Cincinnati Ohio is located on the Ohio River in southwest Ohio. Known as the Queen City or Porkopolis, Cincy has the largest metro area in Ohio if you count the parts in Kentucky. The city also has a large German influence and played a major role in the Underground Railroad. Cincinnati is home to many large companies, its own chili, and a president who may or may not have gotten stuck in a bathtub. Despite Cincinnati being only the third largest city in the state, it still has a bunch to do in and around the city. Here are 11 things you must do in Cincinnati.
- Visit Kings Island
Kings Island is a large amusement park located in Mason, Ohio, just 30 minutes from downtown Cincinnati. Its parent company is Cedar Fair who also owns Cedar Point. Home to 14 roller coasters, a large kid’s area, and a waterpark, Kings Island is consistently ranked as one of the best amusement parks in the world. Diamondback, Orion, Banshee, Mystic Timbers, and the legendary Beast are all coasters you must ride when visiting. If you don’t like roller coasters, the Coney Mall and Planet Snoopy sections of the park has many smaller rides for families and children. As soon as you walk into the park you will be greeted by a large fountain bordered by many shops and a scale replica of the Eiffel Tower. You can even take an elevator to the top of the tower to look out over the park and surrounding area. Don’t forget to have some of the iconic blue ice cream and watch the firework show before you leave this must visit Cincinnati amusement park.
2. Say Hi to the Animals at the Cincinnati Zoo
The Cincinnati Zoo is always at the top of the best zoos in America list. Located near the University of Cincinnati, the zoo has 1800 animals and hundreds of different plant species. Some notable exhibits are the hippos, home to the world famous Fiona and the Elephant Reserve. You can also see the place where Harambe met his untimely end at the gorilla exhibit. Along with the animals, the zoo has a train, carousel, and behind the scenes tours to get up close to your favorite animals. Depending on when you visit the zoo may also put on seasonal events like the Festival of Lights in the winter. Admission for adults ranges from $15 to $22 and $9 to $16 for kids. Parking is also $10.
3. Learn About American History at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Due to Cincinnati’s location on the Ohio River and the Kentucky border, the city had a history of being a stop on the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was a network of safe houses meant to help runaway slaves get to freedom in the north. Cincinnati was one of the southernmost cities in the Northern states so it was an ideal place to cross the Mason Dixon Line. Because of this history Cincinnati is home to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, a museum on slavery and its abolition. Some of its exhibits include a real slave pen from Kentucky and an installation about human trafficking and modern day slavery. This museum is a great place to learn all about the struggle for freedom in this country. Admission is about $16 and you can park anywhere downtown but the museum does have underground parking.
4. Spend a Day at the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
Union Terminal used to be a real train station in Cincinnati. When I first visited I was in awe of its Art deco architecture and fountain. The inside was really pretty as well and was well restored. The building is home to the Cincinnati History Museum, the Children’s Museum, Natural History Museum, the Holocaust Museum, and the Cincinnati Library and Archives. I recommend the Holocaust Museum and the Cincinnati History Museum which both have many interactive exhibits for everyone. My favorite was the mini model of downtown Cincinnati and the model town and riverboat. Admission is about $30 and being inside the building itself is worth it.
5. Sleep Where Presidents Stayed at Golden Lamb
Located north of Cincinnati in Lebanon, near Kings Island, the Golden Lamb is the oldest continuously operating business in Ohio. It also features a restaurant that was opened the same year Ohio became a state in 1803. Along with the restaurant, the Golden Lamb has the Black Horse Tavern where you can sit at the bar and enjoy a drink. The hotel features 17 historic rooms that have had famous guests including 12 presidents, Mark Twain, Kesha, and Harriet Beecher Stowe. The restaurant and hotel is pretty pricy with rooms being around $160 a night and meals costing around $25 per entrée. Despite its higher prices, it is still worth it to check out this historic hotel and restaurant.
6. Stop by The American Sign Museum
If you are looking for a sign to have fun, look no further than the American Sign Museum. The American Sign Museum is dedicated to signs and sign making. It holds many neon and flashing signs that once drew people to their businesses. This museum is great for people looking for nostalgia with old McDonalds and Howard Johnson signs. Along with displaying vintage signs, the museum also repairs and restores old signs. Admission is $15 and there is free parking on site. This Museum is a must when visiting Cincy.
7. Catch a Game
Cincinnati is home to 4 major professional sports teams. The Cincinnati Reds are the oldest professional baseball team in America. They play at Great American Ballpark on the river in downtown. The ballpark faces the Ohio River so you can get great views of it and Kentucky from the stands. The Bengals are Cincinnati’s NFL team who play just across from the Reds. Cincinnati FC is one of the newest MLS teams. If you love soccer you will love the “Hell is Real” match when Cincinnati FC plays the Columbus Crew. Lastly, the Cincinnati Cyclones are a minor league hockey team that plays next to Great American Ballpark. If you prefer college sports to pro sports, Cincy has that also. The Cincinnati Bearcats and Xavier Musketeers are both major universities in Cincinnati with decent football and basketball teams. If you love sports, Cincinnati has whatever you like.
8. Swim at Coney Island
Did you know there is a Coney Island in Cincinnati? Although there are no rides left anymore, Coney Island does have a giant pool that draws people from all around the city. Coney Island used to be a large amusement park but flooding made it difficult to stay open. As a result they moved the park away from the river and called it Kings Island. Before the move Coney Island was such a successful park that Walt Disney consulted with Coney when he was building Disneyland! Today you can visit the same place to go swimming at their giant pool.
9. Try Cincinnati Chili at Skyline
Texas gets all the hype for its chili but Cincinnati is also known for its twist on chili. It is a meat based chili with hints of cinnamon and other spices that make it both spicy and sweet. People mostly put it on hotdogs and spaghetti with a combination of cheese and onions. Although there are many different places that sell it, Skyline is the most well-known. Try their Three Way which is pasta, chili and a lot of cheese or the Cheese Coney. They also have salads and chili cheese fries to add to your meals. If you are in Cincinnati you need to try the chili at Skyline.
10. Roll Down the River on a Riverboat
One of the best ways to see the Cincinnati skyline is from the Ohio River. Come aboard a BB Riverboat to take a tour of the city from the river. Cruises include sightseeing and dinner cruises at different prices and times of the day. The sightseeing cruise stays downtown but the lunch and dinner cruises can go up to 7 miles depending on the weather and river conditions. For those of you who want to stay on land, BB Riverboat Cruises also has an event center called River’s Edge in Newport, Kentucky. Cruises start at $25 and are great for seeing the city.
11. Visit a President’s Home at the William Howard Taft Historical Site.
Did you know that 8 presidents were from Ohio? The 27th president, William Howard Taft was born and raised in Cincinnati. The president who supposedly got stuck in a bathtub has his own historic site in the National Park Service. Today you can visit his home on a ranger led tour for free during regular hours. You can also experience the education center to learn about the former president. The education center also has a small bookstore and restrooms available for guests. Since the site is free it is perfect for a day trip in Cincinnati.
Conclusion
From amusement parks, sports, food, and museums, Cincinnati has a lot to offer its visitors. Of course this is just a small list of things to do and I encourage you to visit Cincinnati to find your own favorite things to do and see. Despite not being the largest city in the country, you do not want to pass up the Queen City with its mix of Midwest and southern culture.
