When you visit the Cincinnati Metro area, there is so much for families to see and do.
The Cincinnati Metro is made up of a Tri-State with Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Crossing state lines is very common when you visit the area.
The Ohio Side
Kings Island Amusement Park
Our family has enjoyed Kings Island Amusement Park together for years. When my boys were younger, we spent most of our time in the kiddie area and the waterpark.
Now that my boys are older, we are enjoying all of the thrill rides together. Kings Island has something to offer for families of all ages.
Tips for Visiting Kings Island
- Wear your swimsuit underneath your clothes and bring clothes to change into for later.
- Bring a ziplock bag or waterproof case for your phone if you plan to go on a ride where you could get wet
- On a really hot day, ride the thrill rides while everyone else is cooling off at the waterpark.
- Don’t get dehydrated! You can get free courtesy cups of water around the park wherever drinks are sold.
- Get current pricing here.
Cincinnati Museum Center
Gorgeous art deco architecture and three museums in one building! Kids under 12 will enjoy the Children’s Museum that allows them to interact and play.
Cincinnati Museum Center Tips
- Whisper back and forth to your friends at the corner of the rotunda when you first enter the building. The acoustics are incredible.
- Look for the house that is on fire the main train model at the Cincinnati History Museum. It smokes every few minutes.
- If you are visiting more than one museum with kids in one day, go to the Children’s Museum LAST. It’s too hard to convince them to go anywhere else once they are there.
- At the Museum of Natural History & Science, you will want to check out the two-level replica of a limestone cave. There are beginner and advanced trails. If you take the advanced trail, you will see the waterfall.
- There is a FREE Rotunda tour offered on weekends. It’s really interesting but younger ages might find the 45-minute tour to be a little long.
- Check out Tower A. It’s the former tower that ran the train station. There are a lot of historic artifacts on display and you can learn a lot from the Cincinnati Railroad members who share information there.
- If you are looking for a unique overnight experience you can stay at the museum on special themed weekends throughout the year.
- Check out the art deco ice cream parlor with beautiful Rookwood tiles and enjoy an ice cream.
- The domed Omnimax theater is a unique screen to watch a larger than life educational film.
- Get current pricing here.
The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens
The Cincinnati Zoo gives families the opportunity to see a lot of animals in the heart of the city. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden- This zoo has been around for 140 years and is beautiful year round. Kids will love the opportunities to get up close to several of their favorite zoo animals.
Cincinnati Zoo Tips
- Guests can bring their own food or there are several areas in the zoo where you can purchase food. I would recommend bringing water.
- Wear comfortable shoes, this zoo is very hilly which provides extra cardio if you are pushing a stroller.
- Check out the schedule during your visit so that you will know where the animal demonstrations are.
- Notice the historical markers throughout the park. The reptile building is one of the oldest buildings at a zoo in the country.
- Get current pricing here.
Cincinnati Reds Baseball Game
- Kids will LOVE the free wiffle ball court and playground area on the concourse.
- Get game pricing here and even more tips here.
Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum
Baseball fans of all ages can find something at this museum.
- There are a few areas that are interactive for kids.
- Make sure that you take advantage of all of the photo opps.
- The Museum offers a Ballpark Tour that is a great chance to go behind the scenes to areas not offered to the public.
- Get current pricing here.
Smale Park
- This park is FREE!
I’ve already written an in-depth post with tips for visiting this park.
Carew Tower Observation Deck
You can read more about this attraction here.
The Kentucky Side
B&B Riverboat
- Bring a jacket for the evening cruises.
- Bring your camera for gorgeous sunset views
- Get current pricing here.
Newport Aquarium
Walk across the only suspension bridge in North America; above the world’s largest concentration of shark rays, walkthrough shark tunnels, and get up close to sea life with several interactive exhibits.
- Take your time as you go through the aquarium. The design takes guests through the aquarium and doesn’t really backtrack.
- Kids will enjoy the Frog Bog area that’s a great halfway point where they can blow off steam in the indoor playground.
- The aquarium does offer penguin encounters for an additional fee.
- The aquarium offers overnight adventures several times of the year. I recommend sleeping in the shark tunnel.
- Get current pricing here.
Earth Joy Tree Adventures
Climb a tree as high as you can, without the fear of falling.
You can read more about this fun adventure here.
- Wear comfortable clothing
- Bring a bottle of water
- Get current pricing here.
The Indiana Side
Perfect North Slopes
- Dress in layers
- If you are new to skiing and snowboarding take the free lesson no matter what! It’s more enjoyable for you and for the people around you on the slopes.
- Skiing is easier to pick up than snowboarding. If you are only going once a year, I recommend skiing.
- If you go snow tubing, try the lanes that allow you to link up a large number of people at least once. There are shelters and fire pits for spectators too.
- Get current pricing here.
Wolf Creek Habitat and Rescue
- It’s free to observe the wolves from the platform
- The Wolf Encounter is worth the $.
- Make sure that your kids know not to run around on the platforms.
- The wolves are the most active in colder weather.
- Get current pricing here
