24 Essential Cincinnati Attractions to Bring an Out-Of-Towner

Findlay Market

1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
At more than 150 years old, Findlay Market is Ohio’s oldest continually operated public market. Go for the farmers market, butcher shops, flower stalls, OTR Biergarten and eclectic eats.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

3400 Vine St., Corryville
The second-oldest zoo in the United States, it’s also one of the nation’s best, with more than 500 species represented, many endangered. Be sure to check out Fiona the famous hippo, the interactive giraffe area and the reptile house, the oldest zoo building in the country.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Newport Aquarium

1 Levee Way, Newport on the Levee, Newport KY
See and touch a variety of aquatic life at this massive, walk-through aquarium, which boasts the world’s first Shark Bridge. View exhibits featuring penguins, jellyfish, the world’s largest collection of shark rays and more.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Cincinnati Reds Game

Great American Ball Park, 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown
Catch the up-and-coming Redlegs led by veteran superstar Joey Votto. New booze this year includes a frose frozen rose wine slushie and a bourbon slush.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Coney Island

6201 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township
In operation since the 1880s, this historic amusement park is home to classic rides — bumper cars, a Ferris wheel, a wooden roller coaster and grand carousel — an old-fashioned arcade, live shows, family-friendly fests and Sunlite Water Adventure. Take a canoe or paddle boat out on Lake Como or dance under the starts at Moonlite Garden. The dazzling Christmas Nights of Lights drive-through display takes over during the holiday season.
Photo: Patty Salas

Cincinnati Music Hall

1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Completed in 1878, the freshly renovated Venetian Gothic Music Hall houses a concert theater — Springer Auditorium — which serves as home for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Opera and the May Festival Chorus, among other local performing arts organizations. The National Historic Landmark is built over a pauper’s cemetery and is rumored to be one of the most haunted buildings in America. The Society for the Preservation of Music Hall hosts “Beyond the Bricks” walking tours Thursdays and Saturdays for a fee. Also keep an eye out for haunted tours.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

FC Cincinnati Game

2700 Bearcat Way, Clifton
Our hometown orange-and-blue European-style professional soccer team joined Major League Soccer this year and is the city’s hottest sports ticket. The season runs April-October.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Smale Riverfront Park

166 W. Mehring Way, Downtown
Nestled between Great American Ball Park and Paul Brown Stadium in the center of The Banks by the Roebling Suspension Bridge, the park features fountains, walkways, a bike center, gardens, an event lawn and stage, a meditative labyrinth, the Black Brigade Monument and a glass-encased carousel with Cincinnati-themed critters.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

See Panoramic Views of Cincinnati at the SkyStar Observation Wheel

SkyStar, a temporary 15-story "observation wheel" (aka Ferris Wheel), will be up at The Banks through Dec. 2. 1-49 E. Freedom Way, Downtown
Photo: Emerson Swoger

Fountain Square

520 Vine St., Downtown
This square at the center of downtown is a gathering place for friends and family. Enjoy coffee or lunch from one of the neighboring restaurants on the outdoor plaza or attend one of the scheduled events ranging from concerts to dancing to open-air movie nights — or just enjoy the Genius of Water fountain. Fun fact: The water from the four auxiliary spigots is drinkable.
Photo: Paige Deglow

Carew Tower Observation Deck

41 W. 5th St., Downtown
Completed in 1930, Carew Tower is one of the world’s finest examples of French Art Deco architecture and includes Rookwood Pottery floral tiles, an Art Deco shopping center and the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza hotel (complete with a Great Gatsby-esque hotel bar and five-diamond restaurant). One of downtown’s tallest skyscrapers, the viewing area and observation deck on top of the building features a wonderful panoramic view of downtown, the Ohio River and Northern Kentucky.
Photo: Jesse Fox

Kings Island

6300 Kings Island Dr., Mason
The largest amusement park and waterpark in the Midwest. There are thrill rides — like Mystic Timbers with 16 airtime moments and a mystery shed ending; the Invertigo face-to-face inverted coaster; and the Beast, the world’s longest wooden roller coaster — family rides (like a one-third scale replica of the Eiffel Tower), daily live shows, Soak City Waterpark, the world’s largest animatronic dinosaur park and lots of traditional carnival games. The popular WinterFest returns with holiday displays and ice skating in November 2018.
Photo via Facebook.com/VisitKingsIsland

Contemporary Arts Center

44 E. 6th St., Downtown
The city’s major downtown art facility, designed by architect Zaha Hadid, features changing displays and exhibitions, a children’s UnMuseum and special events. Also home to an avant-garde performance calendar, eclectic gift shop, bookstore and hip café and bar.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Cincinnati Bengals Game

1 Paul Brown Stadium, Downtown
Who dey! Cincinnati’s NFL team. Season runs August-December.
Photo: Craig Weiglein

BB Riverboats

101 Riverboat Row, Newport, Ky.
Historic riverboat cruises along the Ohio River. Pick from themed dinner cruises, sightseeing cruises, holiday cruises or charter your own private ship.
Photo via Facebook.com/BBRiverboats

Cincinnati Art Museum

953 Eden Park Dr., Mt. Adams
Encyclopedic permanent displays include collections of art, sculpture and artifacts from various periods and cultures from the past 6,000 years, including Contemporary and Folk art. Traveling and changing exhibitions are popular attractions and often require a separate entrance fee. The Rosenthal Education Center offers hands-on activities for children to discover art.
Photo via Facebook.com/CincinnatiArtMuseum

Riverbend Music Center

6295 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township
Right along the Ohio River, east of Cincinnati, you’ll find Riverbend Music Center which hosts popular bands and artists every summer from a variety of genres. Some shows you can look forward to seeing this summer include, but are not limited to, Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reef Band (of course), Dierks Bentley, Alice Cooper and Halestorm, Beck and Cage the Elephant and many more. The PNC Pavilion right next door also has a great schedule this summer as well, featuring Young the Giant and Fitz and the Tantrums, The Righteous Brothers and The Temptations, Joey Bada$$ and Flatbush Zombies and more.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

The Beach Waterpark

2590 Water Park Dr., Mason
Thirty-five acres of real sand, real waves and real cocktails. A tropical getaway with a chill lazy river, cabana rentals, wild waterslides — like the five-story free-fall The Cliff — and sand volleyball.
Photo via Facebook.com/BeachWaterPark

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

50 E. Freedom Way, Downtown
This monument to freedom explores courage, cooperation and perseverance through films and artifacts from the Underground Railroad to contemporary times. A 19th-century slave pen has been rebuilt as a walk-through experiential exhibit. Traveling exhibits celebrate strength and diversity.
Photo via Facebook.com/FreedomCenter