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Hello friends! With the weather being so nice lately and the weekend approaching, I thought I would share some outdoor activities you can do in Cincinnati.
One of my favorite places to go hiking is the Cincinnati Nature Center, which has over 20 miles of trails. It’s a great option for some short hikes if you’re looking for a few-hour excursion and don’t want to leave the city. I work at the Nature Center, so I may be a bit biased, but I can also provide some insider knowledge.
My favorite hike is the Far Ridge Trail, which is 1.4 miles long but fairly steep. It takes you up to a ridge which gives a stunning lookout of the Nature Center. The Mashburn Family Discovery Trail is great for families or those with limited mobility because it is flat and paved while still offering great scenery.
Every year around March, millions of daffodils bloom at the Nature Center, planted by its previous owner. Although it’s a bit too late in the year to see them in their full glory, the Wildflower Trail (1.13 miles) still has a large variety of spring wildflowers to see; I just saw some beautiful flowers there last weekend!.
The Nature Center also has a satellite site called Long Branch Farm and Trails, which offers five additional miles of trails. This is only open to membership holders but is much quieter and more enjoyable..
If you don’t want to pay the small fee for admission to the Nature Center, there are also a variety of free, public parks in the Cincinnati area. The Cincinnati Parks are excellent overall, but here are a few of my recommendations.
Mt. Airy Forest has a beautiful treehouse if you are looking for something to do with kids or anyone who loves a magical experience.
Also check out Eden Park, which is home to Krohn Conservatory. Krohn boasts a large variety of breathtaking plants as well as butterflies that might even land on you.
If you don’t feel like hiking, there are also so many great biking trails around the city. My family loves the Little Miami Bike Trail, which also allows you to stop at Milford for a bite to eat if you’re hungry. Check out more trails to find ones near you.
Cincinnati is also located on some wonderful water routes. There are lots of local businesses that provide canoe and kayak trips down the Little Miami and Ohio rivers, or you can always use your own.
There are also so many cool local lakes that have trails, fishing and wonderful birding opportunities. Download the Merlin Bird ID App to identify what birds you are hearing and check out Lake Isabella, Lake Barber, Burnett Woods Lake or East Fork Lake. I’ve seen kingfishers, woodpeckers, cormarants and bald eagles.
Another activity that you can do all throughout Cincinnati is geocaching. Geocaching is sort of like a game where you try to find hidden boxes using clues. There are thousands in Cincinnati and many can be found in beautiful outdoor locations, taking you to places you may have never seen before. Download the app to learn more.
The Cincinnati Zoo (where I have also worked), while not necessarily a pristine and peaceful environment, offers wonderful ecological education. It is also a botanical garden, which many people forget, so the variety of fauna is extraordinary to see.
Make sure to check out the Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Species if you want to learn more about how we can protect the environment through science. The Zoo is known for its “groundbreaking education collaboratives” and green practices, so it’s a great place to go if you want to learn more about these areas.
The Civic Garden Center (CGC) is also a great place for natural education; they offer classes on everything from foraging to making your own botanical resin jewelry, and have some beautiful grounds to walk around. Volunteering here is also an option if you fall in love with the CGC.
If you’re looking to get away from the city for the day, there are some great parks and preserves within a two-hour drive. Red River Gorge is by far my favorite, known for its sandstone features and similar to something you might find out West.
There are hiking trails that vary from easy to difficult, as well as zip-lining, kayaking and, perhaps most well-known, rock climbing.
Hocking Hills State Park, John Bryan State Park and Big Bone Lick State Park are also a short drive away.
These are just a few of the things you can do outside in the Cincinnati area. You can truly find adventure anywhere, though, so keep your eyes peeled for any little pockets of nature. I hope you find the experience of exploring the outdoors to be as relaxing, invigorating and educational as it has been for me!
Elena