Top Things to Do in Cincinnati, Ohio
The Queen City is a glittering hub of culture and commerce along the Ohio River in the state’s southwest corner. Its crown jewels include pro sports, a stunning museum center and a unique flair for food. Yes, that’s chili on your spaghetti. And it’s delish. Check out our trip guide for what to do, where to eat and where to stay.
Do
American Sign Museum Vintage signs from Howard Johnson's Ice Cream, Phillips 66 and others create a neon trip down memory lane. americansignmuseum.org
Cincinnati Art Museum Among its 67,000 pieces covering 6,000 years, 500 works (most by artists born or trained in Cincinnati) fill one wing dedicated to the Queen City's heritage. cincinnatiartmuseum.org
Cincinnati Bell Connector The streetcar line runs through the heart of Over-the-Rhine, making it a cinch to navigate stops at shops, restaurants, breweries and historic Findlay Market. cincinnatibellconnector.com
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal The Duke Energy Children's Museum reopened in 2018 after a $224 million renovation of the historic train station. The Museum of Natural History and Science and Cincinnati History Museum are reopening in phases with new exhibits.cincymuseum.org
Cincinnati Music Hall Fresh off a $143 million renovation, the hall-home to Cincinnati's symphony, opera and ballet-hosts special events, concertsand tours. cincinnatiarts.org
Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum You don't have to be a Reds fan to appreciate this tribute packed with trivia, exhibits and artifacts. cincinnati.reds.mlb.com
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Paths leading to the 500-plus animals pass themed gardens devoted to pollinators, butterflies and more. cincinnatizoo.org
Contemporary Arts Center This downtown building explores the art world through temporary exhibits and an interactive kids' UnMuseum. contemporaryartscenter.org
Findlay Market At the indoor public market in Over-the-Rhine, vendors sell produce and fresh meats year-round. findlaymarket.org
Flavors of the Queen City The three-hour food tour starts and finishes at Fountain Square and stops at old establishments and promising new ventures. flavorsofthequeencity.com
Fountain Square A dramatically lit 1871 fountain anchors a four-block district of chain restaurants and local mainstays such as Graeter's. myfountainsquare.com
John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge This precursor to the Brooklyn Bridge was the world's longest when it opened in 1867. Take in the spectacular skyline views on a walk or drive across. roeblingbridge.org
Kings Island The wooden roller coaster Mystic Timbers opened last year, joining three others at the self-proclaimed Wooden Roller Coaster Capital of the World in Mason, 23 miles northeast of Cincinnati. visitkingsisland.com
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Situated along the Ohio River (a former dividing line between freedom and slavery for African-Americans), this multilevel museum captures the history of slavery and slaves' struggles for freedom. freedomcenter.org
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Taft Museum of Art Located in a home that belonged to President Taft's half-brother, this impressive collection includes sacred pieces, Chinese porcelain and a Rembrandt. taftmuseum.org
Eat
Blue Ash Chili Hearty Cincinnati chili tastes great on its own, but it's meant to top spaghetti, a hot dog or an omelet. Blue Ash Chili serves the combos in a no-frills environment. blueashchili.com
Boca Chef-owner David Falk creates seasonal menus with entrees like Amish chicken, seafood risotto or Icelandic cod. Sparkling chandeliers and wood paneling set the tone for an elegant meal. bocacincinnati.com
The BonBonerie Enjoy soups and sandwiches followed by cookies or cakes, like an opera cream cupcake. bonbonerie.com
Graeter's Ice Cream The fourth generation of the Graeter family churns out 30 flavors, including black raspberry chocolate chip and salted caramel. graeters.com
Jean-Robert's Table Celeb chef Jean-Robert de Cavel's French bistro near Fountain Square wows guests with bold sauces on entrees like short ribs and salmon. jrtable.com
Mazunte Ocean-blue walls and worn-wood tables evoke a cantina atmosphere for some of the city's best Mexican food. Our pick: braised chicken tacos in handmade tortillas with horchata to drink. mazuntetacos.com
Montgomery Inn Three locations serve fall-off-the- bone ribs smothered in trademark barbecue sauce. Try the Ted's Platter, with both original and smoked ribs, slow-smoked brisket, onion straws and cornbread. montgomeryinn.com
Nada Dine on bright Mexican flavors in a colorful dining room. We love the pink grapefruit margaritas and braised meats. eatdrinknada.com
The Quarter Bistro A seasonal menu (including pizzas) and an Art Nouveau interior beckon in Mariemont. qbcincy.com
Rhinegeist Brewery In Over-the-Rhine, Rhinegeist pours slightly hoppy beers such as Cougar Blonde Ale. The former bottling plant ups the fun with ping-pong and cornhole games. rhinegeist.com
Senate Mussels and poutine share the menu with upscale hot dogs at the popular Over-the-Rhine gastropub. senatepub.com
Stay
21c Museum Hotel Contemporary artwork (think moveable plastic penguins), spacious guest rooms and on-site dining draw travelers looking for something different downtown. 21cmuseumhotels.com
AC Hotel Cincinnati at the Banks A prime location puts guests next to the Great American Ball Park; balconies and the Upper Deck bar overlook downtown and the river. achotels.marriott.com
Best Western Premier Mariemont Inn A renovated Tudor-style building welcomes visitors to Mariemont. mariemontinn.com
The Cincinnatian Hotel The remodeled 1882 downtown hotel offers updated suites with fireplaces and four-posters. cincinnatianhotel.com
Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza Even if you don't stay overnight, stop for swanky drinks at Orchids at Palm Court, the restaurant in this French Art Deco treasure. cincinnatinetherlandplaza.hilton.com
Homewood Suites Downtown/Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown Choose from two hotels in the renovated 1926 Art Deco building that was once home to The Cincinnati Enquirer. Lounges in both lodgings feature local Rookwood pottery and vintage city photographs. hamptoninn3.hilton.com
The Westin Cincinnati Many of the 456 renovated rooms overlook Fountain Square. Rooms come with standard amenities, but we love the signature Heavenly Beds. westincincinnati.com
More information: Cincinnati USA Convention and Visitors Bureau. cincyusa.com