25 Weekend Roadtrip Ideas Within Driving Distance of Cincinnati

Ohio Caverns

2210 OH-245, West Liberty, Ohio
Distance: 2 hours
The Ohio Caverns is the largest cave system in Ohio and contains a plethora of crystal formations throughout this 35-acre park. The cavern stays at 54 degrees year-round and people from all around the world come to discover different colors and formations including The Crystal King, the largest stalactite in Ohio. Reopens to the public on March 15.
Photo via Facebook.com/OhioCaverns

Rabbit Hash, Kentucky

Distance: 45 minutes
A scenic, 45-minute drive southwest takes you to Rabbit Hash, known for its historic general store and electing dogs as its mayor. Rabbit Hash General Store was known as “the best known and best preserved country store in Kentucky,” until it was destroyed by a fire in 2016. It was later restored and reopened in April 2017.
Photo via Facebook.com/RabbitHashKY

Frankenmuth, Michigan

Distance: 4 hours and 45 minutes
This little Bavaria, located about an hour an half away from Detroit, is the perfect weekend getaway. With German-inspired architecture, food, and activities, Frankenmuth is sure to sweep you away to a small village in Germany. Although it is best known for Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the largest Christmas store in the world, the fun doesn’t stop there. Shop for authentic grandfather and cuckoo clocks at Frankenmuth Clock Company, enjoy classic chicken dinners at Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth and Bavarian Inn Restaurant, and even take a boat tour down the Cass River that runs through town.
Photo via Facebook.com/Frankenmuth

Hocking Hills State Park

19852 OH-664, Logan, Ohio
Distance: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Hocking Hills State Park has five different sections within the 9,000+ acres of land to explore. Millions of guests embrace the forest year-round by hiking, rock climbing, canoeing and camping on one of the 200 campsites in the area. A must-see is Ash Cave, an out-of-this-world rock formation that just so happens to be the biggest recess cave in the state.
Photo via Facebook.com/HockingHillsStatePark

Mammoth Cave National Park

1 Mammoth Cave Parkway Mammoth Cave, Kentucky
Distance: 3 hours
Mammoth Cave, the largest cave system known in the world (400+ miles to be exact), is just a 3-hour drive south of Cincinnati. The park offers tours of the caves, hikes, canoeing on the Green River, horseback riding, camping and much more.
Photo via Facebook.com/MammothCaveNPS

Louisville

Distance: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Louisville is Kentucky’s most populated city with an endless amount of things to do year-round. Visit the historic Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory where they have been making the famous Louisville Slugger bats since 1884. Bask in historic architecture while walking through the Historic Old Louisville neighborhood, which has the nation’s largest group of Victorian mansions. Or, if you’re visiting during the first week of May, you have to experience “The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports” at the world famous Kentucky Derby.
Photo via Facebook.com/GoToLouisville

Red River Gorge

Robbie Ridge Road, Stanton, Ky.
Distance: 2 hours and 15 minutes
In east-central Kentucky, you'll find the Red River Gorge, where the land is rich with sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, natural bridges and trails that draw in hundreds of hikers and campers every year. The large amount of sandstone has made “the Red” one of the most popular rock climbing destinations in the world. You also can’t forget to stop by Miguel’s Pizza on Natural Bridge Road while you’re there — a Red River Gorge tradition.
Photo: Catie Viox

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum

1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton
Distance: 45 minutes
This sculpture park sits on over 300 acres and features more than 60 outdoor sculptures, which can be seen throughout the many hiking trails, lakes, trees, hills and meadows. Though the Ancient Sculpture Museum is currently closed for maintenance until further notice, visitors are still welcome to roam around the outside park and view the large monumental sculptures. Educational programming for children is provided in multiple ways, and leashed pets are invited to Pyramid Hill as well.
Photo via Facebook.com/PyramidHillSculpturePark

Bass Islands

Distance: 3 hours and 45 minutes + ferry ride to island
Just north of Sandusky, Ohio, you’ll find North Bass Island, Middle Bass Island, and South Bass Island, surrounded by the beautiful water of Lake Erie. The Bass Islands are small in size, but there’s more than enough to do with state parks, boating, water sports, eating and shopping. North Bass Island, however, is only open for camping. Put-In-Bay, located on South Bass Island, is considered “The Key West of the North” and has a great nightlife scene and many places with live entertainment. To get there, you’ll have to take a ferry, boat or plane, but these little islands are worth the trip.
Photo via Facebook.com/PutInBayOhio

Lake Cumberland

Distance: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Lake Cumberland is another tourist favorite in southern Kentucky. This huge reservoir is the place to be on a warm, sunny day for boating, fishing, jet skiing or just cooling off in the water. You can stay in a houseboat, cabin, hotel or camp.
Photo via Facebook.com/LakeCumberlandKY

Columbus

Distance: 2 hours
Columbus, Ohio’s state capital and home of The Ohio State University, is a great weekend getaway spot. There’s a great collection of outdoor parks — some popular ones include Scioto Audubon Metro Park, Franklin Park and Goodale Park. For educational attractions, check out the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium or COSI (Center for Science and Industry), an award-winning science center with more than 300 interactive exhibits.
Photo via Facebook.com/ExperienceColumbus

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Distillery

113 Great Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky
Distance: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Known for their bourbon whiskey, this distillery offers up multiple tasting and history tours. Once night falls, you can even opt to explore its ~spooky~ and haunted past. Make it a weekend at Elkhorn Campground, which is only a 10-minute drive from Buffalo Trace. Private and RV-friendly, this cozy site is located on the banks of a creek and has a stocked general store onsite, a pool, putt-putt and more. The distillery reopens March 7.
Photo via Facebook.com/BuffaloTraceDistillery

Big Bone Lick State Park

3380 Beaver Road, Union, Kentucky
Distance: 45 minutes
Big Bone Lick State Park, “the birthplace of American paleontology," offers several nature trails for hiking, camping, picnicking, indoor and outdoor fossil exhibitions, American art, a 1,000 pound mastodon skull and even its own small herd of bison.
Photo via Facebook.com/BigBoneLickSHS

Yellow Springs

1.5 hour and 30 minutes
Yellow Springs is the perfect destination for those who have a love for arts, culture and nature. Throughout the year the town hosts various arts and music festivals, ranging from intimate gatherings to large events. The village is surrounded by nature reserves, hiking and biking trails and canyons. With its close proximity, Yellow Springs is a great choice for a day trip filled with adventure and stunning sights.
Photo via Facebook.com/FriendsofJohnBryanStatePark

Cleveland

Distance: 4 hours
Cleveland has something to do every day of the week and is only a 4-hour drive from Cincinnati. If you are a football, basketball, baseball or hockey fan, Cleveland always has a team you can cheer on. You can also visit the Cleveland Museum of Art, which was voted one of the best museums in the country in 2016. Outside of the city, there are 18 Metroparks that have 300 miles of hiking trails and lake access when you need a break from the city.
Photo via Facebook.com/ThisisCleveland

Land Between the Lakes

Distance: 4 hours and 30 minutes
Located near Murray, Kentucky near the southwestern tip of the state, Land Between the Lakes is sandwiched between Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. This recreational area is perfect for camping, hiking and boating. Take the family to explore the “170,000-acre playground” complete with elk and bison as well as a planetarium where you can admire the stars. Although the park stretches into Tennessee, Cincinnatians can drive to the northernmost part of Land Between the Lakes in less than five hours.
Photo via Facebook.com/LBLNatlRecArea

Keeneland Race Track

4201 Versailles Road, Lexington, Kentucky
Distance: 1 hour and 30 minutes
In the heart of the Bluegrass state, you’ll find Keeneland Race Track, a beloved Kentucky thoroughbred racing tradition that dates all the way back to 1939. The picturesque grounds are open year-round for tours. Racing takes place in April and October, where visitors can place bets, enjoy a nice Mint Julep, and see what the South is really all about.
Photo via Facebook.com/Keeneland

Nashville

Distance: 4 hours and 30 minutes
Nashville is a legendary city less than a 5-hour drive from Cincinnati. Whatever brings you there — the music, historic buildings, Broadway — there’s always something going on. You can see a show at the Grand Ole Opry, a historic music stage dating all the way back to 1925 where some of Country music’s most well-known artists have played. Or visit The Parthenon, a full-size replica of the original Greek landmark in Athens that’s also one of Nashville’s most popular art museums.
Photo via Facebook.com/NashvilleParthenon

West Virginia Penitentiary

Distance: 3 hours and 45 minutes 818 Jefferson Ave., Moundsville, West Virgina
Just over three hours away in Moundsville, West Virginia, this penitentiary, although no longer operating, may retain some unwelcome, spooky inmates. Take a historical or paranormal tour of this fascinating prison that first began housing prisoners in 1876 and stopped in 1995. In that time, over 100 executions occurred as well as escapes, prison riots and fires. History and ghost-hunting fanatics alike will geek out over this spooky destination.
Photo via Facebook.com/WVPen

Indianapolis

Distance: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Clocking in at less than a two-hour drive from Cincinnati, Indianapolis has a slew of options for everyone. Visit the Motor Speedway Museum and see famous cars that have won races at the Indy Speedway. Take the kids to explore the Children’s Museum and the Indianapolis Zoo — the orangutans are a must-see. Or stop by the area's Bottleworks District — a Coca-Cola bottling plant turned entertainment hub. If you’re exploring the downtown area, the Central Canal walk is a great place for a stroll with the best views.
Photo via Facebook.com/VisitIndy