Even though there is plenty to do right here in the Queen City, sometimes you just need a day to get away. With our prime central location in the tristate area, there is no shortage of places to visit, as evidenced by the following list of best day trips in Cincinnati. These unique day trips extend beyond the city limits, and, in addition to giving you new places to explore, we think each of these sites is worth visiting again and again!

1. Grayson Lake State Park - 314 Grayson Lake State Park Rd. Olive Hill, KY, 41164
Grayson Lake State Park, 314 Grayson Lake State Park Rd, Olive Hill, KY 41164, USA
Facebook/SUP Kentucky
At just over two hours from Cincinnati, Grayson Lake State Park in Kentucky is the perfect escape to reconnect with nature. The lake is like nothing you've ever seen and the surrounding hiking trails are beautiful during every season. For more information, check out our recent article about this beautiful Kentucky State Park.
2. Oxford, Ohio
Oxford, OH 45056, USA
Facebook/Oxford Farmers Market Uptown
Just 45 minutes north of Cincinnati is the picturesque college town of Oxford. If you have never visited this idyllic campus and uptown, you really need to at least once.
3. Louisville Mega Cavern - 1841 Taylor Ave., Louisville, KY, 40213
Louisville Mega Cavern, 1841 Taylor Ave, Louisville, KY 40213, USA
Facebook/Louisville Mega Cavern
An easy hour and a half drive south to Louisville will take you to the ultimate underground playground - Mega Cavern. You can zipline, take a tour, and experience the only fully underground aerial ropes challenge course in the world! For more information, check out our recent article about this epic underground destination in Kentucky.
4. French Lick Scenic Railway - 1 Monon Dr. French Lick, IN, 47432
1 Monon Dr, French Lick, IN 47432, USA
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For a unique day trip, head about two and a half hours into southern Indiana to the French Lick Scenic Railway. They offer themed and regular rides throughout the year and there are plenty of other activities in the area, as well. You'll find more information about their stunning Fall Foliage train ride and other seasonal offerings in this feature article about French Lick Scenic Railway.
5. BB Riverboats - 101 Riverboat Row, Newport, KY, 41071
BB Riverboats, 101 Riverboat Row, Newport, KY 41071, USA
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You won't have to go far to experience this timeless Cincinnati excursion. BB Riverboats board for their cruises in Newport, but you'll get to take in some of the best views you'll ever see of Cincinnati. For more information, check out our recent article about the riverboat cruises and other unique events!
6. Midway, Kentucky
Midway, KY, USA
Instagram/Joan Judah
As its name suggests, Midway is located between Lexington and Frankfort, Kentucky. Midway is an enchanting small town in one of the most beautiful areas of horse country. Filled with charming shops and delicious restaurants, it's a lovely drive from Cincinnati and a great way to spend a day.
7. Ozone Zipline Adventures - 5291 State Route 350 Oregonia, OH, 45054
5291 OH-350, Oregonia, OH 45054, USA
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For an adventurous day trip, check out Ozone Zipline Adventures in Warren County. As the best zipline course in the area, you'll fly through the trees and enjoy a thrill, and it's less than an hour from Cincinnati! For more information, check out our recent article about this cool canopy adventure in Ohio's Largest Playground, Warren County!
8. Children's Museum of Indianapolis - 3000 N Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN, 46208
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46208, USA
Facebook/Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The world's largest children's museum is a short drive from Cincinnati, over in Indianapolis. It's a fun day trip for all ages and an easy spot to explore for an entire day. For more information, check out our recent article about this one-of-a-kind museum in this feature article.
9. The Wilds - 14000 International Rd. Cumberland, OH, 43732
The Wilds Columbus Zoo, 14000 International Rd, Cumberland, OH 43732, USA
Facebook/The Wilds
We all know we have a fabulous zoo in Cincinnati, but if you'd like another way to get up close and personal with exotic animals, you only have to travel three hours to reach The Wilds. You can choose from a variety of tours and experiences (these must be booked ahead of time), and it's definitely one of the most unique day trips in the area! You can find more information about this only-in-Ohio attraction in our recent article about The Wilds.

These are some fo the best day trips in Cincinnati, but they only begin to scratch the surface of nearby destinations to explore! How many of these have you visited? Are there any you think we should add? Share your picks for the best day trips in Cincinnati with us in the comments below!

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More to Explore

Best Day Trips in Cincinnati

Sarah M. | June 21, 2022

What are some other fun day trips near me?

For those still looking for fun adventures in and around Cincinnati, we put together this list of 12 amazing day trips, one for each month of the year, so you can plan a year full of fun! Some of our favorite places to visit in our neighbor to the South include Red River Gorge, Mammoth Cave, the Louisville Mega Cavers, Big Bone Lick State Park, Bardstown, the Kentucky Horse Park, and the Louisville Slugger Museum. Looking West, places like The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Perfect North Slopes (in the winter), Brookville Lake, Indiana Beach, and Conner Prairie all make for amazing Indiana day trips. And if you want to stay in Ohio, you'll find a ton of great day trip options within a few hours of Cincinnati, including COSI in Columbus, The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Hocking Hills State Park in Hocking Hills, and charming little towns like Lebanon, Yellow Springs, Germantown, Mt. Vernon, Athens, and Marietta.

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