Free Attractions in Cincinnati (2025)

A cornerstone since 1881 with free general admission daily, the museum pairs a deep permanent collection with city views and the outdoor Art Climb stairway. Highlighted by national travel writers, including Lonely Planet, as a must-see that won’t cost a dime.

Ohio’s oldest public market welcomes browsing its historic iron-frame hall and open-air arcades at no charge. Frequently praised by Food & Wine and other national outlets, it’s a living snapshot of Over-the-Rhine’s foodways and community life.

Download the free map and wander through 200-plus outdoor murals by local youth and professional artists across downtown and nearby neighborhoods. Celebrated by Ohio Magazine and local critics for turning city blocks into an open-air gallery.

In the shadow of Music Hall, this revitalized 1860s park hosts free concerts, movie nights, and family events year-round. Noted in national coverage of Over-the-Rhine’s resurgence and powered by partnerships with institutions like the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

The city’s public living room anchors free festivals, salsa nights, trivia, and live music under the Genius of Water fountain. A perennial stop in respected city guides, it’s perfect for people-watching between downtown explorations.

Riverfront lawns, swings, splash features, gardens, and skyline views—all free. Recognized in USA Today’s 10Best riverwalk rankings, it connects seamlessly to the Roebling Bridge and The Banks for effortless waterfront wandering.

A National Historic Landmark that doubles as a 700-acre arboretum, open daily for reflective walks among lakes, monuments, and remarkable botany. A favorite of architecture and landscape lovers cited by local historians and tour writers.

A community-run oasis with free dawn-to-dusk access, native plant displays, and a LEED Platinum education center next door. Look for free monthly arboretum tours and seasonal programs praised by local environmental groups.

On the last Friday each month, hundreds of artists open their studios for free browsing in a sprawling historic complex. Long a fixture of Cincinnati arts coverage, it’s a lively, local way to meet makers and see what’s new.

An award-winning, interactive tribute to the region’s Black music legends, open daily with free admission. Local and national media praise its immersive tech and riverfront setting next to the Andrew J Brady Music Center.

Free, public exhibitions from one of the nation’s oldest art schools showcase student, alumni, and visiting artists. Regularly noted by local arts writers, these galleries give a current snapshot of Cincinnati’s creative energy.

Newly refreshed public spaces, free rotating exhibits, and a MakerSpace make this civic landmark an easy, cost-free stop. Local press spotlight its community programming and architecture as a downtown anchor for learning and culture.