Cincinnati Summer Bucket List | 40+ Fun Things to Do in This Summer

Oh, summer … laid back longer days, spending more time outside, trying new things and going to new places, soaking in the Vitamin D, sipping on cold drinks, pool time. I could go on and on!

If you’re like me, trying to pack as much adventure as you can into this summer season, I have some great ideas for you!

Get ready to enjoy summer with our Cincinnati Summer Bucket List!

Hammocks on the trails at Summit Park in Blue Ash

Things to Do in Cincinnati This Summer

This may be the very best thing to do this summer – go for a hike! Take a look at some of our favorite Cincinnati hiking spots here.

Rent a kayak or canoe and paddle around on the lake at Winton Woods, Sharon Woods, or Miami Whitewater Forest. The boathouses are now open but you might want to call for hours.

Kayaking at Great Parks of Hamilton County

Hop in the car to see the amazing ArtWorks murals located downtown and in the surrounding areas. You can print out a map and route your own tour. The map includes 60 of the murals.

You can make your own mural tour in Hamilton, Ohio as well. Their Street Spark project has 11 murals, many of which can be viewed when you walk down Main / High Streets. Get a great look at all eleven murals (plus three more coming soon) here.

StreetSpark murals in Hamilton, Ohio
“Left Hander for Life”, part of Hamilton’s StreetSpark mural project

Pull the car right up and cross the Ohio River with a ride on the Anderson Ferry. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Ferry transports vehicles and pedestrians between Constance, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio.

Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy watching the planes come and go at the CVG Viewing Area.

Biking at Summit Park in Blue Ash
Summit Park in Blue Ash

Make good use of the trails at Blue Ash’s Summit Park. They have lots of spacious paved trail opportunities, great for walking or biking. You’ll also find a few shaded nature trails that meander through the woods.

The barn and lake at Marmalade Lily
Marmalade Lily

Enjoy some time at Marmalade Lily, a “cut your own flowers” farm in Loveland.

Support our local farmers when you pay a visit to one of the many Farmers Markets that are open for the season.

Vegetables from Farmers Markets

Pack up the gear and checkout an area one of the 16 Best Campgrounds in the Cincinnati Area this summer. Whether you have one night, a weekend, or a full week to camp, you have lots of great choices for camping within 100 miles.

Spray parks, spray grounds, splash parks – call them what you will! I do know we have LOTS of them in Cincinnati. Most of them are free or low cost too!

Beech Acres Splash Pads
The sprayground at Beech Acres

Get away from it all! Schedule some down time with your favorite person at one of these Romantic Weekend Getaway spots in Ohio.

Get on your bike and ride at one of the 15 Best Bike Trails in Cincinnati.

If you have little ones on wheels, check out our list of the Best Family Friendly Bike Trails.

Take your furry friend to a new Dog Park this summer.

Mt Carmel Brewing from the back
Mt. Carmel Brewing

Don’t miss our complete and Ultimate List of Cincinnati Breweries. We have a list of all the area breweries plus a map so you can plot your own brewery tour.

Satisfy your sweet tooth with a stop at any one of the Ice Cream Shops in Cincinnati.

Here’s something you can do with folks of all ages – grab a Frisbee and get in a round or two of Disc Golf. There are multiple spots to play, all over town.

A day at the Cincinnati Zoo is always fun!

Coney Island / Sunlite Pool has opened for the summer.

Hop in the car and enjoy a few flicks with an evening at one of the 4 Drive In Theaters Around Cincinnati.

free summer movies in Cincinnati

There are some free, outdoor summer movies slated for 2023. We’ll continually update the list as summer movies get posted so check back often!

Speaking of reading, don’t miss all of the Summer Reading Programs that are being offered for 2023.

people lounging in chairs in downtown Loveland, Ohio

Whether you want to walk or ride, The Loveland Bike Trail is a fun way to spend a day outside. There’s lots of things to do in downtown Loveland so plan to make a day of it!

Have you been introduced to Geocaching? This activity can provide hours and hours of fun for people of all ages. It just might be the best reason to have your phone out!

Up for a road trip? Check out our list of Waterfalls in and Around Cincinnati.

rhinegeist rooftop bar downtown Cincinnati view

Celebrate the sun with a trip to any of these 15 Rooftop Bars in Cincinnati.

Pack up the fishing gear and start casting! It looks like Fishing Tournaments and Fishing Derbies will offer us all a chance to get outside this summer.

Have you explored the parks along the Ohio River? Cincinnati has an amazing little string of parks along the river, all connected by a paved walking trail.

While you’re downtown, take in the view when you walk across the Roebling Bridge to Covington. There’s a pedestrian walkway on the sides of the bridge. Find the steps at Smale Park.

Another great walking bridge is The Purple People Bridge. In fact, this bridge is open only to pedestrians and bikers (no motorized vehicles). The bridge is accessed near Sawyer Point and ends at Newport on the Levee.

Trammel Fossil Park and sign

Dig to your heart’s content at Trammel Fossil Park. Be sure to take some tools to dig with and a bucket or bag for all your discoveries.

Ever heard of FootGolf? It’s a cross between golf and soccer. On a very basic level, you’re kicking a soccer ball but playing along with the rules of golf. You can play at Woodland and Reeves golf courses (Cincinnati Rec Commission).

Pick your own berries at a local farm. One of our personal favorites is Blooms and Berries Farm Market. Watch their site for strawberry picking days in late spring; they follow that up with blueberry picking opportunities in mid to late June.


Did we miss your favorite things to do in the summer? Let us know!

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About the Author
Bridgett Raffenberg
My name is Bridgett Raffenberg and I am the creator of 365Cincinnati. I've been uncovering and sharing all of the best things to do in Cincinnati since 2010. I enjoy exploring new spots, discovering local events, and meeting the people who call Cincinnati home!

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