29 of the Most Beautiful Places Around Cincinnati

Taft Museum of Art

316 Pike St., Downtown
Tucked away in downtown Cincinnati, the Taft Museum of Art is a living landmark where art and history live on the walls—and in the walls. Built around 1820 as a private home, the Taft Museum of Art is now one of the most esteemed small art museums in America. The museum is home to 17th to 19th century watches, Chinese porcelains and French Renaissance enamels. From June 11 through Sept. 4, Jane Austen fans can peruse the museum's newest exhibit, Fashion & Sensibility, which features costumes worn in film adaptations of Austen's novels.

Krohn Conservatory

1501 Eden Park Dr., Eden Park
This giant greenhouse features deserts, tropics, a butterfly garden, orchids and an interior waterfall, which guests can walk behind. Seasonally themed exhibitions feature unique plants, and the ever-popular annual butterfly show showcases butterflies from various parts of the world.

Somerset

139 E McMicken Ave, Over-the-Rhine
Somerset features two bar spaces — one in the plant-filled and glass-roofed conservatory and another in the cozy lounge space. The grounds are also home to a double-decker bus that has been converted into a kitchen with a rooftop seating area (run by the team behind Mazunte); and, the pièce de résistance, Somerset's awe-inspiring garden space, loaded with tropical plants, unique seating nooks and imported pieces from co-founder and creative lead James Fisher's collection, as well as the collections of his friends and family.

Cincinnati Murals

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.

Loveland Castle

12025 Shore Road, Loveland
World War I army medic and Boy Scout troop leader Harry Delos Andrews built Chateau Laroche aka the Loveland Castle over the course of 50 years with handmade bricks (formed with quart-sized paper milk cartons) and stones from the nearby Little Miami River. Modeled after European castles, it features towers, a dry moat, hand-tiled ceilings, murder holes and a collection of period weaponry. The castle grounds are available for picnics, overnights and parties and are rumored to be haunted by a variety of ghosts.

Devou Park

1201 Park Drive, Covington
It is said that Cincinnati is built on seven hills, like Rome— the city is actually named for Roman agrarian and military general Cincinnatus— but the reality is we have plenty more hills, heights and neighborhood names that begin with "Mount" than that. The alternating peaks and valleys of the city create excellent views from a variety of vantage points. There are about 50 classified scenic overlooks throughout the Tristate and many other secret spots from which to see the lights of the city and the winding Ohio River and Devou Park in Covington might have one of the best. With over 700 acres (plus a golf course, trails, bandstand and history museum), the overlook area is open dawn to dusk and offers a panorama of the city skyline from the Big Mac Bridge and Great American Tower to Carew Tower and the Kroger building. The designated overlook also offers benches, a gazebo, picnic tables and is ADA accessible.

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.

Roebling Suspension Bridge

First opened in 1867, the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge connects Cincinnati and Covington and at the time was the world's longest suspension bridge. It now is an iconic landmark of Cincinnati that carries both cars and people across the Ohio River. It's the perfect place for a picture, as long as you're not in the way of traffic.

Cincinnati Observatory

3489 Observatory Place, Mount Lookout
Built in 1873, the Cincinnati Observatory is the oldest public observatory in the United States, housing fully-functional 19th century telescopic technology for the public to use. Seated atop Mount Lookout, the original building and the infamous dome added in 1895 are a significant fixture in the city's history. Known as "The Birthplace of American Astronomy," the Cincinnati Observatory is a bedrock for astronomical discoveries and advancement.

Fairview Park

501 West McMillan St., Clifton Heights
Fairview Park is located near the University of Cincinnati's campus and has some of the most beautiful views of the city. The small city park is filled with evergreens and sycamores, plus a playground and soccer field, but the star of the show is the overlook. Built by the Federal Works Projects Administration, the stonewall overlook features a unique view of the city, perfect for pictures and watching the city light up with fireworks on the Fourth of July.

Cincinnati Museum Center

1301 Western Ave., Queensgate
Cincinnati Museum Center — located in historic Union Terminal, which originally opened in 1933 as a train station hub — had a full structural restoration, the first in the building’s 85-year history, which began in 2016 and was completed in 2018. Original details like the Winold Reiss mosaics and the Rookwood-tiled ice cream parlor are still standing. This awe-inspiring Cincinnati location is full of history and learning opportunities, plus traveling exhibits.

Pepp & Dolores

1501 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
Pepp & Dolores is under the Thunderdome Restaurant Group — the team behind The Eagle, Bakersfield, Currito and Maplewood Kitchen and Bar. The Italian eatery is inspired by Sunday dinners at Thunderdome co-founders Joe and John Lanni's grandparents' house. “We designed the space to have a timeless look and feel with elements of a classic cafe or bistro from the early to mid-20th century on the first level and a lower level that is darker, cozier and reminiscent of a New York City supper club,” says John Lanni. The menu features housemade pasta along with a focus on shareable dishes, salads and bread.

Contemporary Arts Center

44 E. Sixth St., Downtown.
Started in 1939, the Cincinnati Modern Art Society first began in the basement of the Cincinnati Art Museum. The project collected popular art throughout its time and eventually opened in its current location in 2003. With changing exhibits, an eclectic gift shop and a hip cafe, the Contemporary Arts Center welcomes visitors free of charge.

Everybody's Treehouse

1212 Trail Ridge Road, Mt. Airy
Hidden in the largest city park in Cincinnati is a magic treehouse. Few know about it, but those who do come from all over to live out childhood dreams. This otherworldly, elevated structure buried in trees and seemingly snatched out of a fantasy novel is the Mount Airy Treehouse. It’s located in Mount Airy Forest and has a sign that reads “Everybody’s Treehouse” at its entrance.

Cincinnati Art Museum

953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams
The Cincinnati Art Museum opened its doors in 1886, making it the oldest art museum west of the Allegheny Mountains, according to the CAM website. The museum now has more than 67,000 items that date back to more than 6,000 years ago.

American Sign Museum

1330 Monmouth Ave., Camp Washington.
The American Sign Museum opened in 2012, helmed by Tod Swormstedt who spend much of his life, learning about, writing about and collecting signs. Explore the museum's over 100 years of signage. This 20,000-square-foot museum has everything from pre-electric signs to beautiful art-deco neon signs to modern plastic-faced signs.

Rhinegeist Brewery

1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Rhinegeist, known for being one of Cincinnati's most popular craft breweries, has a massive taproom attached to their warehouse where they create their delicious brews. While the inside is cool, the true beauty of the space can be seen up on the rooftop bar where you can get a cold drink and see the city.

Smale Riverfront Park

W. Mehring Way, Downtown
Smale Riverfront Park connects downtown from Paul Brown Stadium to Great American Ball Park with 45 acres of greenway. Operated by the Cincinnati Park Board, the park opened in 2012 and features public art, interactive fountains, playgrounds and a giant swing set that gives a hell of a view of the Ohio River.

Shires' Rooftop

509 Vine St., Downtown
Shires' Rooftop is located on the 10th floor of the City Club Apartments with views of the riverfront and the surrounding cityscape. This rooftop spot features an indoor dining room, an outdoor patio and a private event lounge with a bar, cigar patio, baby grand piano and firelit tables. This restaurant offers perfectly Instagrammable food, cocktails and a city view.

Coppin's at Hotel Covington

638 Madison Ave., Covington
The Patio at Coppin's Restaurant and Bar located inside luxury Hotel Covington provides a sun-splashed “urban refuge” for guests. Play lawn games during the day or watch movie screenings at night when looking for space outside the hotel room. Coppin's has a unique cocktail menu, featuring imaginative and picture-worthy drinks for a beautiful evening.