Cincinnati has A LOT to offer when it comes to staycation ideas. Our city has a great variety of activities that appeal to all ages. I’m still finding new things to do here all the time.
Here are a few of my favorite Cincinnati staycation suggestions.
Take a Tour
Our city has something for every interest level from art to beer, to history and adventure. I have a whole section dedicated to Cincy/Nky tours on my site to give you ideas.
I would start by trying one of these 10 tours in Cincinnati.
Go to a Reds Baseball Game
100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH
You can learn the history of the Reds at the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum or on a Ballpark Tour.
Enjoy the beautiful Riverfront parks system
Sawyer Point
Sawyer Point is always great for family fun. On the Riverfront the much anticipated Banks Project is mostly complete and offers walking paths, play areas, and fountains, along with these peaceful swings. With two playgrounds, tons of grassy areas to play on, and bikes available for rent.
You can also walk across the Purple People Pedestrian Bridge into northern Kentucky.
Smale Park
166 W Mehring Way, Cincinnati, OH
Smale Riverfront Park keeps getting better.
Kids can play in the fountains day or night and there is a giant keyboard that you can play with your feet.
There is a playground, two separate areas with swings that have a view of the Ohio River.
Enjoy a free event at Washington Park
1230 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH
We have so many great parks downtown that gives you great views of the city.
One of my absolute favorite places in Cincinnati is Washington Park. There is a parking garage underneath the park and our family has never had any problems during multiple visits all year round.
There is also a great community element there with special events like live music, Easter Egg hunts, City Flea (Urban Flea market), yoga, and movie nights.
My kids LOVE going to the playground and when the temperatures heat up, they have a blast running through the fountains.
The park is well lit and we have felt safe at all hours during visits.
Visit a Museum
The Cincinnati Museum Center has three museums under one roof. The art deco inside is also incredible!
FREE Union Terminal Rotunda Tours at Cincinnati Museum Center
1301 Western Avenue; Cincinnati, OH
You can learn about the history of the museum center and go to areas of the museum that are not open to the general public.
You will also learn about what Union Terminal was like when the train was a huge part of transportation on this tour that lasts 45 minutes.
Enjoy great food downtown
Your dining options are getting harder because there are soo many good restaurants to eat at.
3313 Riverside Dr, Cincinnati, OH
This is another CASH only venue but sooo worth it. I highly recommend the jalapeno grits and their bbq is amazing! The prices are very reasonable with dining inside or outside.
A few of our other favorites are The Eagle, Bakersfield, Senate, and Taste of Belgium.
When in doubt, stick with Vine St. in the Over the Rhine neighborhood and you will find multiple dining options for everyone’s pallet.
While you are downtown, you can check out Arnold’s which is the oldest bar in Cincinnati that dates pre-Civil war.
While you’re at Washington Park, you can stop by Venice on Vine for affordable pizza by the slice for a great cause.
Findlay Market Tour
1801 Race St, Cincinnati, OH
Findlay Market is also nearby and has so much history and variety to check out. Sample foods from vendors and learn the history of our city’s longest-running public market.
You can even take a Taste of the World Food Tour that gives you samples and the story behind the vendors.
There is also a self-guided tour of Findlay Market that you can take.
Discover beautiful architecture downtown
Our city has one of the largest collections of Italianate style homes still in existence.
Visit Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum
I realize that a cemetery walk can sound morbid but Spring Grove Cemetery offers historic tours and the grounds are absolutely gorgeous!
Take a unique fitness class
Did you know that you can surf in the midwest?
At least you can imagine you are during a Surf Set fitness class.
Trapeze on your list?
You can learn to fly with the Cincinnati Circus Company.
Visit some of your favorite animals at the Cincinnati Zoo
3400 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH
The Cincinnati Zoo has a great variety of animals and Botanical Gardens which makes for amazing pictures, especially in the spring when the tulips are in bloom.
The Cincinnati Zoo offers many behind the scene tours and animal encounters. You can even sleep overnight at the zoo.
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 which is also the 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 circus workshop at the end of the Family Circus Matinee at Bircus, gives you the opportunity to try out some basic circus skills that you can build on.
Discover AMAZING art everywhere!
From the art museums to the sides of buildings, there is so much to uncover around every corner.
I love walking around downtown and taking pictures of all of the street art. Artists from around the world have beautified our city.
Cincinnati Art Museum, Contemporary Arts Center, 21C Hotel, and Taft Museum of Art host incredible art within close proximity, and the street murals rival many of the works indoors.
Visit the Taft Museum of Art
316 Pike St, Cincinnati, OH
Free on Sundays! Ask for a guide that will show you popular paintings to look for in the museum.
Explore Cincinnati Art Museum
953 Eden Park Dr, Cincinnati, OH
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 areas where kids can try hands-on activities.
Take a walk around Mirror Lake at Eden Park
950 Eden Park Dr, Cincinnati, OH
There are walking trails and you can also visit the nearby Krohn Conservatory.
Eden Park is home to a beautiful park, Cincinnati Art Museum which is FREE, and Krohn Conservatory.
Learn about plants and flowers from around the world at Krohn Conservatory
1501 Eden Park Dr, Cincinnati, OH
Get inspired for your garden at home with plants and flowers from around the world.
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 which the waterpark that’s included with your admission.
Kings Island has a great section for kids called Planet Snoopy and lots of great coasters for thrill-seekers.
If you don’t like going on rides there are still plenty of options at Kings Island for non-riders.
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 mini road trip up to Trammel Fossil Park and the Root Beer Stand near Sharon Woods is also a unique treat.
Bring a few old paintbrushes and try to uncover some fossils and reward the excavation with a root beer float. Sharon Woods also has so much to do and enjoy with a beautiful natural setting.
Mariemont Bell Tower Tour
3706 Pleasant St, Cincinnati, OH
This tour takes you up inside the bell tower. You will learn about its history and take in a beautiful perspective of the city.
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. The first two times you try lawn bowling are free and it will remind you of a combo of bocce ball and bowling.
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!
Learn about a former president at the William H. Taft Museum
316 Pike St, Cincinnati, OH
You can learn about the interesting history of William Howard Taft at this National Historic Site.
People watch at Fountain Square
This area in the heart of downtown offers lots of 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!
Take in a birds-eye view from the Carew Tower Observation Deck
41 W 5th St, Cincinnati, OH
$2 for adults and $1 for kids for an amazing view of the city.
Enjoy a root beer float at The Root Beer Stand
11566 Reading Rd, Sharonville, OH
This is a great stop that is 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.
This is a CASH only establishment so swing by the ATM before you go.
Explore Loveland Castle
12025 Shore Dr, Loveland, OH
Discover one man’s labor of love as you explore the castle he built by hand.
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Thanks for sharing all these fun ideas! I’ve always wanted to Segway… and the surf exercise class is crazy cool! 🙂 Have a FUN summer!