Valentine’s Day is almost here and things are sure to look a little different this year. During the pandemic, spending time outdoors is a safer alternative to cliché dates like movies and restaurant dinners indoors. If you are looking for a Cincinnati date idea, we’ve got you covered!
We can’t think of a better place to steal a smooch from your sweetheart than in YOUR beautiful Cincinnati Parks! Here is a list of picturesque parks, perfect for a romantic moment with your adventurous Valentine.
Have you seen that beautiful pergola in Mount Storm Park? The perfectly named Temple of Love was designed in the 1850’s by Adolph Strauch, designer of Spring Grove cemetery. (Make sure you visit here again in Spring when the flowering trees are blooming!)
Date idea: Bundle up and pack a thermos picnic. Bring a selfie stick or set up a tripod to snap a very Instagramable date pic in the Temple of Love.
MOUNT ECHO | PRICE HILL
Mount Echo Park features a beautiful historic pavilion which was built in 1928. Facing downtown to the East, the park’s overlook offers one of the most dramatic views of any Cincinnati Park. As this spot is a great place to see the sun rise, this date spot is perfect for your early-bird Valentine!
Date idea: Get there super early and watch the sun rise over the city. Don’t forget to snap a picture between the columns of the pavilion.
LARZ ANDERSON PARK | COLUMBIA-TUSCULUM
Larz Anderson Park is a hillside park located above Columbia Parkway with a beautiful view of the Ohio River. This spot is perfect for many reasons, but most of all: the park itself represents love! In 1920 Emma M. Anderson gave 6.2 acres of the 9.2 acres as a memorial to her beloved husband. (Photo from @alexsargent11)
Date idea: Not interested in catching an overlook sunrise? Enjoy a sunset instead! Snap a pic with your Valentine and let the scenic sunset be your background!
MT. AIRY FOREST | MT. AIRY
Mt. Airy Forest is 1,459 acres and includes tons of options for the perfect adventurous date. This park includes miles of hiking trails, bridle trails for horseback riders, and multi-use mountain biking trail. Mt. Airy Forest also has Ohio’s only wheelchair accessible public treehouse, an accessible arboretum, a disc golf course, and an enclosed dog park!
Date idea: Get your adventure on and go for a hike on any stretch of Mt. Airy Forest’s 16 miles of hiking trails. Stop by Everybody’s Treehouse or the Arboretum Lake to add a whimsical backdrop to your date selfie. (The Treehouse is currently closed for repairs but still makes for a great backdrop!)
ALMS PARK | COLUMBIA TUSCULUM
Sitting on Mt. Tusculum, Alms Park is 94 acres and offers a magnificent view of the Ohio River, hills of Kentucky, Lunken Airport, and panoramic valleys. This park has several short hiking trails, a scenic pergola overlooking the river, and a gorgeous pavilion that is often a prime location for weddings.
Date idea: Bundle up and explore the views from the pergola, Lunken Airport overlook, and from atop the pavilion. Ready to pop the question? Get your photographer ready and drop to one knee in front of the historic pavilion.
BELLEVUE HILL PARK | CUF
If your Valentine loves architecture and art, Bellevue Hill is a must-visit! Overlooking Downtown, this park features a prime example of organic architecture. The park’s pavilion with signature concrete canopy was designed by architect R. Carl Freund in 1955 to serve as an outdoor dancing venue.
Date idea: Grab some take-out from one of CUF’s many restaurants and enjoy it under the alien-like roof of the Bellevue Hill pavilion. Prop your camera up and capture a very unique photo!
SUPPORT THE PARKS YOU LOVE
Looking for ways to support YOUR Cincinnati Parks? Make a donation today to help sustain the beauty of our City’s wonderful Parks. Your gift helps restore trails, maintain historic structures, provide park-based programming, and much more!
MAKE IT A UNIQUE VALENTINES DAY GIFT!
Make a gift in the name of your Valentine and choose to send them an email to let them know! Giving in the name of another is a great way to show you #LOVECincyParks!
DID YOU VISIT ONE OF THESE PICTURESQUE PARKS?
SHOW US on social media! Shout out to @cincyparksfoundation on Facebook or Instagram and use the hashtag #LOVEcincyparks