THINGS TO DO IN CINCINNATI – The city of Cincinnati lies in a beautiful location in a wide basin on the north bank of the Ohio River, surrounded by hills, which is how it became known as the “Pearl of the West” and the “Queen City.”
Today, this largely industrial city in Ohio has a wide range of cultural and recreational facilities, as well as revived neighborhoods like Over-the-Rhine and Mount Airy that are expanding the city’s social scene.
Cincinnati is booming with sports, entertainment, cultural, historical, culinary, and outdoor opportunities born out of a deep industrial background. The following the some top-rated attraction in the city.
American Sign Museum
One of the hidden gems in Cincinnati is the American Sign Museum. This unique and colorful museum displays every type of sign imaginable throughout its 19,000 square feet of space.
The “neon shop” shows sign makers busy at their craft during weekdays, and a museum tour gives a close up look at the process.
The brightly lit signs are truly a feast for the eyes and a visual experience unmatched by other museums.
Carew Tower and Observation Deck
Carew Tower is the second tallest building in Cincinnati. This French Art Deco building, built in the 1930s at the height of the Art Deco era in the United States, is a National Historic Landmark.
This multi functional building containing offices, stores, and hotel rooms, but the highlight for most people is the view of the city from the Observation Deck on the 49th floor.
Fountain Square
The focal point of the Cincinnati city center, with its modern tower blocks, is Fountain Square. At the heart of the square is the impressive Tyler Davidson Fountain, which was cast in Munich and erected in 1871.
Fountain Square is a social center surrounded by expanding options for dining and entertainment. The area is most active in summer, when visitors can enjoy a meal or coffee at an outdoor table.
In winter, skating on the outdoor ice rink is one of the most popular things to do here.
Taft Museum of Art
The world-renowned Taft Museum of Art in Cincinnati is housed in a majestic 1820 Palladian-style building called the Baum-Longworth-Taft House.
It is listed as a National Historic Landmark and gives a sense of the grandeur of an earlier age. The museum displays a small but impressive collection of paintings from Old Masters, European Decorative Arts, sculptures, and furniture among many other pieces.
In front of the museum is a statue of Abraham Lincoln created by George Grey Barnard in 1917. It is regarded as Barnard’s best work but was controversial at the time for its representation.
Barnard had hoped to portray a less conventional image and show Lincoln more as a man of the people, and consequently the statue revealed Lincoln in a slouched stance wearing common, if not shabby, clothes.
The museum hosts regular educational talks and social events throughout the year.
Irwin M. Krohn Conservatory
The Irwin M. Krohn Conservatory in Cincinnati is the city’s horticultural gem, with more than 3,500 plant species from all corners of the globe.
The conservatory features unique themed houses that include a desert and a tropical rainforest, complete with waterfalls.
Built in 1933 during the Art Deco era, the Krohn Conservatory became known for its unique architecture of aluminum and glass, as well as its diverse species of plants inside the greenhouse.
It is managed by the City of Cincinnati Parks Department and hosts various events and changing exhibits throughout the year.
Cincinnati Art Museum
In Eden Park, the Cincinnati Art Museum features prominent works of art, including sculpture, ceramics, and pictures from great civilizations of five millennia.
On display is the permanent collection, along with temporary national and international exhibitions.
Highlights of the collection include American and European painting and sculpture, Far East and African art, Decorative Arts, textiles, and photographs.
The museum is also popular for its art-related programs and special events held throughout the year.
Cincinnati Reds Baseball
A visit to Cincinnati is not complete without taking in an iconic Reds Baseball game at the Great American Ball Park in the heart of downtown.
As baseball’s first professional franchise, the Reds are a household name in Cincinnati and an important part of the community.
While baseball games are seasonal, the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum is open year-round, and you will often find Reds-related events throughout the year.
Cincinnati Zoo
The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens is famed for its white Bengal tigers and gorillas. It also contains one of the largest insectariums in the world.
A visit to the zoo is a full day, with rides, a 4D theater, and animal encounters and shows. Get up-close to the animals in the zoo’s world-class exhibits, like Gorilla World, Africa, Cat Canyon, and Painted Dog Valley.
Family programs are available as well as special events throughout the year.
The botanical garden has many exhibits that are also educational, where you can learn about the best plants for pollinators, native plants, or take part in one of the many symposiums and classes offered throughout the year.
Music Hall
The splendidly renovated 1878 Music Hall is one of the finest buildings in Cincinnati. The expansive Music Hall is in Cincinnati’s re-energized Over-the-Rhine neighborhood at Washington Park, with a stunning presence.
The facade contains arched entrance ways below one huge round window and is flanked by two square towers. The Music Hall is home to the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet, and Cincinnati Opera.
It features two tiers of balconies and an ornate ceiling with decorative panels that give it a particular charm. The Music Hall Ballroom can accommodate some 1,300 people and is used for events and exhibitions.
Events requiring a more intimate setting are held in the Corbett Tower, which holds just 300 people.
Cincinnati Museum Center
The Cincinnati Union Terminal, an Art Deco railroad station built in 1933, has been occupied since 1990 by the Cincinnati Museum Center.
The center is a Cincinnati icon and features three museums at its one location at Union Station. These include the Cincinnati History Museum, Duke Energy Children’s Museum, and the Museum of Natural History and Science.
Other tourist attractions here include an OMNIMAX Theater and the Cincinnati History Library and Archives. The Museum Center has an active schedule of traveling national and international exhibits.