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Fun Ideas at Smale Riverfront Park

If you want to find an apartment or another residence in a major city with dozens of parks, Cincinnati is a great choice. Of the many Cincinnati Parks to enjoy, the activities at Smale Riverfront Park appeal to people of all ages. Whether you are organizing a family outing, an evening with friends, or a relaxing day in your own company, find out more about planning your next visit to this incredible park!

7 Activities to Enjoy at Smale Riverfront Park

Located along the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati, Smale Riverfront Park features a number of unique amenities, abundant natural beauty, and a variety of events and activities to enjoy. In addition to its own offerings, its prime location also provides easy access to other popular things to do in Cincinnati. Whether you have just a short amount of time before seeing a Reds or Bengals game or want to spend the day or evening at this park, here are some fun opportunities to consider!

1. Make time for play! From the big swings and the foot piano to the flying pig and Carol Ann’s Carousel, these special features contribute to the popularity of Smale Riverfront Park with locals and visitors alike. Additionally, the Heekin Family/PNC Grow Up Great Adventure Playground includes familiar installations like slides as well as a rope bridge and climbing wall. The amenities here and in parks throughout the city is one of the key reasons why Trust for Public Land® ranks Cincinnati Parks in the top 5 park systems in the entire country!
2. Cool off at one of the spraygrounds. Especially during the warmer months, park guests may enjoy exploring the multiple water play spaces across this park, including features such as water misters, colorful fountains and splash pads. Additionally, the P&G Go Vibrantscape area includes water pumps and channels, as well as other interactive features, in its water area.
3. Take a walk along the Ohio River or over it! Walk the section of the Ohio River Trail in Smale Riverfront Park or one of the other pathways that run through it. For a longer walk, add in a stroll across the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge and be in two different states in one day. This bridge is both a National Historic Landmark and a connection between Cincinnati, OH and Covington, KY.
4. Explore the beauty of nature. In addition to stunning views of the river at Smale Riverfront Park, flowers flourish in areas such as the Duke Energy Perennial Flower Garden and the Gardener Family Rose Garden. For example, in the springtime, thousands of stunning tulips, daffodils and other flowering plants appear in the display beds. There are also many incredible trees to relax under and much wildlife to see, as attracted by both the plant life in the park and other facets of the landscape.
5. Tour the art and architecture at this park and other Cincinnati Parks. From pavilions and gazebos to monuments and sculptures, parks throughout Cincinnati include unique features of significance and beauty. With this guide to the art and architecture in Cincinnati Parks, learn about what to see at the various parks you choose to visit, such as the Black Brigade Monument and Marian A. Spencer statue at Smale Riverfront Park.
6. Attend an outdoor concert! During the warmer months of the year, Smale Riverfront Park hosts multiple free musical events. Rockin’ the Roebling happens on Thursday nights from May through August at the Schmidlapp Event Lawn. On Saturday evenings from June through August, enjoy music and food trucks during Music at the Esplanade, occurring at the Castellini Esplanade. With a variety of musical performances, including DJs and bands, as well as the availability of food and beverages, you may want to add one or more of the scheduled dates for these events to your calendar!
7. Watch, participate in or otherwise celebrate the Flying Pig Marathon Weekend. One of the most anticipated events for over 25 years in Cincinnati is the Flying Pig Marathon. While its exact role in this weekend may vary from year to year, Smale Riverfront Park is typically a great place to cheer for participants in the many different Flying Pig Marathon Weekend activities. This park also often hosts events like the Family Fun Festival and the Victory Party.

Along with other incredible spots like Eden Park, Smale Riverfront Park exemplifies why this city ranks so highly for its parks. Whether you are there for the playground, the music or the beautiful scenery, you don’t want to miss out on what Smale Park has to offer. For assistance in finding the right residential location for you near this park or one of the many others across Cincinnati, our leasing experts are here to help. Contact our team today!