11 Cincinnati & Columbus Tours That Repay the Ticket

1.Ultimate Queen City Underground Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,221 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $45Our pick

Walk from Washington Park through historic Over-the-Rhine, then head below street level into old brewery caverns and the crypt beneath St. Francis Catholic Church. Guides such as Eric, Jordan, Harrison, Miranda, and Patrick bring Cincinnati’s beer, immigration, church, and neighborhood stories to life. Expect about two hours of walking, stairs, and uneven ground.

“Enjoyable and easy to navigate for older individuals. The group we were with was just the right size.”

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2.Hidden Brewery Caverns Tour in Cincinnati with Beer Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,758 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $49

Spend about two hours walking through Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine beer district, entering the 1850 Linck Brewery tunnels and the caverns beneath the closed Jackson Brewery. Guides such as Miranda, Harrison, and Breslin mix local stories with underground exploration. The tour begins and ends at Northern Row Brewery, where adults 21 and over receive a beer tasting and younger guests get a soft drink.

“Miranda (our blonde Australian guide!) was a fantastic, lively guide. She made the tour come alive. Her stories about the history of Cincinnati and the tunnels were very interesting. I would highly recommend this tour!”

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3.Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Admission in Cleveland

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,393 reviews · 1 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $39

Use your mobile ticket to explore Cleveland’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at your own pace. See costumes, instruments, films, and exhibits on Elvis, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Motown, punk, grunge, and more. Plan on two to four hours, and allow extra time for special exhibits and interactive displays.

“Great museum! Be sure to start on the ground floor and thoroughly experience the entire museum. It’s fantastic!”

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4.Cincinnati: Ohio River Cruise with Buffet Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,014 reviews · 2 hours · from $70

Spend two hours aboard BB Riverboats from Newport, Kentucky, with reserved indoor seating, a buffet dinner, city views, and music. Choose a Captain’s, Admiral’s, or Sunday Family Dinner Cruise. Coffee, tea, iced tea, and water are included, while soft drinks and alcohol cost extra. The cruise is casual, wheelchair accessible, and suitable for dates or families.

“The view was beautiful, the food was delicious, and the servers were very friendly. Fun music from the DJ!”

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5.Cincinnati: Riverboat Cruise with Lunch and Entertainment

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 728 reviews · 2 hours · from $56

Board BB Riverboats at Newport Landing for a two-hour cruise along the Ohio River. You’ll enjoy a three-course buffet, coffee, tea, iced tea, and water while a guide such as Banjo Bob shares local history and plays traditional songs. Seating is reserved, and upper decks offer the best views and clearer sound.

“Enjoyed the food, the information given was interesting & the ride on the river gave an experience similar to early America”

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6.Streetcar Food Tour and Findlay Market with Riverside Food Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 653 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $99

Start at Fountain Square for a three-hour small-group tour led by guides such as Beth, Laura, Marcia, or Terry. Ride the streetcar through downtown and Over-the-Rhine, sample six dishes and sweets, explore Findlay Market, and keep the all-day streetcar pass for later sightseeing.

“This was our first food tour together and we loved it! It was so nice to just show up and have everything planned since there are so many amazing restaurants and eateries in Cincinnati. Beth was a fantastic guide and I appreciated that she shared little bits of history about the city and each restaurant we visited. And the food was incredible!!! I kind of wish Makers Bakers was our last stop as that banana pudding was to die for and I look forward to making the trip back to Cinci just for that treat. Would absolutely book another tour with this company!”

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7.Cincinnati: Sunset Sightseeing Cruise on the Ohio River

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 615 reviews · 2 hours · from $35Best value

Cruise the Ohio River for two hours aboard a BB Riverboats vessel from Newport, Kentucky. You’ll see Cincinnati’s skyline at sunset, listen to a live band or DJ, and buy drinks onboard. Captain Mike and cruise director Missy have helped make some sailings especially welcoming for children, while DJ Dave has kept the upper deck lively.

“The live music was unexpected and they were incredibly talented.”

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8.The Escape Game Cincinnati: 60-Minute Adventures at The Banks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 546 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $42

Choose Gold Rush, Prison Break, Special Ops, The Heist, or Playground at The Escape Game Cincinnati. A game guide briefs your team, offers hints, and gives you 60 minutes to finish. Expect a lively, non-scary challenge near The Banks, with shared play possible unless you reserve the whole room.

“We started w the hardest room first not knowing...There should be levels of easiness listed so u know which room to start w.Experience was still fun.”

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9.Top 10 Sites + Bites of Cincinnati Tour with Riverside Food Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 498 reviews · 3 hours to 3 hours 20 minutes (approx.) · from $79

This three-hour Cincinnati tour pairs downtown sights with six tastings, including a Belgium waffle, goetta, cheese, fudge, ice cream, and a cookie. Guides such as David, Jackie, and Mike explain the city’s German roots, architecture, murals, riverfront, and food traditions. You’ll walk 45 to 60 minutes and ride the streetcar with a day pass included.

“Our whole group loved the food and sights tour! The guide, David, was fantastic. I live in Cincinnati and there were things I learned! Great day with our visitors from Thailand.”

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10.The Escape Game at Easton Town Center in Columbus

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 481 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $41

At The Escape Game Columbus, you and up to 11 teammates get 60 minutes to complete a mission in one of six themed rooms, from a submarine rescue to a prison escape. A game guide explains the rules, offers hints when needed, and helps your group get started. Plan on about 90 minutes total.

“The escape game was an amazing experience! My fiancé and I joined a group on a whim and ended up meeting a group of 6 who were great! The game instructor (Noah I believe was his name) explained everything very well and kept us going with a few hints! I would definitely recommend! Come prepared to think and analyze! We’ve done gold rush previously in Chicago, and prison break here in Easton and I’m looking forward to trying others!!”

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11.Cincinnati: Historic Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 373 reviews · 1h 30m · from $35

Board a BB Riverboat at Newport Landing for a 90-minute afternoon cruise along the Ohio River. A captain provides live English commentary about Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, bridges, river life, and local history. Enjoy city views from the open decks or air-conditioned indoor seating, with music, a cash bar, and snacks available to buy.

“One of the best time I have ever had, very relaxing and the caption describing the different sites”

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