There are so many great things to do in Cincinnati and, while, the Zoo, parks, Kings Island, and our great Museums are all excellent options to explore The Queen City, there are several unique places and activities that are lesser known.
Underground Lagering Tours Brewing Heritage Trail
Cincinnati has a robust brewing history and Brewing Heritage Trail offers many different tours that lead you through the Brewery District in OTR, where there is a large network of underground lagering cellars. Tours that feature underground lagering cellars: Built on Beer, Brewers & Barons Trail, and Cincinnati Brewing & Distilling Tasting, plus private, custom tour options.
Brewing Heritage Trail
1939 Race Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Weeping Cherry Grove Mt. Lookout
In mid-March (dates vary by year; click here for updates) the trees bloom in the Japanese Cherry blossom tree grove. It is a beautiful and wonderful way to get excited for spring and the warm season to come.
Ault Park
5090 Observatory Circle
Cincinnati, Ohio 45208
Higan Cherry tree grove is located at the park intersection of Observatory Road and Observatory Circle; near the Ault Park Commons.
Live Music Arnold’s Bar & Grill
Arnold’s is the oldest continuously operating bar in Cincinnati (c. 1861) and one of the oldest in the US. So, not only is it a must visit Queen City institution, they also have live music in their courtyard several nights a week year round. Order delicious American tavern fare and take in live music in an intimate setting. Click here to view their calendar.
Arnold’s Bar & Grill
210 E Eighth Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Artie’s Birthday Castle King Arthur’s Court
For those of us who grew up in Cincinnati, this is the next best thing to the castle at Johnny’s Toys (IYKYK). For everyone else, Artie’s Birthday Castle is where, on your birthday, you can unlock the castle door to discover treasures Artie the Dragon has left for the birthday kid. Sign up for free here.
Tip: Parents also have the option to purchase additional toys to be wrapped in our special golden paper and placed in the castle alongside the provided gifts.
King Arthur’s Court
3040 Madison Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45209
Kantine Biergarten West End
Casual restaurant and biergarten serving authentic southern German fare.
Kantine Biergarten
1220 Harrison Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45214
The Dixie Terminal Fountain District
One of the more lesser known architectural icons in Cincinnati, The Dixie Terminal is a former streetcar terminal, stock exchange, and office building built in 1921. The Rookwood Architectural Faience (tin-glazed pottery) entry arch is made with Rookwood Pottery Tiles and greets you as you make your way inside the long and elaborate arcade.
The Dixie Terminal is not open to the public beyond its entryway, but I assure you it is worth taking a peek inside to see its beauty and details.
The Dixie Terminal
49 E Fourth Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
This list will be updated as new editions of the Unique Cincinnati series is published on Instagram.
In addition to what is mentioned above, you can also check out the Weekend Rundown, which is published weekly and features several FREE attractions happening in greater Cincinnati each week. To make it even easier, and to never miss making plans for the coming weekend, you can subscribe to the Weekend Rundown newsletter and it will be delivered directly to your inbox each week. Whenever you visit tourdecincinnati.com you should get a prompt to subscribe.
[Header image: detail photo of the elaborate arcade in The Dixie Terminal]