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Cincinnati
The city of Cincinnati, nicknamed The Queen City, is located in south-west Ohio along the banks of the Ohio River. I dislike the overused phrase "there is something for everyone" used by so many tour guides, but in this city there really is something for everyone of all ages. Cincinnati is know for having great sports, concert, and theater venues, as well as, museums, dining, and cultural experiences. Families can also find plenty of child friendly things to do. There are so many diverse things to do that you can plan a different experience for each trip and always find something new to explore. |
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Things To Do:
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Riverwalk:
The Riverwalk is a 4 mile walkway that follows the Ohio River from Smale Riverfront Park through Sawyer Point Park to the Newport Southbank Bridge know as the Purple People Bridge. We parked downtown in the garage under Moerlein Lager House where you can dine outside on the patio with river views. From there, walk down to the Riverwalk and Smale Riverfront Park. The park has swings overlooking the river and a play area for kids. From Moerlein you can go left on the Riverwalk and head to Sawyer Point Park to the "Purple People Bridge" a pedestrian only bridge that connects downtown to Newport, Ky. There are several restaurants there as well as the Newport Aquarium. Continue along the Newport side and return to the Riverwalk via the pedestrian walkway on the Taylor Southgate Bridge. From Moerlein, you can also turn to the right which will take you to the kids play area and splash pads of Smale Riverfront Park and the Roebling Suspension Bridge. This bridge was the model for the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. You can walk across the bridge and back on the pedestrian walkway which has great views of the Ohio River and the Cincinnati skyline. We walked across right before sunset and had great views of the city at night on the walk back! |
View from pedestrian walkway on Roebling Suspension Bridge
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Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden:
The combination of a zoo and a botanical garden make this a very enjoyable place to visit. The zoo and animal enclosures are clean and well done and the walking paths and grounds are beautiful. We thought it was worth the wait to feed the giraffes and the cheetah run is worth seeing if you have time. |
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Cincinnati Art Museum:
Admission to the Art Museum is FREE and is a great way to spend an afternoon. Visitors are free to explore the various galleries on your own, or you can join a tour led by a museum volunteer. Art Galleries include Modern & Contemporary Art, European Art, Ancient Art, African Art, American Art, Asian & Islamic Art, as well as special exhibit galleries. If you have more time, you can visit nearby Krohn Conservatory and the walking paths around Eden Park. |
Cincinnati Art Museum
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Newport Aquarium:
You will need several hours to see the aquarium's 70 exhibits, 14 galleries, and 5 underwater acrylic tunnels. All ages will enjoy the touch tanks that allow visitors to touch sea urchins, stingrays, horseshoe crabs, and even sharks. After your Aquarium visit you can walk around Newport on the Levee and find a place to eat and enjoy the view of the Ohio River and the Downtown Cincinnati skyline. |
Underwater viewing at the Aquarium
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Cincinnati Museum Center:
The National Historic Landmark, Union Terminal, is now home to the Cincinnati Museum Center. Attractions at the museum include an OMNIMAX Theater, Cincinnati History Museum, Museum of Natural History and Science, and The Children's Museum. Check the museum's website for a list of rotating special exhibits. |
The historic art deco train station is now the Cincinnati Museum
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Krohn Conservatory and Eden Park:
The Krohn Conservatory is located in Eden Park near the Cincinnati Art Museum. Admission to the permanent exhibits is always FREE, but there is an admission fee to any special exhibits. Permanent exhibits include the Palm House, Fern House, Desert House, Orchid House, and Bonsai Gallery. Outdoors in Eden Park there are hiking and paved walking trails, a playground area, the historic water tower, several sculptures, wetlands, mirror lake, and twin lakes areas. |
Flowers are always in bloom inside the Conservatory
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