Cincinnati is a beautiful city with no shortage of things to keep visitors entertained, but if you want to get out of town for a day, I enjoyed visiting some nearby destination. The city's central location makes it easy to access everything from secluded wilderness areas to bustling cities. Trust me: these incredible destinations will ensure you won't get bored!
Unique Day Trips from Cincinnati:
1. African Safari Wildlife Park - 3 hours 45 minutes from Cincinnati
Africa isn't the only place you can spot zebras and giraffes from your car; you can do it right here in the Midwest at the African Safari Wildlife Park. My kid was so delighted when I told him about our plans to visit.
The park is home to a wide variety of animals, including camels, bison, and several species of deer, and visitors can drive through the park in their own car to feed and pet the animals at their own pace.
There is also a walking safari section, where visitors can see warthogs, gibbons, and tortoises.
For an additional fee, you can ride a camel, feed the kangaroos, and mine for gems at the African Safari Mining Outpost.
267 S Lightner Rd, Port Clinton, OH 43452, Phone: 419-732-3606
2. Athens, Ohio - 2 hours 45 minutes from Cincinnati
Set on the banks of the Hocking River and home to Ohio University, Athens is best known as a college town, but it's much more than that.
There's no doubt that the large student population gives the town a vibrant, youthful edge. I could feel it in its hip cafes and restaurants. The area also has a rich history.
Stop by the Southeast Ohio History Center. Don't forget to make time to do a bit of shopping while exploring the historic buildings along the brick Court Street.
3. Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park - 45 minutes from Cincinnati
Located inside the beautiful Devou Park, the Behringer-Crawford Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the unique culture and history of Northern Kentucky. The museum is housed inside an elegant 19th-century residence that was originally built for the Devou family, and it boasts a diverse collection of family-friendly exhibits, including a 1959 Buick Electra set up to watch a drive-in movie, an interactive model train that travels through a mid-century city, and a carefully restored streetcar from 1892. There's also an outdoor play area with activities designed to teach children about the region's history in a fun, interactive way. 1600 Montague Rd, Covington, KY 41011, Phone: 859-491-4003
4. Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
It can be tough to plan a day trip when young children are involved, but the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is a destination the whole family can enjoy. The displays are centered around science and natural history, and highlights of the permanent exhibits include an Egyptian mummy, a live Burmese python, and a large replica globe that shows changing images of Earth. The museum offers plenty of hands-on learning opportunities as well, and children and their parents can enjoy interactive exhibits like a rubber band art board, a demonstrative laboratory, and an enclosed tree house where visitors can watch birds through the windows. 2600 Deweese Pkwy, Dayton, OH 45414, Phone: 937-275-7431
Romantic Day Trips from Cincinnati:
5. Big Bone Lick State Park
Big Bone Lick State Park was named for the enormous bones that have been found scattered throughout the area, and it's widely recognized as an important key to understanding what life looked like during the Ice Age. A boardwalk leads visitors around a diorama dotted with recreations of mammoths, mastodons, and other Ice Age animals, and the Visitor's Center features a number of informative displays about Native American history, the research being performed in the park, and the area's fossilized plants and animals. The park is also home to a small herd of live bison, which can be seen all throughout the year. 3380 Beaver Rd, Union, KY 41091, Phone: 859-384-3522
6. Brookville Lake
Tucked away in Indiana's picturesque Whitewater Valley, Brookville Lake is one of the best places in the area for swimming, boating, fishing, and other water recreation activities. The lake stretches for approximately 17 miles from north to south, and its shores offer more than 25 miles of hiking trails as well as two public beaches equipped with dressing rooms, snack bars, and a lifeguard on duty. Visitors are welcome to use the picnic areas at the beaches, but there are also plenty of excellent restaurants in the area if you'd rather go out for lunch.
7. Carillon Historical Park
Situated on a beautiful 65-acre property in Dayton, Carillon Historical Park is an open-air history museum that tells the story of the city's community from 1796 until the present day. While walking through the park, visitors can marvel at the period demonstrations in the Early Settlement Area, visit a working 1930s letterpress print shop, and learn about the area's history of innovation at the Heritage Center of Dayton Manufacturing and Entrepreneurship. The park is also home to a fascinating collection of vehicles, including vintage bicycles, a 1903 Barney & Smith Parlor car, and the original Wright Flyer. 1000 Carillon Blvd, Dayton, OH 45409, Phone: 937-293-2841
Family Day Trips from Cincinnati:
8. Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve
Established to protect one of the state's most magnificent dolomite and limestone gorges, the Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve is a 268-acre piece of land located along the Little Miami State and National Scenic River. Several short trails lead down to the gorge and around its rim from the parking lot, allowing visitors to explore the many dramatic rock formations and waterfalls, and a small nature center is open between April and October. Visitors who come in the spring will also get the chance to see beautiful wildflowers in bloom, including the rarely seen snow trillium. 2381 OH-343, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, Phone: 614-265-6453
9. Columbus
As the capital of Ohio, Columbus is an obvious choice for a day trip destination, but you might be surprised by just how many things there are to do here. The city's many distinct districts offer almost an incredibly wide range of experiences for visitors to enjoy; lunch on authentic bratwurst in the German Village, browse the boutique shops in the Short North Arts District, and check out the up-and-coming arts scene in Franklinton. If you're traveling with children, check out the exciting LEGOLAND Discovery Center or the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for an afternoon of family-friendly fun.
10. Columbus Center of Science and Industry
The Columbus Center of Science and Industry, often referred to simply as COSI, is one of the top science museums in the country. It offers hundreds of exhibits spread throughout ten themed areas, including an Ocean exhibit with a submarine laboratory, a space exhibit where visitors can land the Mars Rover, and a dinosaur gallery with a life-size model of a T. rex. For an additional fee, visitors can also choose from exciting add-on experiences like a ride on the Motion Simulator, a visit to the Planetarium, and the chance to watch a film on the museum's National Geographic Giant Screen Theater. 333 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215, Phone: 614-228-2674
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Q: Are there places to visit outside of Cincinnati?
- A: Yes, Cincinnati's central location makes it easy to access wonderful destinations, ranging from secluded wilderness areas to bustling cities.
- Q: What unique experiences are available near Cincinnati?
- A: For a more unique experience, consider visiting the African Safari Wildlife Park, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, or the mysterious Serpent Mound, believed to have been built during prehistoric times.
- Q: Will I run out of things to do in the Cincinnati area?
- A: No matter what you're in the mood for, choosing one of these incredible destinations will ensure you won't get bored.
Best Time for Day Trips from Cincinnati, Ohio
- April to June – Ideal for mild weather, blooming gardens, and outdoor adventures.
- September to October – Perfect for fall foliage, scenic drives, and harvest festivals.
- July & August – Warm summer days great for riverfront activities, hiking, and family outings.
- November – Enjoy cooler weather and fewer crowds at historical and cultural sites.
- December to March – Cold but great for cozy retreats, museums, and festive holiday events.
Plan Your Trip