No Spend January? More like, No Spend Whenever You’re Able.
Doing, seeing, and trying things around around Cincinnati isn’t always financially possible and getting out and going on adventures around our great city can really add up. Thankfully there are so many ways to experience The Queen City that don’t have to be expensive. In fact, there are a lot of events and places that have little to no cost associated with them.
If you are trying to spend less and/or save money beyond ”No Spend January,” check out these free local events and things to do to help you do just that while still enjoying all of the fantastic things that Greater Cincinnati has to offer.
Attend a free event
From markets and supporting the arts, to brewery fun and food events, head to tourdecincinnati.com to read all about the great things going on in the Weekend Rundown—featuring several events with free admission and shared weekly at no cost to you.
You can even sign up to get the weekly newsletter, which shares the Weekend Rundown as well as several local news articles, and posts and resources you may have missed. All you have to do is go to tourdecincinnati.com where you will be prompted to subscribe.
Check out the library
Our amazing local public libraries provide many wonderful free resources with your library card, including: Discovery Passes, free printing, events, job help, after school meals for kids and teens, as well as books, ebooks, audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, records, computers, laptops, tablets, and online educational resources.
With the ability to visit arts, cultural, and recreation attractions* for free with your library card, the Discovery Pass is, perhaps, one of the greatest free local resources.
Head to chpl.org for complete information about branch locations and so much more.
(Resources vary by library system—the ones mentioned above are available through the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library. Read more about what is offered through Boone County Public Library, Campbell County Public Library, Clermont County Public Library, Kenton County Public Library by clicking on their respective link(s).)
Visit a free museum
We are very fortunate to have so many incredible museums available to us. Museums help us to feel proud of where we are from; can inspire, challenge, and stimulate us. With poverty, inequality, intolerance, and discrimination being concerns in our society, museums can help us understand, debate, and challenge these concerns. They can also enhance everyone’s life chances by breaking down barriers to access and inclusion.
Cincinnati offers several area museums with free admission, such as:
- 21c Museum Hotel
- Cincinnati Art Museum
- Contemporary Arts Center
- National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (Fifth Third Community Days every third and fifth Sunday of the month)
- William Howard Taft National Historic Site
Explore one of our free parks
Greater Cincinnati is home to many fantastic and even award-winning parks. Cincinnati Parks currently ranks in the top 10 of park systems out of 100 US cities. With more than 300 parks and nature preserves, there are so many opportunities to explore local parks and their respective amenities and events.
Great Parks of Hamilton County and Cincinnati Parks do not inherently have a cost of admission to explore them. (Great Parks does require a Motor Vehicle Permit, but has Community Days on occasion throughout the year.) Visit greatparks.org and cincinnatiparks.org for more information.
Idea: pack up a picnic using food items you already have at home!
Head to Findlay Market
Founded in 1852, Findlay Market is the oldest continuously-operated public market in Ohio. In 2019 it was named one of The 10 Best Food Markets in the World by Newsweek. It is a cherished Cincinnati institution and a must-visit for residents and visitors alike. Findlay Market is home to dozens of local vendors, events, live music, and food and drink options, so there is always something to do or see in and around the market—even at no cost.
Tip: Every weekday during business hours you can get one hour of free parking at Findlay Market in their north and south lots.
Explore your creative side
Are you feeling the need to release creative energy? You can do so for free by going to the UnMuseum Creativity Center at the [free] Contemporary Arts Center, where you can create crafts and doodle, and also by going to the CHPL MakerSpace, which features free 3D printers, software, laser cutters, and other tools. The MakerSpace is particularly useful for students, small business owners, and nonprofit workers and volunteers who need it produce projects on a budget.
Listen to a local podcast
A great way to enjoy and support local makers is to listen to the podcasts they take the time to produce. Here are some suggestions for podcasts to listen to, available wherever you listen to podcasts:
Brew Skies Happy Hour
Brewer Bret Kollmann Baker (Urban Artifact) and beer historian Michael D. Morgan explore how America went from fewer than 100 breweries in the 1970s to more than 10,000 today.
Apple | Spotify
Cincinnati Soccer Talk
The first FC Cincinnati podcast produced by fans, for the fans.
Apple | Spotify | YouTube
Cincinnati Zoo Tales
Get a glimpse of life behind the scenes at the Cincinnati Zoo, the sixth oldest zoo in the United States.
Apple | Spotify
Cincy Brewcast
The latest in Craft Beer from the local Cincinnati Community through the voices of the owners, the brewers, and the drinkers that make it all come together.
Apple | Spotify
The Cincy Shirts Podcast
Discussing the past, present, and future of The Queen City.
Apple | Spotify
The Jungle Jim’s Podcast
Pulling back the curtain to show secrets of Jungle Jim’s; a super safari exploring the world of food, as well as people, art, culture, and more.
Apple | Spotify
Did you know? Tour de Cincinnati co-hosted a podcast with Justin Williams back in 2018 called Podopolis. You can still listen to all 18 episodes about Cincinnati here.
More no- and low-spend tips
Fare-free Streetcar
Operating in its first phase, the Connector is an electric-powered streetcar that operates along a 3.6-mile loop connecting Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine and Banks neighborhoods via the Central Business District.
Metro
While not free, Greater Cincinnati’s bus system provides Hamilton County Local rides for just $2, with fare-free days occurring occasionally throughout the year. Riding the bus eliminates the need to find and pay for parking, particularly downtown. (Click here to read about the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky.)
Tip: To pay for and plan your trip on the Connector, Metro, or TANK, download the Transit app.
Have questions or looking for a custom recommendation? Just ask!
*Participating organizations include Taft Museum of Art, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum, The Harriet Beecher Stowe House, Great Parks of Hamilton County, Cincinnati Museum Center, and American Sign Museum.
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