Honestly, when I think of the beginnings of Cincinati, I see not only the typical images of river ports and horse cars, but a small “Queen City” Cornfeld, which was in the 19th century. Century suddenly mutated to the industrial junction on the Ohio River. My ancestors told me how the city was overrun by German immigrants after the American War of Independence – a bit like a huge Sauerkraut building block, only that the factories were the herb. Today I stroll through the same roads that were once driven by steamships and wonder why some visitors still believe that this is just a “forgotten industrial location”. I don't quite understand the hype around the skyline, but the true heart lies in the small streets of Over-the-Rhine, where the headstone paver whispers stories of blacksmiths and breweries. If you're riding a bike over the John A. Roebling Bridge, you'll get a view of the river that once was the backbone of the city – without a tourist bus. And yes, the word “Cincinnati Sights” appears more often here, because I believe that you understand the city correctly when you accept their contradictory facets: a bit proud, a bit cynical, but always really great. Public transport, especially the metro buses, quickly takes you from downtown to the quiet West End, where you can feel the real life without a guide telling you every stone.
With the map tool, you can plan the ideal location for a photo online in advance – taking into account the sun's path and the surroundings.
Here's how it works:
Advantage:
You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site – ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Cincinnati, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
The first stop was the huge, neon-gloss kingdom of the roller coasters in Mason – Kings Island. I have to admit, I was skeptical because I am not just a fan of endless queues, but the mixture of rapid drops and the occasional “I-bin-a- adult and –I-mag-the-not--more” barrier of my accompaniment has quickly convinced me. Parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you don't arrive on Friday night after work – then the parking space field turns into a battlefield of uplifting SUVs.
A short jump over the Ohio River and you land in Newport Aquarium in Kentucky, which proves to be a surprisingly quiet retreat if you want to escape the urban hustle. I saw a huge jelly dance there, which almost left me forgetting that I was just looking for a snack. The staff is friendly, but the tickets cost almost as much as a good dinner in over-the-rhine – no joke.
Further north, almost like a small trip to nature, this is Cincinnati Nature Center in Milford. There are more trees than people, and that's exactly what I need on a rainy Saturday. The way to the Rowe Woods is lined with information boards that betray more about domestic birds than I ever thought necessary, but I still got caught up with how I read every sign loud – a bit annoying, but honestly, that was really great.
A few miles further, the Little Miami Scenic Trail, a 78-km runway that cuts through the heart of the Ohio Valley. I once straightened a half day with a friend until we arrived at the Clifton Gorge, where the water is so clear that you almost feel like standing in a commercial. The best thing: The trail system is free, and parking is usually a children's game as long as you don't arrive at a group of families that have the same goal on the weekend.
A bit further east, almost a day trip, this is National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton. I don't understand the hype about military museums, but the huge aircraft that are exhibited there still impressed me – especially the B-52 model that was almost as big as a small house. The museum is free, and parking is almost always free, which is a rare consolation in this area.
If you're looking for something that looks a bit like a trip from a Middle Ages-Roman, then that's Loveland Castle That's right. The castle was built in the 1920s by a Scottish immigrant who apparently had too much time and too much stone. I discovered a small café that serves amazingly good scones – a perfect place to read a book while you ask why no one builds more castles in Ohio.
A last secret tip I almost forgot is that Hueston Woods State Park in Hamilton County. The lake there is crystal clear, and the trails lead through dense forests that offer a firework of colors in autumn. I made a picnic there that was almost disturbed by a group of ducks who apparently thought I had bread with it – a small but unforgettable moment.
Whether you're looking for adrenaline, history, nature or a hint of medieval charm, the surroundings of Cincinnati provide a colourful mix that delights every modern traveler. This selection Cincinnati Attractions outside the city center shows that the surrounding area has as much to offer as the real metropolis – and this often with less crowds and more authentic flair.
So, if you ask me, the true heart of Cincinati is that Findings. I came past a rainy Tuesday for the first time, because I thought I could grab some fresh tomatoes – and instead landed in a spontaneous jam session with a saxophonist who just spent his lunch break in the stands. The market is not only a place to shop, but a small social laboratory where you almost feel like living in a different time between the stands of local bakers, cheese producers and a stand that is supposed to serve the best chili dog in the city. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you are not there on Saturday night with the rest of the city – then the car park becomes a battlefield.
Directly next to the market, the historic district Over-the-Rhine through the city, and yes, I know the name sounds like a hip Berlin club, but this is about brick Gothic and a bit of gentrification that you cannot ignore. I spent an afternoon browsing in a tiny bookstore that had more vintage posters than books, and then sitting in a café that focuses so much on sustainability that the water comes from a rainwater tank. If you ask yourself if this is too loud – yes, it is, but that is part of the charm. And if you're lost, just the Metro-Stop “Over‐the‐Rhine”, this is your rescue anchor.
A short walk over John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge leads you over the Ohio River and gives you the feeling of being a bit like a 19-century adventurer, just doing selfies with the river in the background instead. The view of the skyline of Cincinnati at sunset is so good that I almost forgot that I was actually on the go after a quick photo for Instagram. The bridge is free, and parking on the Ohio side is usually a piece of cake – but if you come by bike, you have the best ticket for the show.
If you need a little bit of nature, Smale Riverfront Park what you need. I did a picnic there while a few children played with huge gums in the water and a street artist tried to build a hat of balloons – the result was a bit like a misfortune UFO, but hey, that's art, right? The park has free Wi-Fi, so you can provide your friends with pictures and a live stream of your adventures at the same time. And the best thing: there are seats everywhere, so you don't have to look for a free table.
A little culture? The Cincinati Art Museum is a place I visit again and again because the collection of American art is simply too good to overlook it. I remember standing in a corner and suddenly being almost overwhelmed by a huge painting by John Singer Sargent – that was a moment when I thought the picture would stare at me. The museum is located in the Eden Park, so after the visit you can take a short walk through the adjacent Rosengarten. Admission is free, but if you are an art lover, bring a few euros for the café that tastes better than what you get in the museum itself.
For those who prefer to see something unusual, this is American Sign Museum an absolute must. I spent an afternoon surrounded by neon lights that were so bright that I almost forgot my sunglasses. The museum is a bit like a time travel trip to the 80s, only that you not only see the signs, but also the stories behind them. Practical: The museum is close to the Fountain SquareSo after that, you can have a quick coffee there before you get back to the getaway.
And yes, I have to National Underground Railroad Freedom Center because that is just too important to pass it. I was there on a rainy day, and the exhibition really knocked me around – not just because of history, but because the presentation is so modern and interactive that I felt almost like in an escape room. The center is located on the river, so you can still have a short trip to Fountain Square where to relax with a local beer. Parking is a bit tricky here, but if you are Metro- Take bus, you're faster than you can say "Freedoms".
Finally, a little hint I always forget to mention: If you have a list of Cincinnati Attractions search, you will quickly realize that the city has more to offer than the usual tourist brochures. My recommendation? Let the locals guide you, take the bike, try the food you don't know, and be ready to stumble a bit – this is the real adventure here.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
