Essentials Clip-clop through downtown on a horse-drawn carriage ride offered by one of the companies stationed near Fountain Square (Fifth and Vine sts.), Cincinnati's entertainment hub where you'll find plenty of things to do. Don't forget to snap some photos of the iconic 1871 Tyler Davidson Fountain before or after your tour.
Pay a visit to the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal (1301 Western Ave.), home to three stellar museums and a state-of-the-art theater. Learn about the Queen City's past at the Cincinnati History Museum , stroll through prehistoric landscapes at the Museum of Natural History & Science , let the kids take charge at the The Children's Museum and become immersed in breathtaking films at the Robert D. Lindner Family OMNIMAX Theater .
Meet all sorts of fascinating creatures—from Bengal tigers to horned puffins to dart frogs—in a beautiful garden setting at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden (3400 Vine St.). Be sure to check the schedule for the always-amusing shows and feedings, and if you happen to be visiting during the holiday season, don't miss the spectacular PNC Festival of Lights event.
See a Reds—the world's first pro baseball team—ballgame or go on Great American Ball Park Tours ' (100 Joe Nuxhall Way) guided behind-the-scenes tour of the Reds' 42,271-seat stadium.
Reflect on Cincinnati's role in the fight for freedom at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (50 E. Freedom Way). Interactive exhibits, professional displays, special-effects films and a children's gallery portray the history of slavery in North America, focusing on the secret network followed by thousands of fugitive slaves seeking liberty.
Shop ‘til you drop, then linger over food or drinks in Mount Adams (just north of downtown), one of Cincinnati's most exclusive residential and business districts. Reminiscent of San Francisco, this hip, architecturally stunning hilltop community features narrow streets and an eclectic mix of places to eat, bars and specialty stores. Many restaurant decks afford panoramas of downtown, the Ohio River and parts of Kentucky.
Explore Eden Park (950 Eden Park Dr.), a lovely 186-acre green space linked to Mount Adams by the Art Deco-style Ida Street Viaduct. Walk or jog along worn paths and soak up views of the lakes, gardens, memorial tree groves and other landmarks; peruse 6,000 years' worth of captivating art and artifacts at the Cincinnati Art Museum (953 Eden Park Dr.); enter greenhouses filled with tropical and desert plants, orchids and bonsai at Krohn Conservatory (1501 Eden Park Dr.); or watch a modern American or European drama at Playhouse in the Park (962 Mt. Adams Cir.).
Get tickets to see a show at either the Aronoff Center for the Arts (650 Walnut St.) or Music Hall (1241 Elm St.)—stylistically different but equally lovely buildings. The pair houses many of the city's music, theater and dance companies.
Eyeball some world-class pieces at the Taft Museum of Art (316 Pike St.). Displayed in an 1820 Palladian mansion that's a work of art in itself, the museum's outstanding collection includes sculpture, Chinese porcelains, old masters paintings, European decorative arts, antique watches and more.
Brave The Beast and the Diamondback, two roller coasters guaranteed to make you scream, or perhaps the Banshee, the world’s longest inverted roller coaster. Kings Island in nearby Mason (6300 Kings Island Dr.) is a destination that thrills families not only with hair-raising rides but also with live stage shows, animatronic dinosaurs, a Peanuts-themed kiddie area, and a water park featuring slides, wave pools and tropical lagoons.
Cincinnati, OH
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Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza35 W 5th St. Cincinnati, OH 45202
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The Cincinnatian Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton601 Vine St. Cincinnati, OH 45202
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The Westin Cincinnati21 E 5th St. Cincinnati, OH 45202
Book NowCity Population
296,943
Elevation
820 ft.
Sales Tax
The Cincinnati area has a 7 percent sales tax. A lodging tax of 13.5 percent is applicable in Hamilton County. There is a 12 percent rental car tax with an additional 9 percent recoupment tax. The northern Kentucky lodging tax is 11.24 percent.
Emergency
911
Police (non-emergency)
(513) 765-1212
Fire (non-emergency)
(513) 765-1212
Time and Temperature
(513) 721-1700
Hospitals
The Christ Hospital, (513) 585-2000; Good Samaritan Hospital, (513) 862-1400; The Jewish Hospital, (513) 686-3000; Mercy Health Anderson Hospital, (513) 624-4500; Mercy Health West Hospital, (513) 215-5000; UC Health Academic Medical Center, (513) 584-1000.
Visitor Information
50 E. Rivercenter Blvd Suite 810 Covington, KY 41011. Phone:(859)581-2260 or (800)543-2613
Air Travel
Major passenger airlines serve the
Rental Cars
Hertz offers discounts to AAA members; phone (859) 767-3535 or (800) 654-3080.
Rail Service
The Amtrak station, (800) 872-7245, is at 1301 Western Ave. inside historic Union Terminal.
Buses
Greyhound Lines Inc., (800) 231-2222, 1005 Gilbert Ave., is the major company serving the city. Megabus, (877) 462-6342, offers routes to several cities.
Taxis
Taxis are metered and charge $4 for a pickup and $2 per mile. There is no charge for additional passengers. Taxis can be hailed at downtown hotels or ordered by phone. Companies include Cincinnati Taxi Inc., (513) 666-2184, and Towne Taxi, (513) 761-7700.
Public Transportation
Metro operates buses throughout the metropolitan area. The base fare is $1.75. Exact change is required, and zone and transfer charges are additional. Signs at many bus stops list the numbers of the routes that stop there.
As a AAA member, you'll save even more. Your AAA Travel Agent will check to see if AAA Vacations is combinable with other AAA member benefits, plus cruise and tour past passenger discounts and benefits.