Top Things to Do in Cincinnati:

A lively riverfront, Italianate architecture, and creative fare are among Cincinnati’s many allures.

The top attractions in Cincinnati represent the city’s vibrant culture: catch a baseball game, visit art museums, enjoy creative craft ales, or explore the extensive trails in the city parks and beyond. Each neighborhood, spread across the city’s rolling hills, boasts its own unique culture and identity.

However, one thing is certain: Cincinnatians take their food, brews, sports, and outdoor recreation seriously. With numerous options, this guide will help you discover the very best of Cincinnati this fall.

Smale Riverfront Park

Smale Riverfront Park connects downtown Cincinnati with the serene Ohio River, adjacent to the bustling food-and-beverage district known as The Banks. Visitors can enjoy craft beer from nearby favorites like Moerlein Lager House and Yard House. The park features swinging benches and flower-fringed trails.

Smale Riverfront Park is packed with attractions over its 45 green acres, from Carol Ann’s Carousel featuring 44 Cincinnati-themed characters to an interactive fountain and a giant foot piano reminiscent of Tom Hanks in Big. The park connects with others like Sawyer Point through a pedestrian, bike-friendly path. Biking enthusiasts can rent bikes via the Cincinnati Red Bike system or stroll across the sky-blue Roebling Suspension Bridge to Northern Kentucky.

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

With nearly 600 animal species, including Fiona the hippo, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is a must-see attraction. As the second-oldest zoo in the US and a National Historic Landmark, it prioritizes conservation and global research. Notably, the zoo has introduced a new craft beer garden, Hops, enhancing visitor experience.

Ideally located in Cincinnati’s Clifton neighborhood, the zoo is a short drive from the Gaslight District, renowned for some of the finest Indian cuisine in Cincinnati, such as Ambar.

Great American Ball Park

Cincinnati is a baseball city, and the prime venue for this beloved pastime is Great American Ball Park, home of the Cincinnati Reds. The season launches in April with a grand opening day parade and outdoor festivities, stretching from Findlay Market in Over-the-Rhine (OTR) to The Banks and the stadium.

Baseball excitement continues throughout the season with themed events such as Bark in the Park nights and nostalgic ‘90s nights featuring post-game entertainment. Affordable seating in the upper level can be found for approximately $15, or you can catch the game at one of several Reds bars in The Banks, such as the vibrant Holy Grail Tavern and Grille, located just 100 yards from home plate.

Findlay Market

As Ohio’s oldest continuously operating public market, Findlay Market in OTR is a premier destination. This market hosts over 50 full-time merchants within a mix of enclosed and open-air spaces. Local vendors offer a variety of goods, from homemade soaps and beeswax candles to delicious food items like waffles-to-go from Taste of Belgium and New York-style bagels from OTR Bagel Bar. Beyond food and products, Findlay Market captivates visitors with its stunning 19th-century architecture.

Cincinnati Art Museum

The Cincinnati Art Museum impresses with its expansive collection of 67,000 art pieces and panoramic skyline views. It features a deeply historical collection spanning 6000 years, including one of the nation’s oldest Asian art collections. Remarkably, admission to the museum is free.

Situated in the hilltop Mount Adams neighborhood, the Cincinnati Art Museum offers regular and rotating exhibits along with a section dedicated to local art. The museum also organizes various events, like Art After Dark, where timeless artwork pairs with appetizers, drinks, and dancing.

Ault Park

Ault Park sits between Hyde Park and Mount Lookout, approximately 15 minutes from downtown Cincinnati, offering tranquil hilltop views over its 223 acres. The park features nine interconnected trails that facilitate hiking through city forests, ideal for fall leaf-peeping. Ault Park is known for its formal gardens, sprawling terrace, and Italianate architecture, especially the pavilion built in the 1930s, which attracts photographers during golden hour when the sun casts an orange glow on the white structure. Moreover, don’t miss the stunning vistas from Heekin Overlook.

Brewing Heritage Trail

Cincinnati’s rich German heritage is highlighted along the Brewing Heritage Trail, a route that retraces the steps of the city’s early German brewers. This walking trail meanders through OTR, the core of Cincinnati’s brewing history, featuring trail markers, informative signs, public art, and local breweries, including the oldest active brewery in the city, Christian Moerlein Brewery, established in 1853.

Additionally, beneath this trail lies a labyrinth of former beer cellars. Experience Cincinnati’s underground by taking a Queen City Underground Tour or opt for an above-ground tour provided by the Brewing Heritage Trail association. For self-guided options, individuals can download the interactive heritage trail app.

Cincinnati Museum Center

The Cincinnati Museum Center encompasses three prominent museums within its historic Art Deco structure. This complex, located in downtown Cincinnati, hosts the Cincinnati History Museum, The Children’s Museum, and the Museum of Natural History and Science. This extensive facility features over 1.8 million artifacts, artworks, and archives, along with an onsite OMNIMAX Theater and the Cincinnati History Library and Archives.

Furthermore, the range of dining options within the center is impressive, including a fun eatery called Bean Sprouts, where children can create their own healthy meals, along with an organic espresso bar for adults, and an ice cream parlor featuring Cincinnati favorite Graeter’s Ice Cream, known for its chunky chocolate chunks.

Krohn Conservatory

Opened in 1933, the historic Krohn Conservatory showcases an impressive array of blooms and plant species in Cincinnati’s 186-acre Eden Park, just beyond Mount Adams. Like many Cincinnati attractions, the conservatory features Art Deco architecture. Visitors can explore diverse plant life, including tropical rainforests in the Palm House, the Bonsai Gallery, and a seasonally rotating floral exhibit. The annual fall Butterfly Show is particularly enchanting, allowing thousands of butterflies to drift amongst the tropical gardens.

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Located adjacent to Cincinnati’s riverfront and The Banks, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center provides powerful insight into the stories of enslaved Black Americans triumphing over bondage. The center comprises three buildings, featuring exhibits that can deeply affect visitors and recount the history of the Underground Railroad, which played a significant role in Cincinnati. The center includes an immersive walk-through exhibit that details the rise and fall of America’s slave trade alongside an eternal flame representing the candles placed in the windows of those who dared to assist the Underground Railroad.

Skyline Chili

No guide to Cincinnati would be complete without mentioning the city’s iconic Skyline Chili. Skyline is a beloved institution in the Queen City. While not every local may appreciate Skyline’s heaping servings of noodles or hot dogs (coneys) topped with cheese, onions, and a unique chili recipe, many do—and those who don’t typically keep their preferences hidden.

Even former President Barack Obama made a visit to Skyline during his tour of Ohio. You can find Skyline Chili locations throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and even Florida, although the oldest existing restaurant, dating back to 1966, is located in Clifton.