14 Great Things to Do in Cincinnati, as Suggested by Locals

Cincinnati’s rich and storied history of settlement and prosperity begins with three adventurers looking for somewhere to put down roots and make their mark. They found the perfect spot on the Ohio River, which gave the city’s residents ample access to trade and commerce routes thanks to the later introduction of the steamboat and railroad. In fact, over the next couple of decades, business was so booming that employers in the city were having a hard time finding workers—a problem mainly solved thanks to the significant influx of German immigrants into the area whose influence can be seen everywhere in the city to this day. 

Now, 200(ish) years later, Cincinnati still attracts hard-working individuals looking for a place to get comfy and call home. In 2024, Forbes magazine labeled Cincinnati as number one out of the top ten cities for young professionals to live in the US because of its low housing costs and high quality of living. 

Cincinnati has always been a city of movers and shakers, but that doesn’t mean they don’t know how to kick back, relax, and have some fun! Whether you call it Cincy, the Queen City, or just home sweet home, this town offers a dizzying array of exciting things for visitors to see and do. Don’t know where to begin? Keep reading; we’ve hit up some of the locals for suggestions, and we think you’ll like what they had to say!

1. Party in Fountain Square

Cincinnati tour guide and blogger Michelle (of Hey Michelle?) got us started. “Narrowing down what to do when you visit Cincinnati will be the hardest thing you do! Our city is so vibrant and bustling with so many activities every night of the week—and it’s all within a walk or a quick ride on our streetcar,” she says. “If it’s your first visit to Cincinnati or if you have been here before, you will find so many fun things to explore, from our historic OTR (Over the Rhine) area to the Center of downtown, where you’ll find the iconic Fountain Square. The Square always has fun entertainment like Thursday night’s “Salsa on the Square” (one of my favorites). This is also a perfect place to grab a bite and maybe grab a drink at some of our oldest bars like Arnolds and O’Malley’s Pub!”

2. Immerse yourself in the city’s art museums

“Our award-winning museums offer a variety of experiences!” says Michelle. “For example, try our Taft Museum of Art downtown.” The Taft is a historic house museum in a gorgeous 19th century mansion with a vast collection of European and American paintings, furniture, and other types of decorative arts. The museum also showcases works from the Taft family’s (as in the presidential Tafts) impressive private collection, including pieces by Rembrandt, Whistler, and Goya!

Good to know: The Taft Museum is open 10 am to 5 pm, Wednesday-Monday. 

While you’re downtown, you can also stop by the Contemporary Arts Center. The CAC building itself was designed by legendary architect Zaha Hadid. It is known for its groundbreaking rotating exhibitions featuring a wide range of media, including painting, sculpture, photography, video, and performance and installation art. Its experimental and avant-garde works are so exciting, and most of the thought-provoking works you’ll find here address current social, cultural, and political issues.  

Although the CAC is particularly interested in showcasing works by emerging and mid-career artists, they’ve hosted works by a few names you might recognize, such as Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and Yoko Ono. 

Good to know: The Contemporary Arts Center is free to the public with a suggested $15 donation and is open Thursday-Friday from 10 am to 7 pm and Saturday-Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. 

Another noteworthy addition is the Cincinnati Art Museum in Eden Park, one of the oldest art museums in the United States (founded in 1881) and houses an astonishing 67,000 works spanning 6,000 years of world history! You’ll find European paintings, sculptures, African art, textiles, and contemporary pieces. Be sure to check out the works by Van Gough, Monet, and Picasso, as well as their collection of American and Cincinnati-based art.  

Good to know: The museum is open from 11 am to 5 pm on Tuesday-Sunday. General admission is free to the public, but exhibition ticket pricing varies, so be sure to visit their website for more info. 

3. Take the whole fam to The Cincinnati Museum Center (CMC)

Michelle had a great suggestion for where to hang out on a rainy day! “The Cincinnati Museum Center has many family-friendly exhibits.” First of all, the Center is located in Union Terminal, one of the city’s most iconic cultural institutions and historic landmarks, and it is worth seeing all on its own. The Terminal houses several distinct museums and attractions all under one roof, so you can plan a whole day of activities without hiking or Ubering all over town.  

You’ll find the Cincinnati History Museum with exhibits covering everything from the city’s founding to its industrial boom, including detailed recreations of historic Cincinnati’s neighborhoods, a model of the city’s early-1900s riverfront, and a replica steamboat!  

Kids of all ages will enjoy the Museum of Natural History and Science, with exhibits ranging from prehistoric times to the present day. There’s an Ice Age gallery with fossils and life-size models of ancient animals, a recreated limestone cave, and various exhibits on the area’s geology, biodiversity, and early human history. There are also interactive exhibits for kids, like the Dinosaur Hall and the Science Interactives gallery.  

The kids can also take part in a hands-on activity at the Duke Energy Children’s Museum with exhibits like Kids’ Town, a mini city where kids can role-play different professions, and a playground called The Woods, where kids can release their wiggles in an indoor “forest.”  

When everyone’s ready to take a rest and wind down, the Omnimax Theater is an excellent place to catch a movie! Its five-story domed screen provides a totally immersive experience, and the theater typically screens films about science, nature, and exploration. 

Good to know: The museum is open Thursday through Monday from 10 am to 5 pm.  

4. Explore the American Sign Museum

“And, for a “lit” experience, the American Sign Museum is a one-of-a-kind adventure!” Located in the Camp Washington neighborhood, it’s not a traditional art museum but showcases the history and art of American signage. The museum provides a fascinating walk through roughly 100 years of art and signage that shaped American history. As you browse, you’ll find beautifully restored neon signs, hand-painted signs, and vintage ads.  

Good to know: The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.

5. Catch dinner and a show in OTR

“Walk around the historic OTR (Over the Rhine) area to another iconic building, Music Hall, home to our Cincinnati Opera, Symphony, and world-class Ballet,” says Michelle. “The building is spectacular, and you can even take a tour (sign up for the ghost tour; lots of fun)!” In addition to performances by its hometown organizations, Music Hall also hosts touring productions, music concerts, and community events. It’s definitely a central gathering place for Cincinnati’s cultural life. “OTR is also a great area for the foodies with local restaurants throughout a several-block area!”

6. Mingle with the sports fans on The Banks

“Walk down to The Banks and check out the Cincinnati Bengals at “The Jungle” (Paycor Stadium) or the Cincinnati Reds at The Great American Ballpark,” says Michelle. Both teams have a passionate fan base with a big love for the city and its sports culture. “This area is surrounded by a huge park that is a beautiful place to walk the river, sit on our swings, play in our water features or playground, and even ride a carousel!” 

“Please take advantage of all that our city has to offer,” says Michelle. “You will be surprised and delighted with all that you can do here!”

7. Enjoy some history with your libations on a Historic Beer or Bourbon Tour

The folks from The Cincy Region Tourism Alliance (a collaboration between Visit Cincy and meetNKY) gave us a diverse range of ideas for awesome things to do. “The Cincy Region is a unique destination where the German heritage and urban vibrancy of Cincinnati blend seamlessly with the Southern charm and cool quirkiness of Northern Kentucky, which is just a bridge-walk across the Ohio River!”  

First stop, check out the area’s historic beer and bourbon tours! “Famed for its brewing scene, you can go on a guided tour of pre-Prohibition lagering tunnels, then grab a pint at one of 60+ craft breweries or America’s largest Oktoberfest. Cross the river into NKY to start your amber adventure on the B-Line, a passport-guided bourbon tour with seven Kentucky Bourbon Trail distilleries.”

8. Get inspired by The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Because it lay on the border between the free state of Ohio and the slave state of Kentucky, Cincinnati was one of the most opportune places for enslaved people to escape via the underground railroad. Fast forward 200 years, it’s now the home of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, a must-see museum and education hub dedicated to the history of the Underground Railroad. 

Be sure to bring your tissues, though. The permanent and traveling exhibits there will move you, break your heart, and inspire you all at once. One of the most powerful exhibits is the restored Slave Pen, a structure originally used to hold enslaved people before they were sold at auction. It serves as a stark reminder of the brutality of slavery, and the personal stories and artifacts featured in the exhibit will leave you speechless.  

But the Center also features exhibits that highlight local abolitionists, safe houses, and other support systems that existed in the region—including the Escape Gallery and the Hall of Everyday Heroes—an exhibit that celebrates the stories of ordinary people who took extraordinary actions to fight against oppression while fighting for freedom and justice. The Center’s exhibits also serve to raise awareness of the ongoing struggle for civil rights and social justice throughout the Civil Rights Movement, as well as modern-day issues of human trafficking and contemporary slavery.  

Good to know: The Center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.

9. Be enchanted by BLINK

Cincy Region also clued us in on a great seasonal activity that will dazzle anyone lucky enough to be in the city to catch it. “Ranked the best street art city in the nation, there’s amazing public art around every corner in Cincinnati, especially during the biennial BLINK event, the largest art and light festival in the US.” The first BLINK was held in 2017 and has since wowed an estimated 2 million guests twice every year from around the globe.  

The event combines large-scale projection mapping, murals, interactive light installations, and performances in downtown Cincy, OTR, and Covington, KY—transforming the buildings, streets, and public spaces into immersive art experiences from local and international artists. If you can get the timing right, it’s a must-see!  

Good to know: There’s never a same BLINK twice; check out their website for dates and details

10. Search for hidden treasure at Cincy’s shops

Christine Masur, co-owner and designer at Nest Home Staging + Design, gave us the inside scoop for the best places to go if you’re looking for some spots to decorate your new Cincy digs. ”As a local designer, I am always on the hunt for unique places to source furniture and decor. We are so lucky in Cincinnati to have some amazing gems in our Queen City’s crown!” 

“From new retail to new-to-you resale, from downtown to the suburbs, our city has a lot of fun places to hunt for the perfect pieces,” says Masur. “Check out High Street on Reading Road in downtown, The Reuse Center on Tremont Street, and the Frontgate/Ballard Designs/Grandin Road Outlets all under one roof in West Chester.” 

“There’s also the Ohio Valley Antique Mall in Fairfield, and Legacies in Hyde Park. And if you can’t make it to town, Cincinnati is home to the premier auction site Everything But the House, where you can bid and buy anything your heart desires!” says Masur. “Get your shop on, friends!”

11. Stock up at Findlay Market

Abbey Cummins, CEO and Founder of EverythingCincy.com, also had some suggestions for us from the perspective of a host welcoming newcomers to her city! She recommends stopping at Findlay Market to get started. “As Ohio’s oldest continuously operated public market, Findlay Market is a food lover’s paradise. Discover local produce, artisanal goods, and mouth-watering treats from Cincinnati-based vendors.”  

Located in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, Findlay Market has operated since 1855, making it one of the US’s oldest continuously operated public markets. It is home to a diverse array of vendors selling a vast array of fresh produce, meats, seafood, baked goods, cheeses, and all kinds of specialty foods. 

12. Spend a day at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

“One of the oldest zoos in the United States, the Cincinnati Zoo is home to a diverse array of animals and beautiful botanical gardens, making it perfect for a family day out!” says Cummins. The Zoo opened to the public in 1875, making it the second oldest in the US. It’s home to over 500 species and over 1,500 animals, from gorillas to big cats to manatees, and it is well known for its conservation and breeding programs, particularly for endangered species like the Sumatran rhino, western lowland gorillas, and cheetahs. The botanical gardens have a huge variety of plant species and are integrated throughout the Zoo, providing a lush backdrop for the exhibits. 

13. Play along the riverfront

“Walk or bike along the scenic riverfront, enjoying parks like the Smale Riverfront Park, which features playgrounds, splash pads, and stunning views of the Ohio River.” It also offers interactive fountains and gardens. It’s a perfect spot for families and it offers breathtaking views of the river and city skyline! You can also experience the charm of Cincinnati from the water with a riverboat cruise along the Ohio River. These cruises offer fantastic skyline views, historical narration, and a unique way to explore the city.

14. Get stuffed at Lee’s Chicken

Starving after all that activity? Dan Sokolik of Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken suggests swinging by their location on Vine on your way home. “Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken has been a staple since 1966 when Lee Cummings and Harold Omer opened “Harold’s Take Home” restaurant in Lima, Ohio,” he says. “Our recipe is prepared using the same traditional methods and ingredients that have delighted our customers since the beginning. It’s more than just a place to eat; it’s a Cincinnati institution. Our long-standing presence in the community (not to mention our dedication to quality and tradition) makes us a unique and essential part of the Cincinnati experience!”  

Come fall in love with Cincinnati!

Cincinnati is a charming place full of hard-working, fun-loving people. They enjoy sharing their city with everyone who comes to visit its historic streets, but if you come to Queen City, budget plenty of time, as there’s a lot of culture and unique personality to discover here. We hope our locals’ suggestions have given you some inspiration for where to begin your adventure!