12 Free or Affordable Things to Do in Cincinnati

December 19, 2018

Nestled alongside the Ohio River, Cincinnati is one of the midwestern state’s most vibrant cities. Dotted with charming 19th century buildings and with some of the best food you’ll find anywhere in the region, the city attracts large numbers of visitors every year. For sports enthusiasts, Cincinnati is a dream too, while culture vultures will love the myriad of exceptional museums. To escape the city’s hustle and bustle, you can duck across the river to the verdant hills of Kentucky.

A misty view over Cincinnati (Photo: MoToMo via Flickr)

There are a huge amount of things to see and do in Cincinnati, whether you’re staying for a week, a fortnight, or even longer. Some activities will inevitably hit you in the pocket, but others need not do so. If you’re coming to Cincinnati on a budget, we’ve picked out 12 of the best free or affordable things that you’re sure to love.

Mushroom House

Perched in Cincinnati’s Hyde Park neighbourhood, this unique home was the brainchild of architecture professor Terry Brown, who decided to transform his bungalow into a fairytale-like creation that bears a distinct resemblance to fungus. In the 1990s, Brown used warped shingles and oddly wrapping staircases to give the one-bedroom home its highly distinctive appearance that catches the eye of all who see it.

Location: 3518 Tarpis Avenue

The fungus-resembling Mushroom House (Photo: krooooop via Flickr)

Findlay Market

Dating back to 1855, this is Ohio’s oldest operational public market and offers a veritable smorgasbord of sights, smells and sounds, not to mention plenty of free food samples to tuck into. Located in the city’s historic Over-the-Rhine neighbourhood, a huge assortment of produce can be found here, including meat, fish, poultry, fruit, vegetables, cheese and flowers, while street performers and special events help keep visitors entertained.

Location: 1801 Race Street
Hours: Tues–Fri 9am–6pm | Sat 8am–6pm | Sun 10am–4pm

An overhead shot of Findlay Market (Photo: 5chw4r7z via Flickr)

Cincinnati Art Museum

Exploring Cincinnati’s rich arts scene is a great cheap or free activity and one of the best places to do just this is at Cincinnati Art Museum. Located in scenic Eden Park, the museum features a hugely impressive collection of more than 67,000 works spanning 6,000 years. In addition to displaying its own broad collection, the museum also hosts several national and international traveling exhibitions each year.

Location: 953 Eden Park Drive
Hours: Tues–Weds & Fri–Sun 11am–5pm | Thurs 11am–8pm | Mon Closed

A view of the impressive Cincinnati Art Museum (Photo: 5chw4r7z via Flickr)

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

This remarkable museum explores the history and legacy of the Underground Railroad while promoting dialogue about freedom and human rights around the world. Through fascinating permanent and special exhibitions, visitors can learn about the struggles and triumphs connected with the fight for freedom.

Location: 50 East Freedom Way
Hours: Tues–Sat 10am–5pm | Sun–Mon 12pm–5pm

An interactive exhibit at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (Photo: Living-Learning Programs via Flickr)

Contemporary Arts Center

At the heart of Cincinnati’s cultural life is the Contemporary Arts Center, housed within an internationally renowned building designed by the late architect Zaha Hadid. The museum features rotating exhibitions of contemporary art from both established and emerging artists.

Location: 44 East 6th Street
Hours: Weds–Fri 10am–9pm | Sat–Mon 10am–4pm

An art exhibition at the Contemporary Arts Center (Photo: The Pug Father via Flickr)

Covington Historic Walking Tour

Located a few miles outside Cincinnati, Covington offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s history. Free walking tours explore the city’s architecture, heritage and forgotten landmarks.

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati Festival

First held in 1976, Cincinnati’s Oktoberfest celebration attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The event features German food, beer, live entertainment and fun competitions.

A band on stage at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati (Photo: Chris Breeze via Flickr)

Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

This beautiful urban library offers quiet reading spaces, rotating art exhibitions and a relaxing garden area where visitors can unwind.

Location: 800 Vine Street

Bunbury Music Festival

Held along the Ohio River, this popular music festival features a stellar lineup of performers along with craft beer and food vendors.

Crowds watching a performance at Bunbury Music Festival (Photo: Bunbury Music Festival)

Cincinnati Ghost Tour

Explore Cincinnati’s mysterious past through an interactive ghost tour where visitors investigate haunted locations and hear spine-chilling stories from the city’s history.

One of the sites visited during a ghost tour (Photo: Haunted Cincinnati Tours)

The Overlook Lodge

This unique bar themed around the movie “The Shining” features inventive decor and craft cocktails inspired by the famous film.

Location: 6083 Montgomery Road

Mouth-watering festive drinks at The Overlook Lodge (Photo: The Overlook Lodge)

Hauck Botanical Gardens

One of the most scenic spots in Cincinnati, this eight-acre botanical garden features hundreds of plant species and peaceful walking paths.

Location: 2625 Reading Road

By Paul Joseph