Cincinnati History Bus Tour: 200 Years on Multimedia Screens

Six screens of Cincinnati's past roll past your window as the bus moves through 200 years.

A two-hour guided bus tour of Cincinnati's history with a live English-speaking guide and archived photographs displayed on six color monitors throughout the vehicle. The route covers landmarks on both sides of the Ohio River, including Union Terminal, Fountain Square, Paul Brown Stadium, Great American Ball Park, Smale Riverfront Park, and the historic Over-the-Rhine Market. The bus is air-conditioned and stops at Union Terminal to allow time to stretch and grab a beverage before completing the route.

Step-by-step itinerary

Cincinnati history and sightseeing tour

• Board the multimedia tour bus
• View archived photos on monitors
• Stop at historic train station entrance
• Stretch legs and grab a beverage
• Pass by Fountain Square
• Pass by Licking Riverside Park
• Pass by Paul Brown Stadium
• Pass by Great American Ball Park
• Pass by Cincinnati Public Market
• Complete the tour on the bus

The experience

The tour departs with a live guide narrating Cincinnati's evolution over the past 200 years while archived photos appear on six color monitors inside the bus. This is the only multimedia setup of its kind on a Cincinnati tour bus: the photos and live commentary work together to show how the city transformed, rather than asking you to imagine it. You sit in an air-conditioned vehicle the entire time, which means you cover far more ground than you would on foot and see landmarks on both sides of the Ohio River without the logistics of getting there yourself.

The route hits the city's defining places: Union Terminal, the 1932 train station that anchors downtown; Fountain Square, the public heart of Cincinnati since 1871; Smale Riverfront Park along the Ohio, where the Roebling Bridge and downtown skyline frame the view; Paul Brown Stadium, home of the Bengals; and Great American Ball Park, where the Reds play. At Union Terminal, the bus stops long enough for you to step out, stretch your legs, and grab a drink before heading back on board. The final stop is the Over-the-Rhine Market, operating continuously since 1855, where you see the neighborhood's mix of fresh food vendors, handmade goods, and dining.

The tour runs two hours total. Arrive 15 minutes early to allow a timely departure. Children are welcome from age 6 onward. Public transportation options are available near the departure point if you need them to get there.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned bus.
• live English-speaking guide.
• archived photographs displayed on six color monitors.
• stop at Union Terminal with time to stretch and grab a beverage.
• views of both sides of the Ohio River.

Information

Lasts 2h, runs Thursday to Saturday at 10:00 and 13:00, from US$ 49 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDepartures at 10:00 and 13:00Another day? ›

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (17 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Youth (6 to 15 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Cincy Tour Bus

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to see archived photos of Cincinnati's evolution on large screens while seated. You'll get the geographic layout and historical context in one trip without deciding which neighborhoods to visit separately.

Traveler reviews

4.79★★★★★★★★★★

218 verified traveler reviews

5 ★188

4 ★18

3 ★8

2 ★4

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 15 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Union Terminal and why does the tour stop there?

Union Terminal is Cincinnati's grand train station, built in 1932 and still standing as a major downtown landmark. The tour stops there to let you step off the bus, stretch, and grab a beverage before continuing the route.

How long is the Cincinnati history bus tour?

The tour runs two hours. You'll cover landmarks on both sides of the Ohio River without leaving the air-conditioned bus except for the stop at Union Terminal.

What is shown on the six monitors inside the bus?

Archived photographs of Cincinnati as it evolved over the past 200 years appear on the six color monitors throughout the bus, paired with the live guide's narration of the city's history.

Does the tour include the Over-the-Rhine Market?

Yes, the Over-the-Rhine Market is the final stop on the route. The market has operated continuously since 1855 and features fresh food vendors, handmade goods, restaurants, and a biergarten.

Is this tour suitable if I'm visiting Cincinnati for the first time?

Yes. The operator recommends taking this tour first during your visit: by the end, you'll have a full understanding of how the area evolved and will have compiled a list of specific landmarks and neighborhoods to explore on your own.