Arts, sports, nature, history. Cincinnati has it all. I confess, this is my hometown, and I am a huge fan. Nestled along the Ohio River, Cincinnati began its life as Losantiville in 1788. Growing over the years, it soon became a booming city with a cultural core.
Known by the moniker “The Queen City,” which came from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s 1854 poem “Catawba Wine.” Cincinnati was, by then, the largest town west of the Alleghenies and an important river port. “The Queen City” is still an important river city and so much more.
Artful Getaways
For those seeking an artful getaway, look no further. Cincinnati has a wide array of music venues, galleries, museums, and theaters.
The Cincinnati Art Museum (free general admission), the American Sign Museum, the 21C Museum Hotel and the Taft Museum of Art are just a few places where you can explore galleries.
The 21C Museum Hotel is a boutique hotel with a 24/7 museum filled with works by contemporary artists. Admission is free, and even if you are not staying here, you are welcome to visit the galleries.
Taft Museum and Home
The Taft Museum of Art was once home to Charles Phelps Taft and his wife Anna Sinton Taft, who left their collection to the people of Cincinnati. Taft, a lawyer, politician, editor, and baseball team owner, was also the brother of President and Chief Justice William Howard Taft.
You can visit William Howard Taft’s home nearby. Featuring a small but impressive collection, this downtown museum boasts works by Turner, Whistler, Rembrandt, and Gainsborough. Drop in for lunch and a tour and on a sunny day, enjoy the courtyard gardens.
Exhibitions and More
The Cincinnati Art Museum was founded in 1881 and features a collection spanning 6,000 years. It’s not stuck in the past, with a range of exhibitions celebrating current artists and programs lighting the way for future artists.
Speaking of lighting the way, the American Sign Museum, located in the city’s quirky Camp Washington neighborhood, explores the history of signage.
Its recently expanded Main Street section is illuminated with neon signs that will take us all back to our youth as Big Boy, the golden arches of McDonald’s, and Holiday Inn light the way. I enjoy bringing out-of-town visitors here; it’s a guaranteed smile.
While in Camp Washington, stop by Camp Washington Chili and taste Cincinnati-style chili. Try it as part of a 3-way (spaghetti, chili, and cheese) or on a coney.
Music and Performing Arts
Lovers of music won’t be disappointed. Cincinnati has numerous music venues, and you can enjoy a classical concert or keep on rocking well after midnight.
Additionally, Cincinnati has an active theatre scene, the Cincinnati Ballet, and its annual May Festival choral celebration, dating back to 1873.
Play Ball
Home to the Cincinnati Reds, the first all-professional baseball team (founded in 1869 as the Red Stockings). You can catch them in action at Great American Ball Park and visit the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum while there (open year-round).
This riverfront ballpark has great views of the Ohio River, and you can enjoy a game and watch boats go by. Some games feature concerts or fireworks shows after, and fireworks always light up the sky when the Reds get a home run.
The Cincinnati Bengals football team, FC Cincinnati soccer, the Cincinnati Cyclones ice hockey team, as well as college teams, including the University of Cincinnati’s Bearcats, are among the choices for locals and visitors alike.
Best Cincinnati Tours & Excursions
View From the River
For a fun view of the riverfront stadiums, the city, and more, hop on a BB Riverboat (located just across the Ohio River in Newport, Kentucky) and take a lunch or sightseeing cruise. We did this on a holiday weekend last autumn and were gifted with a warm and sunny day.
These cruises provide a great perspective on the city skyline and numerous bridges, including the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, which was officially opened on January 1, 1867. This iconic bridge may already seem familiar to you, as Roebling was also behind New York’s Brooklyn Bridge. So popular is the bridge that it was featured in the 1998 film “Rain Man”.
Downtown Destinations
The Contemporary Arts Center, 21 Museum Hotel, the Aronoff Center for the Arts, and Fountain Square are just a handful of the many places to visit downtown.
Anchoring the city is Fountain Square. It has served as a gathering place for the city, in good times and bad. The square offers several restaurants, outdoor seating for people watching, ice skating in the winter and concerts in the warmer months.
Look up to catch local ball games on a large screen and look to the center to view the lovely Tyler Davidson Fountain, “The Genius of Water,” dedicated in 1871.
A very short walk will take you to the Mercantile Library—a place for readers, writers, and thinkers since 1835. The library is free to visit.
From Fountain Square, hop on The Connector, Cincinnati’s free streetcar that operates a 3.6-mile loop around downtown. Using it, you can head toward the Banks area along the riverfront homes to stadiums, restaurants, bars, parks and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, or visit Music Hall for a tour or concert.
Many people use The Connector to travel to historic Findlay Market. Located in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, which is home to many Italianate buildings, trendy restaurants, and bars, Findlay Market was established in the 1850s.
It is the only surviving local market from that era, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has many places to shop for food of all sorts and eateries.
You can also take a food or history-focused tour. We took a food tour last summer and met many of the restaurant and shop owners. It was an intimate experience that made us appreciate the Market even more.
The Walls Tell Stories
An abundance of murals greets you around downtown Cincinnati. Many were created by the local arts non-profit, ArtWorks, which hires youth apprentices each year to create these masterpieces.
Take time to download a self-guided tour, join an organized tour, or simply stumble upon the murals on your own.
Over 200 murals have been created so far. The murals celebrate locals such as boxer Ezzard Charles, astronaut Neil Armstrong, and singer/actor Rosemary Clooney. Local history gets a nod with tributes to Rookwood Pottery and Martha, the Last Passenger Pigeon who resided at the Cincinnati Zoo.
Get Outdoors
Cincinnati and Hamilton County have many parks to enjoy, from Washington Park near the stunning Music Hall building and Findlay Market, to Eden Park with its sweeping views of the Ohio Valley and home to the Krohn Conservatory.
Another park worth visiting is Smale Riverfront Park, located along the Ohio River, with gentle swings and the whimsical Carol Ann’s Carousel. There is no shortage of green spaces in this city.
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has been a leader in conservation for decades and consistently rates among the top museums in the United States. It’s also a botanical garden, and walking around in the warmer months will catch many blooms.
During the winter, the zoo welcomes visitors in the evenings with a spectacular array of lights and activities. They are marking 150 years in 2025, and animals, from the aardvarks to the zebras, are celebrating.
So Much to Do in Cincinnati
This is only a sample of all Cincinnati has to offer. There are historic homes and unique museums, the Cincinnati Observatory, nearby Kings Island amusement park, independent stores and restaurants to please both shoppers and foodies, and 52 unique neighborhoods to explore.
As a resident, I’m always discovering something new. I hope you do too.
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Author Bio: Mary Casey-Sturk is an Editor and Writer for Living Magazines (Kentucky) as well as a contributor to Smoky Mountain Living Magazine (North Carolina). Mary is also a content developer, freelance travel, food, wine and features writer and the author of “Eating Cheese Curds With Strangers”.
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