While it may not populate the top of many traveler's wish lists, Cincinnati, Ohio is an accommodating place for couples and families on getaway. Not to mention, the relatively high saturation of major businesses in the Greater Cincinnati area means a lot of corporate travel coming in and out. Corporate travel is good, it keeps the prices down and the transportation options wide open, and savvy leisure travelers hunting for a change of pace can take advantage of this.

If you're beach-bound this summer and your mind is made up, Cincinnati may not be for you. But if hunting for a cosmopolitan escape that's big on culture, personality, and fun, but low on the costs, Cincinnati, Ohio vacations are sure to surprise.

Here we provide some basic information for making a getaway of it in Cincinnati, offer up some advice on Cincinnati hotel rooms, and take a look at some family-friendly things to do in Cincinnati, Ohio that just might have you pining for a few extra days.

When to Visit

Like much of the Midwest, Cincinnati offers a nice summertime respite for heat-dwellers. With highs averaging in the mid-80s and moderate humidity through the summer months, there's welcome relief to be enjoyed here for those who live a little further south. Just like the Midwest, though, the colder months can turn harsh, although Cincinnati has a relatively low occurrence of snow. The city is alive with events year-round, but the temperature sensitive will do best between May and October.

Transportation

As for getting in, the predominant choice is Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). Although several major providers run one or two lines out of CVG, Delta Airlines controls an overwhelming percentage of consumer traffic through the airport. As a result, fare prices tend to be slightly higher than the national average, however the airport does make up for this by also boasting arrival and departure accuracy much higher than the national average. CVG is conveniently located, and most Cincinnati airport hotels offer complimentary shuttles.

The second nearest general-use airport is Dayton International Airport (DAY), located about 45-60 minutes away depending on traffic.

For getting around, two separate bus lines, SORTA and Tank, cover every possible destination, although if you choose a Cincinnati hotel near Newport or downtown, you can take advantage of the faster and cheaper Southbank Shuttle. All one-way trips cost $1.

Avoid taxis if you are able due to cost concerns.

Lodging

A fun vacation is one that's easy, so to eliminate your travel woes, you want to choose a place to stay that is either near the airport or within walking distance of the Southbank Shuttle. If you're staying at the airport you may still want to rent a vehicle, but you'll find it easier to get to and from all of the attractions from this central location. Likewise, having a vehicle will make it easy to experience the wider Cincinnati area, much of Kentucky, and even Indiana where there's a small fortune of first-rate casinos.

For an affordable Cincinnati Airport hotel, try the Hilton Cincinnati Airport Hotel.

The trick to finding a good Southbank Shuttle hotel is to not look in Cincinnati but rather across the Ohio River in Covington, Kentucky. Thanks to the shuttle, these locations are just as convenient, and the prices are cheaper than what you might pay downtown. Among hotels in downtown Cincinnati and Covington , the Embassy Suites Cincinnati-RiverCenter hotel in Covington is your best bet, especially for family vacations of four or more.

Attractions

From the roar of Great American Ballpark to the reflective impact of the finest museums to the sheer effervescence of Newport on the Levee, the list of can't-miss Cincinnati attractions goes on and on. Here's a small selection of tourist favorites:

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden - Among the nation's largest and most popular zoos, not to mention its second oldest, the Cincinnati Zoo is actually a favorite or tourists and locals alike. The zoo is renowned for its exhibits on manatees, elephants, polar bears, and insects, as well as its collection of extremely endangered animals.

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center - This somber yet fascinating museum relays the story of the Underground Railroad and other struggles for freedom throughout the world. Cincinnati, as a crucial juncture between the North and South in confederate times, is historically intertwined with the Underground Railroad. The central exhibit is the Slave Pen, a wooden cabin once used to house slaves before auction. A heart-wrenching but worthwhile visit. Check here for Cincinnati hotel deals featuring the National Freedom Center.

Coney Island - As much a historical attraction as it is a thrilling amusement park, Cincinnati's Coney Island was established officially in 1887 and is going strong to this day. Coney Island blends modern thrills with throwback attractions including carnival games and bumper cars.

Newport on the Levee - Located in the Cincinnati suburb of Newport and accessible from the Southbank Shuttle, Newport on the Levee is a wildly diverse lifestyle center featuring eclectic shopping choices, art galleries, a comedy club, the Newport Aquarium, and fanciful restaurants. Check here for Cincinnati hotel deals featuring Newport on the Levee.

Cincinnati Sports - With baseball taking up the summer and football taking up the winter, there's always top-notch sports action to see in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bengals enjoy supreme devotion from the locals who turn out in droves to see them play Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati.

Practically next door at Great American Ballpark, the Cincinnati Reds were the first professional baseball franchise in the country and are among the most celebrated. The ballpark, opened in 2003, is as much a monument to the sheer history of the team as it is a stadium. Both Great American Ballpark and Paul Brown Stadium may be reached from stops on the Southbank Shuttle.

Chili - It may not be a specific attraction, but it just might be the thing your remember most fondly. Like Chicago for its pizza or Philadelphia for its cheesesteaks, Cincinnati, Ohio is known for its chili. A rare blend of spaces, often included such things as cocoa powder, gives it an out-of-this-world flavor, and the presentation on top of a plate of spaghetti is likely to raise a visitor's eyebrows. The standard plate (spaghetti, chili, and cheese) is called a three-way. Add onions to make it a four-way, and then add kidney beans on top of that to make it a five-way.

A number of independent locations are purported to serve the best Cincinnati Chili, but for a first-timer searching for a safe option, the two major chains, Skyline Chili and Gold Star Chili, serve up a delicious plate for cheap.

So What are You Waiting For?

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