Matti's mom, Gina, has kindly put together a list of activities to do in Cincinnati while you are there. Take a look to see all the other fun things you can do!

WELCOME to Cincinnati!!

Come early, stay late, check out our awesome Queen City - where Pigs Fly! Cincinnati is home to goetta, Skyline Chili, LaRosa’s Pizza, Graeter’s Ice Cream, and many fine breweries. For best results, plan ahead by checking open hours as many places are closed on Sunday and Monday or have limited hours.

It's fun to have fun but you have to know how, so here are a few tips on attractions for visitors according to interests. Wherever you go keep an eye out for those Flying Pigs! (Statues artfully decorated) also Mr. Red the Baseball Head, often positioned in front of popular Cincinnati destinations and fun for selfies. It’s a Cincinnati thing.

Cincinnati is very walkable and also has a street car downtown from The Banks to Fountain Square and up to Findley Market, Washington Park, across from Music Hall, and OTR with great art, theater, restaurants, breweries, coffee/wine bars and fun shops along the way. Look around for the many award winning ArtsWave murals telling fascinating stories of our city’s history.

Here’s a helpful list of some of our favorite places listed by category. ENJOY!!

Airplane Enthusiasts - about an hour drive north near Dayton is the National Air Force Museum with four hangers holding a wide variety of planes including four Air Force Ones which you may tour - all free and free parking! Great for families with littles to safely run indoors.

Amusement Park - Kings Island is the place to go for thrill seekers and family fun. With 14 roller coasters and many other attractions, shows, food, shopping and end each evening with fireworks.

Animal lovers - Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens is one of the best, sexiest, zoos in the nation with excellent conservation, eco-friendly features, and many baby animals each spring. Fantastic place to take the kiddos. If you are heading south check out Kentucky Horse Park.

Aquarium - Newport Aquarium is located across the river in Kentucky has lots of fun for the whole family with over 1,000 sea creatures including jellyfish, sharks, penguins, and rays.

Architecture - Check out the Clifton area around University of Cincinnati for unique buildings including DAAP, Vontz Center for Molecular Studies, Gardner Neuroscience Institute. Downtown check out City Hall, the Aronoff Center for Arts, Music Hall, and Great American building with it’s crown. In Kentucky check out the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption.

Art lovers - Cincinnati Art Museum, 21C, and the Contemporary Art Center are worth checking out! Also ArtsWave award winning Murals all around downtown.

Bars - Northside Tavern, Tillie's, Leaping Lizard are three favorites.

Biking or Runners - Loveland Bike Trail about a half hour east of the city has many miles of lovely, mostly tree lined paths, close to the Little Miami River; plus there are nice shops and restaurants nearby. Smale Park at The Banks downtown has great trails, sand volleyball, tennis courts, bike and scooter rentals and plenty of food and drink options nearby.

Books - Book Bus Depot has a well curated selection for a great cause, Half Price Books Kenwood, Downbound Books in Northside, Ohio Book Store downtown, Roebling Books and Coffee Shop in Kentucky

Bourbon - Willow Run Custom Bourbon Experience, downtown allows you to create & get a bottle with your name on it! If you’re up for more of a drive, Kentucky is home to the Bourbon Trail, each distillery has unique offerings for tours or tastings, check the websites before you go.

Breweries - High Grain (this one is great for large groups) Urban Artifact (in an old church) Madtree (we found their tour interesting) Hofbrauhaus (Kentucky near Newport on the Levee)

Canoe - Morgan’s Outdoor Adventures and Canoe Rental in Brookville Indiana.

Coffee Shops - Luminary, SideWinder, Mom n Em, Upside Brew, Sitwells, Coffee Emporium are favs.

Dessert - Graeter’s Ice Cream (one of Oprah’s favorite things is the Black Raspberry Chip), Busken Bakery (have a crumby day with awesome smiley sugar cookies), UDF Ice Cream (Cherry Cordial is amazing), or Zip Dip Creamy Whip (Birthday cake flavor is so yummy), Starlight Donut Lab in Norwood

Food - Aladdin Eatery Mediterranean, Ambar India (North Indian), Amma’s Kitchen (South Indian), Incline Public House (great view of Cincinnati with American food and spirits), Ruth’s Parkside Cafe (check out the art, enjoy the atmosphere), Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant, Bangkok Bistro Thai, Gaslight Bar and Grill, Zip’s Cafe (best hamburgers), Dewey’s Pizza

Cincinnati favorites Skyline, LaRosa’s, and Graeter’s are fast and friendly for the whole fam.

Game Stores - Woodburn Games in Walnut Hills or Yottaquest in Evendale.

Nature Lovers - Krohn Conservatory located in Eden Park, check out Great Parks of Hamilton County for the many nature centers, canoe and bike rental, camping and hiking trails. Sharon Woods is closest to the wedding venue and has an indoor playset for toddlers. Also close is Glenwood Gardens with their Highland Discovery Garden, a fantastic place for tots.

Movies - Kenwood Theater has comfortable reclining seats with tray tables and a call button for food and drink service. If you prefer huge sound and screen check out Omnimax at Cincinnati Museum Center.

Museums - National Underground Railroad Freedom Center - bring your tissues this one of a kind museum will move you. Step outside to check out the uplifting Black Music Walk of Fame listen and dance to the music. Located in The Banks area downtown - as in river banks with several parks, lovely views, walking and biking trails, bikes and scooters to rent, plenty of places to play, eat, drink and be merry - even on a merry go round! Carol Ann's Carousel is right outside Yard House near Smale Park. It is a glass enclosed carousel with gorgeous hand carved animals to ride and lovely paintings of Cincinnati landmarks. It’s a short drive to Cincinnati Museum Center, located in the unique building which the DC Comics Hall of Justice is modeled after. CMC houses three museums including the Children’s Museum which is fantastic for families with young ones, and an Omnimax Theater. Also see Art.

Music lovers - Friday May 30 there's a Keith Urban concert at PNC Pavilion. Sunday June 1, 2024 two free events: music festival plus regular performance Special event: Stereo 24 DJ Fest 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. at Sawyer Point near The Banks downtown. Cincinnati Parks event description: "A celebration of DJs and electronic music. See DJs from Cincinnati and abroad all day at Sawyer Point on June 1st from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.! Event in partnership with Cincinnati Parks Foundation and Elements."

Shopping - Kenwood Town Center if you enjoy upscale malls. Ludlow Ave in Clifton for small family owned eclectic businesses including Lentz, a fun vintage store, Newport on the Levee located on the Kentucky side close to the Purple People Bridge great views and a few shops including a LEGO store where you can try before you buy and rent to try LEGO sets.

Sports fans - the Reds are out of town this weekend but it's a great time to check out the Cincinnati Reds Museum special exhibit for the Big Reds Machines 50th Anniversary!

Theater lovers - check out Cincinnati Shakespeare Theater production of Mrs. Galloway or Ensemble Theater for Jaja's African Hair Braiding!

Whatever you choose to do in our great city, we’re glad you are here and hope you have the time of your lives! THANK YOU for coming.

J&M

Wedding Day

Reception