Summer is made for day trips, and Cincinnati is perfectly situated to reach a number of incredible spots that offer just about everything. Within a couple of hours, you can be zipping through a cool cave, swimming in a sapphire lake, or even sampling the freshest ice cream around. Whether you’re looking for a way to spend a day this summer, or perhaps seeking out ideas for a “staycation,” check out this list of the best day trips in Cincinnati that are ideal for summertime.

1. Louisville Mega Cavern
Louisville Mega Cavern, 1841 Taylor Ave, Louisville, KY 40213, USA
Facebook/Louisville Mega Cavern
With a short drive to Louisville, you can cool off with a variety of underground adventures in the Louisville Mega Cavern. There are ziplines, a ropes course, and even tours that are available by tram or bike. It's perfect in the summertime, especially when you need a break from the heat — and it's just a 1.5-hour drive from Cincy!

The Lousiville Mega Cavern is located at 1841 Taylor Ave., Louisville, KY, 40213. Here's why we love this world-record-holding attraction in Kentucky.
2. Brookville Lake
Brookville Lake, Indiana, USA
Facebook/Brookville Lake-Whitewater Memorial State Park Complex
Just across the Indiana border, roughly an hour away, is the picturesque Brookville Lake, which makes a great day trip for Cincinnatians who want to feel like they're on vacation. With more than 5,000 acres, you can enjoy a variety of water sports and relaxation on the lake, then hang out with your toes in the sand at one of the two beaches. Yes, please!

For more on Brookville Lake, check out our previous article.
3. Mohican Adventures
Mohican Adventures Campground & Cabins, 3058 OH-3, Loudonville, OH 44842, USA
Facebook/Mohican Adventures
Located in Loudonville, Ohio, Mohican Adventures is a true day trip that's about three hours from Cincinnati, but it's so unique that it's totally worth the drive. The aerial course (shown above) is the main highlight, but you can also canoe on the river, and there are activities for a variety of ages and abilities.

Mohican Adventures is located at 3045 OH-3, Loudonville, OH, 44842. Check out the tacos and tubing at this Ohio adventure park!
4. White Rock Park
7080 S 750 E, St Paul, IN 47272, USA
Facebook/White Rock Park
White Rock Park in Indiana is about an hour west of Cincinnati and is the best day trip for outdoor summer fun. The swimming lake is ideal for floating and relaxing, or you can check out the jumping spots and ziplines. For a bit of nostalgia, don't forget to take a ride on the rope swing.

White Rock Park is located at 7080 S 750 E, St. Paul, IN, 47272. For more information, check out our previous article about this Indiana gem.

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5. Falling Rock Park
2201 Fendley Mill Rd, La Grange, KY 40031, USA
FRP-LaGrange Quarry Website
For another epic spot to cool off near Cincinnati, head to LaGrange and Falling Rock Park. This adults-only swimming hole has the bluest water you've ever seen and is so large, you can choose to relax with a friend or invite everyone you know to join you.

Falling Rock Park is located at 9272, 2201 Fendley Mill Rd., LaGrange, KY, 40031. For more information, check out our previous article.
6. Ohio Caverns
Ohio Caverns - Open All Year, 2210 OH-245 E, West Liberty, OH 43357, USA
Facebook/Ohio Caverns
For more underground adventure, and a cool spot to explore, head to Ohio Caverns. This cave system is the deepest in Ohio and it's known as colorful and full of intrigue. There are a variety of tours offered, so there's something for everyone.

Ohio Caverns is located at 2210 SR-245 E, West Liberty, OH, 43357. Here's why we think is the best in the U.S. (sorry, Mammoth Cave!).
7. Clifton Mill
Historic Clifton Mill, 75 Water St, Clifton, OH 45316, USA
TripAdvisor/Valverdejack
Clifton Mill is just a short drive from Cincinnati and offers plenty of scenery and activities for a day trip. You can start with breakfast at the restaurant and then roam the property, exploring this historic mill. If you have extra time, visit nearby Yellow Springs for some small town fun.

Clifton Mills is located at 75 Water St., Clifton, OH, 45316. For more information, check out our previous article about Clifton Mill.
8. Young's Jersey Dairy
Young's Jersey Dairy, 6880 Springfield Xenia Rd, Yellow Springs, OH 45387, USA
Flickr/Jess R.
In the same area of Yellow Springs is the sweetest day trip near Cincinnati: Young's Jersey Dairy. This working family farm produces some of the best ice cream and cheese curds you'll ever taste and it's also a family-friendly destination for all sorts of fun. Visit the animals, play games, eat at the restaurant, and much more on a day trip to this nearby farm.

Young's Jersey Dairy is located at 6880 Springfield Xenia Rd., Yellow Springs, OH, 45387. For more information, be sure to check out our previous article.

It’s fun to break up the heat of summer with a day trip here and there and these eight spots near Cincinnati can make just about anyone happy. Have you taken any of these epic trips? Are there any others you have planned for this summer? Let us know in the comments!

Looking for more of the best day trips in Cincinnati? Check out these nine adventures. This list includes amazing spots in the tristate like Grayson Lake State Park, BB Riverboats, The Wilds, and The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis!

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More to Explore

Best day trips in Cincinnati

Sarah M. | March 30, 2022

What are some of the best hiking day trips in Cincinnati?

Cincinnati is a beautifully green city that's full of amazing places to hike both within the city limits and all around the city. Just two hours from Cincinnati, Hocking Hills is one of our favorite places to go for hiking day trip adventures. For those who've never been, Hocking Hills is one of the most resplendent regions of the Buckeye State, offering some of the most sublime scenery and bucket-list-worthy outdoor recreation. The hiking here is second to none, especially if you’re a hopeless waterfall chaser like us. You can literally spend days exploring dozens of caves and waterfalls in Hocking Hills, and that’s an outdoor adventure we’re all too happy to embark upon! Some of our favorite hikes to take in this beautiful state park include the Old Man's Cave hike, a mile-long trail that leads past numerous beautiful waterfalls, and the Ash Cave Hike, another quick-and-easy trek that's full of waterfalls and caves!

Another place worth checking out in Cincinnati is Sharon Woods. On the Sharon Woods Gorge Trail, you can embark on a veritable prehistoric adventure, complete with fossils, falls, and verdant forest scenery. While it's all lovely, the best part about this trail is the fossils. This region of Southwest Ohio is full of them. Once wholly underwater, Cincinnati is littered with rocks holding marine deposits from the Ordovician Period, when an ancient ocean covered most of the United States more than 450 million years ago. What an amazing day trip adventure here in Cincinnati!

What are some fun day trips in Cincinnati?

Given its location in Southwest Ohio, near both Kentucky and Indiana, Cincinnati is well-positioned for a number of amazing day trip adventures. Our favorite adventures, however, might be these amazing waterfalls. Cincinnati is near numerous amazing cascades, and this adventure chases several of the finest in both Ohio and Kentucky!

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