Are you looking to get away for the weekend? Here is my guide to exciting weekend getaways near Cincinnati Ohio!
What makes a good weekend getaway? In my opinion, a weekend getaway needs to be within 4 hours of the city. If I’m leaving around 5PM on a Friday evening, I want to be at my destination no later than 9PM-10PM. I also don’t want to spend the entire day on Sunday in the car driving home!
I personally think it is very important to make the most of your weekends, especially if you have limited time off! This is why taking a weekend getaway frequently is so important to me!
Some weekend getaways near Cincinnati are obvious (like Columbus), so I tried to include mainly some less obvious locations! Whether you are searching for a new city to explore or a nature experience, these weekend getaways near Cincinnati will have something for everyone!
Table of Contents
Weekend Getaways Near Cincinnati: 2 hour drive or less
Yellow Springs Ohio
Distance from Cincinnati: 1 hour and 25 minutes
Yellow Springs Ohio is a very eclectic town located on the outskirts of Dayton Ohio. This hippie town has plenty of boutiques and art to explore.
Sample local beer at Yellow Springs Brewery or try some moonshine at Tuck-N-Red’s Spirits & Wine.
John Bryant State Park and Glen Helen Nature Preserve are popular areas for hiking, fishing, or camping.
Young’s Jersey Dairy is also popular especially for families. They serve ice cream, have a petting zoo, mini-golf and more. I love this weekend getaway option if you are looking to stay close to home.
Madison Indiana
Distance from Cincinnati: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Madison Indiana is located along the Ohio River and is right across from the Kentucky border. Madison is the largest city along the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Louisville. The small town charm of Madison Indiana makes it a fun & unique weekend getaway.
Go wine tasting at Lanthier Winery and Thomas Family Winery in downtown Madison.
You can also take a tour along the Ohio River with Rockin’ Thunder River Tours. Their most popular tour option is a 2 hour cruise where the tour guide will point out bald eagles, historic sites, and provide history of the Ohio River. The river is so much clearer and more serene in Madison Indiana than it is in Cincinnati!
Enjoy nature at Clifty Falls State Park. This park is perfect for hiking, swimming, or camping. Some highlights include waterfalls and rock formations.
This is another close & quick weekend getaway since it is only a 1 hour and 20 minute car ride from Cincinnati.
Nashville Indiana
Distance from Cincinnati: 2 hours
Nashville Indiana is located in Brown County in southern Indiana. Nashville is an artsy town and reminded me of a small-scale version of Gatlinburg! The town has adorable boutiques & wineries.
Brown County State Park is a great destination for hiking, fishing, or horseback riding. You can horseback ride within the park for a reasonable price without booking in advance. We did a 1 hour ride and loved our experience!
Nashville also has a surplus of wineries, distilleries, and breweries to try. Here are some options to check out:
- Salt Creek Winery
- Cedar Creek Brewing
- Brown County Winery
- Country Heritage Winery
- Bear Wallow Distillery
- Hard Truth Distilling
If you are interested in art, head to the Brown County Art Gallery.
Nashville is a very unique town and is a short drive away making it a great option for a weekend getaway near Cincinnati.
Lexington Kentucky
Distance from Cincinnati: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Lexington is located in central Kentucky and is known for horse farms and racetracks. I love how Lexington has the southern charm and hospitality, while still being so close to home.
I recommend visiting in April or October, so you can enjoy the horse races at Keeneland. Watching & betting on live horse races is such a fun experience! The general admission ticket is standing room only and the races are outdoors so you do need to dress appropriately for the weather. Also, visitors do dress up for the occasion. Women typically wear dresses or jumpsuits and the men wear sport coats.
The Kentucky Horse Park is a real working horse farm which is open to visitors year round. Most guests spend 3-5 hours visiting the horses and exploring the grounds.
Since Lexington is near many spots along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, check out some nearby bourbon distilleries ->
This is a perfect weekend getaway for any bourbon or horse lovers!
Columbus Ohio
Distance from Cincinnati: 2 hours
Columbus is the capitol of Ohio as well as the largest city in the state of Ohio. Columbus is a fun & young city due to Ohio State University being located in the city.
North Market Farmer’s Market is a public market hosting independent merchants, farmers, and artists. Try fresh & local food, browse through handmade items, or sample new wine and beer.
Stroll through Short North Arts District for shopping, restaurants, and bars.
The Franklin Park Conservatory is another site to explore! This botanical garden is open year round and has low admission prices (currently $3 per person).
The Columbus Museum of Art has rotating exhibitions and would be the perfect activity for art lovers. Right now, tickets are $18 per adult.
Columbus is a fun weekend getaway if you are interested in exploring a larger city.
Louisville Kentucky
Distance from Cincinnati: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Louisville is the largest city in Kentucky. It is located along the Ohio River along the Indiana border. Louisville is known for the Kentucky Derby and for the city’s love of baseball.
The Louisville Slugger Museum is a popular destination to learn history regarding the baseball bat. The tour also takes you through the fully operational factory to see how the bats are made. You do need to book a scheduled tour time which can be done here. I recommend booking in advance as times fill up. Currently, admission is $22 for adults and $16 for kids.
The Kentucky Derby Museum is located next to Churchill Downs and is only 10 minutes from downtown Louisville. They offer a variety of tours at various price ranges including a Guided Track Visit, The Ultimate Churchill Downs Tour, and more.
You could also visit some bourbon distilleries along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. There are multiple distilleries located in Downtown Louisville, including Evan Williams, Mitcher’s, Old Forester, and Angel’s Envy.
A few bourbon distilleries on the outskirts of the city include Bulleit and James Bean Distilling. Louisville is also another weekend getaway perfect for anyone who loves bourbon or horses.
Weekend Getaways Near Cincinnati: 3 hour drive or less
Hocking Hills Ohio
Distance from Cincinnati: 2 hours and 20 minutes
Hocking Hills is a state park located about 1 hour from Columbus. The park is free to enter and there are 25 miles of hiking, rock formations, and waterfalls.
There are a variety of hiking trails for all different ability levels. A few popular hiking trails are ->
- Old Man’s Cave to Cedar Falls
- Ash Cave
- Conkle’s Hollow Gorge Trail
- Hemlock Bridge and Whispering Cave
You can also rock climb, kayak, or horseback ride in the state park or surrounding area.
In town, you can check out Hocking Hills Moonshine or Hocking Hills Winery for a drink.
If you are interested in a more detailed guide to Hocking Hills, check out my guide for 1-2 days in Hocking Hills. This is one of my favorite weekend getaways near Cincinnati as it is a serene nature escape.
Red River Gorge
Distance from Cincinnati: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Red River Gorge is located in east-central Kentucky and is apart of the Daniel Boone National Forest. This is a very popular weekend getaway for hiking, camping, and rock-climbing. The Natural Bridge is one of the main highlights of Red River Gorge.
Below are some popular hikes with beautiful scenery ->
- Natural Bridge and Laurel Ridge Trail Loop
- Gray’s Arch
- Courthouse Rock Loop
- Creation Falls via Rockbridge Loop
- Silvermine Arch Trail
You can also book an underground kayaking excursion with The Gorge Underground. This kayaking tour takes you through an abandoned limestone mine. This is a one-of-a-kind experience!
If you are interested in more weekend getaway details about Red River Gorge, check out my guide to the best hiking in Red River Gorge. This is definitely one of my favorite weekend getaways near Cincinnati as I love the beauty and peacefulness of the Gorge!
Huntington West Virginia
Distance from Cincinnati: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Huntington is located along the Ohio River and is the 2nd most populated city in West Virginia. Huntington is a college town as Marshall University is located here.
The Heritage Farm Museum and Village is a great way to appreciate the past and understand how the Appalachian people used to build log cabins and live their day to day lives.
Take a stroll through Pullman Square which is a shopping and dining center in Huntington. Eat, drink, and play arcade games at Old North Arcade Bar or watch a movie at Marquee Cinemas.
Get some exercise by hiking in Beech Fork State Park or walking through Ritter Park. This weekend getaway option is perfect if you are looking for some small town charm.
Mammoth Cave National Park
Distance from Cincinnati: 3 hours
Mammoth Cave National Park is located in south-central Kentucky and is the longest known cave system in the world. This is the closest national park to Cincinnati!
To enter the caves, you will need to purchase a guided tour which can be done here. The tours vary in length and difficulty. The majority of tours are approximately 2 hours and do include steps or walking. They do offer an accessible tour for anyone unable to use stairs.
The national park can be explored outside the caves through hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, and more. Some popular hikes include ->
In the summer, Nolin Lake is popular for swimming, boating, and mountain biking. Mammoth Cave is an exciting weekend getaway for adventure seekers!
Turkey Run State Park
Distance from Cincinnati: 3 hours
Turkey Run State Park is located in Marshall IN, about 1 hour west of Indianapolis. Indiana State Park entrance fees are $7 for in-state residents and $9 for out-of-state residents.
This weekend getaway is ideal for hiking, fishing, camping, and more. Some highly rated hiking trails include ->
The state park also has a swimming pool. Access to the pool is $3 per day (plus admission to the park).
You can also go horseback riding within Turkey Run State Park. Saddle Barns offers guided trail rides, pony rides, & hay rides. Turkey Run State Park is a beautiful weekend getaway as it provides a peaceful nature escape.
Hoosier National Forest
Distance from Cincinnati: 2 hours and 40 minutes
Hoosier National Forest is located in the hills of southern Indiana in Bedford IN. This is a popular weekend getaway if you are interested in hiking, camping, horseback riding, or mountain biking.
The forest is free to enter. However, you will need to purchase permits for horseback riding or mountain biking.
Below are some popular hikes in Hoosier National Forest ->
You could also explore the town of French Lick Indiana which is about 15 minutes from Hoosier National Forest. Visit Bear Hollow Wood Carvers or the French Lick Scenic Railway.
Weekend Getaways Near Cincinnati: 4 hour drive or less
Detroit Michigan
Distance from Cincinnati: 4 hours
Detroit is my hometown and the city has grown & improved so much in the past few years! Unlike many people think, Detroit is just as safe as any other city as long as you use caution and common sense. I’ve been to Detroit for a weekend getaway more times than I can count!
Head to Campus Martius which is an outdoor entertainment area. In the winter, they have beautiful Christmas lights and an ice rink. In the summer there is often a movie playing or live music.
Eastern Market is an indoor & outdoor market with independent merchants. Here you can shop for fresh produce, handmade art, and other fresh food items.
Travel back in time at Greenfield Village located about 20 minutes from downtown Detroit. GreenField Village is an outdoor history museum, where you are fully submerged in the past. The workers wear time-appropriate outfits. You can ride a Model-T, visit the glass blowing studio, and visit a fully working farm.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Distance from Cincinnati: 3 hours and 40 minutes
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the only National Park in Ohio. It is located along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron.
Outdoor activities are abundant in the park, from hiking, fishing, biking and more. Some hiking trail ideas below ->
- Cuyahoga Valley Ledges Trail
- Brandywine Gorge Trail
- Blue Hen Falls
- Plateau Trail
- Pine Grove Trail and Ledges Trail Loop from Kendall Lake
Cuyahoga Valley also has a scenic railroad which will take you through miles of beautiful scenery. The ticket prices vary from the type of seating you choose. They offer coach, table, first class, and even more seating options. Book a ticket in advance here. The trip is approximately 2 hours long.
Knoxville Tennessee
Distance from Cincinnati: 4 hours
Knoxville is located in eastern Tennessee. This weekend getaway has small town charm and plenty of entertainment options.
Head to Market Square for dinning and shopping in a quaint pedestrian-friendly area.
There are multiple beautiful parks to visit such as ->
You can also visit Augusta Quarry for swimming and sunbathing. Just be cautious as the quarry does get very deep.
Cleveland Ohio
Distance from Cincinnati: 4 hours
Cleveland is the largest city along Lake Erie and is the 2nd most populated city in Ohio. Cleveland has markets, art, and eclectic towns to explore.
Head to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum to be immersed in music history. Currently, adult tickets are $35 and you do need to choose a date and entrance time when purchasing. You can buy tickets here.
West Side Market is an indoor/outdoor fresh food market in Cleveland. Independent merchants sell items like fresh meat, seafood, produce, and more.
Visit the famous Christmas Story House featured in the infamous A Christmas Story movie. The house is open year round for tours and overnight stays. Directly across from the house, is the Christmas Story Museum highlighting props and memorabilia from the movie. Tickets are currently $18.
Relax and enjoy a stunning view of Lake Erie and the Cleveland skyline at Edgewater Park.
Indiana Dunes National Park
Distance from Cincinnati: 4 hours
Indiana Dunes National Park is located in northwestern Indiana near the Michigan border. It was designated as a national park in 2019.
Park entrance fees vary between $15-$25 depending on what type of vehicle you enter the park with.
Complete the 3 Dunes Challenge which includes climbing up the three tallest sand dunes at Indiana Dunes National Park. The challenge consists of 1.5 miles with 552 feet of elevation gain.
After a rewarding hike, you can relax and swim at the Indiana Dunes beach. Check their website here for current weather and beach conditions.
You can also book a guided tour, if you are interested in learning about park history with a ranger.
Michigan City Indiana is a nearby beach town which would be a great stop for shopping and dinner after a day of exploring. This weekend getaway would be best during the summer to fully experience the beach.
Put-in-Bay Ohio
Distance from Cincinnati: 4 hours and 25 minutes
Technically this is over a 4 hour drive, but is is worth the little bit of extra time! Put-in-Bay is located on South Bass Island in Lake Erie. Since it is an island, you will need to take a ferry to reach this destination.
There is a large variety of activities on the island for families or couples, including golf cart rentals, watercraft rentals, winery tours, charter fishing, and more. Check out their full activity list here.
Put-in-Bay is a weekend getaway you will want to experience in the summer to participate in the resort & water activities.
Big South Fork
Distance from Cincinnati: 4 hours
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is located in both northeastern Tennessee and southeastern Kentucky. This is a very popular area for hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities.
Below are some popular trails to hike during your visit ->
- Twin Arches Loop Trail
- Angel Falls Trail
- Burnt Mill Loop Trail
- Blue Heron Loop Trail
- Slave Falls Trail
Big South Fork Scenic Railway is also another popular tourist attraction. The train takes you on a 30 minute ride to Barthell Coal Camp, has a 2 hour layover to explore, and then the 30 minute ride back to the start. Tickets can be purchased online here.
Nashville Tennessee
Distance from Cincinnati: 4 hours
Nashville is the capitol of Tennessee and is famous for country music.
The Country Music Hall of Fame is a famous tourist destination in Nashville. Standard museum admission tickets are currently $27.95. You will need to pick a date and time to enter.
The Grand Ole Opry is nicknamed “Country’s Biggest Stage.” You can either book tickets to see a show or to take a tour. Backstage Opry tours are currently $45.85. You can book a tour here.
Take a stroll down the famous Broadway Street to experience a lively bar scene and live country music.
You could also visit the Johnny Cash Museum or Centennial Park.
Final Thoughts
If you only have a weekend to get out of town, there are plenty of exciting weekend getaways near Cincinnati! Whether you are looking for a city trip or a nature adventure, the weekend getaway options are abundant.
Wherever you choose to getaway to next, you are bound to make great memories!
If you are interested in my other Midwest travel guides, check out ->