RV Rental Cincinnati, OH

Cincinnati, Ohio RV Rentals

Settled in 1788, Cincinnati was the first city founded after the American Revolution. The area was an industrial powerhouse in early American history, thanks to its ideal location on the northern bank of the Ohio River. Once the Erie Canal opened in 1825 and trade routes to the west changed, Cincinnati's growth subsided. Still, it's a classic American city that deserves to be explored. And an RV rental is a fantastic way to do just that.

Today, Cincinnati is a master of reinvention. Like many Midwestern cities, it's transforming its urban industrial areas into some of the funkiest and most culturally diverse neighborhoods in the nation. 

Cincinnati's love of sports, outdoor activities, food (try the chili!), and culture make it a perfect destination for your next RV road trip, especially with easy access to plenty of comfortable and reliable RV rental options in and around the city. Check out just a few of Cincinnati’s top attractions and events and start planning your trip to the “Pearl of the West.”

Popular RV Destinations in Cincinnati

The Great American Ballpark

Yes, it’s actually called The Great American Ballpark, but for good reason. It’s the home of the Cincinnati Reds, the first professional baseball team in history. Located right in the heart of downtown, few baseball stadiums have such a commanding presence.

With its prime location right on the riverbank, The Great American Ballpark offers state-of-the-art technology and modern amenities that make it a classy and welcoming ballpark to visit. You can also take a guided tour of the ballpark, which gives you an up-close and personal look at the press box and dugout, as well as entry to the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum.

Cincinnati Museum Center

The Cincinnati Museum Center is housed at the fully renovated Union Terminal, a 1933 Art Deco railroad station that is one of the most visually appealing and eye-catching museums in the country. The Museum Center is actually three museums in a single location, which is very convenient for visitors. You can check out the Museum of Natural History and Science, the Cincinnati History Museum, and the Duke Energy Children’s Museum all in one go.

The Cincinnati History Museum houses some very interesting exhibits from the city’s contributions during World War II to various modes of transportation and trade, while the Museum of Natural History and Science offers in-depth displays on everything from the Ice Age to astronauts. Kids love the interactive and entertaining exhibits and learning modules at the Duke Energy Children’s Museum. Be sure not to miss the giant Omnimax theater and the Cincinnati History Library and Archives on your visit.

Cincinnati Music Hall

The Cincinnati Music Hall is one of the finest and most recognizable buildings in the entire city. Built in 1878, this expansive hall is beautifully maintained and tastefully renovated; the commanding facade features symmetrical arched entryways below an intricate and large circular window that is flanked by two tall towers. It's located in the middle of the city’s up-and-coming Over-the-Rhine neighborhood at Washington Park. 

The inside of the Music Hall is equally impressive, with two tiers of balcony seating that can accommodate 3,516 patrons and an ornately detailed ceiling that provides a visually impressive backdrop to the main stage. The hall is home to the Cincinnati Opera, the Cincinnati Ballet, and the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra. It also hosts a variety of events and exhibitions throughout the year. It’s even rumored that the Music Hall is haunted.

Irwin M. Krohn Conservatory

Nature lovers and horticultural enthusiasts will revel in the lush beauty of the Irwin M. Krohn Conservatory. Constructed in 1933 during the popular Art Deco era, the conservatory is an architectural marvel of glass and aluminum and is home to more than 3,500 plant species from all over the globe. It features diverse and themed houses that include everything from a tropical rainforest with waterfalls to an arid desert full of cacti.

Depending on when you visit, you might be lucky enough to catch one of the conservatory’s floral shows that include an Italian-themed summer exhibit with fragrant herbs and a special seasonal holiday display. The annual butterfly show held each spring is also a huge draw. The warm and moist environment inside the greenhouse makes this venue a particularly pleasant experience on cold or rainy days.

The American Sign Museum

If you’re looking for something completely different, check out the American Sign Museum and trace a path through America’s history via fun and imaginative signage. See everything from a Phillips 66 sign to brightly lit neon bar signs and vintage movie posters. It’s a fun and interesting visual tour through time.

For an even more in-depth experience, you can take a lively and fun guided tour from the museum’s owner, who knows everything there is to know about each sign. Located just north of downtown in Cincinnati’s funky Camp Washington neighborhood, this 19,000-square-foot facility is a visual feast and a completely different take on teaching history that isn’t seen in a typical museum. It’s an impressive and memorable experience for visitors of all ages and backgrounds.

Events and Entertainment in Cincinnati

Bockfest

Bockfest is held in March and is Cincinnati’s annual celebration ushering in the highly anticipated Springtime. It’s a tradition that was developed by the area’s local breweries that release all of their new seasonal bock beers on the same day. Bock beer is known for being a complex, rich, and robust lager that marks the end of the winter brewing season and is the harbinger of warmer weather and longer days.

Cincinnati does Bockfest right, with the city’s funkiest parade, the vibe of Over-the-Rhine, the costumes and revelry of the Renaissance era, and the celebration of beer all in one fun weekend that brings everyone out of hibernation. Plenty of live entertainment at various officially sanctioned venues adds to the overall party atmosphere. Admission to Bockfest is free, but you can also purchase special packages that include food, beer, and merchandise.

Brew Ha-Ha

The Cincy Brew Ha-Ha is a highly attended and anticipated event that’s unique to Cincinnati. It started more than 13 years ago and it attracts about 20,000 people by combining two of the city’s favorite things: comedy and beer. Held each summer at Sawyer Point Park, the event showcases more than 100 beers, ciders, and wines alongside over 80 comedians performing on four separate stages. 

What’s better than comedy and beer? How about comedy, beer, and food? Since one cannot live on beer alone, the festival hosts a variety of food vendors offering different culinary delights that are sure to please your taste buds and fill your belly, allowing you to celebrate long into the night if you want.

Cincinnati Wine Festival

Since 1991, the Cincinnati International Wine Festival has been connecting people through a love and appreciation of wine and winemaking to host a widely attended event that has donated over $6.2 million to more than 35 local charities since its inception. The festival is made up of four prominent events that consist of a charity auction and luncheon, winery dinners, the grand tastings, and the Russ Wiles Memorial Golf Tournament. You can attend as many or as few of the events as you like.

Charity auction items that you can bid on during the luncheon include a wide variety of products and services, like rare, limited-release bottles of wine, large format bottles, chef’s table dining opportunities, trips and vacations, wine cellar tours, and so much more. Wine tastings offer you the opportunity to sample more than 700 new and rare wines from over 200 wineries around the world while you enjoy delicious and unique food samples and learn all about winemaking history and processes from knowledgeable representatives. The Winery Dinner Series perfectly and artfully pairs world-class food and wines offered at some of the most popular wineries and restaurants around the city. 

Bunbury Music Festival

Every July, Cincinnati rocks out with the three-day Bunbury Music Festival at Sawyer Point Yeatman’s Cove, on the banks of the Ohio River. It features over 100 musicians, singers, and bands spread out over four separate stages. You can hear examples of just about every kind of music genre from classic rock to jazz, bluegrass, and more. 

Artists like Post Malone, MUSE, Florence and the Machine, Snoop Dogg, and lots of locally loved talent and fresh up-and-comers make this one of the most eclectic music festivals in the country. Going beyond just music, the festival also has a strong focus on environmental awareness and protection, integrating eco-friendly technologies and initiatives into its infrastructure. It’s a great way to fully immerse yourself in some amazing music that you won’t get to hear in one venue anywhere else.

FAQs:

Q: What are RV rentals?

RV rentals work much like any other vehicle rentals. You pay a daily or weekly rate. You can expect these rates to fluctuate based on the time of year and the geographic location that you're renting. Naturally, rates tend to increase during peak season. You can get an RV for a certain period and enjoy all its benefits while traveling without the hassles and large cost of owning your RV. It’s also a great way to try out some different RV models if you’re considering purchasing your own.

Q: How much are RV rentals?

RV rentals in Cincinnati can range between $75 and $150 per night for most small to moderately sized trailers and campervans. Larger RVs and travel trailers can cost from $100 to $250 per night, depending on the season and the RV’s year, make, and model. Some companies offer a discount if you rent for longer than a week.

Q: Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Cincinnati?

While most states require you to be at least 25 years old to rent an RV, the legal age to rent one in Ohio is 21. This may not be the policy of your RV rental agency, however. Most companies require you to be at least 25 to rent.

Q: Do I need insurance when I rent an RV?

Yes, you'll need insurance to rent an RV in Cincinnati. It's meant to cover the vehicle in case of an accident and is mandatory in most states. Most rental companies will have RV-specific insurance that you can purchase.

Q: Do I need to return my rental RV with a full tank?

This policy varies among rental agencies, but most RV rental facilities in Cincinnati will expect you to return the vehicle with a full tank of gas. At the very least, the fuel should be at the same level as when you picked up the vehicle. 

Q: Are RVs pet-friendly in Cincinnati?

Many RV and camper rentals in Cincinnati are pet-friendly, and there are even vehicles specially designed for accommodating animals. Still, it’s important to double-check the policy with your chosen rental agency before renting a particular vehicle.