Embrace the sunshine with these summertime Cincinnati activities
There’s nothing sleepy about the great city of Cincinnati, Ohio. In fact, it’s a great place for adventure. U.S. News and World Report ranks this Midwestern metropolis among the top 50 Best Places to Live. The city offers an exciting mix of museums, culture and beautiful natural surroundings. For family activities and outdoor activities, Cincinnati is hard to top. These five fun spots are just the beginning of your options.
Smale Riverfront Park
The newly renovated riverfront area is the perfect place to go for family activities. Walk across the bridge over the river to get a different view of area. Kids love riding Carol Ann’s Carousel. All the animals on the ride represent parts of the city’s culture and history. The paintings around the carousel feature local landmarks. Everyone loves playing the giant piano with their feet. Other fun features include:
- Labyrinth, a peaceful spot for a quiet walk
- Castellini Esplanade, with its picnic tables and public art
- Fath Fountain, where you can catch a great show complete with lights and music
- Duke Energy Garden, a pretty garden with oversized swings and great river views
Yeatman’s Cove and Sawyer Point
Just a few steps down from Smale Riverfront Park, Sawyer Point Park and Yeatman’s Cove honor the mighty Ohio River and its importance in the city’s history. Some of the outstanding features here include the Flood Column that gives you a visual of just how high the water rose in the city’s three major floods. The Cincinnati Arch and nearby Indian Masks give you some background about the history and culture of the city.
Cincinnati Nature Center
When it comes to outdoor activities, Cincinnati Nature Center delivers. It feels like the perfect place to get away from the hustle of the city. It has more than 1,000 acres of forests, fields, ponds and streams. Everyone loves getting back to nature on the 16 miles of hiking trails. Highlights include:
- Edge Trail, an easy loop that takes you past Marsh Pond
- Mashburn Family Discovery Trail, a level, easy-to-walk option with interactive exhibits
- Geology Trail, a moderately difficult trail that leads to a rocky ridge perfect for viewing the valley
- Redwing Trail, which is perfect for experienced hikers. This challenging option goes through forests, wetlands and grasslands for nearly three miles
The Little Miami
Perfect for paddling, this is one of the first rivers to receive the scenic river designation. With 85 miles of water, it offers plenty of room to get out and explore. The Little Miami has three different personalities: fast-moving, super scenic and peaceful. For fast, challenging conditions, you want to go paddle near Dayton. The stretch near Ft. Ancient State Park offers some of the most beautiful kayaking and canoeing. For peaceful water, try the river near where it meets the Ohio River.
Loveland Bike Trail
If you want to hop on your bike and enjoy some lovely scenery, this mostly paved, flat trail is a real treat. The Loveland Bike Trail is part of Little Miami State Park. It stretches for 70 miles and offers great views along the Little Miami River. It also provides interesting scenery as you travel along the Little Miami Steam Railroad’s old railway.
Outdoor activities are big in Cincinnati. They’re a great way to enjoy the city’s beautiful outdoors while having family fun. Get out and get active. It’s all part of a healthy lifestyle. Another important part of healthy living is keeping up with your regular checkups. Visit Mercy.com today to make an appointment with a primary care doctor or specialist.
Interested in more stories like this? Our Summer Survival Guide is full of healthy living tips to start your summer right. Learn more here.
