Things to do in Cincinnati
- Cincinnati was the first U.S. city to build its own major railroad, the Cincinnati Southern Railway, to connect the city directly to the Southern markets.
- The city was once known as 'Porkopolis' in the mid-19th century because it was the leading pork-packing center of the United States.
- Cincinnati is home to the oldest professional baseball team in the United States, the Cincinnati Reds, founded in 1869.
- The city's historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood contains one of the largest collections of 19th-century Italianate architecture in the country.
- Cincinnati is geographically unique for its dozens of hills that divide the city into distinct neighborhoods connected by steep inclines and bridges.
About Cincinnati
Cincinnati is a major river port city founded in 1788 that serves as a historic cultural hub in the Ohio River Valley. The cityscape is defined by its unique topography and the architectural grandeur of the Cincinnati Museum Center, housed in a former Art Deco train terminal. Visitors can explore local history at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center or find greenery at Eden Park and the Krohn Conservatory. Sports enthusiasts frequently gather at Great American Ball Park and Paycor Stadium along the riverfront to watch professional teams.
Highlights of Cincinnati
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Venues
This riverside stadium is the home of the Cincinnati Reds and features a dedicated museum focused on team history.
Museums
Housed in a massive Art Deco train terminal, this center combines a history museum, a children's museum, and an OMNIMAX theater.
Museums
Located in Eden Park, this museum holds a vast collection spanning 6,000 years of art history.
Museums
This museum provides an educational exploration of the history of the Underground Railroad and its impact on the fight for freedom.
Parks
Visitors can walk through climate-controlled glass greenhouses featuring exotic plants and seasonal floral displays.
Parks
This central urban park serves as a hub for community events and features significant historical monuments.
Parks
This path provides scenic, paved stretches for cycling and running directly along the Ohio River shoreline.
Zoos
Located on the Newport side of the river, this facility features immersive exhibits including a shark ray breeding program.
Top things to do in Cincinnati
The 230 highest-rated places in Cincinnati, ranked by travellers.
1
Zoos
Newport Aquarium is an AZA-accredited facility located on the Ohio River, featuring a collection of aquatic life ranging...
2
Venues
Great American Ball Park is the home field of the Cincinnati Reds, the oldest professional baseball franchise in the Uni...
3
Museums
The Creation Museum is a 75,000-square-foot facility in Petersburg, Kentucky, that presents history and science through...
4
Museums
The Cincinnati Museum Center is housed within the historic Union Terminal, a National Historic Landmark famed for its Ar...
5
Museums
The Cincinnati Art Museum is one of the oldest art institutions in the United States, established in 1881 within the gro...
6
Parks
Washington Park is a 8-acre urban green space in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine district, notable for its integrated underg...
7
Venues
Paycor Stadium is the open-air home of the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals, situated on the banks of the Ohio River. The facili...
8
Parks
Krohn Conservatory is an indoor botanical garden located in Cincinnati's Eden Park, housing more than 3,500 plant specie...
9
Venues
The Aronoff Center for the Arts is a premier performing arts complex located in downtown Cincinnati featuring three dist...
10
Parks
Eden Park is a 186-acre municipal park located on a hilltop overlooking the Ohio River in Cincinnati. The park serves as...
11
Parks
Winton Woods is a 2,555-acre regional park operated by Great Parks of Hamilton County, centered around a 156-acre reserv...
12
Parks
The Ohio River Trail at Smale Riverfront Park is a multi-modal recreational corridor stretching along the northern bank...
13
Parks
Ault Park is Cincinnati’s fourth-largest park, covering 223 acres of woodlands and manicured gardens. The centerpiece is...
14
Museums
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is a museum dedicated to the history of the Underground Railroad and th...
15
Parks
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is recognized as the birthplace of American vertebrate paleontology due to its massive...
16
Parks
Mt. Airy Forest spans 1,459 acres, making it the largest park in the Cincinnati Parks system. Established in 1911, it wa...
17
Places of interest
The John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge is a historic engineering landmark spanning the Ohio River, connecting Covington,...
18
Museums
The Children's Museum is housed within the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, a designated National Historic La...
19
Parks
Sawyer Point Park & Yeatman's Cove is a 25-acre recreational corridor stretching along the Ohio River waterfront in down...
20
Venues
Nippert Stadium serves as the home field for the University of Cincinnati Bearcats football team. Constructed in 1915 an...
21
Parks
Fernbank Park is a riverfront recreational space situated directly along the Ohio River in Cincinnati, Ohio. It features...
22
Parks
Woodland Mound is a 1,048-acre Great Park situated on a high ridge overlooking the Ohio River in Cincinnati. The primary...
23
Places of interest
The Scenic Overlook at Devou Park provides an elevated vantage point situated on a bluff in Covington, Kentucky, overloo...
24
Venues
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park is a regional theater company located in Eden Park, featuring the state-of-the-art Rous...
25
Parks
Juilfs Park is a 50-acre recreational facility managed by the Anderson Township Park District in Cincinnati. It features...
26
Museums
The Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati is housed in the Lois & Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art, the fi...
27
Parks
French Park is a 275-acre municipal park located in Amberley Village, Cincinnati, characterized by its mix of rugged woo...
28
Parks
George Rogers Clark Park is a waterfront green space located on the banks of the Ohio River in Covington, Kentucky. The...
29
Parks
Veterans Memorial Park, located in Union Township, Ohio, serves as a dedicated tribute to military service members. The...
30
Parks
Delhi Park is a 125-acre municipal recreational area located in the Delhi Township of Cincinnati. The grounds feature mu...
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Cincinnati on the map
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Plan your visit to Cincinnati
Late spring (May-June) or early autumn (September-October) offers the most temperate weather for walking the city's hilly terrain and riverfront parks.
3-4 days to fully explore the distinct neighborhoods and major museum complexes.
The city is served by the Cincinnati Bell Connector streetcar in the downtown area, while buses and rideshares are standard for reaching neighborhoods like Mount Adams or Clifton.
Stay in Over-the-Rhine for immediate access to restaurants and nightlife, or choose the Downtown area for proximity to the riverfront attractions.
Mid-range; the city offers a variety of affordable cultural institutions and dining options compared to major coastal hubs.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 230 curated attractions in and around Cincinnati, ranked by traveller ratings.
Newport Aquarium is the highest-rated place to visit in Cincinnati right now.
The largest category is parks, with 99 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Downtown Los Angeles, Bayonne, New Jersey, Washington, D.C..
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