Across the Ohio River
The occasion for my visit to the Cincinnati area was the wedding of a hometown friend and a long overdue reunion with my family and childhood friends. The wedding venue was actually in Covington, Kentucky, conveniently located across from the city and next to a pedestrian bridge that connected us to downtown with less than a 15-minute walk.
Where I stayed:
Embassy Suites Cincinnati– Spoiler: it’s actually in Covington, Kentucky, which is NOT Ohio
Towneplace Suites by Marriott Cincinnati– This newly renovated hotel is conveniently located in walking distance to most downtown restaurants and attractions.
Krohn Conservatory in Cincinnati
Less than two miles from downtown Cincinnati is Eden Park, a 180+ acre city park. My first stop was Krohn Conservatory, a small Botanic Garden. The main summer draw to the Conservatory is the live butterfly exhibit. Although it had closed for the season, I was able to catch the end of the run for the fall mum show. The permanent collections are divided into smaller conservatory spaces, including Palm, Orchid, Desert, and Fern Houses.
2021 Ticket Prices
Adults (18+ years) $10.00
Youth (5-17 years old) $7.00
Children 4 & under Free
Cincinnati Museum Of Art
From Krohn Conservatory, I walked to the Spencer overlook for views of the Ohio River and Kentucky. The walk to the Cincinnati Art Museum from there took me about 20 minutes; someone who didn’t live on a coastal plain and more accustomed to hills would be able to get there more quickly. Admission to the museum was free, and with a little less than two hours I felt like my visit was rushed. The second floor houses the European, American and Contemporary art collections. The second floor temporary exhibit was the highlight for me, with works from contemporary female artists. The first floor’s Ancient African Art rooms opened to works by contemporary African artists. A large portion of the first floor features the history of American art connected to the Cincinnati area. I concluded my visit in the Asian and Islamic galleries.
The Dayton Art Institute
Just up the highway about an hour (in Ohio, distance is calculated in time, not mileage) is Dayton. Despite growing up there, it took me 43 years to visit the Dayton Art Institute. On the upper floor, European and American Galleries surround a Garden Courtyard. The lowest level houses the Ancient Art collections from the Americas and Asia.
Before or after you take in the arts, stop at the nearby Branch & Bone Artisan Ales for some award winning beer!
2021 Ticket Prices
Adults (18+ years) $15.00
Senior & Military $10.00
Youth $5.00
Children Free
Standard Disclaimer: missed typos are the fault of the Jen Goes Places volunteer editor, my husband Alex. All pricing and information is based on the time of travel, so check organizations’ websites for updated information.