Ohio · the United States

Cincinnati and Kings Island

The city on the Ohio River, with the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the Roebling Bridge, the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood and the zoo, and Kings Island amusement park in Mason.

Great Lakes and Midwest (Chicago)

In the photo: Cincinnati seen from the Ohio River bank.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Cincinnati is in southwestern Ohio, on the north bank of the Ohio River, which separates the state from Kentucky. In the 19th century it was one of the largest inland cities in the country, a river port and a destination for German immigrants, who left breweries and the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, with hundreds of brick buildings in an Italianate style.

On the riverfront, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center tells the story of the escape routes used by enslaved people who crossed the Ohio River heading north. The John A. Roebling suspension bridge, from 1866, built by the engineer who later designed the Brooklyn Bridge, links the city to Covington in Kentucky. The art-deco Union Terminal houses the Cincinnati Museum Center, and the zoo, opened in 1875, is one of the oldest in the country.

About 40 km to the north, in Mason, is Kings Island, one of the largest amusement parks in the Midwest, with wooden and steel roller coasters, a kids’ area featuring the Peanuts characters, and the Soak City water park, included with admission.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Cincinnati, Mason.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Cincinnati and Kings Island is

Boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau / geoBoundaries (public domain). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Cincinnati and Kings Island

✈ Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), in Hebron (Kentucky) · 20 km to Cincinnati

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) is in Hebron, Kentucky, about 20 km from downtown and about 60 km from Mason. Long-distance trains stop at Union Terminal.

Suggested arrival point: Cincinnati

Ohio · Cincinnati and Kings Island Suggested arrival point

Cincinnati

City in southwestern Ohio on the banks of the Ohio River, opposite Kentucky. It has the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and a riverfront park, the Roebling suspension bridge, the historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood with Findlay Market, the Cincinnati Museum Center in Union Terminal station, the art museum in Eden Park and one of the oldest zoos in the country.

Ohio · Cincinnati and Kings Island

Mason

City about 40 km north of Cincinnati, on the way to Columbus, known for the Kings Island amusement park, one of the largest in the Midwest, with the Soak City water park. It also hosts the Cincinnati tennis tournament at the sports complex by the highway in August.

The local experience

Things to do in Cincinnati and Kings Island

Mason · Ohio · Amusement park

Kings Island

Amusement park with wooden and steel roller coasters, a kids’ area featuring the Peanuts, and the Soak City water park, included with admission.

Cincinnati · Ohio · Museum

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

A museum on the Ohio River about the Underground Railroad, the network of escape routes used by enslaved people seeking freedom in the north.

Cincinnati · Ohio · Zoo

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Zoo opened in 1875, one of the oldest in the United States, with hippos, elephants, big cats and gardens.

Cincinnati · Ohio · Museum

Cincinnati Museum Center

Museum complex in the Art Deco Union Terminal, with natural history, Cincinnati history and children’s museums.

See 3 more places in Cincinnati and Kings Island

Cincinnati · Ohio · Bridge

John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge

Suspension bridge of 1866 over the Ohio River, linking Cincinnati to Covington, Kentucky, by the engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Cincinnati · Ohio · Historic neighbourhood

Over-the-Rhine and Findlay Market

19th-century neighborhood founded by German immigrants, with Italianate brick buildings, breweries and the Findlay Market, an 1855 public market.

Cincinnati · Ohio · Art museum

Cincinnati Art Museum

Art museum atop Eden Park, with about 67,000 works, European painting, American art and Rookwood pottery.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From April to October. Kings Island usually operates from mid-April through the end of October, open daily in summer, and Soak City runs from late May to early September. Summers are hot and humid, and autumn has mild days.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Three days: two in Cincinnati — for the river, the Freedom Center, Over-the-Rhine, the Museum Center and the zoo — and one day at Kings Island.

Which city to stay in

Downtown is near the river, the stadiums and the Freedom Center. Over-the-Rhine, to the north, has restaurants and breweries in historic buildings and the streetcar that links it to downtown. Across the river, Covington and Newport in Kentucky offer views of the city. For Kings Island, there are accommodations in Mason near the park.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Cincinnati and Kings Island

How many days should I book for Cincinnati and Kings Island?

Three days: two in the city and one full day at Kings Island.

How far is Cincinnati from Kings Island?

About 40 km, or 30 to 40 minutes by car via I-71.

Do I need a car in Cincinnati?

Not for downtown and Over-the-Rhine: the Connector streetcar links the two neighborhoods. For the zoo, the Museum Center and Kings Island, a car makes things easier. In the United States you drive on the right.

Is Cincinnati’s airport located in Ohio?

No, it is in Hebron, Kentucky, about 20 km from downtown Cincinnati, on the other side of the Ohio River.

Do I need a visa to visit the United States?

Entry requirements for the United States depend on your nationality and travel document: some countries participate in the visa waiver program, with prior electronic authorization, and others require a visa. Requirements can change: confirm before you travel.

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Cincinnati and Kings Island

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The cities on this trip