Unique Places to Visit in Cincinnati Ohio

Jul 18, 2024

Summer Vacation season is in full swing, and we’re always looking for exceptional places to visit and interesting things to see. From foodie tours to underground ghost hunting to historic reenactments and more, we’re no stranger to unusual tourist destinations and new perspectives on our favorite cities. On today’s blog, we’re headed to the Queen City: Cincinnati! We’re exploring some unique sites and stops along the way that will be sure to shake things up and make some lasting memories. Been there before? Well, never you fear, because we’re taking you on a tour of this exciting Midwest city like you’ve never seen before. Get ready to experience Cincinnati from a whole new perspective with our creative travel guide!

The Lucky Cat Museum (or Mewseum) has reopened by appointment only, and you simply must add it to your itinerary! The Ohio Lucky Cat Museum is a unique collection of decorative feline figurines known as the Maneki-neko, a luck symbol in Japanese culture. This little roadside museum has collected just about every iteration of this cat icon! From plushes to toys and hand-painted artist renditions, there are more than two thousand of these kitties on display behind glass for your enjoyment.

The Swing-House will have you feeling like a kid again. Artist Mark DeJong has transformed a historic 1880s 3-story brick home into a unique immersive interactive exhibit and experimental interior design art piece. You can book an overnight stay for some rest, relaxation, and reflection through the Swing House Air BnB and experience it up close and personal.

The American Sign Museum celebrates more than a century of unique American signage in its nearly 20,000 square feet of museum space. From antique electric signs to hand-painted and gold-leafed neons, and modern signage with plastic and LEDs. There is also a permanent collection of more than 1,000 sign-related books and research material in the Sign Museum Library (by appointment only, and is free with admission!)

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Museum is dedicated to preserving and highlighting the history of the Underground Railroad, and to pay tribute to the efforts to abolish human slavery and protect freedom for all people. The facility offers 90-minute guided tours on the 1st saturday of every month, with a knowledgeable guide – this tour is highly recommended and suggestion notes you should book in advance to secure a spot! You can also purchase a combo ticket in-person for a tandem visit at the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center.

Shop the Findlay Market, Ohio’s oldest continuously operated public market! With a seasonal farmers market, dozens of vendors offering plants and flowers, pet goods, produce, meat, cheese and dairy, baked goods and artisan desserts, takeout options and restaurants, this is true shoppers delight! Many of the businesses here are also multi-generational, continuing on a long-standing tradition of family run local establishments.

Get a taste of the city on a Cincinnati Ethnic Food and Culture Tour by Riverside Food Tours! Head into the Over-The-Rhine neighborhood with small group tours taking you on a tasting tour of the best local restaurants and learn a little about the area’s local history! You’ll visit six different eateries, and learn about the cultures and neighborhoods they reside in from a knowledgeable local guide!

Book a “Nightmare on Elm Street Walking Tour” and experience the city nightlife from a new perspective – the afterlife! American Legacy Tours shares an in-depth history throug the Over-The-Rhine neighborhood section that begins and ends at Northern Row Brewery. You’ll take a tour under the city in the brewery’s tunnels, built in the 1800s, that make their way 30 feet underground! Visitors and employees have noted eerie experiences and reported some ghostly encounters throughout the years. The tour is about 2 hours long, is open to guests 6 and up, and also offers an opportunity to test some ghost-hunting equipment the professionals use!

The Contemporary Arts Center has been a part of the community for more than 75 years! The center has free daily admission, and is chock full of modern and contemporary artworks of all kinds. Current experiences and exhibitions include “Jayson Musson: His History of Art”; “Untitled” (L.A) by Felix Gonzalez-Torres; Kahlil Robert Irving: Ground Water from screen Falls [(Collaged media)+Midwest] Street; live performances and special event festivals; and numerous tours both guided, group, and audio/video options.

Monet: The Immersive Experience is a multi-faceted immersive art exhibit featuring the work of artist Claude Monet as yo’ve never seen it before. You’ll have the opportunity to walk into a painting, enjoy 360 degree digital projections, and enjoy an unforgettable virtual reality experience of the artist’s catalog.

What are some of your favorite unique things to do when you visit Cincinnati? Let us know in the comments on our social media and your suggestion may just make it into an upcoming post.