Seven Great Things to Do in Cincinnati

PHOTO: The Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. (photo via Flickr/Daniel Betts)

Cincinnati might not be the first destination that springs to mind when looking for a getaway, but it should be.

This centrally located city is not only welcoming and jam-packed with fun activities for families and couples alike but it’s easy to get to—it’s just an hour’s flight for 60 percent of the U.S. population and, more importantly, one of the cities where the American Queen Steamboat Company docks on its incredible river tours.

Whether it’s a day spent at the Newport Aquarium or Contemporary Arts Center or an evening date at Kings Island Amusement Park, it’s hard to go wrong. Need help winnowing your choices? Here are seven great things to do in Cincinnati:

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Is there any better way to spend the afternoon than with a visit to the zoo? Consistently ranked as among the best in the country, Cincinnati’s zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals and 500 species. The zoo is known for its breeding programs for such rare species as the Sumatran Rhinoceros and the endangered bonobo.

Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum. You don’t need to be a baseball fan to appreciate this homage to Cincinnati’s home team. Conveniently located next to the Great American Ball Park, the museum offers visitors the chance to take a stroll down memory lane with memorabilia spanning back as far as the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings.

Cincinnati Observatory. Dubbed the “birthplace of American astronomy,” the observatory is home to one of the oldest working telescopes in the Western Hemisphere and is a must-visit for budding astronomers. The center offers classes in astronomy, as well as telescope training and is on the list of National Historic Landmarks.

Eden Park. Eden Park offers a little something for everyone. Kids can run to their hearts’ content and will enjoy the model boat display and playground, while adults will enjoy strolling the paths that meander past two lakes and through the Hinkle Magnolia Garden.

Findlay Market. Located in Cincinnati’s hip Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, the Findlay Market is the oldest public open-air market in the city and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The market has been selling a variety of fresh fruit, meat, poultry and fish along with locally made products since 1852. Visit in the summer months and enjoy craft beer at the OTR Biergarten.

American Sign Museum. Americana at its best awaits visitors to the American Sign Museum. Here, visitors can stroll through a 20,000 square-foot exhibition hall filled with vintage signs that pay testament to America’s past and present. Among the finer examples on display are gold leaf glass signs dating back to the early 1900s and original neon signs from the 1930s and 1940s. Of special note are signs from Howard Johnson’s and a fiberglass statue of Frisch’s Big Boy.

Cincinnati Dinner Train. The Cincinnati Dinner Train will make you sad that dinner comes but once a day. Dinner guests step back in time to the 1940s when they board these vintage dining cars for a three-hour tour of downtown Cincinnati and the riverfront, all the while, enjoying a four-course dinner and drinks. Each of the three dining cars is elegantly furnished and features booth window seating, crisp white linens and silver place-settings. Passengers can also enjoy the view après-dinner from the Queen City Tavern car, which features a full-service cash bar and music.

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