30 Activities to Put On Your Cincinnati Summer Bucket List

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.

Take a Trip to a Cabin

We all need a getaway sometimes and the hot summer calls for a trip to a cabin shaded by trees. Follow the link to find a list of cabins — all within driving distance of Cincinnati — nestled in secluded forests or perched atop hillsides offering breathtaking views. Many are located near parks featuring hiking trails for the perfect adventure right outside your door.

Search for and Grab a Drink at Some of Cincinnati's Many Hidden Bars, Lounges and Speakeasies

Summer is the perfect time to explore places you may not have ventured to before. Take a walk around the city and see if you can find some of Cincinnati's hidden bars (secret garden patios and underground nightclubs beckon). The Queen City may be packed with nightlife options, but there are a few local gems that remain a challenge to find. Click the link to find some Cincinnati bars that may be playing hard-to-get...but they're totally worth the struggle.

Grab a Bite From Cincinnati's Hottest New Restaurants

Looking to escape the heat for an hour? Make the most of your downtime by hecking out some of the Queen City's newest restaurants. Cincinnati's food scene is definitely starting to heat up —dozens of restaurants have opened in recent months, from Mexican joints to a ramen spot and a new Italian restaurant in Covington. Follow the link to find a taste of what folks are buzzing over this season.

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.

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.

Go for a Hike in the Queen City

Greater Cincinnati is home to a myriad of parks offering diverse hiking trails perfect for every sort of hiker. As the temperatures climb, Cincinnatians should take advantage of the many benefits the outdoors offers. The outdoors increases serotonin levels and gives your immune system a boost — it’s a natural energizer. Got a dog? Walk it. Have kids? Tire them out. An old friend? Reconnect with them. Or, go Walden-style and wander alone to your heart’s content. Click the link to find a sampling of the best hiking spots in the Cincinnati area.

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.

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.

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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.

Stroll Through Findlay Market

1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
A stop at the historic Findlay Market makes for the perfect Cincinnati Saturday morning. More than 50 full-time merchants at the 19th-century landmark sell everything from meat, cheese and fresh-baked bread to produce, flowers and international eats. Stop by for a pint at Jane's bar, or browse a local farmers market and wide array of arts and crafts vendors. Findlay also occupies the only area of Cincinnati with restaurants owned by Cincinnati’s two superstar chefs, Jean-Robert de Cavel and Jose Salazar. De Cavel’s French Crust and Salazar’s Goose & Elder both hit a sweet spot of being perfect for the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood and a draw for folks from the entire region. Follow the link to read our review of Findlay's dining scene.

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.

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.

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.

Get Fit for Free at Outdoor Workout Classes Around the City

1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Looking to change up your workout routine? Want to get a good workout in while enjoying the beautiful weather? Parks across Greater Cincinnati are offering plenty of free weekly pop-up programs, ranging from yoga to boxing, all led by different studios and instructors. Classes are available all over the city, from Newport on the Levee to Washingon Park.

Eat Blue Creamy Whip

2673 Putz's Place, Westwood
If you’ve lived in Cincinnati for any length of time, chances are you can distinctly recall the taste of blue ice cream. A blueberry-based soft serve, the actual name of the flavor is known as simply just “blue.” Introduced by Kings Island in 1982 to promote a then-new Smurfs ride in the park’s Hanna-Barbera Land, it’s become a quintessential Queen City summer treat. Thankfully, the cult following for the dessert is as rich as its flavor, so you can grab a cone at most local creamy whip windows, like Putz’s Creamy Whip in Westwood. Although blue creamy whip varies slightly at each location — with many shops implementing special (and secret) twists — the treats taste nearly identical, staying faithful to the amusement park’s true-blue recipe.

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.

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.

Sip Cocktails on a Rooftop Patio

Sweet, sweet summertime is upon us, which means it's time to figure out which local rooftop bars you should plan to visit for all your breezy sunshine and sipping needs. And this year, we're taking the guesswork out of the equation. CityBeat readers voted for the top 10 rooftop spots to enjoy your brew with a view. Visit the link for the list.