Travel Guides > Cincinnati, OH

Cincinnati Travel

Situated in southwestern Ohio, near the convergence of the three states of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, Cincinnati has long been considered an excellently-planned urban center that's served as an important part of the midwestern United States.

Located on the Ohio River, throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the city grew immensely, due to the fact that it was once an important rail and river hub. The result was an urban area that's full of history, the arts, sports, and lots of family attractions to keep guests of all ages happy on their visit to Cincinnati.

The city is large but not so big that it makes it difficult to get around, and the town boasts two bus systems that make travel from place to place rather easy. Cincinnati is also a fun city to explore on foot.

On your walk through town, you can find nearly two dozen museums that are sure to peak your interest. Several of them are award-winning.

Thanks to the way the museums are situated, it's possible to visit several in just one stop. In an area dubbed the Cincinnati Museum Center, the Union Square location of some of the city's best attractions includes the Cincinnati History Museum, Cinergy Children's Museum, the Museum of Natural History & Science, the Robert D. Lindner Family OMNIMAX® Theater, and the Cincinnati Historical Society Library.

The Newport Aquarium, located just over the bridge in Newport, Kentucky, has often been deemed the best in the Midwest. At this sprawling facility, visitors will be greeted by nearly 7,000 species of aquatic creatures which can be viewed from underwater tunnels and see-through floors.

The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is also rated among the best in the country. The animal habitats built here are fascinating and the zoo is internationally-acclaimed for its work with rare and endangered species. The gardens are lush and feature nearly 3,000 varieties of plants.

The Cincinnati Art Museum is huge and was recently voted the Best Art Museum for Families by Parenting Magazine. The 60,000 objects in the museum's permanent collection are impressive and span millenniums.

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is a new museum, located in Cincinnati because of the important role the city played as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Here, on the banks of the Ohio, thousands found their freedom and the museum endeavors to bring these historic struggles to life as well as outline the continuing struggle for freedom of people throughout the world.

If you're interested in fun outdoor recreation for the whole family, check out Cincinnati-area theme parks like Coney Island, where you can enjoy traditional rides and waterpark attractions, or Paramount's Kings Island, home to world-class thrill rides, a waterpark, and a 10,000 seat theater.

In the performing arts department, visitors will find everything from children's theater to Shakespeare festivals to ballet and classical music to concerts by top-name entertainers at the city's excellent venues.

For gaming enthusiasts, riverboat casinos are nearby as well - though technically located in Indiana - and provide not only state-of-the-art casinos but also features shows and fine restaurants.