Summer is right around the corner, and for those ready to leave their cabin fever behind, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the season in the great outdoors. From keeping cool with a Northern Kentucky ice ball to catching Kings Island’s new extravagant fireworks display, kayaking, hiking and more, here’s your can’t-miss guide to summer in Cincy.

The Ledge Hocking Hills, Ohio From $445/night | Hosts 6 guests “The Ledge@LostCavern blends sleek and modern design with old-world appeal. Perched on the bank of a 50’ cavern this six guest, Midcentury mod cabin features salvaged timbers and a Malm fireplace. The warm lighting and radiant heated floors invite you in for hygge time with friends and family, while the floor to ceiling windows draw you outwards.” — Vrbo Photo: vrbo.com
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Visit Sharonville’s The Root Beer Stand 11566 Reading Road, Sharonville Opened as an A&W Root Beer Stand in 1957, the now family-owned restaurant makes secret-recipe root beer (available by the jug) using water from the property’s 280-foot-deep well. But don’t miss out on the food — the secret-recipe chili for the eatery’s famous foot-long coney dogs is to die for. Open seasonally. Photo: Danielle Schuster Photo: Danielle Schuster
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Get Frosty With a Northern Kentucky Ice Ball 20 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue As summer approaches, a seasonal favorite is making its way back to Northern Kentucky sweet shops — ice balls. A combination of finely ground ice with rich, flavored syrup generously poured on top, this dessert has become a seasonal staple in Northern Kentucky since its inception in 1919. The more-than-a-century-old legacy continues at places like Schneider’s Sweet Shop in Bellevue and Sweet Tooth Candies in Newport, where you can pair your favorite flavored ice with smooth ice cream to further enhance the experience. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Sip on Some Beer While Your Pup Plays at the BARk Park & Patio 7544 Burlington Pike, Florence Sometimes you just need a drink and your dog needs some playtime so the BARk Park & Patio is the perfect place to take your pup this summer. The BARk Park is Cincinnati’s first bar and dog park, which opened this April in Florence, Kentucky. Patrons can enjoy 18 craft brews and two wines. The taproom is self-serve and guests can sync their credit cards to a BARk Park card that they can use to pour their own beer. Everyone must sign a waiver prior to entering the park and pups will need a day pass or monthly membership to play. Passes range from $10-216 per dog. Those without a dog can simply enter the establishment for free. Photo: provided by BARk Park & Patio
Glenwood Gardens 10397 Springfield Pike, Woodlawn Glenwood Gardens has the Garden Loop Trail and the Wetland Loop Trail. The Garden Loop is 1.1 miles of paved trail leading past a gazebo, the Mill Creek and the stone bridge. The Wetland Loop is a nature trail past grassy meadows, woods and wetlands. Photo: provided by Great Parks of Hamilton County
See Some Costumes from Jane Austin Adaptations at the Newly-Restored Taft Museum of Art 316 Pike St., Downtown The Taft Museum of Art is celebrating its 200th anniversary with a full-scale restoration project. They closed for a few months in the spring of 2022 and are reopening in June with an amazing new exhibit. From June 11-Sept. 4, the museum will present Jane Austen: Fashion & Sensibility, a special exhibition that features costumes worn by Hollywood celebrities in film and television adaptations of Austen’s novels. The costumes are journeying across the Atlantic from Cosprop LTD, an award-winning British costume house based in London, to the Taft to be displayed in North America for the first time. Photo: Kevin J. Watkins
Catch the Newly-Revamped Kings Island Fireworks Show 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason In celebration of Kings Island’s 50th anniversary, the park decided to update its nightly fireworks show. The show now will conclude with 200 synchronized drones, laser projections, fire bursts and plenty of fireworks that will tell the story of Kings Island over the past 50 years. “Fun, Fireworks and Fifty – A Kings Island Nighttime Spectacular,” lasts for 14 minutes (four times longer than the show lasted in years past), and will continue through the summer.
Visit the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden 3400 Vine St., Avondale A stroll through the zoo grounds may be the perfect thing to do this summer in Cincinnati. Kids, teens and adults alike can enjoy viewing all the many animals and botanicals throughout the facility. You can see some of the newest additions to the zoo, like the Steller’s sea eagle chick, born in March, or little blue penguin Cup O’ Joe Burrow who hatched in January. Also, stop by the hippo habitat to see if you can spot the baby bump on famous Fiona the hippo’s mom Bibi, who is due to give birth to another baby hippo this summer. Photo: facebook.com/cincinnatizoo
​​Visit a Beach Within Driving Distance of Cincinnati Ohio may not be on a coast, but don’t let that fool you — we have plenty of breezy beach options for when the water is calling your name. Yes, they may be on a lake or riverfront, but they check most of our boxes when we’re in need of a little sand between our toes, sunshine on our skin and a cool, refreshing dip in the water. Follow the link to find some beachy inspiration. Photo: facebook.com/fairportharborlakefrontpark
Sip, Bite and Stroll at Findlay Market 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine At more than 150 years old, Findlay Market is Ohio’s oldest continually operated public market. Go for the farmers market, butcher shops, flower stalls, OTR Biergarten and eclectic eats. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Catch a Reds Game and Chow Down on a Vegetarian Hotdog 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, The Banks Great American Ball Park debuted a slate of new snacks for the 2022 season — even some elevated fare made especially for vegetarians. The new menu includes two veg-friendly hot dogs: the Lookout Dog and the Dragon Dog. The Lookout is a plant-based frank smothered in white bean buffalo dip, shredded cheddar cheese, pickled jalapeños and hot sauce, while the Dragon Dog is topped with kimchi, garlic soy sauce and sesame aioli. Vegetarians can also enjoy the cauliflower “wings,” which are hunks of fried, parmesan-encrusted cauliflower in a sweet hot sauce with celery and blue cheese dip on the side. There are also pretzel bites — toasty portions of dough accompanied by queso, pico de gallo and jalapeños. Some items are available only at specific locations within the ballpark. Photo: Allison Babka
Get Your Float On at Green Acres Kayak Rental 10465 Suspension Bridge Road, Harrison Harrison’s Green Acres kayak rental has officially opened for the season. If you didn’t get a chance to visit the livery last summer, traditional operations have shifted a bit to allow for safer trips for their guests. You must book your date and pay for your trip online in advance. The outfitter offers 3, 5 and 8-mile trips, and guests must be age 12+ and weigh more than 75 pounds to participate. No dogs or large coolers are permitted, and only single kayaks are available. Trips start at $29.95 and increase by $7 on weekends or holidays. Photo: facebook.com/greenacreskayak
Ride the Loveland Bike Trail Loveland, Ohio Spanning more than 70 miles along the Little Miami River, the Loveland Bike Trail is a haven for cyclists, runners and walkers alike. The paved, flat trail was developed in 1983, replacing what was once the Pennsylvania Railroad. Now, visitors pedal through to immerse themselves in the landscape of Little Miami State Park, grab ice cream at Loveland Sweets or Loveland Dairy Whip, and maybe even learn a thing or two at the Loveland History Museum. Loveland is also a DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) district, so if you grab a brew from Narrow Path Brewing, you can take it with you while you wander the quaint downtown. And if you don’t own a bike, don’t worry — rentals are a phone call away. Photo: facebook.com/Loveland Bike Trail
Get Fit for Free at Washington Park 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine Ditch the gym membership and head to Washington Park on Wednesdays and Thursdays this summer for the park’s weekly free Workout on the Green series. Spring sessions include yoga, HIIT and dance fitness; summer session dates and workouts have not yet been announced. Photo: facebook.com/washingtonparkotr Photo: facebook.com/washingtonparkotr
Photo: Sami Stewart
Bump, Set, Spike at Fifty West Brewing Company’s Sand Volleyball Courts 7605 Wooster Pike, Columbia Township Fifty West has tons of outdoor recreation activities with several sand volleyball courts (register online for leagues), plus running groups, the Fifty West Cycling Company and more. All are geared toward building community through shared experiences, which include drinking craft beer and getting outside. The brewery hub also has a Burger Bar with a menu of bread-and-butter diner specialties like classic cheeseburgers, flat-top hot dogs and loaded crinkle cut fries. Don’t miss the 12 specialty burgers named for the 12 states that U.S. Route 50 runs through. Grab a house-made root beer or orange soda to wash it all down, or choose from a wide range of Fifty West canned, bottled or draft beers. Photo: facebook.com/fiftywestbrewingcompany
Shop Local at the City Flea 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine This “curated urban flea market” pops up monthly from May to October — with a special winter holiday market — in Washington Park. Expect to find everything from plants and screenprinted T-shirts to vintage treasures, pet products and apothecary items from local and indie vendors. Food and drink vendors and food trucks will be parked on-site. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
No. 1 Best Rooftop Bar: Rhinegeist 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine Photo: facebook.com/rhinegeist
Step Back in Time at a Drive-In Theater Greater Cincinnati has two drive-in theaters — Holiday Auto Theatre in Oxford and Starlite Drive-In in Amelia. Sporting vintage vibes and fully-stocked concession stands, the theaters offer an opportunity to hang in your car while you watch first-run films and classic cinema. Starlite, open since 1947, and Holiday, open for more than 60 years, both offer double features for the price of one (and an option to pay an additional charge to bring in your own food). Photo: Jesse Fox
Do a Cannonball in the Ziegler Park Pool 216 Woodward St., Over-the-Rhine Located in Ziegler Park, this renovated Over-the-Rhine pool is not only a community hot spot, but also a hip place to see and be seen. A project of 3CDC, helmed by outside pool managers SwimSafe, Ziegler features three distinct sections: a zero-depth wheelchair-accessible area, an area with lap lanes and another with a diving board and rock-climbing wall. There is also space on the deck around the pool for lounging. Entry is open to the public and is $4 per day. Reservations are not required for open swim hours this year, but are still being utilized for early morning lap swim sessions (7-8 a.m. and 8-9 a.m. daily). Photo: facebook.com/zieglerpark
Take a Weekend Roadtrip to Camp and Hike When you’re in need of a little escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, a weekend camping trip is just what the doctor ordered. There are several destinations within driving distance of the Queen City to explore, like Hocking Hills, Red River Gorge or John Bryan State Park. Some boast waterfalls and hiking trails, while others feature beaches and mountain views — whichever one you choose, you’re sure to enjoy. Photo: facebook.com/OfficialRedRiverGorge
Put Your Toes in the Sand at Caesar Creek State Park Beach 8570 Ohio Route 73, Waynesville The Queen City may be landlocked, but when you’re in need of some sand between your toes, there are a few beach-boasting state park lakes within a one-hour drive from downtown, such as Caesar Creek State Park, Hueston Woods State Park and East Fork State Park. Caesar Creek offers a 1,300-foot beach that is open during daylight hours. After a day of hiking, mountain biking, fishing or boating, visitors can hang out on the beach or take a dip in the lake. Photo: facebook.com/caesarcreekstatepark
Amble Among Art at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton Art appreciation and fresh air aren’t mutually exclusive, at least at Hamilton’s Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum. Since 1997, the 300-acre nonprofit outdoor art park features more than 80 gargantuan sculptures displayed among rolling hills, lakes and hiking trails. If the weather’s not to your taste, head indoors to explore the ancient sculpture museum, which houses Greek, Roman, Syrian and Egyptian art, as well as rotating exhibitions of more modern work. The park rents out special Art Carts (aka golf carts) on a first-come, first-served basis. Photo: facebook.com/pyramidhillsculpturepark
Zig-Zag Up the Art Climb 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams Starting near the intersection of Eden Park Drive and Gilbert Avenue, the expansive Art Climb is a flight of 164 steps that ascends from the sidewalk and zig-zags its way up to the Cincinnati Art Museum. At nine stories high, the stairway includes 16 landings and is flanked on either side by greenery and modern light beam structures. If the climb seems daunting, don’t fret: not only are benches placed throughout, but users can also check out artworks placed at four different art plazas. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Soak Up Culture at Shakespeare in the Park This summer, the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is bringing its popular free Shakespeare in the Park series to public spots across the Tri-State, from Over-the-Rhine to West Chester. This summer’s production is Twelfth Night, which CSC describes as a “lively rom-com on an island where everyone is in love with someone — and the wrong person loves them back.” The season kicks off July 15 at Seasongood Pavilion in Eden Park. Photo: facebook.com/cincyshakes
See (and Hear) a Concert from the Lawn at Riverbend Riverbend Music Center has made it easier than ever to see live music from the lawn seats. In 2019, the venue removed the support beam towers that have been part of the pavilion structure since its original construction in 1984. “Over the years we have received feedback from patrons that they loved being on the lawn for concerts, but wished the sightlines were better. So we listened and now every spot on the lawn has an unobstructed view of the stage,” said Rosemarie Moehring, director of marketing. Lawn seats are cheaper than pavilion seats, and for big concerts — like Jimmy Buffett’s annual pilgrimage to see his Queen City Parrotheads — it’s where the party’s at. It also makes it easier to access the bathrooms, beer lines and the exit when you want to leave. Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., California, riverbend.org. Photo: Mark Byron Photo: Mark Byron
Shop Vintage at the Burlington Antique Market 5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington, Kentucky For more than 40 years, the Burlington Antique Show has been bringing the best antiques and vintage collectibles to the Boone County Fairgrounds. More than 200 dealers converge on the Boone County Fairgrounds, selling authentic Midcentury Modern, Art Deco, pre-war and Industrial wares. Held the third Sunday of the month through October, the show has both early admission and general admission options. It’s generally pretty crowded, so if you’re a real hunter, aim for early-bird admission (6-8 a.m.; $6). General admission starts at 8 a.m. and costs $4. Kids under 12 are free. Photo: facebook.com/burlingtonantiqueshow
Take a Selfie with a Cincinnati Mural Since its inception in 2007, the ArtWorks mural program has been a boon to public art along the streets of Cincinnati. The nonprofit organization — dedicated to employing and training local youth and other creative individuals to achieve community impact through art — has created nearly 200 of them. Download or print a map from online and build your own tour, or purchase a ticket for a ArtWorks-guided tour. Photo: Savana Willhoite Photo: Savana Willhoite