The Cincinnati Riverwalk You'll Want To Visit Again And Again
By Andrea Limke|Published October 14, 2018
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Andrea Limke
Author
A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.
Cincinnati has been named one of the most walkable cities in the country, and if you’ve spent any time downtown recently, you’d likely agree, especially thanks to the beautiful walkway that runs along the river. Locals don’t often think of the Cincinnati Riverwalk as a hiking trail in our city, but that’s what it is, just on a paved path. It really is an officially planned out walk in Cincinnati and it’s one you’ll want to visit again and again.
Cincinnati is a scenic city with many wonderful places to walk and wander. There have long been spots along the river to explore and get some exercise, but with the completion and extension to Smale Riverfront Park, the Cincinnati Riverwalk is now a true destination.
Also called the Ohio River Trail, it's several miles long and winds along the river in both Cincinnati and Kentucky. It's a great place for both locals and visitors to experience the city and get a taste for its history, beauty, and charm.
A good place to begin is near the Roebling Suspension Bridge, adjacent to Smale Riverfront Park. Be sure to actually walk across Cincinnati's most distinctive bridge for amazing views of the city, the river, and the bridge itself.
The easy-to-follow path keeps you right along the river and is ideal for families, walkers, runners, and anyone looking for a relaxing time outdoors. Enjoy the Riverwalk in small chunks or spend a few hours strolling along.
Another destination worth heading off the trail for is Smale Riverfront Park. These river-facing swings are a must, and the gardens are also a great place to visit any time of year.
As you head further east along the path, you'll eventually make it to Sawyer Point, which is an older, but just as appealing park. There's a lot of history here, so make sure to take time to read the markers and look down on the walkway for bits of Cincinnati trivia.
The trail heads across the river into Kentucky, so don't miss out on this opportunity to see Cincinnati's skyline from the Bluegrass State. Cross the Ohio River using the Purple People Bridge and you can snap a picture of yourself in two states at once.
Over in Newport, there are several spots to take in the view before heading back to Ohio. Even if you've been down to the Cincinnati Riverwalk before, lace up your gym shoes and check it out again. It's fun to play tourist in your own city and this incredible trail along the river is a great place to do so.
The Cincinnati Riverwalk is a beautiful trail that shows off our downtown area, the Ohio River, and Northern Kentucky, and it’s a path you’ll want to visit again and again. Have you walked the entire Riverwalk downtown and across the bridges to Kentucky? What other places do you love to walk around in Cincinnati? Let us know in the comments!
If you do plan on heading to the Riverwalk, be sure to spend time at Smale Riverfront Park, featured in our previous article here.
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