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25 Weekend Vacation Destinations Within Driving Distance of Cincinnati

By CityBeat Staff on Fri, Mar 4, 2022 at 3:06 pm

Whether you're looking for some time with mother nature, seeking busy city nights with live music or want to focus your trip on bourbon tasting and history, there are plenty of exciting destinations to choose from — all within 5 hours of Cincinnati.

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Photo: Facebook.com/Asheville

Asheville, North Carolina

Distance: 5 hours and 30 minutes
A little further of a drive from Cincinnati is Asheville in western North Carolina, a lively area for the arts, brewery enthusiasts and classic architecture. Located in the state’s beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, it has become a very popular vacation destination. One of the most popular attractions is the Biltmore Estate, the largest privately-owned home in the country, where there are tours, a museum and a rich history.

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Photo: Facebook.com/Keeneland

Lexington, Kentucky

Distance: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Lexington is a fun weekend getaway in the heart of the Bluegrass State. Here you’ll find Keeneland Race Track, a beloved Kentucky thoroughbred racing tradition that dates all the way back to 1939. The picturesque grounds are open year-round for tours. Racing takes place in April and October, where visitors can place bets, enjoy a nice Mint Julep, and see what the South is really all about. The city also offers more than horses, with great restaurants, bars and distilleries.

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Photo: Facebook.com/HoosierNF

Hoosier National Forest

811 Constitution Ave., Bedford, Indiana
Distance: 2 hours
Just over in south-central Indiana is where you can find Hoosier National Forest. The 203,000-acre forest is a great place to hike, camp, ride horses, fish and bike. This massive piece of land has lots of special attractions including Patoka Lake, which is the second largest reservoir in the country.

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Photo: Facebook.com/MyPigeonForgeTN

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Distance: 4 hours and 45 minutes
The wildfires that devastated Gatlinburg in 2016 did no harm to the town’s enthusiastic spirit. Gatlinburg is still full of fun activities and adventures for everyone. There are outdoor activities, family attractions, breweries, live entertainment, art galleries and more. A popular spot is Pigeon Forge, which has go-kart tracks, mini golf, restaurants and Dollywood; Country singer Dolly Parton’s Appalachian-themed park, which has nearly three million visitors every year.

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Photo: Facebook.com/DaytonCVB

Dayton, Ohio

Distance: 1 hour
Only about an hour away from Cincy, some notable attractions here are the Dayton Art Institute and the National Museum of the US Air Force, which has more than 360 aircrafts and missiles to view. The city also has great restaurants, breweries, shopping, parks and outdoor recreation. Oh, it's also home to cult-favorite grocery store Dorothy Lane Market,

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