Attractions

Newport Aquarium, a $40-million project featuring floor-to-ceiling tanks, a touch pool, and a plexiglass "human fishbowl." Explore 70 exhibits and 14 galleries, including five seamless acrylic tunnels totaling over 200 feet in length, featuring an amazing variety of aquatic life from around the world's most exotic and exciting waterways.

The Cincinnati Zoo is consistently ranked as one of the top zoos in the country. Opened in 1875, it is the nation’s second oldest zoo and a national historic landmark.

The Zoo’s 75 acres house 510 animal species and 3,000 plant varieties. Over 1.2 million people visit the Zoo annually. This not-for-profit entity is internationally known for its success in the protection and propagation of endangered animals and plants, and engages in research and conservation projects around the world

Kings Island, the #1 seasonal theme park in the United States, draws more than 3 million visitors annually to its 1,600-acre entertainment center. Greater Cincinnati is home to the world's tallest, fastest and only looping wooden coaster - KI's "Son of Beast", 7,032 feet and 92 mph. The predecessor, "The Beast" is the world's longest coaster ride - lasting 4 minutes, 30 seconds. There are 72 coasters within a 4-hour drive of Greater Cincinnati, something no other region can boast.

Newport on the Levee tops a national list of malls and shopping centers in a new travel guide for families released May 2004 by Zagat Survey. The Levee, which opened in 2001, includes an AMC 20-screen theater, a Funny Bone comedy club and six other live entertainment venues, 15 restaurants and 19 shops, plus the Newport Aquarium. The combination of outdoor and enclosed space looking across the Ohio River to downtown Cincinnati has helped transform the city of Newport into a hip entertainment destination. The Levee is a $145 million project with dining establishments, retail outlets, and entertainment venues with a 2000-car parking garage.

Newport's Millennium Peace Bell, is the largest free-swinging bell in the world, weighing 66,000 pounds, installed in 1999 at the Millennium Monument in Newport, Kentucky. This bell, a symbol of freedom and peace, was designed and cast by the world renowned Verdin Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, in association with Pierre Paccard in Annecy, France. The Verdin Company is the world's largest supplier of bells, carillons, and clocks.

The Omnimax Theater The Robert D. Lindner Family OMNIMAX Theater in the Museum Center at Union Terminal is one of the most successful of its kind in the United States. Cincinnati Museum Center's OMNIMAX Theater surrounds viewers with super-sized images and exceptional visual and audio quality, making them feel as if they are “in the picture.” It features a five-story, 72-foot-diameter, tilted, domed screen and one of the most sophisticated digital sound systems. The Beach,

The Beach has real surf, real sand, real palm trees and 49 of the most thrilling water rides and exciting attractions anywhere.

Coney Island Swim at Sunlite Pool, world's largest recirculating pool. Zoom Flume waterbogan, the Pipline Plunge tube water slide. Enjoy 16 classic kiddie and family rides, mini-golf bumper and pedal boats.

Festivals and Events

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, the world's second largest Oktoberfest after the original in Munich, holds the Guinness World Record for the largest public performance of the "chicken dance".

Tall Stacks is the internationally famous reunion of historic riverboats. The Tall Stacks Music, Arts & Heritage Festival will return to Cincinnati in October 2006 with even more music, food, fun and riverboats to entertain and educate thousands.

Cincinnati Flower Show, the only flower show in North America endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain. Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, March 2002 referred to this event as "The king of all flower shows" This is America's most acclaimed flower show featuring world class exhibits, social events, gardener's and plant markets, a lecture series and tours.

Riverfest, a Labor Day event highlighted by a 30 minute show of fireworks, laser lights and music on the Ohio River with more than 500,000 in attendance.

Kidsfest, A Taste of Cincinnati, Summer on the Square, Balloonfest, Panegyri Greek Festival, Black Family Reunion, Jazz Festival, Chilifest, The Great Inland Seafood Festival, and many, many more.

(View all attractions here.)