It’s Day 92 of 365 Things to do in Cincinnati and today we are at Burnet Woods. Located adjacent to the University of Cincinnati campus, Cincinnati Parks calls this “90 acres of green in everybody’s backyard.”
Like so many of my recent adventures, today was a new one for me; it’s the first time I ever actually stopped at Burnet Woods. I would say I’ve driven by it hundreds of times. Had I known how gorgeous it is “inside”, I would have stopped way before now. Take a look at all it has to offer…
We parked at the loop that is accessible from Clifton Ave (between Ludlow and Martin Luther Kind Jr. Drive). In the grassy area there you’ll find this…
Above you’ll see the Burnet Woods Bandstand, said to be one of the oldest structures in the Cincinnati Park system, circa 1911. It is shaded by huge trees and surrounded by seating. This place is just gorgeous. Just imagine the big bands that must have been played here! The Bandstand is still used for various functions.
Burnet Woods has a scenic lake surrounded by seating and a boardwalk. This is one of the only places in Ohio where it’s legal to fish without a license. Right next to the lake is the Trailside Nature Center.
The Trailside Nature center has many programs for both young and old. The nature center is home of the Wolff Planetarium, the oldest public planetarium west of the Allegheny Mountains. Small groups can sit in the planetarium to view the stars and it can also be reserved for school groups and public functions.
Here’s something you don’t see every day! The right side of those steps is actually a slide!
Between the Bandstand and the Nature Center you’ll find a wonderful stone pavilion that houses a number of picnic tables. Lots of grassy area surrounds the pavilion, as well as a few swingsets and picnic tables.
We really enjoyed our little trip to Burnet Woods and will definitely be going back to explore further.
Burnet Woods is located at 3251 Brookline Drive
Burnet Woods is one of the Cincinnati Parks
Keep up with all they have to offer at Cincinnati Parks on Facebook
Would love to keep up with events my children loved this park?
I went to Cincinnati on a football scholarship from New Hampshire in 1961. Burnet Woods was a convenient escape and a great place to relax and reflect. I donated my pet alligator to the Nature Center, kidnapped some ducks to put in a teammate’s room at old French Hall. Took my wife on our first date there and had our wedding pictures taken on the same spot as our first date……very sentimental location. Had the greatest time of my life in Cincinnati and Burnet Woods will always be a pleasant memory.
Charlie Grigas UC “65
Nashua, New Hampshire & Mission Viejo, CA.
I learned to I e skate on Burnet Woods Lake. Do folks still skate there?