By Julie Kirkpatrick
President & CEO, MeetNKY & Interim President & CEO, Visit Cincy
As summer winds down and families eye the calendar before school schedules and busy fall routines take over, the rush to squeeze in one last getaway is officially on. But planning a memorable vacation doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. The Cincy Region makes it simple to enjoy world-class attractions, dining, parks and the arts, all while keeping your travel budget intact – just ask WalletHub.
Cincinnati landed at No. 2 on the site’s list of top staycation destinations in the nation. But rankings only tell part of the story. What makes Cincy stand out is the variety of things to do here that are also budget friendly for many families.
Leading MeetNKY and serving as Interim President & CEO of Visit Cincy means I get to experience and share our region’s story every day. There is always something new to discover, a fresh restaurant to try, or an outdoor adventure waiting on both sides of the river — making it easy to play tourist in your own backyard.
Great Outdoors & Urban Trails
If getting fresh air is your idea of the ideal escape, you’re in the right place. With more than 100 miles of connected multi-purpose pathways, the Cincitucky Trail system stands as America’s largest urban trail network near a major metro area.
The region is also home to nearly 100 parks. Spend a morning hiking, watching your kids wear themselves out on playgrounds, rent a kayak from a riverfront kiosk to paddle our scenic waterways or even plan a camping and boating trip to East Fork State Park.
You can head north to enjoy a peaceful afternoon immersed in nature at Greenacres Foundation or the Cincinnati Nature Center. Or head south to Big Bone Lick State Historic Site to walk among history with a museum, campgrounds, putt-putt and an area to visit the resident bison herd.
Attractions for Every Generation and Interest
There is no shortage of ways to fill a weekend. Generations of locals and visitors have grown up frequenting signature attractions like the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Newport Aquarium, Cincinnati Museum Center, Krohn Conservatory, BB Riverboats and Kings Island.
When hosting friends or family from out of town, consider a few of these other great ways to explore the region:
- A Look Back: Reflect on history at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, celebrate music legends along the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame or discover hidden gems like the Behringer-Crawford Museum and Vent Haven Museum, the world’s only museum dedicated to ventriloquism. History buffs can also explore free historic sites and memorials, including those at Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove, offering another way to experience the stories and people that helped shape the Cincy Region.
- A Look Around: Cincy continuously lands on national lists for our street art and we’re home to the America’s largest public art and light festival, BLINK. You can take a self-guided tour to find vibrant neighborhood murals and popular public sculptures like “Clive” in Covington, glow with nostalgia at the American Sign Museum, admire fine art at the Cincinnati Art Museum, get up close with masterworks at the Taft Museum of Art, or dive into modern installations at the Contemporary Arts Center. Download the free ArtsWave app — a one-stop calendar for the region’s arts, entertainment, savings and more.
- A Look at the Action: As the Cincinnati Reds are winding down their season at Great American Ball Park, you can still catch FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. Pretty soon, Bengals preseason games will start, offering a first look at some major renovations recently completed at Paycor Stadium.
- A Look Inside the Barrel: Raise a glass to the region’s brewing and distilling heritage. Cincinnati’s beer legacy lives on through Over-the-Rhine’s historic lager tunnels, restored breweries and beer halls. The Brewing Heritage Trail and American Legacy Tours take visitors underground into 19th-century lagering cellars, while the Cincy Brew Bus showcases today’s thriving craft beer scene. Across the river, Northern Kentucky serves as the gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® through The B-Line®, a self-guided experience featuring 8 craft KBT distilleries, bourbon bars and restaurants serving up genuine Southern hospitality and bourbon experiences rooted in generations of craftsmanship.
A Nationally Recognized Culinary Scene
Cincy’s food and drink scene continues to capture national attention. No visit is complete without Skyline Chili or Gold Star, paired with Graeter’s ice cream and a pizza from LaRosa’s. But our reputation as a major foodie destination goes far beyond the classics — we have something for everyone and every budget.
With a growing list of James Beard Award nominations for local chefs, dining destinations including Café Mochiko, Nolia Kitchen, Wildweed, Baker’s Table, Salazar, Sotto and Carmelo’s are setting national culinary trends, landing Cincy on “best” lists in publications like The Local Palate and most recently joining the MICHELIN Guide American Great Lakes edition.
We also take deep pride in our German heritage, offering a taste of our historic roots with restaurants like Hofbräuhaus Newport and Kantine. And our casual spots, with favorites like The Standard, Olla Taqueria and Northside Yacht Club (named one of America’s 38 best bars by USA TODAY), serve up deliciously affordable dining options.
Plan Your Cincy Staycation Today
Sometimes the best vacation isn’t the one that requires a passport or a plane ticket. It’s the one that reminds you why you chose to call this place home. Whether you’re planning a weekend with the family, entertaining visitors or simply looking for something new to experience, Cincy proves that memorable adventures can be found just around the corner.
And if you really want it to feel like a getaway, book a night or two at one of the region’s destination hotels. Fresh arrivals like the Beaux Arts Fidelity Hotel downtown, the AAA Four Diamond Hotel Covington in Northern Kentucky and the stylish Moxy Cincinnati Downtown — on USA TODAY’s best new hotels of 2026 list — make it easy to unplug, explore nearby neighborhoods on foot and experience your hometown from an entirely new perspective.
Whether you’re visiting from across the country or just across town, there’s never been a better time to rediscover everything the Cincy has to offer. Get insider tips and start planning at VisitCincy.com.
