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Cincinnati is the third largest city in Ohio. It is located on the Ohio River in the southern part of the state just minutes away from Kentucky. Cincinnati has multiple major league sports teams, trendy neighborhoods, amazing street art and a cool brewery scene. If you have one day to spend in Cincinnati, here is the one day itinerary you should follow to get the best of Cincinnati!
Grab Some Coffee at Urbana Cafe
Start your day in Cincinnati by grabbing some coffee at a local coffee shop. One great option is Urbana Cafe. Urbana Cafe has five locations across Cincinnati, but if you are following this itinerary, check out the Walnut Hills location since it’s close to the next stop! This Walnut Hills location is on a really cute street lined with adorable shops and restaurants so there is more to explore on this street if you have extra time after breakfast. I tried a latte and a breakfast sandwich and both were very yummy!
See the House of a Former President at the William Howard Taft National Historic Site
After stopping for coffee, take a five minute drive to the William Howard Taft National Historic Site. William Howard Taft was the 27th president of the United States and was the only president to serve on the Supreme Court. He was also a Cincinnati native! At the William Howard Taft National Historic Site, you can tour the house where he was born and spent his childhood. Tours last approximately a half hour and are a fun way to learn about one of the lesser known presidents. For example, I learned that Taft was a member of notorious Skull and Bones society at Yale (aka one of the societies that inspired Ninth House) and Taft’s father was one of the founding members of this group.
Stroll Through Over-The-Rhine (OTR)
Over-the-Rhine is a trendy neighborhood in Cincinnati featuring hip restaurants, breweries and street art. There are also architectural gems and a beautiful city park to explore. This area is very walkable so I would suggest finding some street parking and checking out the following OTR destinations on foot:
1) Washington Park
Washington Park is a really beautiful city park in the heart of OTR. The park features gardens and trees, an old-fashioned bandstand and fountains. It is a great place for a walk and the park frequently hosts events like concerts and exercise classes.
2) Cincinnati Music Hall
Right across from Washington Park is the Cincinnati Music Hall. The Cincinnati Music Hall is the performance venue for the Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Opera among others. If you don’t have time to stop for a show, make sure to stop by the Cincinnati Music Hall to check out its beautiful and distinctive architecture. This building has been recognized as a National Historic Landmark due to these unique architectural features.
3) Street Art
As you walk through OTR, you will see that there is street art on almost every corner! Make sure to check out these masterpieces and take some pictures along the way.
4) Findlay Market
One stop you need to make in OTR is Findlay Market. Findlay Market is Ohio’s oldest continuously operated public market and has dozens of indoor merchants selling meats, cheeses, sweets, produce and more! If you are looking for a sweet treat, make sure to check out Dojo Gelato.
Take in Cincinnati’s Skyline at Newport on the Levee
The next stop on this one day itinerary is Newport on the Levee. This stop is not actually in Cincinnati, but rather is in Kentucky. However, it is only a ten minute drive from OTR to Newport on the Levee via a bridge over the Ohio River so it is very close to Cincinnati! Newport on the Levee is also a great place to stop if you want to get some views of the Cincinnati skyline. Apart from seeing the skyline, there is a lot to do in Newport on the Levee. There are restaurants, shops, bars, a movie theater, a bowling alley and even an aquarium.
Head Back to OTR to Grab Dinner & Drinks at a Taft-inspired Restaurant
When you’re ready for dinner head back to OTR and grab dinner and drinks at Taft’s Ale House. This brewery was named in honor of Cincinnati’s favorite president (William Howard Taft) and if you know the story about Taft getting stuck in the White House bathtub, you will understand why the brewery’s logo is a bathtub! The location of the brewery is very unique because it is located inside an old protestant church. Although the building has been updated, it still retains many of the architectural features of the church. The food here was delicious and the place has a really cool vibe!
Walk Through Piatt Park
The last stop on this Cincinnati itinerary is Piatt Park. Piatt Park is another lovely park in Cincinnati. It is Cincinnati’s oldest park and takes up two city blocks. The park is known for its presidential statues (James Garfield is on one end of the park and William Henry Harrison is on the other). It is also known for its beautiful tunnel of archways that light up at night!
Let me know if there is anything else you would add to this one day Cincinnati itinerary in the comments!
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