16. Riverfest
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (513) 352-4000
Description: A half-million people jam the riverbanks every Labor Day weekend for Riverfest, better known to locals as the ’EBN Fireworks. There’s music and food, to be sure, but the highlight of the festivities is a half hour of fireworks, synchronized to rock music broadcast on WEBN (102.7 FM). The fireworks are such a big deal around here that the local TV stations interrupt programming to broadcast the display live. And a fantastic show it is . . . some say unequaled in America.
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
18. Markland Locks and Dam
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (859) 567-7661
Description: This dam offers sightseers the largest drop in pool levels of any dam on the river. Visitors are welcome to roam an observation room and deck that overlooks the locks. If you wait a while, you should be able to see a barge come through. Displays in the observation room show how the locks work.
19. Rabbit Hash, Kentucky
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: No one knows exactly how this village got its name, but it’s a popular summer stop for riverboats. When boats dock, the village blacksmith demonstrates his trade. The main attraction here is the General Store, (859) 586-7744, which opened in 1831. It’s a great place to stop for some sarsaparilla. It’s open 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Sunday year-round. This quirky town, by the way, got national press when a hound dog was elected as its mayor.
20. Harrison Tomb
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (614) 297-2630
Description: The tomb of U.S. President William Henry Harrison is located, along with a monument, on Mount Nebo. From this hill the obelisk of Bedford limestone with marble entranceway rises 60 feet above the tomb, affording visitors an amazing panorama of the river and Ohio River valley. Open all year during daylight hours. Admission is free.
21. Bicentennial Commons at Sawyer Point and the Serpentine Wall
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: The snakelike steps of the Serpentine Wall, which stretch from the Public Landing to near Yeatman’s Cove park, are a favorite place for kids and adults to while away summer moments along the river. At nearby Bicentennial Commons, surrounding the famous Flying Pigs sculpture at Sawyer Point, is a miniature sidewalk version of the entire Ohio River, providing interesting and not-so-interesting details. Parking is available either at the Public Landing or just off Pete Rose Way, if you’re not walking from elsewhere downtown.
22. New Richmond
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (513) 553-4146 (City Hall tour
Description: Another pleasant stop on the river, this is the site of an annual Fourth of July festival and River Days, a three-day August event that culminates in a hydroplane race. There are also helicopter rides, Clermont County’s largest fireworks display, and the Cardboard Regatta, which features canoes made from cardboard (guess which lucky contestant wins the Titanic Award). An amphitheater on Front Street on the east side of town is the site of frequent concerts on summer weekends. Two good places to eat in town are Joe’s Place (home of the famous Tex White Chili) and the Landing, both located on the river along Front Street. You’ll also find some nice antiques stores scattered along Front Street.
23. Grant’s Birthplace
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (513) 553-4911
Address: 1551 Ohio Highway 232
Description: The birthplace of Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th president of the United States, was constructed in 1817 of white Allegheny pine. Less than 20 feet by 20 feet in size, this basic frame structure consists of a kitchen with a large fireplace, a living room, and a bedroom. The house is furnished with historic memorabilia and period furniture. The house’s grounds form a park, which provides an excellent scenic view of the Ohio River along US 52. It’s open April through October, 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. (Grant’s birthday is celebrated with a party every April 22.) Admission is $2 for adults, students $1, children age five and under free.
24. Captain Anthony Meldahl Locks and Dam
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (513) 876-2921
Address: 2443 U.S. Highway 52
Description: The observation deck here, free and open during daylight hours, lets visitors watch the barges making their way through the locks. The dam is named after the captain who once owned Maple Lane Farm just across the road. He took members of a congressional committee down the 981 miles of the river in 1905 to prove the need for a system of dams to aid navigation. They agreed, and the project was completed in 1929. Actually, 12 more modern high-level structures were built after World War II to further improve navigation.
25. Maysville, Kentucky
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: Cross the bridge into this Kentucky town and you begin to suspect something’s up. First, there’s Rosemary Clooney Street. Then you see multiple references to actor George Clooney and his dad, former American Movie Channel host Nick Clooney. Yes, this and nearby Augusta are Clooneyville, and the Hollywood star as well as the rest of the famous Clooney clan still hang out here, much to the autograph seeker’s delight. Another famous resident is former Miss America Heather Renee French. They’re not the only reason to visit this quaint town, though—it abounds with history (Daniel Boone lived here for a while).
26. Airport Playfield
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (513) 321-6500
Description: Part of the Cincinnati Recreation Commission facilities, this park lets you watch the planes take off from Lunken Airport as you walk or bike along the park’s 6.5-mile trail or play the par 3 golf course and driving range. Bike rental is available if you don’t want to bring your own. Children will love the Land of Make Believe, one of the more extensive playgrounds in the area.
27. Ault Park
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (513) 352-4080
Description: The pavilion at this 143-acre Cincinnati park is a Hyde Park landmark. The attractively landscaped park is a great place for walks, Frisbee tossing, and picnics. Each April it also becomes the site of the Greater Cincinnati Flower and Garden Show, the nation’s largest outdoor garden show.
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
29. Burnet Woods
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (513) 352-4080
Description: Across the street from the University of Cincinnati and Hebrew Union College, this park is a natural favorite with college students. But the 89-acre park is also popular with locals for its hiking trails, picnic shelters, small lake, and nature center.
City: Cincinnati, OH
Category: Parks & Recreation