If you grew up in the Cincinnati area, you likely have childhood memories of summertime fun and doing things that may not even exist anymore. While it seems that many nostalgic places and activities have been replaced these days, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy a summer similar to the “good old days.” If you’re longing for those days or want to show your kids or grandkids what fun is all about, try these nine nostalgic things to do around town to make it a classic Cincinnati summer.
- Coney Island
Facebook/Coney Island Amusement Park Coney Island Amusement Park has long been a favorite summertime destination for Cincinnatians. With charming midways, games, and nostalgic rides, this is a place the entire family will enjoy.
Address: 6201 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230
- Sunlite Water Adventure
Facebook/Coney Island Amusement Park While you’re at Coney Island, you might as well take a dip in the biggest pool in Cincinnati. Sunlite Pool (now Sunlite Water Adventure) is a lot like you remember it, but with a few added attractions. This year, they’ve added back a diving board section (cannonball contest!), and they still have that super fast metal slide in the middle of the pool.
Address: 6201 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230
- Kings Island
Facebook/Kings Island Kings Island has been around for a while now, and although it looks different than it did when we were kids, there is still classic fun to be had. The antique cars are back, so start there, ride The Beast, grab a blue ice cream cone, and talk about how much the park has changed, yet is still filled with excitement.
Address: 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason, OH 45040
- Visit a local creamy whip.
Google/Putz’s Creamy Whip The sweetest way to bring back a classic Cincinnati summer is to visit a local creamy whip. We have many and Putz’s, shown above, is a favorite. Order a cone and sit on a sticky picnic table for the full, nostalgic experience.
Putz’s Address: 2673 Putz Place, Cincinnati, OH 45211
- Eden Park
Facebook/Cincinnati Parks Eden Park is a historic destination in Cincinnati that hasn’t changed much over the years. You can walk around for beautiful scenery and views, and be sure to check out Mirror Lake when it’s filled with water - it’s a classic.
Address: 950 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202
- Catch a baseball game.
Facebook/Cincinnati Reds Baseball is the most nostalgic sport of all and Cincinnati is the best place to watch it (whether they’re winning or not). Grab a hot dog, put on a hat, and belt out “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” during the 7th inning stretch.
- Stricker’s Grove
Facebook/Stricker’s Grove Stricker’s Grove in Hamilton is a bit of a hidden gem, but also a place that holds nostalgic memories for many. It’s only open to the public on specific dates, but the rides and games here are the same as they always have been, and just as fun.
Address: 11490 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton, OH 45013
- Attend a local festival.
Facebook/ Cincitalia! The Cincinnati Italian Festival A classic Cincinnati summer should definitely include a visit to a festival or two. There are a few every weekend and you can chow down on tasty food, listen to music, and try not to toss your cookies on a carnival ride. Don’t forget to try and win a goldfish with a ping pong ball.
- Riverfest and the WEBN Fireworks
Flickr/scottgunn And to wrap up a classic Cincinnati summer, head to Sawyer Point Labor Day weekend for Riverfest and the WEBN Fireworks. This is a long-running Cincinnati tradition and listening to rock music while colors explode in the sky is the quintessential summer experience in Cincinnati.
A classic Cincinnati summer is all about a mix of simple nights catching lightning bugs and exciting days riding roller coasters. You can relive that nostalgia this summer in the Queen City with these nine things to do around town. What do you think of this list? What do you remember about your childhood summer in Cincinnati? Let us know in the comments!
Facebook/Coney Island Amusement Park
Coney Island Amusement Park has long been a favorite summertime destination for Cincinnatians. With charming midways, games, and nostalgic rides, this is a place the entire family will enjoy.
Address: 6201 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230
While you’re at Coney Island, you might as well take a dip in the biggest pool in Cincinnati. Sunlite Pool (now Sunlite Water Adventure) is a lot like you remember it, but with a few added attractions. This year, they’ve added back a diving board section (cannonball contest!), and they still have that super fast metal slide in the middle of the pool.
Address: 6201 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230
Facebook/Kings Island
Kings Island has been around for a while now, and although it looks different than it did when we were kids, there is still classic fun to be had. The antique cars are back, so start there, ride The Beast, grab a blue ice cream cone, and talk about how much the park has changed, yet is still filled with excitement.
Address: 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason, OH 45040
Google/Putz’s Creamy Whip
The sweetest way to bring back a classic Cincinnati summer is to visit a local creamy whip. We have many and Putz’s, shown above, is a favorite. Order a cone and sit on a sticky picnic table for the full, nostalgic experience.
Putz’s Address: 2673 Putz Place, Cincinnati, OH 45211
Facebook/Cincinnati Parks
Eden Park is a historic destination in Cincinnati that hasn’t changed much over the years. You can walk around for beautiful scenery and views, and be sure to check out Mirror Lake when it’s filled with water - it’s a classic.
Address: 950 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Facebook/Cincinnati Reds
Baseball is the most nostalgic sport of all and Cincinnati is the best place to watch it (whether they’re winning or not). Grab a hot dog, put on a hat, and belt out “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” during the 7th inning stretch.
Facebook/Stricker’s Grove
Stricker’s Grove in Hamilton is a bit of a hidden gem, but also a place that holds nostalgic memories for many. It’s only open to the public on specific dates, but the rides and games here are the same as they always have been, and just as fun.
Address: 11490 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton, OH 45013
Facebook/ Cincitalia! The Cincinnati Italian Festival
A classic Cincinnati summer should definitely include a visit to a festival or two. There are a few every weekend and you can chow down on tasty food, listen to music, and try not to toss your cookies on a carnival ride. Don’t forget to try and win a goldfish with a ping pong ball.
Flickr/scottgunn
And to wrap up a classic Cincinnati summer, head to Sawyer Point Labor Day weekend for Riverfest and the WEBN Fireworks. This is a long-running Cincinnati tradition and listening to rock music while colors explode in the sky is the quintessential summer experience in Cincinnati.
And if you’re looking for some easy day trips to take from Cincinnati this season, check out our previous article here.
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