10 Best Weekend Trips From Cincinnati, Ohio - Updated 2024

Rienz Althron
Rienz Althron 
Updated
| 5 min read

Cincinnati is one of the major cities in Ohio. It is also the economic hub of the Cincinnati Metropolitan Area, making it a bustling and busy city. But life in a busy city can sometimes get boring. If you are looking for ways to fight boredom, how about going on a weekend road trip? You don’t need to go that far, because Ohio has many tourist attractions that will banish the monotony in your system and replace it with positive energy! If you need help in exploring the nearby tourist attractions from Cincinnati, then you’re definitely in the right place because we’ll be sharing with you the locations we think are the best. So, without much ado, let’s explore the Buckeye State and get you equipped with options to help you decide which best weekend trips from Cincinnati, Ohio to pick.

Be sure to check out the top two-bedroom hotels as well as hotels near casinos for a place to stay when you get back.

1. Akron, OH (from USD 12.0)

Akron is a city in Ohio about 227 miles (365 kilometers) from Cincinnati. That’s about a three- to four-hour drive. It is also the fifth-largest city in the state and because it is a bustling city, there are several tourist attractions here to keep you from getting bored. Learning about history and science and appreciating art are all good activities since there are several museums in Akron to visit. Also, joining a scavenger hunt tour with your friends or family members is an exciting way of learning while exploring the city’s points of interest.

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Akron Scavenger Hunt

Duration: 2 hours

3 reviews

2. Clifton, OH

Antique Signs At Clifton Mill In Ohio
Source: Photo by Flickr user Mark Spearman used under CC BY 2.0

Clifton is a historic village situated in Greene County, Ohio. It is home to several places where you can commune with nature and learn about the history of Ohio while being entertained. Some of the points of interest that are a must to visit in this village are Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve, Shoebox Theatre, Clifton Opera House. The village is just a few 5.8 miles (about 9 kilometers) away from Cincinnati, making it a great place to spend some time with your gang during the weekend.

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3. Madison, IN

Lanier Mansion in Madison Indiana
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Wjlackner used under CC BY-SA 4.0

If you prefer a long drive before arriving at your destination, then have a go at Madison, Indiana. It is 78 miles away from Cincinnati (about 126 kilometers) and takes about one to two hours to reach by car. Your extended road trip is not going to be in vain because Madison has scenic routes that will please your eyes such as John Hunt Morgan Heritage Trail, Michigan Road Historic Byway, and Broadway Fountain. Chill out with some good music at events like Bluegrass Music night at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Fourth Friday Downtown, and Hanover College Community Arts & Culture Series. Need a dose of malt and alcohol? A mug of frothy beer at Mad Paddle Brewery will melt your stress away!

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4. Yellow Springs, OH

Yellow Springs Station
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jamie Holly used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Yellow Springs is a village situated in the heart of Greene County and is a great visit if what you’re looking for are places where you can unwind with mother nature. Communing with nature is a great way to relax. Thankfully, the village has several parks that will make you forget all the worries back home such as John Bryan State Park and Yellow Springs in the Glen Helen Nature Preserve. If arts and crafts are your things, you should definitely head to Village Artisans Gallery which has a wide array of artworks from local artists. If you’re into healthy food options, shop organic local produce at Tom’s Market, but if it’s your cheat day, a cup of homemade ice cream from Young’s Jersey Dairy will make your strict diet a bit bearable! Yellow Springs is about 70 miles (about 112 kilometers) from Cincinnati, around 1 hour and 15 minutes’ drive.

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5. Asheville, NC (from USD 30.0)

A city located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, Asheville is full of nature, a great detox from your toxic work week. Being 346 miles (556 kilometers) from Cincinnati, Asheville is a great long-drive destination to pick, especially because what awaits your arrival are activities that will shake the boredom out of you and your family! From ziplining, mountain hiking, a natural waterslide, and a whole lot more! Not to mention that there are several landmarks to explore in the city!

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Asheville History, Architecture, and Culture Walking Tour

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

386 reviews

6. Cleveland, OH (from USD 12.0)

Cleveland is one of the most famous locations in the state of Ohio. It is known as the 52nd-largest city in the United States and the best place in the country to get a serving of paczki donuts! If you’re a true foodie and learning about food is just as fascinating as tasting them, then you should head to West Side Market where you can learn about the local culinary history. Cleveland is also home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, so if rock and roll is your favorite genre of music, you know where to hang out! Cleveland is 250 miles (around 402 kilometers) from Cincinnati, a good four- to five-hour drive.

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Cleveland Bar Hunt: Cleveland Climax Bar Crawl

Duration: 2 hours

7. Dayton, OH

Elks Building, Dayton, Ohio
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user HistoricBuildingFan used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Dayton is known for being associated with aviation and is the birthplace of aircraft designer Orville Wright. It is also home to Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Want to know something really interesting about this city? The Dayton Police Department wrote the world’s very first speeding ticket here in 1904. So we’d say you better avoid speeding through this town expecting to go scot-free. Instead, slow down and enjoy!

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8. Indianapolis, IN (from USD 12.0)

Indianapolis-1872528
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user tpsdave used under CC0

The most populous city of Indiana is also home to some of the most interesting places in the state, such as Indianapolis Museum of Art where you can appreciate various artworks, Eagle Creek Park and Nature Preserve where you can learn about the local wildlife, and the house of the 23rd US President, Benjamin Harrison. Indianapolis is also home to Indianapolis Motor Speedway where big racing events are held regularly. Indianapolis is about 109 miles (175.42 kilometers) from Cincinnati and the travel time takes about two hours. One of the best ways to cover as many attractions in this city is by joining a self-guided tour.

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Self-Guided Indianapolis Scavenger Hunt

Duration: 2 to 3 hours

9. Columbus, OH (from USD 26.0)

Scioto Mile aerial from north
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user J. Jessee used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Columbus is the capital of Ohio and also the state’s most populous city; these being said, you can expect a lot of exciting activities and attractions here. If you love learning new things, the city has Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Columbus Museum of Art, and American Museum of Natural History Dinosaur Gallery. If you’re the sporty type, you should definitely head to MAPFRE Stadium to watch a game of soccer. Also, the city boasts more than 30 breweries! Columbus is 106 miles from Cincinnati (about 170 kilometers) - that’s less than 120 minutes of driving.

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Columbus 'Short North' Guided Walking Tour with Art, History

Duration: 3 hours

10. Sandusky, OH (from USD 83.0)

State Theater Sandusky Ohio
Source: Photo by Flickr user pscf11 used under CC BY-SA 2.0

About 231 miles (371 kilometers) from Cincinnati, near the shores of Lake of Erie, lies the city of Sandusky famous for Cedar Point Amusement Park which has some of the tallest roller coasters in the world. Because the city is located near Lake Erie, you can also expect to enjoy water sports such as parasailing and boating. Going for a Segway tour is a great way of covering as many of Sandusky’s tourist attractions without tiring your feet!

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1 Hour West City Tour

Duration: 1 to 2 hours

Explore the Buckeye State and beyond

While Cincinatti offers incredible theme parks and even popular festivals, there are just as much things to do and see outside this incredible city! Above are but some of the places to spend a weekend around Cincinnati, but there’s a ton more for you to explore! Of course, you must start somewhere so why not do so by taking these best weekend trips from Cincinnati, Ohio?

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Rienz is a former office-based employee who entered the world of travel writing. His ultimate dream is to be able to travel the world and experience as much of it as he can. By pursuing his dreams,...Read more

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