If a stop in the Queen City is in your near future, you are in for a treat. My hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio has a plethora of offerings for those young and old. While each city has its own special set of memorable attractions and allure, discover what makes the Queen city so extraordinary with these 7 Things to do while visiting Cincinnati.
Ride The Streetcar
Hopping aboard the streetcar is one of the best ways to see the city. The streetcar route stops along downtown Cincinnati’s most iconic landmarks, foodie scenes, and trendy boutiques. Developing your own streetcar itinerary is perfect for a fun group outing, a family day or a night on the town. One of the beauties of the streetcar is there are 18 stations along a 3.6-mile loop that goes from The Banks to Over-The-Rhine. With that much of downtown Cincinnati covered there is bound to be a few stops that will please everyone in your party. The Cincinnati Bell Connector has all the stations and a map listed on their website. Remember when planning your stops take note of which way the streetcar is headed. Nothing is worse than planning a whole trip only to have to do it in reverse!
Cincinnati Art Museum
Housing over 67,000 pieces of artwork makes the Cincinnati Art Museum a destination drawing admirers from all walks of life. Being one of the oldest art museums in the United States, they have mastered the unique skill of creating experiences to accommodate visitors of varying abilities. From baby art tours to autism family exploration there is a tour for everyone. The Rosenthal Education Center is an interactive space that is designed for children of all ages to have hands-on experience with art and cultures. Children get to channel their inner artist by creating a fun masterpiece to take home or add to the group art projects taking place throughout the room. There is a reading nook with a nice selection of books, building blocks, puzzles and more. It is a must stop during any visit to the Cincinnati Art Museum.
Union Terminal Rotunda Tour
A historic treasure in Cincinnati is none other than Union Terminal. Once a bustling train station that saw soldiers to war, vacationers, and businessmen, it currently, sees a different stream of visitors as the art deco station is home to the National History Museum and the Children’s Museum. Walking into the Rotunda will leave you breathless and awestruck. Once you take it all in, be sure to enjoy the mosaic murals, visit Tower A for a view of the train yard and discover the secret of the whispering fountains.
There are a few tours that can make your visit to Union Terminal one that will leave a lasting impression (as if the rotunda isn’t enough). The museum offers free rotunda tours on the weekends. Call ahead to check the times. These tours give visitors a glimpse into some areas not accessible to the public and provide insight into the history behind this great building.
Visit Fiona At The Cincinnati Zoo
There is one Cincinnati celebrity all visitors to the city must visit, and that is our beloved hippo Fiona. After being born six weeks premature, Fiona beat the odds and became the smallest hippo ever to survive. Once you have spent your time with Fiona be sure to explore the rest of our world-class zoo and botanical gardens. Be sure to check out the calendar for special events like Wild About Wine, Blooms and Tunes and their holiday events.
The Cincinnati Sign Museum
Take in all the neon glory as you step back in time and admire classic signs of the past. Even if you weren’t alive during the era of particular signs, you could still revel in the nostalgia of years gone by. The American Sign Museum is the largest public museum dedicated to signs in the United States. Not all signs are neon as the collection includes classics like Burma Shave and even an entire reassembled mail pouch barn sign. I would highly recommend doing the tour of the American Sign Museum on the weekdays so you can see a demonstration of how neon signs are made at the onsite neon shop, NeonWorks of Cincinnati.
Eat Your Way Through Findley Market
This fabulous market is a food-lovers paradise. There is an opportunity to take a free tour that is offered on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month at 10:00 am. Other tours are available, and we recommend the tour and treat that allows participants to choose an item from three different vendors in addition to the 30-minute walking tour. At $10 per person, this is an affordable and fun experience. No tour? No problem! Findley market is chock-full of tempting local delicacies for you to discover around every corner.
Visit Jungle Jim’s
A truly unique thing to do in Cincinnati is going to Jungle Jim’s. This is unlike any grocery you have ever been in or will be in again. You will find more bizarre and outlandish food, drink and decor then you could have thought possible. Be sure to check out their award-winning restrooms (for real…check them out) and get some free samples. From the moment you step foot into the jungle you start filling your cart with stuff you never knew you needed! Chocolate from Switzerland, of course! Jam from England, well naturally. Before you know it you have a cart full of exotic food and big plans to learn how to cook all these international dishes. It might be the fact you can have a drink while you shop that gives you beer goggles for food and high ambitions. Jungle Jim’s hosts a variety of foodie events every month. Be sure to check out their website for upcoming beer and wine tasting, food festivals, and of cooking classes. If you want the full Jungle Jim experience go on a tour or a scavenger hunt to see all that the store has to offer.
After spending a few days in Cincinnati, you will leave with a bigger bucket list than when you arrived. It is a city that beckons you to return again and again.
Tell us, Have you been to any one of these attractions yet? Comment below and let us know!
- 7 Things To Do While Visiting Cincinnati, Ohio - May 1, 2019
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