No More Gatekeeping! I’m a Local and These Are My Favorite Things To Do in Cincinnati, Ohio

I've lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, for most of my life. While I have an insatiable appetite for travel, my hometown is my happy place — and home base.

Cincinnati is a humble little city that's a wonderful place to live. We have world-class attractions and a surprising number of parks, nature preserves, and forests. We have every sports team imaginable and the best, most loyal fans. We have charming neighborhoods, unique small businesses, and the kind of polite, Midwestern sensibility that includes a little Southern flair; I say "y'all," and I'm in good company.

The best thing about living in Cincinnati is what a hidden gem it is... but as a local, I don't want to gatekeep because it's pretty awesome here, y'all. Here are some of my favorite things to do in Cincinnati, Ohio:

Cincinnati Sports

I'm not a competitive person, and that's a good quality for sports fans here in the Queen City... because it's been a minute since a local team has made it to the postseason. When I was five, the Cincinnati Bengals AND Cincinnati Reds earned our town big bragging rights, and while the ensuing decades haven't quite delivered the same level of swagger, the unrelenting love and pride Cincinnati has in its teams is, frankly, inspiring.

Of course, the Queen City is also home to pro hockey and soccer teams, AND the college basketball scene here is fierce! (I'm a Muskie for life.)

The Cincinnati Art Museum. Or the Cincinnati Museum Center. Or the Taft Museum. Or...

If you're a big museum nerd, you'd be hard-pressed to find a city with more museums per capita than Cincinnati. Okay, that's my [very] unscientific observation, but I'm not wrong. The Cincinnati Art Museum isn't just a mecca for art (oh, and general admission to this awesome museum is always FREE!). It's nestled in cozy Mt. Adams, a beautiful 'burb perched on a hill with painted ladies and dazzling downtown views that display our town's most photogenic angles. One of my first dates with my now-husband was at the Art Museum and it remains at the top of my list of places that are always a good idea to visit.

Of course, this magnificent museum is one of many that call the Queen City home; definitely check out places like the Taft Museum, the Cincinnati Museum Center (a one-stop shop with multiple museums, y'all!), the Contemporary Arts Center, the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame Museum, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the American Sign Museum, and... well, you get the point.

Cincinnati bookstores. And libraries. And...

I am an avid reader, and guess what? Cincinnati has been hailed as one of the best cities for book lovers. Not only are the Cincinnati and Hamilton County public libraries amazing resources for book lovers (I read every night and don't know what I'd do without Libby), but the volume and variety of bookstores — new and used — in Cincinnati are unrivaled.

My favorite local bookstore is Household Books, a really cool space owned by a good friend and fellow bibliophile that boasts the most unique and artful curation of used and rare titles. Every visit to Household Books is an experience.

#TeamFiona

The Cincinnati Zoo has always been a must-visit attraction in town; I have fond memories of going to the Zoo with my grandma and younger brothers on hot, sticky summer days in the late '80s and early '90s. Back then, I got to ride a camel! Talk about a core memory.

Today, the Cincinnati Zoo remains a perennial favorite known for its interactive exhibits, conservation efforts, and stunning botanical gardens. Whether you're a mom with young kids, a couple going on a day date, or a photographer looking to sharpen your skills, the Cincinnati Zoo has something for everyone. (And, yes, Fiona and Fritz are every bit as adorable in person, but the giraffes are my all-time favorite.)

Kings Island

Kings Island (and Soak City) is kind of a big deal around here and for good reason. Whether you're a roller coaster enthusiast or more into a lazy river float, this epic destination in Ohio's Largest Playground makes for a very thrilling, very memorable day.

The arts - festivals, Broadway in Cincinnati, the Pops!

Cincinnati might not be Austin or Nashville, but that doesn't mean we aren't a (lowercase) music city. The Cincinnati Music Festival is one of the largest music festivals in the country, and Cincinnati's sports arenas and bevy of indoor and outdoor venues draw some of the biggest names in music. (Taylor Swift came to Cincinnati in 2023 for her Eras tour... we're kind of a big deal.)

Outside of popular music, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops are iconic, and if you're into the finer things in life, the Cincinnati Opera and Broadway in Cincinnati provide lots of opportunities for a dressy night out on the town.

Hometown Love

Cincinnati's suburbs are all absolutely adorable and charming: inner-ring neighborhoods like Oakley, Hyde Park, Madeira, Loveland, Pleasant Ridge, Westwood, Mt. Healthy, Mariemont... the list goes on (and on)! I was raised in Milford, a sleepy little 'burb 15 miles east of the city. Today, Old Milford is my favorite place to go; whether it's browsing packs of vinyl at Spiral Groove, grabbing the latest thriller from The Bookmatters, or enjoying a jalapeño margarita at Cincinnati Distilling's rooftop bourbon bar, I always have a good time in downtown Milford.

Bonus: if you're up for a little, teeny tiny day trip, Lebanon is a delightful small town about 30 minutes north of town. Home to the Golden Lamb (Ohio's oldest continually operating business), an old-fashioned railroad, and one of the most cherished holiday festivals in Ohio, Lebanon is a slice of Star's Hollow in southwest Ohio! And if you're into antiques, you'll be in heaven browsing the many antique shops along Lebanon's Main Street.

Cincinnati Dining

So maybe I don't like Skyline Chili. Maybe I'm even a vegetarian... in Porkopolis. That's okay! The whole "all are welcome" mantra certainly applies to the Cincinnati dining scene. While icons like Skyline, LaRosa's, and Montgomery Inn might be no-gos, my plant-based family is very well-fed in Cincinnati. I love Northstar Cafe for pretty much any meal, and the Killer Veggie pizza from Dewey's is a thing of beauty. Green Papaya is a hidden gem for delicious Thai cuisine; the English Muffins from Blue Oven's stand at Findlay Market are anything but basic, and the ice cream from Hello Honey is my favorite thing ever.

The Cincinnati Nature Center

Cincinnati is an incredibly green city, and nowhere is this truer than the eponymous Cincinnati Nature Center (CNC). Despite the fact that "Cincinnati" is in its name, the CNC is one of those places that often falls off the radar of even longtime locals. Hi, I'm a Longtime Local, and every time I visit the CNC to hike or wander, I'm reminded of what an asset it is.

Old-growth forest, fields of pollinators, native plants and animals aplenty, tree-lined lakes and boardwalks with plenty of places to sit... the Cincinnati Nature Center is a fantasy come to life and someplace everyone ought to visit more.

Kayaking

Speaking of the outdoors, I love kayaking, and no summer is complete without a couple of paddles down the Little Miami. The waters are gentle enough for kids but fun enough for adults. My favorite kayaking excursion is five miles and flows past the Loveland Castle, a commanding castle hand-built by a local and real-life knight!

The Cincinnati Riverfront

Cincinnati is a river city, and the Ohio River is a proud and inextricable part of our town's identity and ethos. Happily, there are lots of ways to enjoy the Ohio River, whether it's a dinner cruise aboard BB Riverboats, the stands at Great American Ballpark, the swings at Smale Riverfront Park, or, my favorite, the Purple People Bridge.

For me, there's nothing more comforting than driving over the Ohio River on my way home from CVG, my carry-on packed with souvenirs, and my heart full of memories from my latest adventure.

No matter where I go, Cincinnati, Ohio, will always be home.