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Staycation Ideas in Cincinnati

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.

segway tour

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.

Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame

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.

Sawyer Point in Cincinnati

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.

IMG_2754

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.

Washington Park in Over the Rhine in Cincinnati Ohio

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.

City Flea at Washington Park in Over the Rhine in Cincinnati Ohio

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.

Washington park fountains  in Over the Rhine in Cincinnati Ohio

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.

Cincinnati Museum Center

Visit a Museum

The Cincinnati Museum Center has three museums under one roof. The art deco inside is also incredible!

Cincinnati Museum Center Union Terminal Rotunda Tour

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.

Eli's Bbq

Enjoy great food downtown

Your dining options are getting harder because there are soo many good restaurants to eat at.

Eli’s BBQ

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.

dishcrawl

While you are downtown, you can check out Arnold’s which is the oldest bar in Cincinnati that dates pre-Civil war.

Venice on Vine

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 in Cincinnati

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.

Cincinnati architecture

Discover beautiful architecture downtown

Our city has one of the largest collections of Italianate style homes still in existence.

Cincinnati Architecture
Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum in Cincinnati

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!

Surf Set fitness class

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 class

Trapeze on your list?

You can learn to fly with the Cincinnati Circus Company.

tulips at the Cincinnati zoo

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.

polar bear at the Cincinnati zoo

The Cincinnati Zoo offers many behind the scene tours and animal encounters. You can even sleep overnight at the zoo.

balancing a ladder at Family Matinee Circus and Workshop at Bircus Brewing Company

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.

 Mural street art tour in Cincinnati

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.

art mural in Cincinnati

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.

Taft Museum of Art

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.

Cincinnati Art 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.

Mirror lake in Eden Park

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.

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. 

Eiffel Tower at Kings Island Amusement Park

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. 

 Trammel Fossil 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 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.

 Marimont Bell Tower Tour

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.

Lawn Bowling

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.

Burnet Woods stair steps slide

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!

Taft National Historic site

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.

fountain square in Cincinnati

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.

convert at Fountain Square in Cincinnati

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

Carew Tower Observation Deck in Cincinnati

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.

The Root Beer Stand

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.

Loveland Castle

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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Staycation Ideas in Cincinnati

23 thoughts on “Staycation Ideas in Cincinnati”

  1. 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!

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