Whether you’re visiting a family member, planning a vacation, or scoping the market for Cincinnati houses for sale, Ohio’s famed ‘Queen City’ has so many must-see tourist options that there really is something for everyone. Here are four of the absolute best.
The Great American Ball Park
If you believe baseball is indeed the great American pastime, then the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati is not to be missed. Home to the Cincinnati Reds, this stadium is historic in more ways than one. Not only are the Reds the first professional baseball franchise in US history, but the Great American Ball Park actually incorporates the remains of Crosley Field, where it all began.
Time your trip to Ohio to coincide with baseball season to take in a game and enjoy the ballpark in its full splendor. Can’t make it during the season? That’s okay. Also on-site is the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum, a destination positively bursting with awe-inspiring displays that pay tribute to the history of this timeless sport.
The Cincinnati Museum Center
Museums always make for reliable tourist attractions, gathering together a wealth of information, art, and culture into a single place. But many cities have more than one museum, making it hard to decide which one to go to. The Cincinnati Museum Center solves that problem handily by bringing together the Cincinnati History Museum, the Duke Energy Children’s Museum, and the Museum of Natural History and Science under a single roof.
Even the building itself is both a work of art and monument to local history. Originally serving as a railroad station in the ‘30s before obtaining iconic status as an Ohio landmark thanks to its striking Art Deco architecture. All that, plus an active calendar offering traveling exhibits from across the world, ensure you’ll never be left wanting for something fun to do.
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
If your taste in tourism skews more towards exotic animals than old-timey artifacts, then the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden will definitely scratch that itch. Being that this is actually the second oldest zoo in America, it should come as no surprise that it’s also one of the biggest and best. Don’t schedule anything else if you’re planning a day at Cincinnati Zoo, because a full day is indeed what it takes to see it all.
Not only is the zoo world-famous for its majestic white Bengal tigers, gorillas, and various endangered species, it’s also home to rides, live shows, a 4D movie theater, up-close encounters, and the largest insectarium anywhere on Earth.
The American Sign Museum
One of Ohio’s quirkiest, coolest hidden gems, The American Sign Museum is 20,000 square feet full of retro-kitsch and pop culture history. Inside the museum’s walls, you’ll find every kind of sign you can imagine, from old wooden signs to elaborate flashing electric displays that wouldn’t look out of place decorating the Las Vegas strip.
That’s not all, though. Visitors can drop by the Neon Shop to watch experienced sign-makers practice their craft, take a go-at-your-own-pace audio tour, or even participate in a museum-wide scavenger hunt. Altogether, the American Sign Museum is a dazzling feast for the senses and a treasure trove of Instagram photo ops.
A trip around Cincinnati would make for an amazing entry in your class teddy bear diary. If you can’t make it that far though, here’s some tips to fill it up easily.