Cincinnati offers numerous family-friendly activities that won’t break the bank.
Cincinnati has so much to offer, and there is a lot you can do even if you have a smaller budget. Here are some Cincinnati staycation ideas that the whole family will enjoy.
FREE Things to Do in Cincinnati and NKY
There are lots of free things you can do in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Metro area.
Union Terminal Rotunda Tours at Cincinnati Museum Center
1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH
You can learn about the history of the 1933 train station and access areas of the museum that are not open to the general public.
Union Terminal Rotunda Tours are free, first come, first served.
Fridays at 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, and 3:30 PM
Saturdays at 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM, and 2:30 PM
Sundays at 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM, and 2:30 PM
You’ll learn what Union Terminal was like at its peak when the train was a huge part of transportation on this 45-minute tour.
Ride the Streetcar in Downtown Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Bell Connector is free to ride. The 3.6-mile loop connects Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine and Banks neighborhoods via the Central Business District.
I highly recommend using the streetcar to park once to explore multiple neighborhoods downtown without the hassle of paying for parking at several stops.
Enjoy a Local Bike Trail in Ohio or Northern KY
There are several paved bike trails around Cincinnati. Many of the bike trails in the area connect to one another if you want to go for an extended ride.
We love bringing our foldable e-bikes for long rides. Several locations have bike rentals if needed.
We enjoy visiting family-friendly breweries and restaurants along the Little Miami Scenic Trail.
I recommend bringing a bike lock if you plan on stopping at a restaurant or brewery along the bike trail.
- Little Miami Scenic Trail
- Loveland Bike Trail – *bike rental options
- Miami Whitewater Forest *bike rentals available at the park
- Sharon Woods *bike rentals available at the park
- Winton Woods *bike rentals available at the park
- Beechmont Bridge Connection Project
- Columbia Connector Trail Project
Cincinnati Red Bike rideshare is another option for exploring downtown and nearby neighborhoods.
Rides are booked through their app in 2-hour increments with an additional fee if your time extends beyond the 2-hour limit.
Mountain Bike Trails
- Devou Park – Covington, KY
- Tower Park – Fort Thomas, KY
- Mount Airy Forest – Cincinnati, OH
- England Idlewild – Burlington, KY
- Goltra Preserve – Cincinnati, OH
- Caesar Creek – Waynesville, OH
- Lebanon Bike Park – Lebanon, OH
- East Fork State Park – Bethel, OH
- Harbin Park – Fairfield, OH
- Hueston Woods – Oxford, OH
- Nighthawk Bike Park – Anderson Township, OH
Explore Findlay Market
1801 Race St, Cincinnati, OH
Findlay Market has bragging rights as Ohio’s oldest continuously running public market, dating back to 1855.
Findlay Market offers free bi-monthly tours that begin at the Market Center at 10 AM on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month.
You can also download a self-guided tour that highlights the past, present, and future of the market.
Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum
4521 Spring Grove Ave, Cincinnati, OH
This historic cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in Ohio, dating back to 1845.
I realize that a cemetery walk can sound a bit morbid, but Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum is exceptionally stunning in the spring and the fall.
Be on the lookout for free events and low-cost tours throughout the year.
Enjoy the Scenic View at Devou Park in Covington
854 Park Ln, Covington, KY
The scenic overlook at Devou Park is a great place for a picnic and to enjoy another vantage point of the Cincinnati skyline.
The park also has walking trails, a playground, a golf course, and mountain bike trails.
Learn more about all of the things to do at Devou Park here.
NaturePlay at the Behringer Crawford Museum
1600 Montague Rd, Covington, KY (Devou Park)
NaturePlay is an outdoor play area adjacent to the Behringer-Crawford Museum. Families can visit for free from dawn to dusk.
Black Music Hall of Fame
190 W Mehring Way, Cincinnati, OH, next to the Andrew J. Brady Music Center.
The interactive permanent tourism attraction highlights black artists in the music industry with ties to the Queen City.
This one-of-a-kind family tourism attraction is FREE and accessible to all because it doesn’t have stairs.
The displays will also feature copy in braille and a haptic panel that will allow hearing-impaired visitors to “feel” the music.
Lawn Bowling at Little Miami Golf Center
3811 Newtown Rd, Cincinnati, OH
This is the only place that you can try this sport within a 150-mile radius. They offer free tutorials for first-time users and provide all the equipment.
It will remind you of a combo of bocce ball and bowling.
Trammel Fossil Park
11935 Tramway Dr, Sharonville, OH
You can dig for fossils at this free park. Bring an old paintbrush and a bucket and see what you can unearth.
Guests can keep the fossils they find at the park, and Port-o-lets and a hand-washing station are available from April through November.
Taft Museum of Art
316 Pike St, Cincinnati, OH
General admission to the Taft Museum of Art is free on Sundays and Mondays, excluding holidays. Kids 17 and under are free every day.
Ask for a guide who will show you popular paintings to look for in the museum.
Cincinnati Art Museum
This free museum has an incredible collection of art that spans the centuries. You can find pieces that range from ancient times to modern art.
There are even designated areas where kids can try hands-on activities.
Burnet Woods
3251 Brookline Ave, Cincinnati, OH
Enjoy lots of outdoor activities with hiking trails and this awesome slide built into the side of a staircase!
William Howard Taft National Historic Site
2038 Auburn Ave, Cincinnati, OH
Admission to the William Howard Taft National Historic Site is free year-round.
You can learn more about the interesting history of William Howard Taft, who was the 27th President of the United States and a Chief Justice of the United States.
Guests can also take a guided tour of the two-story home where Taft was born and grew up.
Visit Your Local Library
Libraries offer many free programs for families with young children. Sign up for their newsletters and follow their social media accounts for their upcoming events and classes.
On the Kentucky side of the Ohio River, check out the great programs at the Kenton County Public Library, Boone County Public Library, or Campbell County Public Library.
On the Ohio side of the Ohio River, check out the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Libraries and the Clermont County Public Library.
Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library cardholders also have access to checking out a Discovery Pass.
Customers can reserve a Discovery Pass with their library pass for free admission to cultural institutions, including museums, parks, and more.
Visit a Local Park
We have so many great parks downtown that offer unique perspectives of the city.
“Great Parks of Hamilton County” has 21 parks offering year-round recreation for all ages.
For the best value, purchase an annual motor vehicle permit versus paying the daily fee for each visit.
Sawyer Point & Yeatman’s Cove
705 E. Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati, OH
This park is located between Smale Riverfront Park and Berry International Friendship Park.
There are tennis and Pickleball courts, sand volleyball courts, a playground, a sprayground, and bike rentals.
You can stand in two states simultaneously on the Purple People Pedestrian Bridge from Sawyer Point to Northern Kentucky.
Smale Riverfront Park
166 W Mehring Way, Cincinnati, OH
Kids can play in the fountains day or night, and there is a giant keyboard that you can play with your feet.
Along the Ohio Riverfront Park, enjoy the walking paths, play areas, fountains that kids can run through, and two swing areas with a nice view of the Ohio River.
Enjoy a Free Event at Washington Park
1230 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH
Washington Park is located in the Over the Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati.
Kids will love the playground, and when the temperatures heat up, pack an extra set of clothes and a towel so they can cool off running through the interactive water fountains.
The park has special community events year-round, including live music, Easter Egg hunts, City Flea (an urban flea market), yoga, and movie nights.
Washington Park is also home to pre-match activities for FC Cincinnati soccer games.
The park is well-lit at night, and the colorful lights make it even more magical with views of Cincinnati Music Hall in the background.
There’s an affordable two-level underground parking garage at the park with 450 parking spaces.
There is a parking garage underneath the park. There is also a great community vibe with special events like Easter Egg hunts, City Flea (an urban flea market), yoga, and movie nights.
Take An Art Walk
We have incredible murals all over the city. Our city boasts the skills of international street artists from around the world on the sides of our buildings.
There are over 230 public works of art around Cincinnati, and you can book a guided mural tour through Art Works or download the free self-guided mural tour.
Our architecture is also a work of art. Our city has one of the largest collections of Italianate-style homes still in existence.
Free Fun at Fountain Square
This area in the heart of downtown Cincinnati offers lots of activities, from free concerts to movie nights on the giant screen.
For example, Salsa on the Square, every Thursday in the summer, has free live music and a dance lesson.
Low-Cost Things to Do in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky
Krohn Conservatory
1501 Eden Park Dr, Cincinnati, OH
There are beautiful flowers and plants from around the world at Krohn Conservatory. Enjoy a seasonal floral show throughout the year.
Anderson Ferry
4030 River Rd, Hebron, KY, and One Anderson Ferry Road, Cincinnati, OH
The Anderson Ferry is in operation 364 days a year.
A one-way fare is $5, or you can purchase a book of 10 for $35.
The Root Beer Stand
11566 Reading Rd. Sharonville, Ohio
This is a great stop that’s located close to Trammel Fossil Park and Sharon Woods. You can get an incredible root beer float or order other classic diner items off the menu.
Explore Historic Loveland Castle & Museum
12025 Shore Dr, Loveland, OH
Cost- $5 per person – Ages 5 and under are FREE
The museum is open from October 1st to March 31st, Saturdays and Sundays only. The Summer Schedule is April 1st through September 30, 7 days a week.
You can take a self-guided tour of The Historic Loveland Castle & Museum Chateau Laroche, and learn more about Harry Delos Andrews, who brought his vision to life.
Discover one man’s labor of love as you explore the castle he built by hand.
Carload Night at the Drive-In Movies
Starlite Drive-In Theatre – 2255 OH-125, Amelia, OH
A drive-in movie is a great way to mix up your next movie night with friends or family, or for a date night.
On Tuesdays, Starlite Drive-In Theatre offers a single price for up to 6 people in a vehicle.
You’ll want to use these packing tips for the drive-in movie before you go.
Behind the Scenes Tour of Rookwood Pottery
Rookwood – OTR Flagship Store 1920 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH
Tour Time: 10:30 AM -11:30 AM and 1:00 PM -2 PM
Cost – $15
On a Behind the Scenes Tour, you’ll learn more about Rookwood’s history dating back to 1880 as you walk through the 88,000-square-foot production facility.
You’ll have a new appreciation for the process of making handcrafted pottery and architectural tile after taking the tour.
I hope these ideas have helped you find adventures you can enjoy without spending a lot.
There is so much to do here (as you highlight)! Cincinnati has an incredible amount to offer and it is all very doable on a budget.
Thanks Adam. Let me know if you need any other ideas for your visit.
Love these ideas! We’ll be in Cincy soon and will check out a lot of these places. Really enjoy reading it from a local!
What a fun list! My kids would enjoy the slide built into the side of the stairs!!