts of vacationers, and it compels visitors to indulge in an abundance of things to do in Cincy. 

4 What is Cincinnati best known for?

Cincinnati, being the queen city, invites thousands of vacationers every year for lovely experiences. Therefore, on your visit to this city, you can experience some of the best-known things of the city, i.e. Breweries in Over-the-Rhine, American Sign Museum, Findlay Market, John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, Great American Ball Park, Paul Brown Stadium, Washington Park, and Cincinnati Music Hall. The blend of these attractions and activities will offer great fun to visitors, so one must enjoy all these best-known experiences of the city on their trip to Cincy. 

5 What food is Cincinnati most famous for?

On your visit to Cincinnati, when you will be exploring and enjoying the sightseeing and activities of the city, then you will come to know about the most famous food of the city i.e. Cincinnati chilli. It is one of the most iconic dishes that many restaurants try to match with its layered flavors, but no one can snag this dish. It will be a wonderful experience to try it for Camp Washington Chili. This 24-hour-a-day spot is a must-visit to experience the city's most famous meal, and one must enjoy it.