Ohio Travel: Exploring Downtown Cincinnati by Streetcar – Best Stops, Attractions & Tips

Less than 2 hours from Columbus, the Greater Cincinnati area is FULL of things to do! If you’re anything like us, you’ve spent plenty of time visiting Kings Island, the Cincinnati Zoo and Jungle Jims, but often stopped short of heading downtown. 

While traffic and parking can be a challenge in any large city, Cincinnati has made exploring the compact downtown area a BREEZE!

The Connector is an electric-powered streetcar that operates along a 3.6-mile loop connecting the riverfront area at the Banks to the vibrant Over-the-Rhine neighborhood via the Central Business District. It’s a fun and FREE way to move around the city.

We enjoyed a few days this summer exploring downtown Cincinnati by Streetcar and can’t wait to go back. Check out some of the fun things we discovered along the way. 

Stop 1: The Banks

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Located along the banks of the Ohio River, the Freedom Center shares the history of slavery in America. Learn about the stories of sacrifice and courage in the struggle for freedom, from both the enslaved and those who helped them to freedom along the Underground Railroad.

Ten exhibits trace the origins of slavery through post-Civil War reconstruction and beyond. View an authentic slave pen recovered from a nearby Kentucky farm. Learn about the daring abolitionist movement, including the compelling film, “Brothers of the Borderland”.

Interested in researching your family roots? Make an appointment at the John Parker Library & Family Search Center, located on the 4^th floor. The library is open Wednesday – Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Plan Your Visit

The Freedom Center is open Wednesday – Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $16.50 (adults)/$14.00 (senior)/$11.50 (3-12). Enjoy FREE admission on select Sundays. 182 Race Street, Cincinnati.

Photo Stop at the Queen City Sign

Capture your visit with the perfect photo op! The oversized Queen City sign is located on the lawn between the Freedom Center and Smale Riverfront Park.

Smale Riverfront Park

Located along Cincinnati’s riverfront, Smale Riverfront Park is a beautiful space to take a walk or sit on one of many waterfront porch swings.

The park features water play areas, a playground at the foot of the Roebling Suspension Bridge, a whimsical indoor carousel, a rose garden, Moerlein Lager House, and more. 

Plan Your Visit

Smale Riverfront Park is open daily from 6 a.m to 11 p.m. It’s a short walk from Freedom Center and Great American Ballpark. 166 West Mehring Way, Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame

Did you know the 1869 Cincinnati Redstockings were the 1^st professional team in baseball? That’s 156 years of baseball history right in The Queen City! Sports fans will love the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, located adjacent to Great American Ballpark.

Follow the Reds timeline, both past and present. Learn about the integration of players from the Negro League, see memorabilia of great players, look through the baseball card collection, admire Hall of Fame plaques, and more!

2025 is the 50^th anniversary of the legendary Big Red Machine’s 1975/76 seasons, one of the most dominant dynasties in MLB history. Re-live the excitement of baseball’s greatest story.

Plan Your Visit

The museum is open on non-game days from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Game day hours vary (see website). Admission is $15 (adult)/$13 (senior/student). Free admission for ages 12 & under, and active/veteran with ID.

The museum also participates in Museums for All with free admission for SNAP and EBT. Confirm details prior to arrival.

Great American Ballpark – Cincinnati Reds

Catch a Cincinnati Reds game at the Great American Ball Park from late March through October. Go early and visit the Hall of Fame Museum, play in the Tri-Health Family Zone, or grab a bite to eat before the game.

There’s plenty of promotions, making this one of the best tickets in town (starting at less than $10). Check out game promotions here.

If you want to immerse yourself into a day with the Reds, check out these guided tours of the clubhouse or ballpark. Tours start at $30 per person ($20 for ages 5-12 and Military) and include FREE same-day entrance to the Reds Hall of Fame Museum. 

Plan Your Visit

Purchase your tickets directly from the Cincinnati Reds MLB site.  Game day parking can be tricky and expensive, starting at $15, so be sure to pre-pay. (Parking map) To save a few bucks, consider parking farther away and riding the FREE Connector to the park.

Paycor Stadium – Cincinnati Bengals

Football fans may want to score tickets to watch the Cincinnati Bengals play in Paycor Stadium. If the price of tickets is more than your budget allows, or you’re like me and prefer to cheer from the comfort of a recliner, consider these options instead.

Attend a Bengals practice at Kettering Health Practice Fields. On selected days in July & August, practice is open to the public. Admission is FREE!

Take a guided tour of Paycor Stadium. Tours are available during the off/pre-season, with specific dates during the season. Schedule your 2025 tour here. Tours will be suspended in 2026 due to construction at the stadium.

Stop 5: Court & Main

Hard Rock Casino

If you’re feeling lucky, head to Hard Rock Casino. In addition to 1600 slots, table games, and live poker, they offer a full line up of entertainment in the event center and outdoor venue. Check the schedule here.

Plan Your Visit

We did not visit the casino, so be sure to confirm the commute from the Connector station in advance. They also provide dedicated onsite parking. 1000 Broadway, Cincinnati

Stop 7: 12^th & Vine

Gateway to Over-the Rhine

Over-the Rhine (OTR) is the largest intact urban neighborhood in America. With rich German roots dating back to the 1830s, it also offers the largest collection of Italianate architecture in the country.Thanks to a huge revitalization project in recent years, OTR is a vibrant community full of shops, restaurants, breweries, art and music, plus more to explore.

There are eight Connector stops throughout OTR. Stop 7 provides easy access many of the restaurants and shops along Vine St. And while you’re there, stop by MICA 12/v, a lovely family-owned shop offering local art and gifts.

American Legacy Tours

Located in the middle of Vine St, American Legacy Tours offers guided historical tours throughout the city. We booked the Ultimate Queen City Underground Tour, a 2-hour walking tour of OTR. Do you know the origin of the saying, “When pigs fly”? We do!

The tour begins above ground, walking through OTR neighborhoods, admiring the architecture, and learning about its captivating history, including the booming pre-prohibition era. Go inside the historic St. Francis Seraph (built in 1858) and even discover a secret crypt.

The adventure continues underground, with stories about the Queen City’s brewery legacy and exploring hidden tunnels. Please note, the underground portion involves narrow staircases and uneven terrain.

Plan Your Visit

Ready to uncover Cincinnati’s hidden history? Tour times and prices vary. Reserve your spot on a historic tour here! 1332 Vine Street, Cincinnati

Rookwood Pottery

Bring out your creative side with a tour of Rookwood Pottery, a pioneer in American pottery for over 145 years. Take a behind-the-scenes factory tour and visit their impressive showroom. While you’re there, include a class or workshop to create your own masterpiece.

Plan Your Visit

Tours are offered Fridays at 10:30am and Saturdays at 10:30am and 1:00pm. Cost is $15 per person. Book a tour or class online here. 1920 Race Street, Cincinnati  

Stop 8: 14^th & Elm St

Cincinnati Music Hall

Cincinnati Music Hall is the crown jewel of Over-the-Rhine. The historic hall, built in 1878, is a High Victorian Gothic style. It is a stunning building, located on edge of Washington Park.

Home to the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestras, May Festival Chorus, the Cincinnati Ballet, and the Cincinnati Opera, there’s no shortage of cultural performances to enjoy. Performance tickets can be booked here.

Don’t have time to attend a show? Join one of several public tours or speaker series. Most tours last 75 to 90-min and cost $20 per person. Public tour times and availability can be found here.

Plan Your Visit

The Cincinnati Music Hall is located at 1241 Elm St. Access is available by Connector (Stops 8 or 14). Public parking is available at the Washington Park underground garage.

Washington Park

Washington Park is the perfect place to relax on a sunny afternoon. It is a beautiful urban green space with plenty of gardens, water features, playground, lawn games, and dog park.

There’s always something fun happening at the park with plenty of scheduled events and festivals to enjoy. Check the upcoming event calendar here. Be sure to top by The Porch to grab a cold soda or adult beverage from one of the local breweries.

Plan Your Visit

Washington Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Access is available by Connector (Stops 8 or 14). Public parking is available at the Washington Park underground garage. 1230 Elm St, Cincinnati.

Stops 10/12: Elm St/Race St

Findlay Market

Foodies unite! Findlay Market is a lively indoor market with more than 50 vendors offering fresh produce, meats, cheeses, seafood, ethnic foods, and bakery goods. Goetta, anyone?

For the rest of us, there are plenty of specialty shops, flowers, local arts and crafts, and more. Weekends are a great time to visit with a large outdoor farmers market featuring local growers, local artisans, and street performers, etc.

Interested in a tour? There are several options available, including print your own self-guided tours, free bi-monthly guided tours (2^nd & 4^th Saturdays, 10 a.m.) or guided tasting tours (times & cost varies). Check tour options and sign up here.

Plan Your Visit

Findlay Market hours are Tue-Fri from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Arrive by Connector, which drops off almost directly on either side of the market. Two small surface lots are also available ($3/hr). 1801 Race St, Cincinnati.

Stop 11: Brewery District

Over-the-Rhine’ s earliest history is rooted in beer making, so it’s no surprise that there are plenty of high-quality breweries, distilleries, or wineries to choose from. Not sure where to start?  Consider taking one of eight different Brewing Heritage Trail tours.

Rhinegeist Brewery

One of the largest and most popular breweries is Rhinegeist Brewery. Housed in a historic bottling plant, visitors can enjoy house-brewed beers, along with cornhole, ping-pong, TVs, and more. The rooftop deck is a great place to hang out with a view.

We loved the tour, which was perhaps one of the most informative brewery tours we’ve taken. Lots of detailed information about the brewing process, and how they create new aromas and flavors. Tours are offered Wednesday – Sunday (times vary). Cost is $10 per person.

Other breweries we’ve enjoyed (so far) are Samuel Adams, Northern Row, and Skeleton Root.

Plan Your Visit

Rhinegeist Brewery is spacious with plenty of seating. Reservations aren’t required, unless you have a group of 10 or more. You can ride the Connector from Findlay Market to Stop 11, however we chose to make the quick 3-minute walk. 1910 Elm St, Cincinnati.

Stop 17: Arnoff Center for the Arts

Located in the Backstage District of Cincinnati, the Arnoff Center for the Arts is your go to spot for performances by Broadway in Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Ballet, and more. Performance schedules and tickets can be found here. 650 Walnut St, Cincinnati.

Don’t miss the Weston Art Gallery sharing work by regional artists. Nearby, the Contemporary Arts Center and 21c Museum Hotel are interesting stops highlighting visual art.

Stop 18: Fountain Square

Fountain Square is the central gathering point of Cincinnati’s thriving downtown. The centerpiece of the square is the “Genius of Water” fountain. There are hundreds of events year-round including trivia nights, salsa dancing, concerts, pop-up markets, ice skating, and more!

It’s the perfect place to grab a yummy treat from Graeters and wrap up your adventure exploring Cincinnati by streetcar.

Whether you’re planning a quick day trip or a weekend getaway, exploring downtown Cincinnati by streetcar makes it easy (and fun!) to experience the city’s best attractions without the hassle of driving and parking.

From sports and history to parks, arts, and amazing food, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Next time you’re looking for a new adventure close to Columbus, hop on the Connector and see what Cincinnati has to offer!

Our Ohio Travel writer, Deb, randomly picks a new destination in Ohio to visit each month with her husband. Some of their trips are full weekend trips with overnight stays, while others are day trips. Their trips are always full of fun and unique stops that you’re going to want to check out. See more of her trips here.