Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Cincinnati?

Q: Is one day enough time in Cincinnati?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the hard-working city of Cincinnati, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to tour the famous sights and museums, taste delicious cuisine, take advantage of the local nightlife, and go shopping. So, you'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside one to two days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Cincinnati?

Not sure how much time you'll need in Cincinnati, Ohio? Most people spend one to two days in Cincinnati during their visit. After all, the hard-working city will let you tour the famous sights and museums, taste delicious cuisine, take advantage of the local nightlife, and go shopping.

Cincinnati is an often overlooked city in Ohio that actually has a lot of surprises. There are quirky museums, educational opportunities for kids, and a growing nightlife scene. Visitors will enjoy an authentic atmosphere that is welcoming and undiscovered.

Do you have one or two days to visit Cincinnati? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Cincinnati?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the hard-working city of Cincinnati, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to tour the famous sights and museums, taste delicious cuisine, take advantage of the local nightlife, and go shopping. So, you'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside one to two days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

How to spend a day in Cincinnati

Don't miss the Cincinnati Zoo during your trip to Cincinnati, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. Mixed in with the standard chain and fast food options, you'll find some local restaurants that serve up the iconic Midwestern favorites. For a taste of the town, try Cincinnati chili, barbecue ribs, and a corned beef Reuben.

A few tour suggestions include:

Ethnic Food Tour in Over the Rhine with Riverside Food Tours ($85)
Mainstrasse Village Food Tour in Covington KY ($84)
Top 10 Sites + Bites of Cincinnati Tour with Riverside Food Tours ($79)

Cincinnati is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. There are several surprisingly walkable areas, particularly downtown and the nearby neighborhoods.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Cincinnati?

A weekend offers a good amount of time to enjoy much of what Cincinnati has for visitors. In addition to the museums and landmarks and food, visitors can enjoy the shopping, local culture, and scenery. By staying a night or two, you'll be able to take advantage of the most interesting activities found here.

Cincinnati, OH

How to spend 2 days in Cincinnati

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Cincinnati will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Cincinnati, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. You'll find both traditional and quirky museums around town. For outside-the-box, check out the American Sign Museum or the Behringer-Crawford Museum. Art museums include the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Contemporary Arts Center, and the Taft Museum of Art. Other popular museums include the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The nightlife scene is diverse and includes music venues, breweries, and nightclubs. In addition to the city's downtown, you'll find trendy places to hang out in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Breweries are popular in the city, in part because of its German roots.

A few tour suggestions include:

Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt: Cin-sational Cincinnati Bar Crawl ($12)

The public transit in Cincinnati is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. There are two bus systems around town - the METRO and TANK bus systems. There's also a streetcar that travels through the downtown.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Cincinnati, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.