Cincinnati Bucket List

Consistently ranked among the top zoos in North America, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is home to 500+ animals and 3,000+ plant species. It’s one of the oldest zoo in United States, having opened in 1875 and becoming a National Historic Landmark in 1987.

The Cincinnati Zoo’s most notable resident comes from a moment of infamy in 2016 when Harambe, a 17-year old gorilla weighing 440 pounds, was fatally shot by zoo staff after a boy fell into his enclosure.

This lively local hub has been a food lover’s paradise for ages: Findlay Market is Ohio’s oldest continuously operating public market. Year-round, both indoors and out, you’ll find vendors selling a wide variety of meat, fish, poultry, flowers, cheeses, ethnic foods and much more. Grab something delicious, shop from local artisans, and enjoy entertainment from street performers as passersby take it all in.

The Cincinnati Reds were the world’s first professional baseball franchise, but their stadium is relatively new, first opening in 2003.

The stadium features a number of unique features including two huge smokestacks in centerfield paying tribute to 19th century steamboats of the nearby Ohio River; views of Cincinnati’s skyline can be seen through an intentional space in the third base concourse called “The Gap”.

The Cincinnati Museum Center is a collection of museums and attractions located in Union Terminal. The complex features 5 primary buildings: (1) Cincinnati History Museum, (2) Museum of Natural History & Science, (3) Omnimax Theater, (4) Cincinnati History Library, and (5) Duke Energy Children’s Museum.

Locals call it “Cincy Museum” but considering the breadth and depth of its collection, each entity deserves its own due. Whether you’re looking to kill a few hours or spend an entire day, you’ll find a variety of options at the Cincinnati Museum Center.

This Victorian Gothic building, constructed in 1878 on top of a cemetery, is hauntingly beautiful, but its reputation as one of the most terrifying places in America pales in comparison to its cultural importance: the Cincinnati Music Hall is home to the Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera, May Festival Chorus, and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.

While the Music Hall’s facade is among the most recognizable in Cincinnati, visitors who enter the multi-building complex are treated to an equally gorgeous interior that has played host to some of pop culture’s biggest stars.

In the middle of Eden Park is this 1933-built Art Deco conservatory with 3,500+ plant species from around the world. You’ll find a Fern House, Palm House, Desert House, Orchid House, Bonsai Gallery, Koi Pond, and seasonal Floral Showroom that hosts special events throughout the year.

At the foot of the Roebling Bridge, connecting downtown Cincinnati with a network of public parks, you’ll find Smale Riverfront Park- 45-acres of family-friendly amenities with great views of action on the Ohio River. It’s a favorite place for Cincinnati locals to picnic, play, walk, bike, climb, splash, and more. Frequent festivals, farmers markets, and other special events make the calendar worth keeping an eye on.

Everyone will find something to love in the Cincinnati Art Museum, home to 67,000+ pieces spanning 6,000 years of human history. It was founded in 1881 and its collection includes masterpieces from Botticelli, Renoir, van Gogh, Picasso, and Monet, but it also showcases local talent; a major renovation built in 2003 added the “Cincinnati Wing” with 15 galleries and 18,000 square feet dedicated to Cincinnati art and artists.

A cemetery stroll may not sound like fun, but world-renowned landscape architect Adolph Strauch had other plans when he designed Spring Grove Cemetery in 1845. His use of the land’s natural landscape, incorporating lakes, ponds, trees, and shrubs, helped pioneer the concept of garden cemeteries, earning international acclaim. Sculptures added beauty, footbridges added walkability, and limits on monument heights kept the property open and serene.

Spring Grove Cemetery is undoubtedly among the most beautiful cemeteries in the world and at 750+ acres it’s among the largest in the United States; Civil War generals, politicians, and Hall of Fame athletes among those laid to rest within its borders.

Taking a walk, run, or bike ride along the paved path of Cincinnati Riverwalk will lead you past some of the city’s most notable landmarks and attractions.

Located on the north bank of the Ohio River, Cincinnati Riverwalk has beautiful scenic views traversing several area parks. Once completed, Riverwalk will span 23 miles, from Coney Island through Downtown to Sayler Park. The trail is officially named the “Ohio River Trail”.

The most popular park in Cincinnati, Eden Park, is home to a number of interesting features that make it a must-see attraction when visiting the city, starting with the historic castle-like arch at its entrance (Elsinore Arch, built in 1883).

In addition to housing popular attractions such as the Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati Playhouse, and Krohn Conservatory, Eden Park’s own landmarks are numerous. Popular points of interest within its 186 acres include the Hinkle Magnolia Garden’s picturesque gazebo, Seasongood Pavilion which hosts concerts, Mirror Lake, and Twin Lakes. Paths and footbridges take you through the enchanting area, boasting impressive views of the Ohio River as you pass sculptures, playgrounds, and beautiful historic groves.

The birthplace of the 27th President of the United States, William Howard Taft, can be found about a mile north of downtown Cincinnati in the Mount Auburn neighborhood. The two-story Greek Revival home was built by Taft’s parents in 1845, eventually giving birth to the eventual President here in 1857.

In addition to the birthplace building, which has been restored to the condition and filled with relics from Taft’s childhood, you’ll find the Taft Education Center which serves as the property’s official Visitor Center.