Here you’ll find guides to all the best Cincinnati holiday attractions to enjoy this winter! From where to see Santa and enjoy holiday lights, to where to go ice skating and see holiday trains, this guide has it all.
Cincinnati Holiday Attractions
Not sure where to begin to create a magical holiday season with your kids? Use the Cincinnati Holiday Attraction guides below to find all the details on Holiday Lights, Santa, Holiday Trains, and Ice Skating around Cincy this winter.
Thank you for checking out everything Cincinnati has to offer this holiday season.
And for gift ideas, check out my Holiday Gift Guides with all of our favorite things. Happy Holidays, friends!
10 Best: Cincinnati Spring Bucket List 2022
Springtime in Cincinnati is here (and hopefully to stay!). What I love most about spring in the Queen City is all the beautiful blooms and baby animals to enjoy. And with that theme in mind, enjoy my Cincinnati Spring Bucket List for 2022.
10 Best: Cincinnati Spring Bucket List 2022
Have a Zoo Day: Blooms & Animal Babies
A day at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is always fun, but there’s something about springtime that makes it extra special – Zoo Blooms and Zoo Babies! Zoom Blooms runs all of April and features large displays of tulips and other flowers throughout the zoo grounds. Zoo Babies runs throughout May and showcases the animal babies who take up residence in the zoo. And BONUS – moms get in for free on Mother’s Day.
Both Zoo Blooms and Zoo Babies are included with zoo admission.
Ben with the Cincinnati Zoo’s most famous zoo baby – Fiona the Hippo
Enjoy the Krohn Conservatory Butterfly Show
One of the most popular events at the Krohn Conservatory is the annual butterfly show. This year’s show features Butterflies Along the Nile. And if you haven’t had a chance to catch the butterflies – don’t worry! The show runs through June 19, 2022.
Take a walk on the wild side and head to Jungle Jim’s International Market this spring. Not only does the market have a plethora of exotic foods from around the world to check out, but there are several cool displays and animatronics to enjoy throughout. Plus, you can’t miss their famous bathroom, setup to look like a port-a-potty from the outside.
There are two locations – the original location in Fairfield and a newer store in Eastgate. Both are great options!
Looking for the purr-fect spot to spend an afternoon? Perhaps with a bunch of cuddly cats and kittens? Well, you’re paw-sitively in luck! There’s not one, but two great cat cafes in the Cincinnati area. Kitty Brew Cafe is located in Mason, while Purrfect Day Cafe is located across the river in Covington, KY.
Cat cafes offer the opportunity to play with cats and kittens up for adoption while also enjoying a coffee beverage. It’s a great way to meet a potentially new furry member of your family if you’re looking to adopt a cat, or to get your cat fix if you’re unable to bring one home. Please note that reservations are strongly recommended, and can be made online.
The splash pads may not be open yet, but there are still plenty of creeks to splash in and explore around Cincinnati. So if creeking is your jam, make sure to check out my list of the best spots to go creeking around Cincinnati – all places recommended by you!
On the corner of Gilbert Avenue and Eden Park Drive you’ll find Cincinnati Art Museum’s Art Climb Steps. While the steps themselves are cool, you can also enjoy rotating art installations on your way up (or down) the steps. Plus, there’s a great view of downtown Cincinnati once you reach the top.
I think the CAM Art Climb Steps are a great way to spend an hour or two outdoors – especially if your kiddo is in that stage when they looooove to climb steps (we’ve all been there).
One of my favorite playgrounds around Cincinnati is West Fork Park in Green Township. If you haven’t had a chance to check out this playground, make sure to carve out time this spring.
West Fork Park is great for kids of all ages – from babies up through elementary school age. There is a play area for kids who are still crawling, as well as a large climbing structure for bigger kids. It has cool features like a maze and a zip-line. Plus, this park is completely fenced in and the play surface is solid rubber or artificial turf – so no need to worry about dirt or mulch.
Little kid play area at West Fork Park The maze at West Fork ParkLittle kid play area at West Fork Park
Have a great sandbox day at Dig ‘N Play
As soon as the weather gets nice outside, my son is clamoring to play in the sandbox. But on days when I’m just not having it (or the weather isn’t cooperating), we head up to Dig ‘N Play. Located in West Chester, Dig ‘N Play offers a large play structure, inflatables, a lego table, a baby play area, and – you guessed it – a giant sand table. I love that despite the giant sand table, this spot is super clean and everything is regularly sanitized.
For more on Dig ‘N Play, head to their website. And make sure to check out my full list of Cincinnati Indoor Play Places below.
Donuts are always a good idea, and with so many amazing local donut shops around Cincinnati, how can you not?! One thing on my personal bucket list is the Butler County Donut Trail. The trail consists of 13 local donut shops, and a passport to stamp at each location to earn yourself a sweet t-shirt.
Down in Hamilton County, there are two new donut shops that opened up just this year. Blossim Donuts in Montgomery is delicious, and I can’t wait to check out Starlight Doughnut Lab in Norwood (find them on Instagram at @starlightdoughnutlab).
Head out to a farm – with baby goats!
Love getting up close and personal with baby goats, bunnies, lambs, chicks and other farm animals? A visit to a petting farm may be right up your alley! Good Green Earth Farm in Bethel offers farm visits, a mobile petting farm, goat yoga, and more. They are a local mom & pop farm, caring for all the animals themselves.
With activities to help you get outside (or survive another rainy day), there’s something for everyone on this Cincinnati spring bucket list. And if you need a few more ideas, don’t worry! I’ve got a bucket list for every season. Have fun, friends!
10 Best: Cincinnati Winter Bucket List 2022
Our 10 best ideas for early winter 2022
Yep, it’s still winter in Cincinnati. So I’ve pulled together of my 10 best Cincinnati winter bucket list ideas to get you through to spring.
10 Best: Cincinnati Winter Bucket List 2022
Spend the day at the National Museum of the US Air Force
One place we frequent during winter time is the National Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton. The museum has over 360 aerospace vehicles on display, with exhibits ranging from the early years to space. The exhibits are housed in old hangers – making it a bit of an understatement to say it’s a HUGE space! One of my favorite exhibits is the Air Force One plane where LBJ was sworn in as president.
The museum is open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm. And the best part? Admission and parking are free!
Checking out a plane at the National Museum of the US Air ForceExploring the National Museum of the US Air ForceThe spot where LBJ was sworn in as president at the National Museum of the US Air Force
The National Museum of the US Air Force
Check out the Play Library
It’s not like a regular library, it’s a cool library. The Play Library in OTR works just like a regular library, but with games, toys, outdoor equipment and event rentals (like cornhole). You can currently visit the Play Library by appointment only. Please check their website on how to schedule.
The most exciting activity you can do on a snowy day is to head for the hills and spend the day sledding. Now that my son is old enough to really enjoy sledding, I can’t wait to take him sledding at the big sledding hill – aka “Chill Hill” at Voice of America MetroPark in West Chester. I remember when this hill was built and first opened – and there’s something special about doing something from your own childhood with your kids.
Chill Hill at VOA is open from 8:00am to dusk, weather and snow permitting.
Love warming up with a mug of hot cocoa on a chilly day? Take it to the next level with a hot chocolate flight at The Cheesecakery. They offer the chance to sample their spectacular seasonal hot chocolates in a flight of 4. And did I mention they also offer flights of cheesecakes and lattes?
The activity that got us through winter last year was heading to Urban Air Adventure Park for the Jumperoo session. Held every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30am to 12:30pm during the school year, this session is reserved for children ages 2 to 5.
I really like how Jumperoo is designated just for little kids. This made Urban Air the perfect space for my little guy to run off all that extra energy during the cold winter months. If you want to know more about Urban Air and Jumperoo, check out my full review below!
I love spending a day exploring our city – there is so much to see and do around Cincinnati. One of our favorite downtown adventures has been spending the morning playing at Washington Park Children’s Playground in OTR. Then hopping on the Cincinnati Bell Connector streetcar to take a spin around our city. And ending at Findlay Market to grab lunch – and some goodies for home.
Honestly, this is a great outing idea for any time of year, as long as it isn’t frigid or raining outside. And we found it pretty easy to navigate with our then three-year old.
Taking a ride on the Cincinnati Bell Connector streetcar
Catch a Cincinnati Cyclones hockey game
Ah, another piece from my childhood (of course) – a Cincinnati Cyclones hockey game. I love the excitement that a hockey game has to offer, and can’t wait to share these moments with my own kids.
And if you haven’t had a chance to check out a game this season, don’t worry! Games are on the schedule through mid-April 2022.
This one is a fun one to do without the kids too! Hoppin’ Vines offers a huge selection of craft beers (and more), pizza, and duckpin bowling. I think this is a really fun way to take a dinner out with the family up a notch!
As for the duckpin bowling, Hoppin’ Vines describes it as bowling meets skee-ball. Something I think my 4-year old (and my not-so-athletic self) can handle!
We were recently invited to check out We Rock The Spectrum Kids Gym and had an absolute blast! Located in Deer Park, WRTS is a kids gym designed for kids of all abilities to enjoy. The gym equipment is designed for children with sensory processing disorders, but the gym is open to all children.
In addition to the gym, there is also an infant & toddler area with a lot of play pretend toys, such as a grocery store and doctor office. The arts & crafts space features a chalk wall and is stocked with play-doh, paint, crayons, and more. There is also a large party room and a calming room in the gym area.
The best time to go to WRTS is during open play. There is an open play session every week day and most weekends – depending on birthday parties. WRTS posts their schedule on their Facebook & Instagram pages.
Having fun at WRTSInfant and Toddler area at We Rock The Spectrum Kids Gym CincinnatiEnjoying the boat swing at We Rock The Spectrum Kids Gym Cincinnati
We Rock The Spectrum Kids Gym Cincinnati
Learn How to Curl
Looking for some Olympic-sized fun? Then take in a class at the Cincinnati Curling Club in West Chester. Their ‘Learn to Curl’ classes teach wannabe (Olympic hopeful) curlers the basic skills to get started in the sport. Check out their schedule to sign up for a class.
This activity is best reserved for older kiddos. The recommended age for the ‘Learn to Curl’ class is 10 years old, but you can contact the club about available options for younger kids.
No matter what type of fun you’re looking to have this winter, there’s something for everyone on my 10 Best Cincinnati Winter Bucket List. From sledding to a cool museum, and indoor play places to sporting activities, you’re bound to find something fun to do this winter in Cincinnati.
10 Best: Cincinnati Fall Bucket List 2021
All about having some fall fun, but unsure what to do? Check out my Cincinnati fall bucket list for 2021.
10 Best: Cincinnati Fall Bucket List 2021
Go to a pumpkin patch
Starting off this list is the most obvious idea for fall – go to a pumpkin patch. With over 20 pumpkin patches or festivals within an hour and half drive of Cincinnati, you’re sure to find your perfect spot for pumpkin fun on my pumpkin patch list. From farms with all the frills to ones with hayrides to u-pick pumpkin fields.
Take a spin on this one-of-a-kind, Cincinnati-themed carousal. Carol Ann’s Carousal recently reopened after an extended pandemic-related closure. This attraction features artwork and animals unique to Cincinnati’s culture and history. Where else can you find a flying pig and Oktoberfest horse in the same place?
This is a great outing to save for the weekend. Carol Ann’s Carousal is currently open Friday to Sunday, from 11am to 4pm. Tokens can be purchased online or at the carousal.
Carol Ann’s Carousal with baby Ben, circ. Sept. 2019Carol Ann’s Carousal with baby Ben, circ. Sept. 2019
Carol Ann’s Carousal with baby Ben, circ. Sept. 2019
Haunted Poasttown School
Looking for some spooky fun? How about leading your own paranormal investigation at a REAL haunted school? At Haunted Posttown School, near Middletown, you can lead your own investigation through the school.
While I’ve never done an investigation of my own (self-admitted scaredy cat over here), I do have a personal connection to the school. My mom taught at Posttown up until it closed – and I’ve spent many hours there helping her in her classroom.
This activity is probably best for bigger kids and grown ups – unless you enjoy staying up all night with your little ones.
One museum I’ve been excited to check out is the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton, Ohio. This children’s museum is all about science, technology and natural history – and is only about an hour drive from Cincinnati.
Some exhibits that caught my eye include the Kids Place for kids 4 and under, Strictly Briks where visitors can enjoy a building station with a variety of oversized “briks”, Science On a Sphere® which features a giant suspended globe to teach visitors all about Earth and space, and of course, the Discovery Zoo. The zoo is home to over 100 animals and insects, including river otters and a sloth named Patience.
The museum is currently open 7 days a week, and reservations are not required.
This newly renovated playground is best explored on an overcast day – making it the perfect fit for some fall fun. The PNC Grow Up Great® Playground in Inwood Park is located near Christ Hospital. It reopened in August 2021, and was designed with input from children and accessibility experts and built with a grant from PNC.
Inwood Park has one of the largest playground areas for the littlest little ones. And don’t worry – there’s still an area for bigger kids to play too. If you haven’t had a chance to check out this playground yet, make sure to add it to your fall bucket list!
One of the few pluses of the sun setting earlier is that drive-in movie screen times now begin before bedtime. We really wanted to try this outing during the summer, but it just wasn’t worth keeping a toddler up that late. But this time of year, the movies begin just after dinner.
The two drive-in movie theatres closest to Cincinnati and open during the fall are Holiday Auto Theatre in Hamilton and Starlite Drive-in in Amelia. Tickets can be purchased online. Both spots offer concessions, but also charge a flat fee to bring your own food.
Looking for an easy, outdoors fall activity? Fall Colors Scavenger Hunt took about 5 minutes to put together and got us out the doors and enjoying the great autumn outdoors for over an hour.
To make the color guide, I used a piece of printer paper, drew 6 boxes and colored them in with fall colors. There are so many different ways to make a color guide for this activity – from using paint sample squares to magnetic tile toys, it’s easy to make this activity your own.
Two of our favorite spots to search for fall colors is Blue Ash Nature Park and Pioneer Park in Montgomery. But this is an activity you can do in your own backyard!
Fall Colors Scavenger Hunt at Pioneer Park
Craft Fairs
We’re all a bit anxious to get a jump start on our holiday shopping this year. A great way to support local vendors while doing your holiday shopping is to stop by one of the many craft shows and markets taking place during November. Some of my favorite craft shows include:
Looking to find some fall colors, but indoors? Spend a morning or afternoon exploring the American Sign Museum. The AMS is the largest public museum of its kind in the country dedicated to signs. Here you can find over 100 years worth of signs spread throughout 20,000 sq. ft.
Reservations are required and advanced timed-entry tickets can be purchased online. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday.
American Sign Museum, pre-kids. American Sign Museum, circ. fall 2016
American Sign Museum, circ. fall 2016
No matter what type of fun you’re looking to have this fall, there’s something for everyone on this bucket list. From pumpkin patches to spooky fun, and a Cincinnati-themed carousal to cool museums, you’re bound to find something fun to do this fall in Cincinnati.
10 Best: Cincinnati Summer Bucket List 2021
Summer is flying by… but are you already running out of things to do with the kids? Check out One Little Small’s summer bucket list with 10 cool places in Cincinnati to check out with your little ones.
10 Best: Cincinnati Summer Bucket List 2021 from One Little Small
Cincinnati Riverwalk
The best way to explore the riverfront area is to spend the morning exploring the Cincinnati Riverwalk path. Known by several names, this path runs from Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park (next to Montgomery Inn Boathouse) down to Smale Riverfront Park.
Your best bet is to start in Friendship Park (where parking is free) and make your way west to Smale Riverfront Park. Along the way you’ll pass 1000 Hands Every Child’s Playground at Sawyer Point – an amazing playground under a bridge, Otto Armleder Memorial Aquatic Sprayground – a large sprayground, public art, tennis and volleyball courts, and amazing views of the Ohio River. When you reach your destination, you’ll find that Smale Riverfront Park is packed with things to do and see, from two splash pad areas, a large playground, a maze, and porch swings facing the river. The Cincinnati Riverwalk is one of the prettiest areas in the city and has so much for all ages to explore.
The Cincinnati Riverwalk path is bookended by Smale Riverfront Park and Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park.
Picture this – sitting down and enjoying your ice cream in peace while your kiddos have the time of their lives in the ice cream themed play room of their dreams. Sounds pretty sweet, right?
The new Graeter’s Kenwood store features a Lil’ Pints Play Room. This play room, designated for kids ages 9 and under, features a large ice cream cone slide and two climbing areas, a smaller area for crawlers and younger kids, and several interactive features including puzzles and color-changing touch boards. I don’t like to play flavorites, but I can guarantee you’ll like this spot a waffle lot.
Did you know that Cincinnati is home to the first professional fire department? At the Cincinnati Fire Museum, you can learn all about the history of professional firefighting, see lots of fire trucks, climb into a cab of a real fire truck, slide down a fire pole, and learn about fire safety. This museum is the perfect place to extinguish any feelings of boredom. There is enough to see, do and touch at the Cincinnati Fire Museum to spend about 2 hours there.
The Cincinnati Fire Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm (closed Sunday and Monday). Children age 6 and under are FREE with the purchase of an adult or senior ticket. Current ticket prices can be found on their website.
I’ve been wanting to tie dye some t-shirts with my little guy, but that’s one activity I don’t think I can tackle on my own. So I’ve been dying to check out a local tie dye studio that opened up this winter. Located about 5 minutes from Kenwood Towne Center, Kaleidoscope Color and Co. is a DIY tie dye studio that can accommodate artists of all ages.
Reservations can be made online and the reservation fee is then deducted from your studio purchase. Hours are based on reservations.
Located within Glenwood Gardens, Highfield Discovery Garden is a magical spot with a giant tree and playhouse to explore, a little tea house, a miniature train, a small pond, curated walkways, and several gardens to explore. We love to watch the little miniature train zoom over bridges and through tunnels and look for the little fairy garden tucked away near the rope bridges. Highfield Discovery Garden is such a special place; there is truly else nothing like it in Cincinnati.
During the summer, Highfield Discovery Garden is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30am to 5:00pm and on Sunday from 12:00pm to 5:00pm (closed on Monday). Admission is $5.25 per person and kids under age 2 are free.
The City of Mason opened its brand new outdoor leisure pool this summer, and it’s the perfect spot to both splish and splash. The Mason Municipal Aquatic Center leisure pool was designed with kids in mind. It’s got a big splash pad away from the pool area, with a little river, several sprayers and water cannons, dump buckets, spraying water rings, and more. The pool has a large zero depth entry area with built-in water table, large dump bucket, and water cannons. In the deeper area, you can find basketball hoops, the lazy river, and two water slides for bigger kids. And although it’s a popular spot, it’s a huge space with plenty of chairs and shade for everyone.
The Mason Municipal Aquatic Center leisure pool is open daily from 11:00am to 7:00pm through August 15, 2021. The extended season will begin on August 16, but exact dates and times have not yet been announced. Pool passes are included with some community center memberships and pool memberships are still available. Daily passes can be purchased for $10. Children under age 3 are free.
What could be cooler than getting ice cream from a giant ice cream cone building? I remember going to The Cone as a kid, and I’ve been wanting to take my son there for a cone (or two!). The Cone offers soft serve ice cream in many different flavors, including their famous orange sherbet, and more. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating at The Cone, as well as a family-friendly game room and a drive thru.
The Cone is open Tuesday through Thursday from 12:00pm to 9:00pm and Friday through Sunday from 12:00pm to 9:30pm (closed on Monday).
Nestled in Devou Park, the Behringer-Crawford Museum is a gem of a museum that explores the history and culture of Northern Kentucky. The museum has hands on exhibits with trains, cars, and steamboats, which is what attracted us to check out BCM. The first floor of the museum explores the impact of railways in NKY, with streetcar you can walk through and a large model train display. The second floor explores life after WWII, complete with 1950s play kitchen and drive-in movie experience. The top floor features a large replica of a steamboat to explore, along with special exhibits and more. We took our families to BCM for our son’s second birthday and we easily spent two hours there exploring and playing.
In addition to the super fun museum space, the Behringer-Crawford Museum also has a handicapped-accessible naturescape play area called the NaturePlay@BCM. The NaturePlay area is located next to the museum’s parking lot, is free of charge and is open daily from dawn to dusk.
The Behringer-Crawford Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm (closed Monday). Wednesdays at BCM are Grandparent days where one grandchild is admitted for free with each paying grandparent. Full details on admission prices can be found on their website.
Did you know that there’s a local park dedicated to fossil hunting? Trammel Fossil Park in Sharonville was created specifically for little fossil hunters to dig their little hearts out. The park consists of a large, rocky hill that is teeming with fossils. At the bottom of the hill is the parking lot, a porta-potty, and a display area where kids can learn all about area fossils. The hill Trammel Fossil Park sits on is pretty steep and can be tricky to navigate, so this outing is best for kids age 2 and up.
Trammel Fossil Park is open daily from 9:00am to 8:00pm. Don’t forget to put together a “fossil hunting kit” before you head out. Items like a bucket, shovels, brushes, spray bottle, and a magnifying glass can make this experience so much more fun.
Catch a Reds game – and check out a playground at GABP
Love going to a Reds game, but dread the thought of getting your kiddo to sit through all 9 innings? Well, your worrying days are over! Thanks to not one, but two, play areas at Great American Ball Park, a day at the Reds game can feel like a walk in the (ball) park.
GABP features two separate areas for kids to enjoy – a 3-story play set located in the Fan Zone at the Terrace Level and a large Family Zone located up in the View Level. And I’ve got all the details you need to know on my GABP Playgrounds review below.
