25 Outdoor Activities to Put On Your Cincinnati Summer Bucket List

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. And 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, others feature beaches and mountain views — whichever one you choose, you're sure to enjoy.
Photo: Always Shooting, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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

Sip and Stroll at The Banks’ DORA

150 E. Freedom Way, Downtown
The Banks transformed into an 85-acre Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) in late March. A DORA means you can walk around a specific space with a drink in hand if you're of legal drinking age. The designated space spans from Paul Brown Stadium to Heritage Bank Center and to the south sidewalk of Second Street and north sidewalk of Mehring Way (Smale Riverfront Park is not included in The Banks' DORA district). The DORA is open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week, during which visitors may purchase their adult beverages in DORA cups from participating businesses and traverse the district.
Photo: facebook.com/thebankscincy

Zig-Zag Up the Art Climb

953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams
Starting near the intersection of Eden Park Drive and Gilbert Avenue, the new and 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 plazas.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger