On the first steps through the Cincinnati Art Museum you can immediately feel that the Cincinnati Art Museum is more than mere paintings – they are a bit like a well-oiled time machine coffee that swirls you from 1881 to today. I have repeatedly referred to the historic building, which was built in 1886 by James W. McLaughlin, as the “stone and glass cabinet of the city” because it feels like a venerable cousin who talks too much about his family history, but still remains charming. The collection, which now includes over 67,000 works, is a collection of European classics, American modernism and a few surprising local sketches that I personally consider to be the best hidden gems – no joke, that is what makes me come back every time.
When you come across the Riverfront Trail by bike from the Over-the-Rhine district, you will notice that the museum is almost like a calm port, while the city is pulsating around you in its usual, slightly chaotic rhythm. And yes, parking is a bit of an adventure, but a short walk through the adjacent Eden Park is always worth it – there art meets nature, and that creates an atmosphere that unwinds even the most cynical travellers a smile. I don't understand the hype about the huge special exhibitions, but the constant whisper of history in the halls is the real highlight for me.
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The first step from the cool lobby of the museum immediately leads you to a small, almost secret paradise of trees and paths hidden behind the imposing brick building – the Eden Parkwhich I like to consider as the green counterpart to the dusty art catalogue. Here you can find between the sculptures of Ruth Perry while the skyline of Cincinnati glistens like a further, slightly lost relative in the background. Parking is usually a children's game as long as you don't get out of college on Saturday night with a horde hipster – then the car park becomes a battlefield.
A short trip over the bridge to Kentucky brings you to Newport Aquarium, which I describe as an overrated aquarium with too much neon light, but the sharks that slide through the glass have nevertheless made me wonder. I once saw a little boy who desperately tried to feed the jelly – an image that remains in my memory for a long time, because it was the perfect mix of childish curiosity and total unconsciousness. Admission is not cheap, but parking on Riverside Drive is almost always free when you arrive early enough.
A bit further north, in the heart of Mason, lies Kings Island, the true Mecca for adrenaline junkies and families who want to overtake their children with sugar. I do not understand the hype around the wooden rollercoastery “The Beast” – according to my experience, it is rather a loud, swinging piece of wood that sounds more like a bad haircut than a masterpiece. Nevertheless, if you need a little thrill after a day of art and culture, this is a place you should not miss. The parking lot is huge, but on hot summer days it can be a patience sample.
If you have enough of loud rides, I recommend a trip to National Museum of the United States Air Force in Wright-Patterson. The museum is a huge, almost venerable maze of aircraft that breathe more history than any painting in the Cincinnati Art Museum. I once met a veteran who told me how he sat in an F‐4 Phantom in the 70s – his stories were so alive that I almost felt sitting in the cockpit. The museum has a huge parking lot that is almost never full unless you plan your visit on the first Sunday of the month when the special exhibition “World War II Fighters” opens.
A little hidden, but in my opinion one of the most underestimated places is that Cincinnati Nature Center in Milford. There are trails that lead you through untouched forests, and a visitor center that reveals more about the local flora and fauna than you would find in every guide. I once saw a roe that stared at me with a glance, as if it wanted to say: “You are here wrong, but still stay.” Parking is free, and the center even offers a small café area where you can enjoy a coffee after hiking – a real secret tip for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle.
Another short detour leads you Daytonwhere the Dayton Art Institute wait. I have to admit that I was initially skeptical because I thought that was just another museum trying to keep with the Cincinnati Art Museum. But the collection there, especially the impressionistic works, has completely surprised me – almost as if someone had turned the light in another room. The parking lot is a little smaller, but if you're there early enough, you'll get a place without much crowd.
Whether you are looking for a peaceful walk in the park, an adrenaline-laden day in the amusement park, a deep insight into the aviation history or a quiet moment in nature – the environment of the Cincinati Art Museum offers a colourful range of experiences that go far beyond the city boundaries. These Cincinnati Art Museum Attractions show that culture does not only take place in four walls, but extends over the entire region, with an eye-catcher that even brings the most cynical travellers to sneak.
The history of Cincinnati Art Museum begins long before the moment I first stood there with my friend Tom and explained that the building itself is almost an artwork – an imposing neoclassical building dating back to 1886, which stands proudly between the well-kept trees of the Eden Park. I must admit, I was skeptical at first, because the word “museum” was always connected to dusty halls and stiff leaders for me, but this is a place where time seems to be a bit looser to the visitors.
The first stop I always recommend is the Redundum. It is not only the architectural heart of the museum, it also houses a huge, almost monumental painting by Thomas Moran, which captures the American landscape in dramatic light. I started a selfie visit there, because the light was so perfect that I thought I could embed the picture directly into my Instagram feed – no joke, the light was almost too good to be true.
A short detour leads you to European paintingwhere you can find works by Rembrandt, Monet and even a little less well-known but amazingly lively paintings by Giovanni Bellini. I don't quite understand the hype around Monet, but the impressions here have something calming that makes me come back every time I feel that life is too loud. And yes, the museum has a small café next to the gallery, where you get an espresso that is strong enough to carry you through the next hour of art viewing.
If you're looking for something less traditional, look at these Contemporary Art Gallery an – this is what I love because there are always surprising installations that ask more questions than answers. Last year I discovered an interactive lighting installation where you change the entire colour profile of the room by entering the room. I almost felt like a part of the work of art, which was a real kick for someone who usually just stands still in front of paintings.
Another highlight I never miss is the Asian Art Department. There is an impressive collection of Japanese woodcuts and Chinese ceramics that remind me every time that art is not only western. I remember discussing once with a little boy from the group whether the dragons presented are rather frightening or friendly – he insisted they were both at the same time, and I had to admit that he had a point.
For those who like to go outside, there is the Sculpture garden. It is not only a place to rest, but it houses works by Rodin and Henry Moore, which in the green almost seem like a natural part of the landscape. I have often spent my lunch break there, because the rustling of the leaves and the quiet strollers of the nearby well offer a welcome change to the urban hustle. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem – then you either have to grab a taxi or apply the patience of a Zen master.
A little hidden, but absolutely worth seeing, this is Henry and Clara DeWitt Collection- Rooms. There you will find a selection of American furniture and decorative art objects from the 19th century. Centuries that are so detailed that you almost feel that the craftsmen could return and continue working at any moment. I started a conversation there with an antique dresser because it seemed so inviting – no joke, that was a moment I won't forget so fast.
And yes, if you're looking for an overview that summarizes everything, look at them. Cincinnati Art Museum Attractions listed on the official website – this is a bit touristic, but it saves you the endless browsing when you are here for the first time.
Finally, I just have to say that the museum is not only a place to look at art, but a living space where history, present and a bit of crazy creativity come together. I always come back because I never know what new exhibition or what unexpected encounter awaits me during the next visit – and that is exactly what makes a good museum visit.
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