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Cincinnati

Cincinnati travel guide

City in Ohio, United States

Things to do3 experiences
Best time to visitOctober
Nearest airportLUK · 5 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC−4
Population309,317

About Cincinnati

Cincinnati is the most populous city in Hamilton County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. It is located along the Ohio River across from its confluence with the Licking River in Kentucky. Cincinnati is the third-most populous city in Ohio, and the 66th-most populous city in the U.S., with a population of 309,317 at the 2020 census. The city serves as the economic and cultural hub of the tri-state Cincinnati metropolitan area, Ohio's most populous metropolitan area and the nation's 30th-largest, at over 2.3 million residents.

Places to visit in Cincinnati

  1. Cincinnati Museum Center

    Cincinnati Museum Center

    Museum · 1 mi from centre

    An Art Deco train station housing natural history, history and children's museums, worth visiting for its huge rotunda and mosaic murals alone, plus a giant screen theater.

  2. Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

    Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

    Zoo · 3 mi from centre

    One of the oldest zoos in the country, known for its hippos, manatees, gorillas and successful breeding programs, all set within lush botanical gardens and historic buildings.

  3. National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

    National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

    Museum

    A museum on the Ohio River, once the boundary between slave and free states, about slavery and the Underground Railroad, including a reconstructed slave pen and modern freedom stories.

  4. Over-the-Rhine

    Over-the-Rhine

    Neighborhood

    A historic neighborhood of 19th-century Italianate buildings with restaurants, breweries and shops, plus Findlay Market, Washington Park and the grand Music Hall, all easy to reach by streetcar.

  5. Findlay Market

    Findlay Market

    Market

    Ohio's oldest continuously operating public market, where vendors in and around a historic market house sell meats, cheeses, produce, baked goods and local specialty foods.

  6. Cincinnati Art Museum

    Cincinnati Art Museum

    Museum · 1 mi from centre

    In hilltop Eden Park, this museum displays art spanning thousands of years from around the world, with no general admission charge and pleasant park views outside.

  7. John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge

    John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge

    Landmark

    A historic blue suspension bridge over the Ohio River to Covington, Kentucky, designed by the engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge, with sidewalks for a scenic walk across.

  8. Smale Riverfront Park

    Park

    A riverfront park between the stadiums with fountains, gardens, swings, a carousel and playgrounds, offering a pleasant place to stroll and watch the river and bridges.

Things to do in Cincinnati by type

3 tours, tickets and experiences across 1 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

How long
  • 3-6 hours 2
  • 1-3 hours 1
Browse all things to do in Cincinnati

Top experiences in Cincinnati

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 3 available.

See all things to do in Cincinnati

Where to stay in Cincinnati

Popular hotels in Cincinnati, out of 176 properties you can book.

See all hotels in Cincinnati

Best time to visit Cincinnati

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Cincinnati is October, when average daytime highs are around 69°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 21° – 35° 10
Feb 29° – 47° 10
Mar 38° – 58° 10
Apr 47° – 66° 15
May 56° – 73° 18
Jun 66° – 85° 13
Jul 69° – 87° 15
Aug 66° – 84° 7
Sep 62° – 81° 8
Oct 49° – 69° 4
Nov 40° – 55° 11
Dec 30° – 43° 12

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Cincinnati weather forecast

  • Wed 21 Oct 72° 41° 0%
  • Thu 22 Oct 71° 49° 0%
  • Fri 23 Oct 72° 49° 0%
  • Sat 24 Oct 73° 48° 0%
  • Sun 25 Oct 73° 52° 0%
  • Mon 26 Oct 73° 54° 1%

Know before you go

Currency
United States dollar (USD)
Language
English
Calling code
+1
Driving
On the right
Time zone
America/New_YorkUTC−4
Capital
Washington, D.C.

Upcoming public holidays in United States

  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Presidents DayWashington's Birthday

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Cincinnati

These are the airports closest to central Cincinnati. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • LUK Cincinnati Municipal Lunken Airport5 mi (8 km) from the city centre
  • CVG Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport9 mi (15 km) from the city centre
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Getting around Cincinnati

The main form of public transportation is by bus. The region is served by two bus systems. The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (Sorta) operates Metro, the bus company that serves the Ohio side of the state line. The Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (Tank) serves Northern Kentucky and all routes between Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati. Bus lines marked with a "X" are express routes and make less frequent stops.

Government Square

Government Square is the main bus hub for Metro and is on Walnut Street. Occasionally, when large events are going on downtown, bus routes will be re-routed to avoid Government Square. The square received its name due to the government buildings that border the square, such as the Federal Office Building, a Federal Courthouse, and a Federal Reserve Bank branch. Within the complex is an information kiosk providing details of bus routes and a free Wi-Fi service.

Lines

Below is a short list of the most important SORTA (Metro) lines that serve tourist sites.

By streetcar

A streetcar line, the Cincinnati Bell Connector, runs in a loop between Findlay Market in Over-the-Rhine neighbourhood and the Riverfront Transit Center. Starting in October 2020, there is no fare required to ride.

Cincinnati travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Cincinnati?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Cincinnati is October, when average daytime highs are around 69°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.

What is the weather like in Cincinnati?

July is usually the warmest month in Cincinnati, with average highs of 87°F (31°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 21°F (-6°C). The wettest month is typically April, with about 156 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Cincinnati?

Cincinnati Municipal Lunken Airport (LUK) is the closest airport, about 5 miles (8 km) from the centre of Cincinnati. Other nearby airports include Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG, 9 mi).

What time zone is Cincinnati in?

Cincinnati uses the America/New_York time zone (currently UTC−4). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Cincinnati?

The main form of public transportation is by bus. The region is served by two bus systems. The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (Sorta) operates Metro, the bus company that serves the Ohio side of the state line.

What are the best places to visit in Cincinnati?

Top sights in Cincinnati include Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and Over-the-Rhine. An Art Deco train station housing natural history, history and children's museums, worth visiting for its huge rotunda and mosaic murals alone, plus a giant screen theater.

What are the top things to do in Cincinnati?

Popular experiences you can book in Cincinnati include Secret Food Tours Cincinnati. Destina Holidays offers 3 tours and activities here.

What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Cincinnati?

The most popular types of experiences in Cincinnati are shows, sports and special events (2) and gastronomy & nightlife (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.

Where should I stay in Cincinnati?

Popular areas for hotels in Cincinnati include Downtown, Blue Ash Area and East Cincinnati. Well-reviewed options include Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza and 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati.

How many hotels can I book in Cincinnati?

Destina Holidays currently lists 176 properties in and around Cincinnati, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.