Cincinnati sits in the southwestern corner of Ohio, along the Kentucky and Indiana state lines. The Ohio River, Great Miami River, and Little Miami River form borders on the south, west, and east sides of the metropolitan area. Add the mild summer and moderate winter climate to the verdant green landscape, and you have a near-perfect spot for fun, healthy, year-round activities on both land and water.
Climbing
Climb the Purple People Bridge for an exhilarating and unusual climb. Originally a railroad bridge, this historic bridge, which dates from 1872, spans the Ohio River from Cincy to Newport, Kentucky. It is now a pedestrian bridge. Climbers wearing safety gear can ascend the superstructure and cross the bridge and river from up high. The University of Cincinnati's climbing wall and bouldering wall can be used by individuals or rented for a group event, such as a birthday party. Cincinnati has typical indoor outlets for climbing walls, in addition to these two less traditional opportunities.
Geocaching
Grab your global positioning system (GPS) and spare batteries. You are ready to hit the trail of the growing sport of geocaching, for which you use a GPS to find the coordinates of a nearby stash. This sport develops your senses, in terms noticing details, identifying elements that appear out of place, situational awareness, problem solving, and detective work. It is just plain fun. You can combine hiking or biking easily with geocaching. Join a club, participate with friends, or go solo. Cincinnati has numerous caches. Get out and find them.
Fitness Trails
Hamilton County Parks serve Cincinnati and the surrounding communities with many excellent recreational choices. This park system is well developed and committed to providing the region with quality facilities like Miami Whitewater Forest Park. This park has three main trails, two that go through remote wetlands and woods, providing a feeling of being away from the city. The park system has fitness trails in several parks. Also known as parcours trails, this is a series of exercise equipment set along a course. Run, walk, jog, or bike between stops.
Playgrounds and Kid-Oriented Activities
Parky's Pirate Cove is a wet playground for the younger set, during the summer, at Miami Whitewater Forest Park. Parky's Barn is an old barn converted to an indoor playground at Winton Woods. Lunken Airport Playfield has two playgrounds. Land of Make Believe, popular with preschoolers, features traditional playground gear in shady atmosphere. Try your hand at fishing at Lake Isabella. Kids 12 and under fish free every day on the 28 acre lake. Rent a rowboat for a new water adventure.
Long Distance Rail-Trail
Little Miami Scenic River Bike Trail runs 85 miles north from Milford, a Cincinnati area suburb, through Xenia to Springfield. Walk, roller blade, jog, bike, or horseback ride all or part of the trail, which winds its way along the Little Miami River past King's Island amusement park, Clifton Mill living history site, Young's Jersey Dairy, and numerous canoe access points. In the winter use the rail-trail for cross-country skiing.
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