Have you ever had a trip go completely wrong and your backup plan became one of your favorite trips? That’s exactly what happened when I arrived in Cincinnati, Ohio! I was supposed to fly to Chicago, but the flight situation went awry, so we decided to fly to Cincinnati at the last minute. Speaking of spontaneity! Who knew then that what was supposed to be a spontaneous trip turned out to be one of my favorite trips in the US. I truly realized that you can never ignore the heart of the Midwest.
The “Queen City” is more than just a flyover city – it has amazing architecture, amazing food, and amazing/unique American history. The Cincinnati area received over 26.5 million tourists last year, and after my trip, I completely understand why. The city completely charmed me with its blend of historical grit and modernity. This guide shares the must-do things to do in Cincinnati from my personal experience, so you can plan your own amazingly ~wonderful vacation.
Best Time to Visit
In my opinion, the best time to travel to Cincinnati is late spring (May-June) or early fall (September-October). You can not ask for better weather while walking the neighborhoods of Over-the-Rhine, and strolling through the parks. Summer is definitely the most popular time to visit with festivals and Reds baseball games, but it apparently can get hot and humid those months.
I was there in early fall and I could not have asked for better weather. For a quieter trip with better hotel rates, I’d suggest the shoulder seasons. The fall foliage views from Devou Park were absolutely worth the trip alone!
Top 5 Things to Do
1. Over-the-Rhine (OTR): History, Food, and General Vibes
First time in OTR, my face probably looked like a cartoon—jaw on the ground. The collection of 19th-century Italianate architecture is the largest in the country, and it feels like stepping onto a perfectly preserved movie set. I spent a couple of hours just wandering around, and my first stop had to be Findlay Market, Ohio’s oldest public market.
You can wander around for free, soak up the old buildings, and the whole area just hums. After wandering, I crashed in Washington Park (fountains! people-watching! kids running everywhere!). If you don’t eat at least once in OTR, what are you even doing? The fried chicken at The Eagle still feels rent-free in my head.
- Neighborhood Hidden Gem: Forget about any touristy bars. My buddy made me go underground to Ghost Baby. It’s super moody, candlelit, and if you aren’t watchful, you’ll miss the entrance, it’s so unnoticeable.
- Where to Stay Nearby: There are two other great options which are both the 21c Museum Hotel and The Lytle Park Hotel. Both are perfect and very convenient!
2. Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal:
I’m a stare for great architecture, and Union Terminal is a real stunner. I could have spent an hour just staring at the massive Art Deco rotunda. It’s an attraction in itself, but it also houses several amazing museums. I focused on the Cincinnati History Museum, where you can walk through a replica 19th-century riverfront city—it’s so immersive and took me about two hours to see properly.
I also poked my head into the Museum of Natural History & Science to see the real moon rock they have. This place? Wild. The building itself is a total icon—apparently inspired the Super Friends’ Hall of Justice? I nerded out.
- Neighborhood Hidden Gem: In the Rotunda, I had fun with the “Whispering Fountains.” If you and another person whisper at the wall at opposite sides, you can hear each other perfectly.
- Where to Stay Nearby: The Hyatt Regency Cincinnati and Kinley Cincinnati Downtown would be two good options and convenient.
3. Smale Riverfront Park: Chill Zone, Activated
After flitting around like a caffeinated squirrel, I needed to decompress. Smale Park is ideal for decompressing; it is located right on the river, free to visit, and there is random fun to be had anywhere your eyes might find. My favorite part was the Rosenberg Swings. They’re big, family-sized swings facing the river and the beautiful Roebling Suspension Bridge, and I found them incredibly relaxing.
Don’t skip Carol Ann’s Carousel. All the animals are Cincinnati-themed and kinda adorable. Great for families, date, or just hanging solo with a coffee.. You can easily spend an afternoon here without spending much money at all.
- Neighborhood Hidden Gem: You can’t miss to Play the Giant Foot Piano! Yes, with your actual feet. Go full Tom Hanks in “Big.” Zero regrets.
- Where to Stay: The Lytle Park Hotel, Autograph Collection, is right there. Practically made for lazy mornings.
4. Get Lost in the Glow of the American Sign Museum
This was a personal bucket list stop for me, and I was not disappointed; it was more beautiful in person. I felt like a child in a candy shop as I walked through this vibrant collection of american history, experienced in the most glowing ways possible. I spent about 2 hours there, just taking it all in. The main exhibit, called “Signs on Main Street”, recreates a late mid-century streetscape with some glowing neon and vintage signs that felt almost alive.
You also have the opportunity to watch artisans create working neon signs at Neonworks of Cincinnati, a real working neon sign shop right inside the museum, which I found fascinating. After leaving the museum I went over to Camp Washington Chili, a local landmark, and had my first real Cincinnati chili experience.
- Neighborhood Hidden Gem: I made sure to find the Mail Pouch Room, which specifically features Cincinnati focused signs and history.
- Where to Stay Nearby: I liked at The Hotel Covington Cincinnati Riverfront across the river or the 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati, both are excellent upscale options.
5. Take in the Best View from Devou Park Overlook
For the single best view of the Cincinnati skyline, you have to cross the river to Covington, Kentucky. I went around sunset, and the panoramic view from this park was stunning. It is also free and an easy way to get that perfect postcard shot of the city! I spent about an hour just sitting on the observation patio, which has benches and swings perfect for photos.
There’s also the Behringer-Crawford Museum which showcases Northern Kentucky’s local history. Afterward, I checked a brick-oven pizza place by the Roebling Bridge. No regrets. This view alone made my impromptu trip feel completely worth it.
- Neighborhood Hidden Gem: Check the schedule for the historic Band Shell. I heard there’s a Kentucky Symphony Orchestra summer series up here. That’s on my bucket list now. which would be a magical experience.
- Where to Stay: Hotel Covington again—it’s in the middle of everything.
Travel Tips & Savings
| Tip | Description | Estimated Savings |
| Pack a Picnic for the Riverfront | Smale Riverfront Park is perfect for a picnic. Grab supplies from a local grocer instead of a restaurant. | $30–$50 per couple |
| Walk Over-the-Rhine | OTR is very walkable. Park once and explore on foot to save on rideshare fares and parking fees. | $15–$25 per day |
| Enjoy Free Park Entertainment | Smale Park and Washington Park have free features like splash pads, playgrounds, and concerts. | $20–$40 per family |
| Bring Your Own Snacks to the Museum Center | The CMC allows you to bring your own food to eat in designated dining areas, a great budget move. | $15–$30 per person |
Travel Basics
Getting around Cincinnati was pretty straightforward for me. As a U.S. traveler, I just needed my standard ID. The currency is the U.S. Dollar (USD), and I found that credit cards were accepted everywhere, so currency exchange wasn’t a concern. One small inconvenience I ran into was event parking. I tried to park near OTR one evening, and the rates were much higher than I expected because of a game happening nearby.
Pro Tips: Check local event calendars before you park (trust me). Also, the Cincinnati Museum Center sometimes charges extra for special exhibits. Scope out their website first so you don’t get sticker-shock.
SIM Card Stuff for Tourists
If you’re visiting from abroad, staying connected is easy. You can find major U.S. carriers like T-Mobile and AT&T downtown, or get prepaid SIMs at stores like Target. For total good, I usually prefer downloading an eSIM, prior to leave home.
I’d recommend looking for a plan that covers at least 7 days, with prices typically starting around $20 for a good amount of data.
Travel FAQs
In my experience, what’s the best budget-saving food tip?
When I visited, the best move for a delicious and affordable meal was heading to Findlay Market. You can assemble a fantastic lunch from different vendors for under $15. I buy a classic brunch sandwich from Eckerlin Meats in the morning, and it was perfect.
When I visited with family, what was the can’t-miss activity?
Smale Riverfront Park, hands down. My family loved the interactive playgrounds, the giant foot piano, and the carousel. It’s an easy way to spend an entire afternoon having fun without spending much money.
In my experience, what’s one food insight visitors should know?
You have to try Cincinnati-style chili. It’s different—it’s served over spaghetti (a “three-way”) and often has hints of cinnamon or chocolate. Go to a local spot like Camp Washington Chili for the most authentic experience. It was delicious thereafter the American Sign Museum.
When I visited, what season truly showed off the city’s beauty?
I was totally fond of my early fall trip. I mean the weather was lovely for walking everywhere, and the fall colors were just starting to peek out, which framed the Cincinnati skyline from Devou Park, it was beautiful! It really felt like the city was putting on a show just for me.
