Cincinnati Weekend Getaway: Itinerary For 3 Days

 

If you are planning your Cincinnati weekend getaway, we’ve got you covered. This 3-day itinerary shows you Cincinnati’s best attractions. This vibrant southwestern Ohio city is known for its rich German heritage, unique chili, and the home of America’s oldest baseball team. The city sits on the banks of the Ohio River and was incorporated in 1819.

In its early days, it was a major exporter of pork and hay, with its river location making it a prime location for trade and commerce.

In the mid 19th century, Cincinnati was an important stop on the Underground Railroad as slaves crossed from the slave state of Kentucky into the free state of Ohio.

Today, history lives on in Cincinnati through its architecture and museums, but it’s also a city full of the energy of renewal. There is an entrepreneurial spirit, a wonderful brewery and art scene, an active riverfront and so much to do.

Where to Stay in Cincinnati

21C Museum Hotel

For a high-end and unique hotel, stay downtown at the 21C Museum Hotel. 21C is unique because the first two floors of the hotel are an art museum! Enjoy the rotating collection of modern art on the first two floors and relax at the spa or rooftop bar (open seasonally).

Each room has a different photograph hanging over the bed and you’ll find unique body part tiles in the restrooms. If you stay at 21C or nearby, you’ll be within easy walking distance of the Cincinnati streetcar. See rates and availability here. Check their TripAdvisor reviews here.

Comfort Suites Newport

For a budget hotel in Cincinnati, take a look at Comfort Suites Newport. The hotel is right across the river from downtown Cincinnati so you’re close to many of the activities.

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You’ll also be extremely close to the popular Newport on the Levee, where you can get a great view of downtown Cincinnati from across the river. The hotel offers free parking and free breakfast. See rates and availability here. Read their TripAdvisor reviews here.

Weekend Getaway In Cincinnati: 3-Day Itinerary

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Lydia Weigel also attended college there. Even so, she’s impressed to see how the city has grown and changed over that time. She prepared this guide for a 3-day weekend in Cincinnati, covering a variety of attractions, places to eat, and the top things to do in Cincinnati.

Whether you are traveling to Cincinnati solo, as a couple, or with your family, the city has something to offer for everyone.

A Weekend In Cincinnati: Day 1

Breakfast Brown Bear Bakery

First on your weekend getaway in Cincinnati, start the day with some of the best pastries in town! Brown Bear Bakery serves fresh-baked pastries in both sweet and savory varieties.

The bakery is located in the historic Over The Rhine neighborhood, where there is some outdoor seating and many shops nearby. Try their famous cinnamon rolls or their cheesy pepper scone if you like a savory-spicy breakfast.

Take in the Architecture at Union Terminal 

Union Terminal, also known as the Cincinnati Museum Center, was originally built as a train and bus station in 1933. The museum is located right outside of downtown Cincinnati, about 10 minutes driving time from Over-the-Rhine.

The architecture is an impressive example of the art deco style and features a large central rotunda. A large portion of the rotunda walls feature murals made of mosaic tiles that depict the Cincinnati industry. 

This iconic Cincinnati landmark is separated into different wings and covers Cincinnati History, natural history, and science. Plus, there is an impressive and fun children’s museum downstairs and an omnimax theater.

To learn more about the architecture and history of the building, historic tours are offered of the rotunda for free. To get the full experience, be sure to stand at the drinking fountains in the lobby and whisper to someone across the rotunda.

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On the weekend, Cincinnati Museum Center opens from 10am to 5pm (Friday-Saturday and from 11am to 6pm on Sundays.

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Shop and Eat at Findlay Market

Head back to Over-the-Rhine for lunch and visit Ohio’s oldest continuously operated market: Findlay Market. The market offers a variety of local food and goods in a vibrant indoor-outdoor setting. Vendors rotate constantly but mainstays include Taste of Belgium (try their waffles!), Eli’s BBQ and Babushka Pierogies. Stop by the market to purchase produce, taste different foods or grab a beer and enjoy the atmosphere.

For a sit-down dining experience, there are great restaurants right across from the market too. Visit French Crust Cafe & Bistro for a taste of Paris in Cincinnati or a delicious casual American brunch.

The weekend opening hours are:
Friday: 9am-6pm
Saturday: 8am-6pm
Sunday: 10am-4pm
Monday: Closed

Have a Drink at Rhinegeist Brewery

Continue your Cincinnati weekend getaway visiting Rhinegeist, the city’s most iconic brewery, located a few blocks from Findlay Market.

Rhinegeist first opened in 2013 and has since grown to distribute across several other states. Some of their classic brews include the Truth IPA and the Bubbles Fruited Ale, but there is a large variety of drinks plus seasonal brews.

Even if you are not a beer drinker, the atmosphere of the Rhinegeist Brewery is a lot of fun. It is located in a large warehouse space and has cornhole, food delivered via a pneumatic tube, and a great rooftop space.

Nightlife in Over-the-Rhine

If you want to experience the nightlife in Cincinnati, Over-the-Rhine is one of the best neighborhoods to explore. Rhinegeist is at the far north end of the neighborhood, so you’ll likely want to take the streetcar or Rideshare to make your way to the south end and explore the streets between Washington Park and Main. Before it gets dark, be sure to take in the view of the iconic Music Hall from Washington Park. 

There is a bar or restaurant for everyone in the area, some of the locals’ favorite spots. If you enjoy cocktails, visit the apothecary-themed Sundry & Vice or Japp’s, which is located inside a former wig shop.

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For another great brewery, check out Taft’s Ale House, a brewery inside a former church. For a bar with fun activities, try your hand at duck bowling at Pins Mechanical Co.

To end the first day of your weekend getaway in Cincinnati, you can have a late-night snack at Gomez Salsa window. Make sure to choose either their iconic turtle or Goodfellas Pizzeria for a slice of NY-style pizza.

Cincinnati Weekend Getaway: Day 2

Breakfast at Maplewood Kitchen and Bar

Start the second day of your weekend in Cincinnati with one of the best breakfast spots downtown, Maplewood Kitchen and Bar.

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This trendy spot serves West Coast-style cuisine and you’ll find items like avocado toast, a Brussel sprouts benedict, and quinoa bowls. Enjoy a healthy and filling breakfast with a mimosa in this bright and airy space. 

Explore Smale Riverfront Park and See the Roebling Bridge

After breakfast, head about five minutes south to the riverfront. The Smale Riverfront Park is a park right along the Ohio River situated next to the “Banks” district, where you’ll find the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals stadiums. The park offers a beautiful mix of greenery and activities.

There are swinging benches that overlook the river, an interactive flying pig structure for kids, a giant keyboard, and more. However, the best part of the park is the view of the Roebling Suspension Bridge. This iconic Cincinnati landmark opened in 1867 and was created by the same architect as New York City’s Brooklyn Bridge.

The bridge is painted blue and “sings” as cars drive across it. If you’re a baseball fan, visit the Reds Hall of Fame at the Great American Ball Park while you’re in the area. 

Explore The Banks

Walk from Smale Riverfront Park to West Freedom Way, where there are great restaurants, bars, and museums. For history buffs, be sure to visit the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. The museum shares stories of the Underground Railroad, invisible slavery today and more through impactful exhibits, videos, and interactive elements. 

If you’re a baseball fan, visit the Reds Hall of Fame at the Great American Ball Park, which details the history of the Cincinnati Reds.

For lunch on The Banks, enjoy tacos and queso at Condado Tacos. For great views of the city, head to the rooftop bar at the AC Hotel by Marriott, where you’ll have a beautiful view of the ballpark and the surrounding area. 

Walk Across the Purple People Bridge to Newport on the Levee 

If you’re ready for more walking along the riverfront, head east to Sawyer Point, another riverfront park. This park has a serpentine-shaped wall that is made up of steps descending down to the river. You can sit on the steps and enjoy a picnic while watching boats and barges float by on the river.

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From Sawyer Point, walk across the Purple People Bridge, a pedestrian-only bridge. This will lead you to Newport on the Levee, on the Kentucky side, a vibrant area that is home to the Newport Aquarium, a movie theater, GameWorks, and many restaurants. You will also have fantastic views of the Cincinnati skyline from across the river.

Incline Public House For Dinner with a View

After a day full of exploring, get a view of the city from above at dinnertime. Cincinnati is surrounded by seven main hills, meaning that there are several opportunities for amazing views overlooking the city.

One of the best views can be seen from Price Hill, where there is a small park and a couple of restaurants that directly face the city. Incline Public House is the more affordable dining option and serves American gastropub food with an amazing view. Enjoy pizza, soft pretzels, beer cheese, sandwiches, and more in a laid-back environment. Time your visit with the sunset for beautiful lighting over the city.

If you’re still hungry, visit the nearby Bold Face Dairy Bar Company for an ice cream treat after dinner. A night out overlooking the city from Price Hill makes for the perfect Cincinnati date night.

Here we suggest a good night’s rest, so you can enjoy the last day of your weekend getaway in Cincinnati.

3-Day Weekend in Cincinnati: Last Day

Breakfast at Holtman’s Donuts

If you are a donut fan, be sure to start the last day of your weekend in Cincinnati at Holtman’s Donuts for some of the best donuts in town.

This family-owned donut shop has been around since 1960 and makes their donuts fresh from scratch every day. They have a couple of locations, but their Over-the-Rhine shop is the most central one. Enjoy a classic glazed donut, a custard-filled donut, a maple bacon donut, and more, before going for more sightseeing in Cincinnati.

Enjoy the Famous Cincinnati Zoo

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens is one of the oldest zoos in the United States. The zoo has a commitment to conservation, education, and preservation and has more than 500 animals and 3,000 plant species.

It is most famous for Fiona the Hippo – a hippo born prematurely that captured the hearts of people all around the world. In 2021, Fiona turned four and you can still visit her today. If you visit the Cincinnati Zoo around the holidays in December or January, there is also a very impressive display of over 4 million LED lights. No matter when you visit the zoo, wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared for hills.

The zoo is a great spot to go on a weekend trip in Cincinnati, especially if you’re traveling with children.

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Take in the Views at Eden Park

If you have energy left after a visit to the zoo, Eden Park is a beautiful place to visit for views of the Ohio River. It’s also home to two more amazing Cincinnati attractions: The Cincinnati Art Museum and the Krohn Conservatory.

The Cincinnati Art Museum has an art collection with over 67,000 pieces that span 1,000’s years. General admission is free and there are often exciting rotating exhibits. Krohn Conservatory is made up of gardens and greenhouses and was designed in the art deco style of architecture. It’s a beautiful place to see a variety of plant life. It opens from 11am to 5pm on the weekends.

Enjoy Cincinnati Classics at Skyline and Graeters on Ludlow Ave

You can’t leave Cincinnati without trying the famous Cincinnati chili. Cincinnati chili is likely not what you would expect from your typical chili dish. It is served over spaghetti or hot dogs and is more similar to a meat sauce.

It originated from Macedonian immigrants in the 1920s and has developed a cult-like following in Cincinnati today. You will order your chili as a “three-way,” “four-way” or “five-way,” depending on if you would like onions and beans in addition to the classic spaghetti, chili, and cheddar cheese.

There are a few different restaurants that offer Cincinnati chili and the question of which is the best is hotly debated. For the atmosphere and location, a good option is the Skyline Chili on Ludlow Avenue.

This is the oldest standing Skyline Chili and has beautiful vintage signs out front. After enjoying your unique Cincinnati meal, take a short walk down to Graeter’s Ice Cream on the same street. Graeter’s is over 150 years old and consistently ranks as one of the best ice creams in America. Order the signature black raspberry chip and enjoy giant chunks of chocolate made in small batches. 

Finally, enjoy exploring Ludlow Avenue, which is known as the Clifton Gaslight District. Catch a movie at the historic Esquire Theatre, visit one of the many local shops, or just stroll down the street and enjoy the historic gas lamps and surrounding historic homes.

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Getting To And Around Cincinnati

If you’re flying for your Cincinnati getaway, you’ll actually arrive in Kentucky at the CVG Airport. From there, it’s about a 25-minute drive to reach downtown Cincinnati. As you travel between the airport and the city, be sure to enjoy the view of the city skyline as you descend into the river valley on I-75. There are regular flights from New York, Seattle, Las Vegas, and Charlotte. You drive from Chicago, 296 miles (476 kilometers) away.

I would recommend renting a car for your trip to Cincinnati for the ultimate flexibility.  However, if you stay downtown near the Cincinnati Streetcar (known as the Cincinnati Bell Connector), you can reach many of the locations covered here for free.

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The streetcar travels a 3.6-mile loop and makes 18 different stops around downtown Cincinnati and the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Even if you do have a rental car, the streetcar is wonderful for these neighborhoods as parking can be hard to find and expensive. 

In addition to the streetcar, use Rideshare or public buses to get around if you decide not to rent a car. The Metro 1 bus will take you to popular destinations like the Union Terminal Museum. 

Cincinnati Weekend Getaway: Wrap Up

Cincinnati is an underrated city with so much to offer. Whether you are interested in the culture, the food, the baseball, or something else, you’ll love the historic charm that Cincinnati brings.

For over 200 years, residents and visitors alike have enjoyed Cincinnati for the German culture, the riverfront views, and the welcoming people. Despite the age of the city, Cincinnati is now as vibrant as ever

I hope this itinerary for a weekend getaway in Cincinnati inspires you to explore The Queen City for yourself and discover what this unique city has to offer.