Downtown Cincinnati Guide

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DOCincyDowntown Cincinnati has so much to see and do that you could stay for two weeks and still not see it all. If I only had one day to explore the city, I’d want to enjoy one of the beautiful parks, take in one of our unique museums, see a Red’s game, and indulge in as much delicious food at local eateries as I could handle!

Every good days starts with breakfast. Start your day at Holtman’s Donuts on Vine St. in Over the Rhine (OTR). This family owned bakery has been providing fresh, handmade donuts to Cincinnati since 1960. Do not be deterred if the line is out the door as it often is on the weekends. It doesn’t take that long, you can watch the donuts being made while you wait and it is totally worth it. Have a maple bacon yeast donut. Trust me.

If you’re looking for more than a donut for breakfast, Taste of Belgium, also on Vine St. is the place to be. A great choice for any meal of the day, Taste of Belgium serves adult and kid favorites like warm pretzels with beer cheese and handmade corn dogs. Yet breakfast is a true delight with authentic Belgian waffles made with pearl sugar and topped fruit and whipped cream, Nutella and bananas, or dark chocolate sauce.

With full bellies and happy kids, head to a park to work off some of that sugar high. Washington Park is near both of these breakfast spots, and you are sure to find something interesting happening there. On any given day, you will find activities ranging from music and theater performances to kids crafts to yoga for the whole family. You may want to bring along an extra change of clothes for the kids because the splash fountains in the park are pretty irresistible.

Another excellent choice for some fresh air is Smale Park. Here you can walk along the riverfront or rent a bike and ride the path instead. There’s a spray park here to entertain the little ones, as well as art and history to explore, a labyrinth to walk, and family-sized porch swings for relaxing while you take in the view. Recently, they also unveiled the Carol Ann Carousel and a fabulous new playground which are both worth checking out.

For a lunch the whole family can agree on, how about some pizza? A Tavola will satisfy the whole gang with pizzas toppings from simple to gourmet.

If a sandwich is more your style, pick one up at the ‘Wich on Sycamore and then find a spot to sit at Fountain Sqaure to watch the people go by while you lunch. They offer the classics like ham, turkey, and roast beef along with a list of sandwich stuffings you just don’t see everywhere—portabella mushrooms, eggplant, curry-spiced egg salad, and cumin-scented tofu.

Cincinnati has a wealth of museums so make sure one of them is on your downtown itinerary. If you have school-aged or older kids, a visit to he Freedom Center National Underground Railroad will prove to be both meaningful and educational. The Freedom Center’s mission is “to reveal stories of freedom’s heroes, from the era of the Underground Railroad to contemporary times, challenging and inspiring everyone to take courageous steps of freedom today.” To get the most out of your visit, take the Solomon Northup Tour which will guide you through history from the slave trade to slavery in modern times.

If your group includes mixed ages or interests, the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal houses plenty of options—a children’s museum, a history museum, a natural history museum, OMNIMAX theater, tours of the main control tower for Union Terminal, and often a traveling exhibit as well. The Children’s Museum has many interactive areas to explore. There’s a giant tree house with places to climb, run, hide, crawl, and even a clear enclosure to see inside the pond where fish and turtles live. Kids also love the Energy Zone where thousands of balls demonstrate the different ways to make and use energy, as well as the water play area, the construction area, and the diner.

Art is more your thing? Visit the Contemporary Arts Center and UnMuseum. The CAC has a constantly changing collection of art and a very knowledgeable staff who are happy to tell you about it. Occasionally there an exhibit that isn’t kid-friendly, but they are helpful in letting you know what to avoid if you ask. The UnMuseum, a part of the CAC, is always 100% kid-friendly, and kids are encouraged not just to look a art, but to experience it. In addition to their interactive exhibits, the museum hosts frequent programs for kids so be sure to check their schedule before you go.

A brewery might sound like an odd place for dinner with your kids, but Moerlein Lager House has great food and drink for the adults, a kids menu for the little ones, and an awesome view of the river for everyone. Get the kids some soft pretzels or garlic parmesan fries to munch so you have a chance to sample some of their extensive beer menu.

No day in Cincinnati is complete without a Red’s baseball game. Even if you aren’t a huge sports fan (like me), the fresh air, the excitement, and the view of the river still make for a great experience. While true fans might want to sit as close the action as possible, I think the prime seats are up higher where you can see more of the river and there’s frequently room to spread out without bothering other people, which is great for kids during a long game. Guests are welcome to bring a backpack or small, soft-sided cooler, but there are also plenty of places inside to get some snacks if you like, including many Cincinnati favorites. If you haven’t tried them yet, you can try LaRosa’s pizza, Skyline cheese coneys, and Montgomery Inn ribs while you’re here.

If you have any energy left-or any room in your belly-get dessert at the Macaron Bar. Cincinnati’s only bakery dedicated to the delicate French cookie, they offer a rainbow of flavors to choose from. If you haven’t tried a macaron before, you’re in for a delightful treat These adorable cookies are made of “two delightfully colored almond meringue cookies cleverly concealing a creamy flavored ganache center.” It’s hard to pick just one.

If you have another day, be sure not to miss the Cincinnati Zoo, Findlay Market, and Krohn Conservatory.

For other suggestions for fun family days around town, check out our previous post HERE.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Sounds like a great day in Cincinnati! Your restaurant picks are a couple of my favorites in town. The theater at the Cincinnati Museum Center is an OMNIMAX screen not an IMAX though.

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