The ultimate Cincinnati bucket list

Exploring Cincinnati has been (and still is) one of my favorite ways to step outside the dorm and take a break from student life. Getting off campus helped me reset, explore something new and feel more connected to the city beyond UC.

Cincinnati is also surprisingly easy to navigate. It’s big enough to offer endless things to do, but not so overwhelming that it feels inaccessible.

When I moved to Cincinnati from Illinois, I knew being here was a special opportunity. I wanted to make the most of my time —balancing classes with experiences that would help me truly enjoy life in the city.

So, I created my own Cincinnati bucket list to make sure I didn’t miss out on the best adventures Cincy has to offer (and so you dont either!).

Many of the city’s most popular spots feel safe and welcoming during the day, and as a young woman, I’ve felt comfortable visiting parks and exploring neighborhoods on my own.

Even better, many attractions are free, and UC students can take advantage of free Metro rides to get to some of the city’s most popular destinations. 

Here are a few of my favorite Cincinnati experiences that helped me fall in love with the city.

Cost: Free

Driving distance from campus: 10 minutes

Resting on a hilltop that overlooks the city, the Cincinnati Art Museum holds a lot of local, national and international art. Some of my favorite pieces include a miniature model of the Fountain Square fountain that is located on Fifth Street, paintings of Ohio in from the 1700s and 1800 and a mummy that is said to haunt the museum.

The museum can be a great place to spend hours looking at art, and learning about the history of Cincinnati. Plus, both parking and admission at the museum are free.

Cost: Free

Driving distance from campus: 10 minutes

The Cincinnati Art Museum is located within Eden Park, which spreads about a mile and a half parallel to the Ohio River. There, visitors can walk around Mirror Lake, see gorgeous flowers when walking by the Krohn Conservatory and watch the sunset overlooking the city and the Ohio River.

There are also so many little trails to discover and lots of picnic benches where you can do homework or have lunch with friends.

My favorite part of the park is the Eden Park Overlook, which you can either walk to from the Art Museum portion of the park, or drive to separately. There you can see the beautiful views of the Ohio River stretching on either side, with steamboats on the water and rolling Kentucky hills.

Cost: Free

Driving distance from campus: 15 minutes

Walking around the riverfront is a great way to get the Cincinnati experience for free. My personal recommendation would be to start across the street from Paycor Stadium (home of the Cincinnati Bengals), then walk around the Roebling Bridge, ending at Sawyer Point Park under the Big Mac Bridge.

I usually like to park near the Sawyer Point Pickleball and Tennis Courts, where parking is free. There are so many things to see and do along the river. Some of my favorite highlights include:

• Enjoying the views of the Roebling Suspension Bridge

• Walking past both the Bengals and Reds stadiums

• The swinging park benches in Smale Riverfront Park facing the river

• Smale Riverfront Park Rose Garden

• Walking across the People Purple Bridge (and being in both Kentucky and Ohio at the same time)

• Playing pickleball with friends at Sawyer Point Park

• Going for a run along the Ohio River

Cost: Starting at around $4 for a scoop

Driving distance from campus: 15 minutes

One of my favorite things to do at the beginning of the semester or during the summertime is go get Graeter’s ice cream and sit at a table on Fountain Square.

Graeter’s is a local Cincinnati treasure and has some of the best ice cream and flavors, with plenty of locations all around Greater Cincinnati.

Fountain Square is also home to the iconic Tyler Davidson Fountain, a 43-foot-tall landmark known as “The Genius of Water.” The fountain features detailed sculptures of people and animals, with a central female figure whose outstretched arms send water cascading below.

Surrounding the fountain are plenty of tables and seating, making it an easy spot to relax and soak up some sunshine. Depending on the day, you might even catch live music or a public event happening in the square.

In the winter, Fountain Square still feels lively with seasonal lights, decorations and events that bring energy to downtown. Even on colder days, it’s a great spot to walk through, meet up with friends, or take a break between errands.

With plenty of nearby coffee shops and restaurants, it’s easy to warm up and keep exploring the city.

Cost: Free to enter; prices vary by vendor
Driving distance from campus: About 5 minutes

Located in nearby Over-the-Rhine, Findlay Market is a historic, year-round public market — and the oldest continuously operated public market in Ohio. It has a main indoor building filled with vendors, surrounded by a few blocks of local shops and restaurants.

In the summer, the main building opens up with vendors spilling out onto the street, plus an outdoor farmers market on weekends.

During the winter, everything moves inside the heated main building, making it a perfect cold-weather stop.

You can find handmade goods from local artists, fresh produce, spices, meats (yes, even lobster), pastries, gelato and more. One time, my friend even spotted a Bengals player shopping there.

The market itself is free to explore, but it’s easy to spend some money if you’re grabbing food or a handmade item. I usually spend around $20 per visit for a meal or small treat.

If you’re driving, the Findlay Market North Garage offers convenient hourly parking and is located near TQL Stadium, home of FC Cincinnati.

Even if you’re not a huge baseball fan, going to a Reds game is an experience worth having.

Great American Ball Park sits right along the Ohio River, and if you’re seated high enough, you can catch views of the river, passing steamboats, nearby bridges and the rolling hills of Kentucky.

Night games are especially fun, with sunset views over the water and the city lighting up around the stadium. After every Friday home game, the Reds host a fireworks show, which is always a highlight.

Parking and traffic can get a little hectic on game days, but I usually park at the East Garage on Pete Rose Way, just a short walk from the stadium. I’ve been to several games, and I always have a great time — even when the Reds don’t win.

The more time I spend in Cincinnati, the more it feels like home. I’m constantly discovering new places to explore and adding to my bucket list, and there’s still so much more I want to see and do.

I’ve had some amazing experiences here, and I hope this list helps you create your own while you’re in Cincy, too.