Staycation Cincinnati Ideas, Attractions, and Adventures

Have a Staycation in Cincinnati this year? There is so much to do!

Whether you want to attend a baseball game, take a nature walk, visit a museum, or have some delicious root beer – The Queen City has plenty of options for your Staycation for all ages!

I’m sharing some of my favorite Staycation Cincinnati suggestions in Ohio and Northern Kentucky.

Your biggest challenge may be deciding which Cincinnati Staycation idea to try next.

This article contains affiliate links.

Enjoy Extreme Fun at King Island Amusement Park 

6300 Kings Island Dr, Mason, OH 

Our family loves going to Kings Island! You also get two parks in one during the summer with Soak City waterpark included with your admission.

Kings Island has a great section for kids called Planet Snoopy, live shows, family rides, and great roller coasters for thrill-seekers. 

If you don’t like going on rides there are still plenty of options at Kings Island for non-riders. 

Explore Cincinnati Art Museum

953 Eden Park Dr, Cincinnati, OH

Cincinnati Art 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 areas where kids can try hands-on activities at the Rosenthal Education Center.

The Cincinnati Art Museum is FREE to visit but special exhibits may be an additional fee.

Learn more about the top things to do at the Cincinnati Art Museum.

Take a Tour in Cincinnati

Our city has something for every interest level from art to beer, to history and adventure.

I would start by trying one of these 10 tours in Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky.

Attend a Cincinnati Reds Baseball Game

100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH 

Did you know that the Cincinnati Reds are the oldest team in MLB?

Baseball fans of all ages will have a great time at a baseball game at Great American Ballpark.

Learn more about why families love attending Reds games here.

To enhance your visit, learn the Reds’ history at the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum or on a Ballpark Tour.

Visit Your Favorite Animals at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens

3400 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH

The Cincinnati Zoo has a variety of animals to see, including the world-famous hippo Fiona and additional hippos named Fritz, Tucker, and Bibi.

The Botanical Gardens at the Cincinnati Zoo make for amazing pictures, especially in the spring when the tulips bloom.

You don’t want to miss Tunes and Blooms each Thursday evening in April.

The Cincinnati Zoo offers many behind-the-scenes tours and animal encounters.

If you like a challenge check out the Kanga Climb Aerial Adventure Course, fun for kids and adults.

*This attraction is part of the Cincinnati Pogo Pass. Save 50% on a Pogo Pass with the discount code “Advmom.”

Enjoy the Indoor Pool at Great Wolf Lodge Year Round

2501 Great Wolf Dr, Mason, OH

Great Wolf Lodge is a wonderful place for families to go for a local getaway if you have cabin fever.

The indoor waterpark at Great Wolf Lodge is a comfortable 84 degrees all year round. You can relax in the lazy rivers or go on the waterslides.

During the summer months, there is an outdoor pool too.

In addition to the waterpark, there is indoor glow mini golf, MagiQuest, bowling alley, and arcade.

If you don’t want to stay overnight you can purchase a day pass for the waterpark in advance online.

Visit Newport Aquarium

1 Levee Way, Newport, KY

Newport Aquarium has several opportunities to get up close to aquatic animals. There are several touch tanks where you can pet sting rays or sharks.

At the end of your visit, you can walk across the Shark Bridge above the tank filled with sharks.

Mix things up for your visit and enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of Newport Aquarium or book a penguin encounter to see penguins up close.

Watch a Movie at a Local Drive-In Movie Theatre

A drive-in movie is a great way to mix up your next movie night with friends or family, or for a date night.

We have two drive-in movie theaters in the Cincinnati Metro.

• Starlite Drive-In Theatre – 2255 OH-125, Amelia, OH
• Holiday Auto Theatre – 1816 Old Oxford Rd, Hamilton, OH

You’ll want to use these packing tips for the drive-in movie before you go.

Explore the American Sign Museum

This is one of my favorite museums in the city. It’s a lesser-known hidden gem that’s worth checking out. If you enjoyed the Neon Museum in Las Vegas you’ll really love this museum.

I highly recommend taking a guided tour to truly appreciate what you’re looking at and hear the stories behind the neon signs.

Visit a Local Park

We have so many great parks downtown that provide unique perspectives of the city.

Great Parks of Hamilton County consists of 21 parks offering year-round recreation. 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 is an affordable two-level underground parking garage at the park with 450 parking spaces.

Ride the Free 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 and explore downtown.

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.

Take a Scenic Tour on the Ohio River With BB Riverboats

101 Riverboat Row, Newport, KY

You can be a local tourist during a riverboat tour.

Book one of the following cruises with BB Riverboats below:

• Ohio River Cruise with Buffet Dinner
• Sunset Sightseeing Cruise
• Riverboat Cruise with Lunch and Entertainment
• Historic Sightseeing Cruise

Highfield Discovery Garden at Glenwood Gardens

10397 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati, OH

Kids can play at a one-of-a-kind unique park with a 25-foot Discovery tree/ treehouse at Highfield Discovery Garden at Glenwood Gardens.

The 12-acre garden is designed for kids of all ages and has seven themed garden areas.

Explore the Local Bike Trails

There are several paved bike trails around Cincinnati. Many bike trails in the area connect to each other if you want to go for an extended ride.

We love bringing our foldable e-bikes for long rides. Several locations do 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.

Explore Cincinnati Museum Center

The art deco inside is incredible and I highly recommend taking their free rotunda tour.

The Cincinnati Museum Center has multiple museums under one roof.

• Cincinnati History Museum
• The Children’s Museum
• Museum of Natural History & Science
• Robert D. Lindner Family OMNIMAX^® Theater
• The Cr(eat)e Culinary Studio
• Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center
• Cincinnati History Library and Archives

*This attraction is part of the Cincinnati Pogo Pass. Save 50% on a Pogo Pass with the discount code “Advmom.”

*The Cincinnati POGO Pass includes -One (1) Museum Admission ticket to Cincinnati Museum Center which includes… The Children’s Museum, Museum of Natural History & Science, and Cincinnati History Museum

FREE Union Terminal Rotunda Tours at Cincinnati Museum Center

1301 Western Avenue; Cincinnati, OH

During the free tour, you’ll learn more about the history of Union Terminal, a former vibrant train transportation hub, and access areas that aren’t open to the general public.

Public Rotunda tours are on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and last around 45 minutes. The Rotunda tours are available first come first serve and no reservations are needed.

Check the Union Terminal Rotunda Tour Times here.

Visit the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

50 E Freedom Way, Cincinnati, OH

Learn about stories of heroes from the Underground Railroad to the modern day at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

There are both permanent and special exhibits to explore. Make sure you also check out the section of the Berlin Wall that’s on display outside the museum.

You can save on admission to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center with a POGO Pass.

The Sing the Queen City sign is located on the opposite side of the street which is a fun spot for a photo opp.

Explore Findlay Market

1801 Race St, Cincinnati, OH

Findlay Market has bragging rights as Ohio’s oldest continuously running public market.

Sample foods from vendors and learn the history of our city’s longest-running public market.

Free guided tours of the market are offered bi-monthly starting at the Market Center at 10 AM on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month.

You can download a free self-guided tour of Findlay Market here.

If you prefer a guided tour with tastings there are several options.

• Cincinnati Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours
• Streetcar Food Tour and Findlay Market with Riverside Food Tours
• Sunday Brunch at Findlay Market Tour with Riverside Food Tours

The Over the Rhine neighborhood in Cincinnati boasts the largest collection of Italianate-style buildings in the United States.

Try a Unique Local Adventure

Several unique local adventures in the area are fun for families or friends.

Paint Playground

1334 OH-131, Milford, OH

The Paint Playground has multiple experiences for guests to choose from that allow them to be creative.

• Paint Playground
• Splatter Space
• Paintventure
• Clay Play
• 3D Play Paint

Fowling Warehouse Cincinnati

2940 Highland Ave #230, Cincinnati, OH

Fowling is a fusion of bowling and cornhole with a football.

This unique game is great for families or groups.

*This attraction is part of the Pogo Pass. Save 50% on a Pogo Pass with the discount code “Advmom.”

Archery Arena

4950 Provident Dr, West Chester Township, OH 

Challenge family and friends and an epic Nerf or dodgeball archery battle.

You play multiple types of games during your session that will get your heart rate up during fun competitions.

If you visit with several families, kids vs. adults are really great to watch unfold for the battle of bragging rights.

Visit Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum

4521 Spring Grove Ave, Cincinnati, OH

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.

The cemetery is the second oldest in the United States and offers historic tours, throughout the year.

Attend the Family Matinee Circus at Bircus Brewing Company

322 Elm St, Ludlow, KY 

A fusion of the love of the circus and beer, Bircus Brewing Company is a gimmick in the BEST kind of way!

The Family Matinee Circus is located inside the Ludlow Theatre, home of Circus Mojo and Bircus Brewing.

The circus performance matinee is a good mix of audience participation, clown antics for little kids, and impressive circus skills.

Performers from Circus Mojo do the performances at Bircus Brewing Co., along with a lot of events throughout the community.

The workshop at the end of the Family Circus Matinee at Bircus allows you to try some basic circus skills you can build on.

Discover AMAZING Art Everywhere!

From the art museums to the sides of buildings, you can uncover art around almost every corner downtown.

I love walking around downtown and taking pictures of the street art. Artists from around the world have beautified our city with their incredible murals.

There are over 230 public works of art around Cincinnati and you can book a guided mural tour through Art Works or download the self-guided mural tour.

We even have an incredible “living mural” at 1037 E. McMillan St, Cincinnati, OH.

Cincinnati Art Museum, Contemporary Arts Center, 21C Hotel, and Taft Museum of Art showcase incredible art within close proximity, and the street art/ murals rival many of the works indoors.

Learn About Plants and Flowers from Around the World at the Krohn Conservatory

1501 Eden Park Dr, Cincinnati, OH 

Get inspired for your garden at home with plants and flowers from around the world. 

The Krohn Conservatory has special floral shows throughout the year.

The Butterfly Show and the Holiday Show are two of the most popular floral shows that you don’t want to miss.

After you visit the conservatory enjoy the walking trails at Eden Park.

Discover fossils at 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.

A day trip to Trammel Fossil Park and a root beer float afterward at the Root Beer Stand is a fun adventure for younger kids. Sharon Woods is also a short drive away if you want to extend your visit.

Enjoy a Root Beer Float at The Root Beer Stand

11566 Reading Rd, Sharonville, OH 

This stop is a short drive from Trammel Fossil Park and Sharon Woods.

You can get an incredible root beer float or order other classic diner items off the menu. There’s a playground behind The Root Beer Stand for kids and multiple picnic tables.

Don’t forget to order a gallon of root beer to take home with you.

Try 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.

Lawn bowling is a fusion of bocce ball and bowling. The ball shapes for lawn bowling and bocce balls are different. Another difference is that the ball for lawn bowling is rolled instead of thrown.

Cincinnati Lawn Bowling typically plays from mid-April through mid-October (weather permitting) on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm and Saturdays at 10am.

Guests & visitors are welcome to observe or you can arrange an introductory lesson for a $20 fee which includes a club member-coached lesson and equipment.

Go Down the Slide Stairs at 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!

Check out all of the stops on a self-guided walking tour of Burnett Woods here.

Learn About a Former U.S. President at the William H. Taft Museum

316 Pike St, Cincinnati, OH

Discover the history of William Howard Taft and his ties to Ohio at the William H. Taft National Historic Site.

The site preserves his birthplace and boyhood home. There is no admission fee to visit year-round.

You can learn more about presidential-themed hidden gems around Cincinnati here.

People watch at Fountain Square

This area in the heart of downtown offers year-round activities from free concerts to movie nights on the giant big screen.

Salsa on the Square in the summer is a fun event not to miss!

Explore Loveland Castle

12025 Shore Dr, Loveland, OH

Discover one man’s labor of love as you explore the castle he built by hand.

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.

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