Top Attractions in Cincinnati

Cincinnati straddles the Ohio River with a confidence born from centuries of commerce, culture, and community. Once one of the largest cities in America, Cincinnati's golden age left behind a stunning architectural legacy that today's residents have embraced and revitalized with remarkable energy.

Over-the-Rhine

Once the heart of Cincinnati's German immigrant community in the 19th century, Over-the-Rhine (OTR) is now one of the most celebrated urban revival stories in America. The neighborhood boasts the largest collection of intact Italianate architecture in the country, with ornate brick buildings housing craft breweries, independent boutiques, restaurants, and galleries. Vine Street is the main corridor, anchored by Findlay Market, Ohio's oldest continuously operated public market. Washington Park, a beautifully renovated green space, hosts outdoor concerts, movie nights, and community events year-round.

Cincinnati Art Museum

Perched in Eden Park overlooking the city, the Cincinnati Art Museum houses over 67,000 works spanning 6,000 years of civilization. The collection is particularly strong in European paintings, ancient art, and Cincinnati-made art pottery, including the famous Rookwood ceramics. General admission is always free, and the museum's hilltop setting surrounded by gardens makes it a peaceful retreat.

Roebling Suspension Bridge

Built in 1866 by John A. Roebling, who later designed the Brooklyn Bridge, this beautiful suspension bridge connects Cincinnati to Covington, Kentucky, and is a National Historic Landmark. Walking across the Roebling Bridge offers stunning views of the Cincinnati skyline and the Ohio River. On the Kentucky side, Covington's MainStrasse Village is a charming neighborhood of restaurants, bars, and shops worth exploring.

Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal

Housed inside one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the world, the Cincinnati Museum Center occupies the stunning 1933 Union Terminal train station. The building's half-dome rotunda features gorgeous murals by Winold Reiss depicting the history and industry of Cincinnati. Inside, you will find the Cincinnati History Museum, the Museum of Natural History and Science with its limestone cave exhibit, the Duke Energy Children's Museum, and an OMNIMAX theater. The building alone is worth the visit.

Food and Dining Scene

Cincinnati's food identity is anchored by its famous chili, a uniquely spiced meat sauce flavored with cinnamon, allspice, and chocolate, served over spaghetti and topped with a mountain of finely shredded cheddar cheese. Skyline Chili and Gold Star are the two major chains, but Camp Washington Chili, a 24-hour diner near the interstate, is often cited as the authentic local experience. Order it three-way (spaghetti, chili, cheese), four-way (add onions or beans), or five-way (add both).

Beyond chili, Cincinnati's food scene has exploded in Over-the-Rhine. Senate serves upscale hot dogs and craft cocktails, Taste of Belgium specializes in Liege-style waffles, and Bakersfield OTR serves creative tacos alongside an impressive tequila selection. The city's German heritage lives on at Mecklenburg Gardens, a beer garden operating since 1865, and at the Hofbrauhaus Newport across the river in Kentucky. Findlay Market is the culinary heart of the city, with vendors selling everything from goetta (a Cincinnati-specific pork and oat sausage) to artisan cheese to fresh flowers. For fine dining, Boca in downtown Cincinnati and Orchids at Palm Court in the Hilton Netherland Plaza offer elegant experiences in stunning surroundings.

Outdoor Activities

Cincinnati's hills and river setting provide excellent outdoor opportunities throughout the year.

  • Walking or biking the Ohio River Trail: The Riverwalk extends along the Ohio River waterfront, connecting Smale Riverfront Park, the Banks entertainment district, Sawyer Point, and Yeatman's Cove. Smale Riverfront Park features playgrounds, gardens, a carousel, and swinging benches overlooking the river and the Roebling Bridge.
  • Hiking at Red River Gorge: About 90 minutes southeast of Cincinnati, Red River Gorge in the Daniel Boone National Forest offers some of the best hiking and rock climbing in the eastern United States, with dramatic sandstone arches, cliff-line trails, and the iconic Natural Bridge.
  • Eden Park: This hilltop park near Mount Adams offers walking trails, scenic overlooks of the Ohio River and Kentucky, Mirror Lake, and the Krohn Conservatory, a tropical greenhouse with seasonal butterfly shows.
  • Catching a Reds game at Great American Ball Park: Cincinnati's riverfront ballpark offers sweeping views of the river, the Roebling Bridge, and the Kentucky hills beyond. The park's location in the Banks district makes it easy to combine a game with dinner and drinks along the waterfront.

Nightlife and Entertainment

Over-the-Rhine is the epicenter of Cincinnati's nightlife. The neighborhood's brewing heritage has been revived by Rhinegeist Brewery, which occupies a massive former bottling plant and features a taproom with rooftop bar, cornhole courts, and rotating food trucks. Taft's Ale House, housed in a beautiful former church on the edge of OTR, serves craft beers beneath stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings.

For live music, the Taft Theatre and the newly renovated Andrew J Brady Music Center host national touring acts, while MOTR Pub on Main Street is the go-to for indie bands and late-night DJ sets. Mount Adams, the hillside neighborhood above downtown, offers bars and restaurants with panoramic city views, especially from the deck at Longworth's. The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company performs in a purpose-built theater on Elm Street in OTR, and the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park in Eden Park produces award-winning regional theater.

Hidden Gems

American Sign Museum

The only museum in the country dedicated to the art and history of signage, this Camp Washington gem houses a dazzling collection of neon signs, vintage advertising, and roadside Americana. Walking through the American Sign Museum is like traveling through a century of American commercial culture, from hand-painted gold leaf to buzzing neon to modern LED displays. Neon sign-making workshops are offered periodically.

Carew Tower Observation Deck

For the best panoramic view of Cincinnati, take the elevator to the 49th floor of the Art Deco Carew Tower downtown. The open-air observation deck offers 360-degree views of the city, the Ohio River, and the Kentucky hillside for just a small admission fee. It is one of the most affordable and underrated experiences in the city.

Northside

This eclectic, independent-minded neighborhood north of OTR is the artistic heart of Cincinnati. Colorful murals, vintage shops, record stores like Shake It Records, and one-of-a-kind restaurants like Bridges Nepali Cuisine give Northside a bohemian energy. The neighborhood hosts an annual Fourth of July parade that is equal parts patriotic and wonderfully weird, perfectly capturing the spirit of this offbeat community.