16 Free Things to Do In Cincinnati, OH

You don't have to spend a fortune in order to have fantastic adventures in Cincinnati, OH. There are a ton of free or almost free things to do in 'The Queen City' if you know where to go. The following list of 16 family friendly attractions highlight the things you can do in Cincinnati without breaking the bank.

1. Visit one of the very first Contemporary Arts Centers in the United States. Make plenty of repeat visits to view the perpetually rotating art exhibits that the museum plays hosts to. Younger visitors will love the museum's UnMuseum which features a variety of interactive art where children can view artwork, do hands-on art projects, and participate in other family programs.

2. Enjoy a spectacular view of the Ohio River while relaxing at John G & Phyllis W. Smale Riverfront Park. Have a picnic, take a walk or let the kids play at this recreational and leisure park suitable for the entire family. Enjoy playgrounds and splash areas, and take a ride on the Carol Ann’s Carousel for a two dollar youthful spin. Enjoy the green waterfront space right in the heart of downtown Cincinnati.

3. Explore over 67,000 works of art on display that span over 6,000 years at the Cincinnati Art Museum. Located in Eden Park in the heart of Cincinnati , the museum is one of the oldest art institutions in the country. Whether you you call Cincinnati home or if you are just visiting, this quaint museum highlights some of the history of The Queen City through art and is definitely worth a visit.

4. Head over to the hub of Cincinnati and enjoy entertainment, events and an overall culturally appealing atmosphere in Fountain Square. Live musical performances, dancing, festivals and markets create quite the buzz of excitement in the heart of downtown. Children can splash in the magnificent fountain in summertime and the area offers skating in the wintertime for a small fee.

5. Explore an intriguing mix of the works of local an regional artists at the Weston Art Gallery. Inside you will find two levels of a quaint but very interesting modern gallery. Admire the large works of art on the main level and delve into the displays in the larger space below. Enjoy and support the local art community as many of the exhibits they have local connections.

6. Enhance your Sunday with a stop at the Taft Museum of Art. Explore the impressive art collection on display within the walls of a historic house that once belonged to relatives of former President William Howard Taft. Consider making a visit on the third Sunday of the month for the museum's Sunday Fundays, a free program that allows families to explore the museum, enjoy live performances by magicians and musicians, and create artwork together.

7. Walk state to state across the famous Roebling Suspension Bridge connects Cincinnati and Covington, Kentucky! This iconic bridge used to be the longest of its kind when it was built in 1866. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the city and the riverfront and be sure to bring along your camera to capture it all.
8. Excavate your way to a fossil adventure at Trammel Fossil Park. The park is a side of a hill that has exposed fossils that are just begging to be discovered. Bring along items like spoons, trowels, paintbrushes, hammers and ziplock baggies and dive into a unique fun and educational adventure. Have the kids store away their electronic devices and see what they can uncover when they get their hands dirty out in nature.
9. While not quite free, consider a low cost admission to the Heritage Village Museum. Step back in time and explore a dozen historic buildings that were moved to the museum from nearby sites. Such historic buildings include a train station, a medical office, and a general store. As you explore the village, you can learn all about the 19th century from friendly interpreters as they perform traditional tasks such as soap making and spinning. You can also participate in hands-on activities throughout the museum. Take a self-guided tour and walk around the village on your own, or if you want to go inside the historic buildings, simply embark on one of the guided tours offered daily.
10. Head down to the the perpetual local favorite, Findlay Market. Explore Ohio's oldest continuously operated public market and one of Cincinnati's most cherished institutions located just blocks from downtown in Over-the-Rhine, a richly historic neighborhood full of 19th century architecture and charm. The market hosts a plethora of events to enjoy as well as a wide variety of vendors. Enjoy the event offerings, sample the tastings, shop or just people watch at this vibrant venue.
11. Immerse yourself in German culture at the German Heritage Museum. Explore the history and fine contributions German immigrants and their descendants have made toward the building of the Ohio Valley and America. This museum is open seasonally and had limited hours.
12. Celebrate and admire the city- transforming public murals presented by the Artworks' Public Art program. Download the map and take a self guided tour of the 132 public murals in 44 Cincinnati neighborhoods and seven nearby cities. These larger than life murals add tremendous culture of the city of Cincinnati and are worth exploring.
13. Enjoy the urban oasis of Washington Park. Take a stroll down the American Classical Music Hall of Fame, frolic at the playground, and splash in the park's fountains. Visitors can enjoy free events throughout the year, take their dogs to frolic at the expansive dog park or simply have a relaxing picnic in the park. Enjoy the old fashioned appeal of one of the oldest and most beloved parks in Cincinnati.
14. Take a walk through the Aviation Heritage Museum for a glimpse at the the past and present world of aviation. The small museum features collections and restored memorabilia that pertain to flight and specifically relating to Ohio and the Cincinnati Tri-State Area.

15. The Skirball Museum in Cincinnati is one of the oldest repositories of Jewish cultural artifacts in America. The historical museum houses a permanent collection of Jewish archaeological artifacts from The Nelson Glueck School of Biblical Archaeology in Jerusalem and Jewish ceremonial and ritual objects. Visitors can enjoy rotating exhibits throughout the galleries which concentrate on the Holocaust, Jewish tradition and culture and modern Israel.

16. Splash around and cool off in the Otto Armleder Memorial Aquatic Fountain At Sawyer Point Park. Enjoy waterfront views of the Ohio River while you have a picnic and some recreational fun overlooking the big city. The massive fountains in the spray park provide the perfect place for laughter and cool summer fun. Also, enjoy time on the volleyball courts, playgrounds and other offerings at the park.