Cincinnati provides lots of promise if you are looking for a weekend getaway or staycation. There are plenty of things to do, sights to see, and food to eat that will fill up your trip schedule.
It is known as the Queen City by the locals, a nickname established in the 1800s to help boost its reputation as a grand, cultured city of the American West. However, it is often placed in the shadow of Columbus and Cleveland as Ohio’s more frequented destinations.
Cincinnati is home to Skyline Chili, the famous Cincinnati Zoo, the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals, and plenty of sights like the 150 murals canvassed on its city walls.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the best weekend getaway spots in Cincinnati, so you can plan your next adventure with ease.
Where to Stay in Cincinnati on a Weekend Getaway
Looking for a Small Bed and Breakfast or a Romantic Stay, Try the Weller Haus
The Weller Haus Bed and Breakfast and Event Center is located a few minutes outside of Downtown Cincinnati across the Ohio River in Kentucky.
Weller Haus gives off a very historic feel.
The hotel is composed of two houses built in 1885. Each house contains 5 room variations. Each house has three suites with a double whirlpool tub, one mini-suite with a single whirlpool tub, and one standard room.
Overall, the Weller Haus is great for couples looking for a romantic weekend getaway, people who prefer small inns, or fans of the Cleveland Reds and Bengals as each stadium is less than 2 miles away from this hotel.
Traveling with Friends or Family for College Gameday – The Graduate Cincinnati
The Graduate Cincinnati is located a few minutes North of Downtown Cincinnati close to the campus of the University of Cincinnati.
If your weekend getaway brings you to Cincinnati with a group of friends or going to visit relatives attending U of Cincinnati, the Graduate might be your best bet.
The hotel has 203 rooms that feature a retro-college style or a youthful vibe. However, the Graduate Cincinnati from amenities to service is top-notch.
For The Best City Experience Stay at the 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati & Kinley Cincinnati
21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati
The 21x Museum Hotel is located right smack in the center of Downtown Cincinnati on East 6th Avenue.
It’s been a Cincinnati staple since 1912 when it was known as the Hotel Metropole and is a part of the United States Register of Historic Places.
It has 156 rooms, each featuring a residential and homely feel along with all the normal accommodations found in most hotels like free wifi. It has been rated as the 8th best hotel in the United States in 2020 according to Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice Awards.
The thing that makes the 21c Museum Hotel unique is that there is an actual art museum located in the hotel. The museum features contemporary art pieces. Keep your eyes open for sidewalk and elevator art!
If you’re an art lover, this a must-stay for you during a weekend getaway to Cincinnati.
Kinley Cincinnati
The Kinley Cincinnati hotel is located in the heart of Downtown Cincinnati as well. It is found at 636 Race Street
Just like the 21c Museum Hotel, the actual building of the Kinley Cincinnati calls home has some history to it. It was built in 1910. IT was part of the Urban Walls Project in the 1970s which was a public art project to help mask scars from Urban Renewal in the 1960s. You will notice that a side of the building contains a very contemporary-looking wall painting, one of the last surviving art pieces from the Urban Walls Project.
The hotel is spread across 9 floors and contains 94 rooms. The overall vibe of the hotel is what makes it special. The name “Kinley” is derived from the root word “Kinship” which the hotel follows the paradigm of creating positive relationships with its guests.
Things to do on Any Given Weekend in Cincinnati
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
One of the Cincinnati staples is the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. The zoo has been rated as the top zoo in North America by USA Today in 2019. In 1987, it was also made a National Historic Landmark.
It is a car ride away from Downtown Cincinnati so you’ll need a form of transportation available to get to the Zoo.
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden contains close to 1800 animals and 3000 plant species. You can find animals like Elephants, Red Pandas, and Hippos (including the affordable social media icon, Fiona),
Tickets to get into the zoo will cost you anywhere from $7 to $20 depending on your age. Kids and Senior Citizens are only $7 because of a discount.
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is one of four “Museums of Conscience” alongside the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC, the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, and the National Civil Rights Museum in Tennessee.
This museum signifies the role Cincinnati played in the Underground Railroad, which help thousands of enslaved African Americans escape the Southern States during the Civil War.
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is centered around its Slave Pen Exhibit. The slave pen is the only one left standing and once served as a jail for unfortunate slaves that were being sold to the auction.
The Museum is located in Downtown Cincinnati at 50 East Freedom Way. Tickets start at $11.50 for children, $14.50 for adults, and $16.50 for general admission.
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
Union Terminal might be a great place to start if you want to touch on multiple museums.
The Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal is a collection of museums that include the Cincinnati History Museum, Cincinnati Children’s Museum, and Cincinnati’s Museum of Natural History and Science.
The museum was built on Union Terminal which was a former train station. It once welcomed back countless numbers of American soldiers returning home from the battlefields of World War Two. Now, it serves the great purpose of educating a number of its museum visitors.
You have the option to purchase tickets to all the museums individually, but there is an option to buy a pass to all the museums. A museum pass will cost children $16.00, seniors 60+ $18.50 and a general adult ticket will cost $21.50.
Riverboat Cruise on the Ohio River
Another must-do on a weekend trip to Cincinnati is setting sail on one of their riverboat cruises on the Ohio River.
Cincinnati’s official riverboat cruise line is called BB Riverboats. They operate three riverboats, Belle of Cincinnati, River Queen, and Newport Landing. BB Riverboats offer several different types of cruises such as dining cruises and sightseeing cruises.
The sightseeing cruises are generally 1 ½ hours long and feature your captain walking you through the various sights of Cincinnati and their histories. Tickets for children cost $23.00 and $29.00 for adults.
The dinner cruises feature the Cincinnati skyline as a backdrop and contain a bar for alcoholic drinks and music provided by a live DJ. Tickets are a bit more pricey to cover the cost of the food included. Children will cost $45 per ticket and adults will be $63.
Over-the-Rhine district
For those wanting to take Cincinnati in by foot, the Over-the-Rhine District also known as OTR gives you plenty of things to do and see that can fill up your weekend trip to Cincinnati.
In the 1800s Germans emigrated to Cincinnati due to Revolution and had to cross over the river to get to work. That’s where the name “Over the Rhine” stems from. The Rhine is a water system in Germany.
This neighborhood features some of the best restaurants, bars, breweries, and shops that Cincinnati has to offer.
If you take a stroll trying to find something to do or are looking where to head to grab a bite to eat, the Over-the-Rhine district is a great best bet.
Cincinnati’s Best Dining options
Skyline Chili
When visiting Cincinnati on a weekend getaway, making a stop at Skyline Chili is a must. It is to Ohio like In-n-Out is to California.
This restaurant was born in Cincinnati by its founder and Greek-Emigrant Nicholas Lambrindides in 1949. It was named after the Skyline view from its first location in West Cincinnati.
The signature menu item at Skyline Chili is its chili and its “coneys”. A coney is a hot dog covered in chili.
There are four locations in Cincinnati in each compass direction, so you will be bound to run into one without you even looking for it.
The Eagle OTR
If you’re in the mood for beer and Southern fried chicken, The Eagle OTR is a great place to check out.
The Eagle is a midwest restaurant chain that received award-winning accolades for its fried chicken. The chicken is made with a unique recipe and coupled with many Southern comfort dishes like mac-n-cheese, shrimp-n-grits, or collards.
This restaurant is located in the On-The-Rhine District at 1342 Vine Street. This is the original location for the restaurant chain. There is an outdoor patio that allows you to view what’s happening on Vine Street while you enjoy your Southern Fried Chicken.
Graeter’s ice cream
For dessert options, Graeter’s Ice Cream is a staple of Cincinnati. Louis Graeter started selling ice cream on the streets of Cincinnati in 1870. The Graeter continues to carry on his legacy today.
The difference between Graeter’s Ice Cream compared to other Ice Cream suppliers is their French pot freezers. Their ice cream composed of high butterfat is frozen with little air bubbles, yielding great quality ice cream. They also use gourmet chocolate to add to their ice cream.
There are several locations throughout Cincinnati. You can find one location in the Over-the-Rhine District on Vine Street.
Getting To Cincinnati Through Transportation
Through Rail – Amtrak Cardinal
If you are opting to take the leisurely scenic way in Cincinnati by utilizing the railroad, the Amtrak Cardinal is your only option.
The Amtrak Cardinal starts in New York City and finishes in Chicago.
One of the stops in between these destinations is Cincinnati’s Union Terminal.
This train station is located a few minutes outside of Downtown Cincinnati.
Through Air – Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (KCVG)
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Internation Airport is Cincinnati’s main airport and is located only a few minutes from Downtown Cincinnati.
It is a fairly busy airport with annual passenger traffic greater than 5 million.
The five most popular airlines at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport are:
Since it is a larger airport, you won’t have any issues finding a flight to reach your part of the United States.
However, if you are flying in from another country, there seems to be a lack of international destinations that provide service to Cincinnati. You may opt to fly into another midwest airport better catered to international travel like Detriot Metropolitan Airport, Chicago O-Hare International Airport, or Minneapolis St.Paul International Airport.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cincinnati provides a wide variety of weekend getaway options to suit a variety of interests and preferences.
From investigating the energetic food and drink scene to appreciating open-air exercises and social attractions, there is something for everybody to appreciate.
Cincinnati has a lot to offer visitors and locals alike looking for new experiences or a quick escape.
Therefore, gather your loved ones, pack your belongings, and get ready for an unforgettable weekend getaway in this stunning city.
Sources
- https://www.wellerhaus.com/rooms.htm
- https://www.graduatehotels.com/cincinnati/
- https://www.kinleycincinnati.com/our-hotel
- https://cincinnatizoo.org/
- https://wandercincinnati.com/2019/12/01/over-the-rhine-cincinnati/
- https://www.skylinechili.com/
- https://www.eaglerestaurant.com/
- https://www.graeters.com/
