Cincinnati is a great destination for families traveling with kids. One of the most interesting things about visiting this area is how easily you can experience two states in one trip.

Fun fact. Did you know that the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is actually located in Kentucky? Many travelers fly into Kentucky even though they are visiting Cincinnati, Ohio. The region is closely connected, making it easy to explore both places during one visit.

Suspension Bridge Connecting Ohio and Kentucky

One of the most recognizable sights in the area is the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, which connects Cincinnati, Ohio to Covington, Kentucky. The bridge stretches across the Ohio River and offers beautiful views of the city skyline.

Driving or walking across the bridge gives you the unique experience of traveling between two states in just a few minutes. It is also historically significant and served as the design inspiration for the Brooklyn Bridge

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Cincinnati Zoo

The Cincinnati Zoo was one of the highlights of our visit. It is one of the oldest zoos in the United States and has hundreds of animals and exhibits for families to explore.

My son had the opportunity to feed the giraffes for the first time. Guests can purchase lettuce to feed the giraffes from an elevated platform, which allows you to get very close to these amazing animals. There is an additional fee for the giraffe feeding experience, but it was worth it for the excitement on my son’s face.

We also took a ride on the zoo train. The train ride is another optional activity with an additional fee, but it is a relaxing way to explore the zoo and see more of the park.

What We Did in Kentucky

Since Kentucky is right across the river, we also explored a few attractions there.

Newport Aquarium

The Newport Aquarium is located at Newport on the Levee in Kentucky. The aquarium features a wide variety of sea life including sharks, stingrays, and other marine animals. Visitors can walk through underwater tunnels where sea life swims overhead, which makes it a fun and immersive experience for kids.

Newport on the Levee

Newport on the Levee is a lively waterfront area with restaurants, shops, and attractions. One of the best parts of visiting this area is the beautiful view of the Cincinnati skyline across the river.

It is a great place to walk around, enjoy the scenery, and experience both Kentucky and Ohio during the same outing.

Plane Watching

Another fun activity for kids is plane watching near the Cincinnati airport in Kentucky. There is a play area where children can watch planes arrive and depart.

Kids can run around and play while watching aircraft come in for landing. My son enjoyed seeing the planes up close and watching them take off.

Sensory Friendly Things to Do in Cincinnati

Cincinnati offers several activities that can work well for families traveling with autistic children or kids who benefit from sensory friendly environments.

We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym

This inclusive play gym was designed specifically for children of all abilities. It offers sensory safe equipment that supports play, movement, and development.

Duke Energy Children’s Museum

Located inside the Cincinnati Museum Center, this hands on museum features interactive exhibits, climbing areas, and creative play spaces that allow kids to explore through movement and imagination.

Smale Riverfront Park

This park along the Ohio River offers open space, playgrounds, swings, and walking paths. Outdoor spaces like this can be helpful when kids need a break from busy attractions.

Sensory Friendly Movie Screenings

Some local theaters host sensory friendly showings where lights remain on and the volume is lower. These screenings allow kids to move around and enjoy the movie in a more comfortable setting.

Exploring Cincinnati along with nearby Kentucky made this trip even more memorable. Being able to visit two states in one trip added a unique element to the experience and gave us plenty of family friendly activities to enjoy.

To see this adventure in action, check out the Cincinnati Ohio highlights  from this trip on my Instagram page @autismspectrumadventures.