The Cincinnati Art Museum sits at the top of Eden Park, on a hill above the Ohio River with the neighborhood of Mount Adams beside it, and it is one of the best things to do in the city that costs nothing. General admission is always free. The collection runs to more than 73,000 works spanning some 6,000 years, from ancient Egyptian and Mediterranean pieces to European paintings, American art, fashion and contemporary work, and the names on the wall include Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso and Cassatt. Not everything is on view at once, so the galleries feel curated rather than overwhelming, and a visit works equally well as a quick hour or a slow afternoon. Some special exhibitions carry a separate fee, but you can see a great deal without paying anything.
Hours and closing days
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 5pm, with Thursday hours running until 8pm. It is closed every Monday, when the shop, the cafe and the library are closed too. On Saturday and Sunday the hour from 10 to 11am is reserved for members. The Terrace Cafe serves Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 3pm, and until 7:30pm on Thursday, and the library and archives keep shorter days.
Admission and parking
General admission is free, always. Exhibition pricing varies, and some exhibitions have a fee, so check the museum's tickets and admission page for the current ones before you go. On-site parking is free, with accessible spaces in the front and east lots, and street parking in Mount Adams is limited, so use the museum's lot. The address is 953 Eden Park Drive.
Practical rules
Free coat rooms are in the main lobby and at the DeWitt entrance, and items larger than 11 by 15 by 4 inches, along with umbrellas, packages and shopping bags, must be stored there. Lockers are free. Photography without flash on a phone or small camera is allowed, but selfie sticks, tripods and camera bags are not permitted in the galleries. Large child carriers and wagons are not allowed in the galleries, while strollers and wheelchairs are free to borrow.
Making it count
Thursday evening is the pleasant time to go, with the later closing leaving time for the museum and then a walk through Eden Park to a viewpoint over the river. The museum is a short drive from downtown and the nearest streetcar stops are a rideshare away, so most visitors drive.
Pair it with the nearby Krohn Conservatory in the same park for a gentle art-and-flowers day, and with the Taft Museum for a second collection built around a historic house. Families will find that free admission makes it easy to visit for a single gallery or two without the pressure of getting full value from a ticket.
Visitors who like to plan can look at the museum's collection highlights before they arrive, and then pick two or three galleries rather than trying to see everything, since the museum is large and the full collection runs to tens of thousands of works. The cafe on the terrace is a convenient place to rest between wings, and the shop is open the same hours as the museum. Because everything except special exhibitions is free, it is also a sensible place to take a break on a day that is otherwise expensive, such as a day with the zoo and the aquarium.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided visit to a large art museum with free general admission and free parking.
Best time
Thursday evening, when the museum stays open until 8pm, or a weekday late morning.
How long
One to three hours depending on how many galleries you want.
Tips
Remember it is closed on Mondays, leave large bags in the free coat room, and check which special exhibitions charge a fee.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Art lovers, rainy days and travellers on a budget.
- Families
- Free entry and free parking make a short visit painless with children.
- Couples
- Thursday evening in the galleries, then a walk through Eden Park.
- Pair with
- Krohn Conservatory in Eden Park, or the Taft Museum of Art.
- Time needed
- Two hours covers the highlights.
Good questions
Is the Cincinnati Art Museum free?+
General admission is always free. Some special exhibitions have a fee, so check the tickets page before you go.
What day is the Cincinnati Art Museum closed?+
It is closed on Mondays. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 5pm, and until 8pm on Thursday.
Is parking free at the Cincinnati Art Museum?+
Yes, on-site parking is free. Street parking in Mount Adams is limited.
Which artists can I see?+
The collection includes Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso and Cassatt, among more than 73,000 works, though not all are on view at once.
Can I take photos?+
Yes, with a phone or small camera and no flash. Tripods, selfie sticks and camera bags are not allowed in the galleries.
