Known for simply being pleasant, Cincinnati has much more to offer than just its cheerfulness. With cultural attractions, exciting entertainment, interesting architecture, and a variety of nightlife, Cincinnati offers all the amenities of a major city but with a small-town atmosphere. Cool drives nearby make car rental in Cincinnati a must.
Getting there
Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport is 12 miles southwest of downtown on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River. Serving as the hub of a major airline, it is a large, important airport with daily connections to cities all over the US. Airport and private shuttle services (as well as taxis) are available for transport into Cincinnati. The beautiful Amtrak station, at the Cincinnati Museum Center, has three trains a week departing to Indianapolis and Chicago. The Greyhound bus station, within a mile of downtown, offers connections to all major cities in Ohio and beyond. Look out for national deals on travel to Cincinnati online.
Interstate highways running through Cincinnati link town by rental car to other destinations in Ohio and neighboring states. Interstate I-71 (from Louisville) joins I-75 (from Lexington) just south of Cincinnati in Kentucky then passes through the loop around town. I-75 continues north to Toledo. I-74 from Indianapolis passes around the Cincinnati loop then continues northeast to Columbus.
Key attractions
Cincinnati’s compact downtown is anchored by Fountain Square. Carew Tower, across the street, has a gallery offering views of Mount Adams to the northeast, the Ohio River just a mile south and east, and the city’s neighborhoods and parks in between. One of the biggest attractions is the classic art-deco Union Terminal rail depot is the largest half-dome building in the world is home to the Museum of Natural History and Science.
The Cincinnati Historical Museum provides exhibits on the city’s African-American heritage and WWII era, while the internationally known Cincinnati Zoo has a reputation based on its collection of endangered species, including gorillas and white tigers.
Out and about
Just across the river by car rental from Cincinnati is Covington, Kentucky. Here you’ll find a neighborhood of 100-year old rowhouses, antique shops, and restaurants. To the east, Milford is the perfect place for those interested in the 19th century. A pleasant 50-mile drive north will bring you to the town of Dayton, most widely known as the testing grounds for those famous brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright.
The largest of several family amusement centers around Cincinnati is Kings Island, 25 miles north of Cincinnati by rental car. This enormous complex contains 12 roller coasters, as many as any amusement park in the world. Among these is the famous Beast which is the worlds longest wooden roller coaster.
Leisure options
The fresh air and open spaces in town provide plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. In addition to parks and hilly neighborhoods, the riverside, Suspension Bridge, and Central Parkway are all great places for a walk or a jog. The Little Miami Scenic River Bikeway is a popular 22-mile path, and other options include horseback riding, canoeing, and inline skating.
Nearby Corryville district has trendy clubs, coffeeshops, and cafes, but with a more academic flavor than downtown. The nearby 100-acre Burnet Park offers hiking trails where you can stretch your legs. At Eden Park, a 20-acre retreat of green slopes looking out over downtown and the Ohio River, you can wander through twisting streets beside restored 19th century homes until you reach the neighborhoodеs nucleus of fashionable shops and restaurants. This area of clubs and pubs is also the heart of the townеs nightlife.