• 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.

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1. African Safari Wildlife Park - 3 hours 45 minutes from Cincinnati


Drive through wildlife enclosures and see exotic animals with kids.

African Safari Wildlife Park - 3 hours 45 minutes from Cincinnati

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  • Where can you spot zebras and giraffes in the Midwest?
    • 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.
  • What animals can visitors see at the park?
    • 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.
  • What is the walking safari section?
    • There is also a walking safari section, where visitors can see warthogs, gibbons, and tortoises.
  • What additional activities are offered?
    • For an additional fee, visitors can ride a camel, feed the kangaroos, and mine for gems at the African Safari Mining Outpost.
  • Where is the African Safari Wildlife Park located?
    • 267 S Lightner Rd, Port Clinton, OH 43452, Phone: 419-732-3606

2. Athens, Ohio - 2 hours 45 minutes from Cincinnati


Explore campus charm and visit local shops during a fall weekend trip.

Athens, Ohio - 2 hours 45 minutes from Cincinnati

© Jacob Lund/stock.adobe.com

  • What is Athens, Ohio best known for?
    • 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.
  • What kind of atmosphere does Athens have?
    • There's no doubt that the large student population gives the town a vibrant, youthful edge that can be felt in its hip cafes and restaurants, but the area also has a rich history.
  • What historical attractions should visitors see?
    • Visitors should make a point of stopping by the Southeast Ohio History Center, but 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


Admire outdoor sculptures and walk peaceful trails on a quick outing.

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park - 45 minutes from Cincinnati

© Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park

  • What is Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park?
  • How many sculptures are in the park?
    • More than 60 monumental sculptures are scattered throughout the 335-acre property, and visitors are welcome to explore on foot or in a rented Art Cart.
  • What indoor exhibits are available?
    • In addition to the outdoor displays, there is also a 10,000-square-foot display room filled with ancient sculptures from Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
  • Are there special events or programs?
    • Special children's programs are held during the summer, and the park is lit with twinkling lights every Christmas season for its Holiday Lights on the Hill event.
  • Where is Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park located?
    • 1763 Hamilton Cleves Rd, Hamilton, OH 45013, Phone: 513-868-1234

4. Boonshoft Museum of Discovery


Discover hands-on exhibits and explore science with kids.

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

© Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

  • Is the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery family-friendly?
    • 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.
  • What types of exhibits are at the museum?
    • 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.
  • Are there interactive activities at the museum?
    • 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.
  • Where is the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery located?
    • 2600 Deweese Pkwy, Dayton, OH 45414, Phone: 937-275-7431

5. Big Bone Lick State Park


See fossil beds and hike nature trails on a cheap day trip.

Big Bone Lick State Park

© Sherman Cahal/stock.adobe.com

  • Why is Big Bone Lick State Park significant?
    • 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.
  • What can visitors see on the boardwalk?
    • A boardwalk leads visitors around a diorama dotted with recreations of mammoths, mastodons, and other Ice Age animals.
  • What is inside the Visitor's Center?
    • 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.
  • Are there live animals in the park?
    • The park is also home to a small herd of live bison, which can be seen all throughout the year.
  • Where is Big Bone Lick State Park located?
    • 3380 Beaver Rd, Union, KY 41091, Phone: 859-384-3522

6. Brookville Lake


Boat across clear water and fish along peaceful shores during summer.

Brookville Lake

© Gary/stock.adobe.com

  • Where is Brookville Lake located?
    • 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.
  • How large is Brookville Lake?
    • The lake stretches for approximately 17 miles from north to south, and its shores offer more than 25 miles of hiking trails.
  • What amenities are at the public beaches?
    • There are two public beaches equipped with dressing rooms, snack bars, and a lifeguard on duty.
  • Are there food options nearby?
    • 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


Visit vintage exhibits and walk among historic buildings with family.

Carillon Historical Park

© Carillon Historical Park

  • What is 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.
  • What can visitors see in the Early Settlement Area?
    • While walking through the park, visitors can marvel at the period demonstrations in the Early Settlement Area.
  • Are there interactive exhibits at the park?
    • Visitors can 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.
  • What vehicles are featured in the park's collection?
    • 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.
  • Where is Carillon Historical Park located?
    • 1000 Carillon Blvd, Dayton, OH 45409, Phone: 937-293-2841

8. Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve


Hike limestone cliffs and admire rushing streams during spring.

Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve

© sonyachny/stock.adobe.com

  • What is 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.
  • What trails and features are available for visitors?
    • 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.
  • Is there a visitor center at the preserve?
    • A small nature center is open between April and October.
  • What can visitors see in the spring?
    • Visitors who come in the spring will also get the chance to see beautiful wildflowers in bloom, including the rarely seen snow trillium.
  • Where is Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve located?
    • 2381 OH-343, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, Phone: 614-265-6453

9. Columbus


Explore trendy neighborhoods and visit art museums on a weekend trip.

Columbus

© SeanPavonePhoto/stock.adobe.com

  • Why is Columbus a great day trip destination?
    • 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.
  • What kinds of experiences do Columbus' districts offer?
    • The city's many distinct districts offer 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.
  • What family-friendly attractions are in Columbus?
    • 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


Experiment with interactive exhibits and learn through play with kids.

Columbus Center of Science and Industry

© Columbus Center of Science and Industry

  • What is the Columbus Center of Science and Industry (COSI)?
  • What types of exhibits are at COSI?
    • 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.
  • Are there additional experiences available?
    • 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.
  • Where is COSI located?
    • 333 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215, Phone: 614-228-2674

Plan Your Trip


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