22 Fun Things to Do in Cincinnati Ohio – Ultimate Guide

Last updated on September 28th, 2025

From underground brewery tours to haunted walking adventures, Cincinnati Ohio offers endless opportunities for fun and exploration. Whether you’re a foodie craving local flavors, a history buff fascinated by the Queen City’s past, or an art lover seeking cultural gems, these 22 unforgettable experiences showcase the best fun things to do in Cincinnati Ohio.

Here are the top-rated activities for an unforgettable visit to the Queen City.


Why Visit Cincinnati Ohio?

Cincinnati offers:
🍽️ Award-winning food tours and craft breweries
🎨 World-class museums and art collections
🌙 Haunted history and underground adventures
🏆 Unique attractions like the American Sign Museum
🏙 Beautiful parks and iconic bridges


Best Fun Things to Do in Cincinnati Ohio

1. Cincinnati Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours

Discover Cincinnati’s culinary heritage on this 3-hour walking food tour through Over-the-Rhine. Sample local specialties like goetta and Cincinnati-style chili while learning about the city’s German roots.

  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Highlights: 6+ food tastings, historic neighborhood, local guide
  • Perfect for: Food lovers and first-time visitors

2. Ultimate Queen City Underground Tour

Explore Cincinnati’s subterranean history on this fascinating 90-minute underground tour. Discover abandoned tunnels, breweries, and prohibition-era secrets beneath the city streets.

  • Duration: 1.5 hours
  • Highlights: Historic brewery tunnels, prohibition history, unique perspective
  • Perfect for: History enthusiasts and urban explorers

3. Cincinnati Art Museum

The Cincinnati Art Museum in scenic Eden Park boasts over 67,000 works spanning 6,000 years. Admission is free, making it one of the best free fun things to do in Cincinnati Ohio.

  • Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11am-5pm
  • Highlights: Impressionist collection, ancient artifacts, rotating exhibits
  • Perfect for: Art lovers and families

4. Cincy Brunch History and Streetcar Tour with Riverside Food Tours

Combine brunch and history on this unique 3-hour tour featuring Cincinnati’s famous streetcar and delicious brunch stops at local eateries.

  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Highlights: 3 brunch stops, streetcar ride, local history
  • Perfect for: Foodies and history buffs

5. 1919: The Year That Changed Baseball Tour

Sports fans will love this 90-minute walking tour exploring Cincinnati’s pivotal role in the 1919 Black Sox scandal and baseball history.

  • Duration: 1.5 hours
  • Highlights: Historic ballpark sites, scandal stories, baseball memorabilia
  • Perfect for: Sports history enthusiasts

6. Ultimate Queen City is Haunted Tour

Discover Cincinnati’s spooky side on this 90-minute haunted tour featuring ghost stories and paranormal encounters at historic sites.

  • Duration: 1.5 hours
  • Highlights: True ghost stories, historic locations, evening atmosphere
  • Perfect for: Thrill-seekers and paranormal enthusiasts

7. Cincinnati Museum Center

Housed in a stunning Art Deco train station, the Cincinnati Museum Center offers multiple museums in one location, including the Cincinnati History Museum and Duke Energy Children’s Museum.

  • Hours: Daily 10am-5pm
  • Highlights: OMNIMAX theater, historic train displays, rotating exhibits
  • Perfect for: Families and history buffs

8. American Sign Museum

The American Sign Museum showcases over 100 years of sign history with its incredible collection of vintage neon signs and advertising displays.

  • Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 10am-4pm
  • Highlights: Neon sign gallery, working sign shop, photo opportunities
  • Perfect for: Photographers and pop culture fans

9. Hidden Brewery Caverns Tour in Cincinnati with Beer Tasting

Explore Cincinnati’s brewing history on this 2-hour tour through underground lagering tunnels with beer tastings included.

  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Highlights: Historic brewery tunnels, 4 beer samples, expert guide
  • Perfect for: Beer enthusiasts and history lovers

10. Signature Over-the-Rhine Tour

Explore Cincinnati’s most historic neighborhood on this 2-hour walking tour of Over-the-Rhine, featuring stunning architecture and local history.

  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Highlights: Italianate architecture, Findlay Market, neighborhood revitalization
  • Perfect for: Architecture fans and urban explorers

11. Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Cincinnati Sights & Stories

Explore at your own pace with this self-guided smartphone tour featuring downtown Cincinnati’s top landmarks and hidden stories.

  • Duration: Flexible (2-3 hours recommended)
  • Highlights: Fountain Square, Carew Tower, customized route
  • Perfect for: Independent travelers and tech-savvy visitors

12. National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

The powerful National Underground Railroad Freedom Center tells stories of freedom’s heroes from the Underground Railroad era to modern times.

  • Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm
  • Highlights: Slave pen exhibit, contemporary justice issues, Ohio River view
  • Perfect for: History students and social justice advocates

13. Outdoor Escape Room in Cincinnati – The Banks

Solve puzzles while exploring Cincinnati’s riverfront on this innovative outdoor escape room experience at The Banks district.

  • Duration: 1.5 hours
  • Highlights: Team challenges, riverfront views, interactive storytelling
  • Perfect for: Groups and puzzle lovers

14. Streetcar Food Tour and Findlay Market with Riverside Food Tours

Ride Cincinnati’s streetcar to culinary hotspots on this 3-hour food tour featuring Findlay Market and local eateries.

  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Highlights: 6+ tastings, historic market, streetcar ride
  • Perfect for: Food lovers and urban explorers

15. Over The Rhine Cocktail Tour with Riverside Food Tours

Sip craft cocktails while exploring Over-the-Rhine’s vibrant bar scene on this 2.5-hour tour featuring local mixologists.

  • Duration: 2.5 hours
  • Highlights: 3 craft cocktails, speakeasy history, expert guides
  • Perfect for: Cocktail enthusiasts and nightlife lovers

16. Haunted Cincinnati Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour

Combine spirits with spirits on this 2-hour haunted pub crawl featuring ghost stories and drink specials at historic bars.

  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Highlights: 3 drink stops, paranormal stories, historic taverns
  • Perfect for: Adults seeking spirited fun

17. The Escape Game Cincinnati: 60-Minute Adventures at The Banks

Test your puzzle-solving skills at The Escape Game, featuring immersive themed rooms and challenging scenarios perfect for groups.

  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • Highlights: Themed rooms, team challenges, multiple difficulty levels
  • Perfect for: Groups of 2-8 players

18. Krohn Conservatory

This Art Deco greenhouse in Eden Park features 3,500 plant species, seasonal floral shows, and a popular butterfly display each spring.

  • Hours: Daily 10am-5pm
  • Highlights: Butterfly show, desert room, orchid collection
  • Perfect for: Nature lovers and photographers

19. Craft Brewery 3 Stop Hop

Sample Cincinnati’s craft beer scene on this 3-hour brewery tour visiting three local breweries with tastings at each stop.

  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Highlights: 12+ beer samples, behind-the-scenes access, expert guide
  • Perfect for: Beer enthusiasts and social groups

20. Washington Park

This revitalized 6-acre urban park in Over-the-Rhine hosts concerts, movies, and festivals with a dog park, playground, and seasonal ice rink.

  • Hours: 6am-11pm daily
  • Highlights: Free events, historic bandstand, interactive water feature
  • Perfect for: Families and outdoor relaxation

21. John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge

This 1866 engineering marvel connecting Cincinnati to Covington offers panoramic river views and was the prototype for Brooklyn Bridge.

  • Access: Open 24/7 to pedestrians
  • Highlights: Architectural significance, photo opportunities, riverfront access
  • Perfect for: Walkers and photography enthusiasts

22. Nightmare on Elm Street Walking Tour

Experience Cincinnati’s spookiest stories on this 90-minute evening tour focusing on Elm Street’s haunted history and paranormal activity.

  • Duration: 1.5 hours
  • Highlights: True crime stories, haunted locations, atmospheric evening walk
  • Perfect for: Thrill-seekers and true crime fans

FAQs About Fun Things to Do in Cincinnati Ohio

The Cincinnati Art Museum, Washington Park, and walking across the Roebling Suspension Bridge offer fantastic free fun things to do in Cincinnati Ohio.

The Cincinnati Walking Food Tour, Streetcar Food Tour, and Cincy Brunch Tour showcase the city’s diverse culinary scene.

The Cincinnati Museum Center, American Sign Museum, and The Escape Game offer excellent indoor fun things to do in Cincinnati Ohio.

Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer pleasant weather for enjoying all the fun things to do in Cincinnati Ohio.

Yes! The Cincinnati Museum Center, Krohn Conservatory, and Washington Park offer family-friendly fun things to do in Cincinnati Ohio.

Final Tips for Visiting Cincinnati

– Purchase tour tickets in advance for popular experiences
– Wear comfortable shoes for walking tours and exploring neighborhoods
– Check for seasonal events and festivals happening during your visit
– Consider a Cincinnati Pogo Pass for discounted admission to top attractions

From underground adventures to culinary delights, these 22 fun things to do in Cincinnati Ohio showcase why the Queen City is a fantastic destination for travelers of all interests. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or longer, you’ll find no shortage of memorable experiences in this vibrant Midwestern city.


Pierre Blake

Pierre Blake

Travel enthusiast, writer, and photographer. Sharing tips and tricks to help you explore the world on any budget.