Attraction of the Week: The Cincinnati Art Museum
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Cincinnati is considered one of the best cities for art lovers. Mike and I were eager to explore one of the country’s best art museums. The city is an easy 4 hour roadtrip from Pittsburgh, so we figured why not. We have the great Carnegie Museum of Art here, but we love exploring new places too.
The cool thing about this city is that all major art forms including opera, ballet, symphony, theater, and fine arts can be enjoyed here (something I did not know until planning my first trip). If you want to visit a world-class art institution, you can’t get much better than the Cincinnati Museum of Art. It’s one of the best I’ve ever been to and definitely the number one thing to do in my opinion. I can’t wait to check out some of the other artsy venues in town on another trip.
The collection here is amazing and massive. And, best of all, admission is completely free and parking is not a hassle! I recommend any art lover, as well as any tourist seeking something interesting, fun, and free to do indoors to check it out. It’s a great escape on days that are too hot and humid, rainy, or snowy – which is a majority of the year in Ohio. I know that I will be back if I ever plan another trip here.
First off, a little bit of history
This gorgeous museum was founded in 1881, making it one of America’s oldest. The building itself is impressive and I love visiting places with historical value.
At this time, the city had become one of the biggest art centers in the Midwest. This museum was the first purpose-built art museum west of the Allegheny Mountains. Originally, the museum operated Monday-Saturdays only. However, it began operating on Sundays “for the benefit of the many hard workers who are unable to leave their occupations during the week.” This was a smart idea as most of us have more free time on the weekends. Personally, I am not a big fan of businesses which close on Sundays so I appreciate the hours.
Since 1886, many renovations have taken place, new galleries have opened, and accessibility features have been added. The ending result is fabulous. This is easily one of the nicest free museums I have come across during my years traveling. I highly recommend putting it number 1 on your bucket list.
The building was established in Eden Park just a few miles from downtown. This park is also home to Krohn Conservatory and Playhouse in the Park. I highly recommend exploring the park’s attractions if you can fit it into your itinerary.
More historical facts for anyone interested in learning more before your visit.
The impressive collection
The permanent collection includes more than 67,000 works. During your visit, you will be able to explore a range of diverse arts from different regions of the world including:
- African Art
- American Painting, Sculpture, & Drawings
- Contemporary Art
- Decorative Arts and Design
- East Asian Art
- European Paintings, Sculptures, & Drawings
- Fashion Art and Textiles
- Musical instruments
- Native American Art
- Photography & Prints
- South Asian & Islamic Art & Antiquities
It’s a big space so definitely plan at least a few hours to explore. Fortunately, it’s free so you can leave for a while and come back later. We decided to take a break to enjoy lunch in nearby Mt. Adams. This is a beautiful historic neighborhood with many local restaurants. We enjoyed our lunch at the Mt. Adams Bar and Grill.
A brief photo tour of a few of my favorites
On a side note, there is a gorgeous city view from the parking lot!
How long will it take to walk around?
I would plan at least 2 hours to walk around the entirety of the museum. If you are really into art, you could probably easily spend a few hours exploring every work in detail. Because admission is free, you can visit as often as you like. As it can be overwhelming to explore everything in a single day, it’s best to plan a return visit and explore your favorite galleries in more detail.
Dining options
Terrace Cafe is located on-site and serves light fare like sandwiches, soups, and salads. The space is clean and attractive, although pricing is a bit high. If you prefer to explore the local restaurant scene, there are various choices in the vicinity. As I recommend earlier, I recommend checking out Mt. Adams Grill.
This long running favorite serves delicious comfort food in a historic space. The decor is really attractive and the menu includes a variety of options (burgers, salads, entrees, sandwiches) for everyone including plenty of veggie dishes. I loved both the food and historic charm here.
Hours, location, & parking
- The museum is located at: 953 Eden Park Dr.
- Hours are 11am-5pm (8pm on Thursdays). Closed on Monday. Both admission & parking are free.
- Note: special exhibits may require an extra fee.
- Accessibility features: Sensory earphones, braille booklets, fidgets, free wheelchairs and strollers in the coat room, accessible parking and restrooms.
- Visit the museum website for additional details on special events and accessibility.
What else to do in the vicinity?
This museum is located nearby a number of touristy attractions. Here are a few things I recommend doing while you are in the vicinity.
Explore Eden Park – This iconic urban park is home to walking trails, gardens, and some of the city’s top attractions. There are some nice views of the lake here.
Visit Krohn Conservatory – I found this place a bit overpriced, although there is a pretty waterfall. I imagine it would be a nice cozy tropical escape during the cold winter months.
Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame – You can explore baseball history through various exhibits and media.
I also recommend checking out the American Sign Museum if you are into quirky, nostalgic attractions. It’s such a cool place – I loved seeing all the old hotel and restaurant neon signs!
