Cincinnati's Best: Self-Guided Driving Tour, Ohio - Iconic Landmarks
Places: 22 POIs
Distance: 18.73 mi
Duration: 1h:55m
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Tour #2536
About this English self-guided 1h:55m driving tour in Cincinnati
Alright folks, welcome to Cincinnati, Ohio — the Queen City! We’re about to take a self-guided driving adventure through one of America’s most historic and scenic river cities. Sitting proudly on the banks of the Ohio River, Cincinnati is a city that’s always been about connections — north and south, old and new, tradition and innovation.
Cincinnati was founded in 1788, making it one of the first major American cities west of the Alleghenies. In the 19th century, it grew so quickly it earned the nickname “Queen City of the West.” This was a powerhouse of river commerce, pork packing, brewing, and German immigration. Fun fact: by 1850, Cincinnati was America’s sixth-largest city. Another claim to fame? The world’s very first professional baseball team — the Cincinnati Red Stockings of 1869 — played right here.
It’s also a city of “firsts.” The first reinforced concrete skyscraper, the Ingalls Building, rose here in 1903. The Roebling Suspension Bridge — the very one we’ll cross later — was the longest suspension bridge in the world when it opened in 1867, and it served as the prototype for New York City’s Brooklyn Bridge. And if you’ve ever enjoyed a scoop of Graeter’s ice cream or a plate of Cincinnati chili, you’ve already tasted some of its unique traditions.
On this tour, we’ll take you from the heart of downtown at Fountain Square to cultural treasures like Music Hall and the Cincinnati Art Museum, through the bustling Findlay Market and the historic streets of Over-the-Rhine, then up to the hilltop views of Eden Park and Mount Adams. Finally, we’ll circle back to the river and finish where it all comes together — at the graceful span of the Roebling Suspension Bridge.
So buckle up, relax, and get ready. Cincinnati has stories, flavors, and views you won’t forget. Let’s hit the road and explore the Queen City together!
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
Route Preview
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Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.00mi
, Attraction : Public Square (Recommended selfie spot).
412 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, USA
Fountain Square the Heart of Cincinnati
Welcome to the beating heart of Cincinnati — Fountain Square! If you’re looking for the city’s pulse, you’ve found it right here. Since 1871, this plaza has been the central gathering spot for Cincinnatians, and at its core is the stunning Tyler Davidson Fountain.
The fountain was commissioned by local businessman Henry Probasco in memory of his brother-in-law, Tyler Davidson, and gifted to the city as a symbol meant for everyone to enjoy. Designed by German sculptor August von Kreling, it’s a masterpiece of allegory. At the top, the Genius of Water extends her arms, blessing the city, while the figures below represent how water sustains life through industry, commerce, agriculture, and the arts. At the base, children and playful water creatures add a touch of whimsy.
For over 150 years, Fountain Square has been the backdrop for parades, protests, concerts, holiday celebrations, and everyday people-watching. In the winter, you’ll even find an ice rink here. A major renovation in 2006 gave it the modern look you see today, complete with a massive video board, outdoor seating, and space for events year-round.
The fountain was commissioned by local businessman Henry Probasco in memory of his brother-in-law, Tyler Davidson, and gifted to the city as a symbol meant for everyone to enjoy. Designed by German sculptor August von Kreling, it’s a masterpiece of allegory. At the top, the Genius of Water extends her arms, blessing the city, while the figures below represent how water sustains life through industry, commerce, agriculture, and the arts. At the base, children and playful water creatures add a touch of whimsy.
For over 150 years, Fountain Square has been the backdrop for parades, protests, concerts, holiday celebrations, and everyday people-watching. In the winter, you’ll even find an ice rink here. A major renovation in 2006 gave it the modern look you see today, complete with a massive video board, outdoor seating, and space for events year-round.
Place #2
![Map Pin]()
Distance: 0.26mi
, Attraction : Museum (Recommended selfie spot).
230 Walnut St, Cincinnati, OH 45215, USA
Freedom Center Museum
Turn left, but on your right, you’ll see the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, one of the most powerful and meaningful museums in the country. Opened in 2004, it sits here on the banks of the Ohio River — the very river that once marked the boundary between slave states and free states. For many escaping slavery, crossing this river was the first step toward freedom.
Inside, the museum tells those stories through immersive exhibits, original artifacts, and powerful personal accounts. One of the most moving displays is an actual slave pen from Kentucky, once used to hold enslaved people before they were sold at auction. You’ll also find exhibits on the heroes of the Underground Railroad, the everyday men and women who risked their lives to help others find freedom.
But the Freedom Center isn’t just about the past. Its mission extends to modern times, shining a light on contemporary issues like human trafficking and the ongoing global fight for freedom and equality. The building itself, with its sweeping stone and glass design, feels open and hopeful — a place of remembrance, but also of inspiration.
Inside, the museum tells those stories through immersive exhibits, original artifacts, and powerful personal accounts. One of the most moving displays is an actual slave pen from Kentucky, once used to hold enslaved people before they were sold at auction. You’ll also find exhibits on the heroes of the Underground Railroad, the everyday men and women who risked their lives to help others find freedom.
But the Freedom Center isn’t just about the past. Its mission extends to modern times, shining a light on contemporary issues like human trafficking and the ongoing global fight for freedom and equality. The building itself, with its sweeping stone and glass design, feels open and hopeful — a place of remembrance, but also of inspiration.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1
Fountain Square the Heart of Cincinnati
Place 2
Freedom Center Museum
Place 3
Reds Baseball Stadium
Place 4
Ohio River
Place 5
Historic Suspension Bridge
Place 6
Riverfront Park & Views
Place 7
Paycor Stadium
Place 8
Washington Park and the Cincinnati Music Hall
Place 9
Historic Public Market
Place 10
TQL Stadium
Place 11
Cincinnati Museum Center
Place 12
University of Cincinnati
Place 13
Burnet Woods
Place 14
Cincinnati World-Renowned Zoo & Botanical Garden
Place 15
Cincinnati Art Museum
Place 16
Eden Park
Place 17
Krohn Conservatory
Place 18
Mount Adams Church & Views
Place 19
Taylor-Southgate Bridge
Place 20
Crossing the Roebling Suspension Bridge
Place 21
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Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 22 stops, covering top attractions such as Fountain Square the Heart of Cincinnati, Freedom Center Museum, Reds Baseball Stadium, Ohio River, Historic Suspension Bridge.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Fountain Square the Heart of Cincinnati (Address: 412 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - 1. A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). 2. A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!