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Cincinnati’s distinctive skyline rises from the banks of the Ohio River, hemmed in by rolling hills that divide the city into a mosaic of unique neighborhoods. Built on the land of the Shawnee and Miami peoples, Cincinnati grew rapidly as the United States expanded westward. It’s a city that has undergone constant flux, a truth seen to this day.
Forty-eight hours in Cincinnati isn’t enough to see all that the city has to offer, but you’ll leave with a solid impression of this city and its ever-changing cultural identity.
Explore world-class museums with scopes ranging from local to global, or dive deep into its history. Meanwhile, eat your way through a city known as much for its unique dishes as its diverse food scene.
Settle in and get ready to plan your trip with this fun itinerary for first-timers during a weekend in Cincinnati. This itinerary is built for a noon arrival on Friday to a midday departure on Sunday, but you can adapt it as you need while looking for the best things to do in Cincinnati.
Table of Contents
Where to stay
Cincinnati has many hotels, but you’re best off in one of its dense, urban neighborhoods.
For an elegant stay in a historic Art Deco building downtown, with an on-site restaurant and cocktail lounge included, check out Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza. Another stay downtown is 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati, with sleek lodging alongside a contemporary art gallery.
Beyond downtown, you can settle into the well-equipped, kitschy Graduate Cincinnati, steps from the University of Cincinnati’s campus.
If you fancy stepping back in time, check in at the Symphony Hotel & Restaurant, a boutique hotel with a boudoir character in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.
How to get around
Now that you’ve made it to Cincinnati, how will you get around?
Whether private or rented, a vehicle like a car is the best way to move around Cincinnati. Check out companies like Enterprise and Budget, who you can rent from at the airport.
Cars, however, are not the only option. In downtown and Over-the-Rhine, you can use the Connector streetcar fare-free to move between the Banks by the river to Findlay Market in OTR. Get some cardio with the Cincinnati Red Bike system, a scenic way to move around the city’s neighborhoods.
Lastly, the Cincinnati Metro buses offer extensive connections across the city. Lines such as Route 1 carry you to important attractions. You can either pay on board or via the Transit app, where you can also check schedules and routes in real-time.
Day one
Midday and afternoon: Museums, chili, and brews
Waste no time getting settled in your accommodations — we’ve got a Queen City to see.
Start your weekend in Cincinnati by heading to the Cincinnati Museum Center, a complex of museums housed in the magnificent Art Deco Union Terminal. Beyond the several museums, it’s worth a visit for the enormous mosaic in the center’s rotunda alone, which depicts the history of Cincinnati.
Once you’re finished with the Museum Center, take a lunch break with some classic Cincinnati chili, the city’s most famous dish. Dependable franchises like Skyline and Gold Star can be found across the city, but don’t miss out on locales like Camp Washington Chili.
After lunch, let’s hit some more museums. Cincinnati has an excellent selection of institutions, so take your pick. The American Sign Museum boasts a vast collection of refurbished signs from across the centuries. Its neon displays will dazzle you and by going, you help the continued preservation of American signage.
Other excellent museums include the free-of-charge Contemporary Arts Center, the hilltop Cincinnati Art Museum, and the historic Taft Museum of Art downtown.
They say a drink helps settle new knowledge in your mind, and as an afternoon beer is never a bad idea, head to one of Cincinnati’s microbreweries.
From the riverside Fifty West and the patio of Madtree Brewing to the vaulted taproom of Rhinegeist and the innovative brews of Urban Artifact, there’s no shortage of beers to sample across town.
Night: City views and live music
Cincinnati’s vibrant food scene spreads across its many neighborhoods, but tonight we’re heading to the hills. Opt for burgers and tavern grub in one of two spots with unrivaled skyline views — dive bar City View Tavern in Mount Adams and the laidback Incline Public House in Price Hill.
After your dinner, you can enjoy some live music at some of Cincinnati’s finest establishments. The hidden patio of The Blind Lemon in Mount Adams offers an enchanting atmosphere while you enjoy music and cocktails (or delicious hot chocolate as a non-alcoholic option).
Another spot is Schwartz’s Point Jazz and Acoustic Club in Over-the-Rhine. This cozy corner establishment has regular shows from Thursday to Saturday nights, bringing in local performers and artists from all corners of the United States.
Day two
Morning: Breakfast and urban nature
Your full day in Cincinnati should start off with an early, sustaining breakfast. Enjoy the locally sourced menu of Sleepy Bee, with four locations including one downtown, or head to Hyde Park to the classic diner-styled, The Echo, where it’s acceptable to have a morning milkshake with your eggs and bacon.
Walk off your breakfast by getting in touch with Cincinnati’s nature. Stroll the gardens and trails at Ault Park, a personal favorite, or settle on the hillsides of Alms Park to watch planes land at Lunken Airport.
Closer to downtown, Eden Park radiates out from Mirror Lake and offers unrivaled views of the Ohio River’s rolling banks. While there, don’t miss the Krohn Conservatory.
For those traveling with kids, a visit to the world-renowned Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in Clifton takes you on a worldwide tour of flora and fauna. Fiona, the world’s most famous hippo, is reason enough to stop by the zoo.
If the marine mysteries are more your speed, the Newport Aquarium takes you on an underwater adventure of one million gallons. Watch penguins soar through the water, dare to pet some sharks, and marvel at the rare, graceful shark rays.
Afternoon: Diving deep into history
Start your afternoon with a quick bite to eat. As a sandwich aficionado, I know how well a sandwich satisfies the stomach after an active morning.
Local favorites like neighborhood gem Carl’s Deli in Hyde Park and unsuspecting du jours downtown make for great to-go bites in a park (Ault Park or Eden Park, respectively). At the same time, the vegetarian menu of Melt Revival in Northside keeps sandwiches accessible to all.
Put on some comfortable shoes, because in the afternoon, we’ll take a long walk through the history of Cincinnati. Dive into the depths of Over-the-Rhine with this Queen City underground tour. Make it boozy with the hidden brewery caverns tour, beer tasting included. If you want to dive even deeper, you can learn how Cincinnati’s history is built on beer.
Night: Dinner and a night out
Your second night is as good as any to check out Cincinnati’s international cuisine. Balling on a budget? Craft a rice or noodle bowl and munch on some momos at one of Bridges Nepali Cuisine’s three locations, or savor the Jamaican flavors at Island Frydays on Vine Street.
If cost isn’t a concern, start your night off with a cocktail and a view at The Vista at Lytle Park, then head to Sotto, where rustic Italian meets elegance underground.
Let dinner settle over a cocktail at Ghost Baby, then head to your venue for a night out in the Queen City. Keep things laid back with some friendly competition at Pins Mechanical Co, where brews and arcade games meet in a four-story bar complete with a rooftop. Dance bars like Energy and Main Event are perfect for a wilder night.
For those of you searching for some LGBTQ+ nightlife, swing by a drag show at Good Judy’s, a dive bar in Northside, or groove to guest DJs’ tracks on Alice Bar’s colorful dance floor in Over-the-Rhine.
Also read: 26 Fun Things to Do in Cincinnati at Night
Day three
Morning: Coffee and a stroll
Nursing a hangover after your night out? HangOverEasy in Clifton will take great care of you over a greasy breakfast.
Don’t forget to try goetta, a meat-and-grain patty emblematic of Cincinnati cuisine. Banana Sun Smoothie Bar in Over-the-Rhine is your go-to spot if you want something light and fresh.
Before your midday departure, I recommend you explore some of Cincinnati’s urban parks. You might already be familiar with Washington Park, but enjoy the morning tranquility of this green space in the heart of Over-the-Rhine. This neighborhood is also dotted with shops and boutiques if you’re hunting for Cincinnati souvenirs.
Grab a to-go coffee from Coffee Emporium (if I were you, I’d order the Java Jive) and stroll along the Ohio River at Smale Riverfront Park, where you can appreciate the skylines of Cincinnati and Covington.
Conclusion
The perfect ending to your weekend in Cincinnati would be with a final stop at Skyline before hitting the road. Regardless, you’ll be leaving Cincinnati with a deeper understanding of the city’s culture and history, as well as an appreciation for its cuisine and foodie culture.
If you call Cincinnati home or have simply visited the Queen City before, let us know your must-sees for two days in Cincinnati in the comments below.
