The 9 Very Best Day Trips You Can Possibly Take Near Cincinnati

Even though there is plenty to do right here in Cincinnati, sometimes you just need a day to get away. With Cincinnati’s ideal location in the tristate area, there is no shortage of day trip destinations. We’ve rounded up the 9 very best day trips near Cincinnati and we think you’ll want to take every single one.

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At just over two hours from Cincinnati, Grayson Lake State Park in Kentucky is the perfect escape to reconnect with nature. The lake is like nothing you've ever seen and the surrounding hiking trails are beautiful during every season. For more information, check out our recent article here.

Facebook/Oxford Farmers Market Uptown

45 minutes north of Cincinnati is the picturesque college town of Oxford. If you have never visited this idyllic campus and uptown, you really need to at least once.

Facebook/Louisville Mega Cavern

An easy hour and a half drive south to Louisville will take you to the ultimate underground playground - Mega Cavern. You can zipline, take a tour, and experience the only fully underground aerial ropes challenge course in the world! For more information, check out our recent article here.

Facebook/French Lick Scenic Railway

For a unique day trip, head about two and a half hours into southern Indiana to the French Lick Scenic Railway. They offer themed and regular rides throughout the year and there are plenty of other activities in the area, as well. You'll find more information about their stunning Fall Foliage train ride here.

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You won't have to go far to experience this timeless Cincinnati excursion. BB Riverboats board for their cruises in Newport, but you'll get to take in some of the best views you'll ever see of Cincinnati. For more information, check out our recent article about the riverboat cruises here.

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Located between Lexington and Frankfort, Midway is an enchanting small town in one of the most beautiful areas of horse country. Filled with charming shops and delicious restaurants, it's a lovely drive from Cincinnati and a great way to spend a day.

Facebook/Ozone Zipline Adventures

For an adventurous day trip, check out Ozone Zipline Adventures in Warren County. As the best zipline course in the area, you'll fly through the trees and enjoy a thrill, and it's less than an hour from Cincinnati! For more information, check out our recent article about this cool canopy adventure here.

Facebook/Children's Museum of Indianapolis

The world's largest children's museum is a short drive from Cincinnati, over in Indianapolis. It's a fun day trip for all ages and an easy spot to explore for an entire day. For more information, check out our recent article about this one-of-a-kind museum here.

Facebook/The Wilds

We all know we have a fabulous zoo in Cincinnati, but if you'd like another way to get up close and personal with exotic animals, you only have to travel three hours to reach The Wilds. You can choose from a variety of tours and experiences (these must be booked ahead of time), and it's definitely one of the most unique day trips in the area! You can find more information about The Wilds in our recent article here.

These 9 day trips just begin to scratch the surface of nearby destinations to explore. How many of these have you visited? Are there any you think we should add? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!