Sawyer Point Park

Down on the riverfront, this place earns its reputation as one of Cincinnati’s go-to spots for a reason. The playground has slides that keep the little ones busy, and when summer hits, that water feature basically becomes mandatory — kids make a beeline for it. Grab a picnic table, spread out on the open grass, and you’ve got yourself a solid afternoon without spending a dime. The walking path along the river is legitimately one of the better routes in the city, especially with the views you get. Families show up here for events, joggers claim the path on weekday mornings, and somehow there’s always room for everyone.