National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center stands as the nation's newest monument to freedom. It brings to life the importance - and relevance - of struggles for freedom around the world and throughout history, including today.
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Address
Neighbourhood: Central Business District
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See what travellers are saying
- Carol M72 contributionsGreat museum for a group visitAs the Executive Director of AXYS (genetic.org) I visited the museum with the families from The XXYY Project. The museum made it easy for us to attend as a group. The exhibits are powerful, emotional and you will leave a changed person. The information on modern slavery is important for everyone to see.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 28 October 2023
- jenandallthethings118 contributionsFull of a lot of intense information. Give yourself time to digest it while thereThis museum is intensely packed with information. I made an effort to visit all of the exhibits and read most of the information presented. Didn't have time to watch any of the films in the two different theatres. I really enjoyed the modern perspective and application of slavery as it still exists today in various forms. You could easily spend 3 hours on just the 3rd floor, the other floors move quicker and depending on interest, can be done in a hour to 1.5hours. There was an interactive exhibit on bias. However, I personally believe the activity itself created bias. But it was interesting either way. I tried to park on the street in front of the entrance, but the time limit (not posted) was 2 hours, so then had to find a parking garage in order to finish the museum, which was frustrating. Cincy needs to get their street parking policy clear.Visited December 2023Travelled soloWritten 1 January 2024
- newyorknickEdmond, Oklahoma19 contributionsSomething every American should see, but know it’s not a happiest place on earth type of experience, sobering visit.A history of slavery in North America, as well as some exhibits on continued slavery around the globe. Interesting, if hard to look at and take in- a very sobering experience. (Less about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad’s actual operation than might be expected. ) Might be nit- picking but if anyone from the Museum reads this, some of the lettering on the Exhibit plaques is so small it’s really hard to read.Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 April 2024
- EastCoastCanada253 contributionsEveryone should visit this impressive museum!This museum exceeded our expectations- there are layers and layers of historical facts, information and personal stories of triumph and tragedy. The films offered in different theatres really added context and helped bring stories and key learning themes to life. There were three floors and we started on the third floor as directed. We left for lunch and were able to return with no issues to continue our visit. It was about $16 each to enter and we parked in a parking garage a couple of blocks away for a fee. It was a deeply moving experience and we spent roughly 4 hours there- just wow. So much to learn and reflect on- very impressive museum!Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 25 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
1,078 reviews
Excellent
665
Very good
268
Average
94
Poor
34
Terrible
17
John H
Owego, NY13 contributions
Jan 2020
Visited on a rainy day in January at a great location in downtown Cincinnati. Was excited to take our two teenage boys there to learn more about the Underground Railroad. Unfortunately, it was not the experience we were hoping for. The space in the building was very poorly utilized and was much larger than it needed to be. The actual displays took up only a small portion of the building. The displays themselves were not well designed and very hard to read! The were wordy and even had grammatical errors. For many of them, the lighting was insufficient due to burnt out bulbs and weird shadows. Many of the computer displays were non-functional and other exhibits were broken or didn't work as expected. Also, the balcony leading to freedom's eternal flame was locked. The only highlight of the visit was the Brothers of the Borderland movie. Definitely not worth the time or money.
Written 26 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1alwaystraveling
Richmond, VA579 contributions
July 2022 • Family
The building and locations are exquisite. But unused parts, space under utilized, and just not enough being taught in an intriguing manner. I’ve been to much smaller museums which were much more impactful and informational in areas that are in similar concentration to this one. Even smaller holocaust museums that resonate their fundamental purpose of awareness. Even smaller museums dedicated to the Underground railroad that accomplished so much more in a portion of area. Yes, some of the interactive exhibits were very good, and the stretch into modern and current issues is relevant. But exhibits should be much more griping, and enticing to have lasting impact. I implore the management to to go other museums and learn which methods are effective to have the needed impact and informational fortitude. Other reviews blabbering on about “guilt” or waste of tax dollars are merely haters. The museum price is inline with museums of the same size and quality. Overall a good experience, but could be so much more.
Written 27 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
174mw12019
2 contributions
Sept 2019
This is an AMAZING museum. Exhibits work at all age levels, some information is appropriate for young people, other information appropriate for older people. The docents are well-informed and extremely inviting. The museum conveys very powerful messages. Since I visited the museum, I've recommended it to anyone I knew who'd be in the Cincinatti area and all have agreed it is a life-changing experience. I wish it could be replicated around the country so that all parts of our nation could experience its truths.
Written 21 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tamba5
New England272 contributions
Aug 2021
I think this is the type of museum you can visit again and again and learn something new each time.
The staff was very helpful. The exhibits were powerful! The signage was a bit too wordy. I noticed most people just walking passed longer worded signage. Due to Covid the museum has set up alternative options (foot pedals)
on some interactive element.
The gift shop was a bit uninspired.
All in all, you should visit.
The staff was very helpful. The exhibits were powerful! The signage was a bit too wordy. I noticed most people just walking passed longer worded signage. Due to Covid the museum has set up alternative options (foot pedals)
on some interactive element.
The gift shop was a bit uninspired.
All in all, you should visit.
Written 8 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ae837
Tennessee357 contributions
June 2023 • Solo
I love museums, history and reading but this place has very few artifacts and a TON of information you have to read that didn’t feel that engaging or organized. I ended up skipping over a lot because I got overwhelmed trying to read everything in just a couple of hours. I respect their important mission here, but exhibits/info/layout felt kind of thrown together. All of their info you can read in books or online at your own pace … so why pay admission for this? I’d recommend the Harriet Beecher Stowe house instead. They have a very informative/intimate $6 tour that covers a lot of American slavery history and Cincy history.
Written 23 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WmLesRob2
Columbus, OH880 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is a must see. We were in town on a weekend getaway and wanting to check out something new that we had not seen before in Cincy. It is a beautiful building and our visit was Five (5) stars all the way. It was such an invaluable, educational, and moving experience.
Staff was great, and the cost was $16.50 each (adult). I recommend parking at the Central Riverfront Parking Garage due to the app/meter parking limit is 3 hours and we were rushed towards the end of our visit.
Staff was great, and the cost was $16.50 each (adult). I recommend parking at the Central Riverfront Parking Garage due to the app/meter parking limit is 3 hours and we were rushed towards the end of our visit.
Written 29 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Momof3boyss
Anderson, AL106 contributions
July 2021 • Family
To be fair they give you a Map at the beginning of the tour. We chose self guided not sure if guided would have been extra. Anyway you start at the 3rd floor and work your way down. The entire layout could have been easier to follow with signs or visible numbers on the areas to go to next. Everything was spread of too far with no real timeline theme.
Honestly I was so excited to go to this museum to learn more about history and was completely bored out of my mind.
Masks are mandatory btw.
Honestly I was so excited to go to this museum to learn more about history and was completely bored out of my mind.
Masks are mandatory btw.
Written 24 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer M
74 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
My friend and I arrived later than planned as we were at another exhibit on the other side of town and had to find somewhere to park. It was a little tricky to find parking, and since a baseball game was starting in 3 hours, we had to pay $25 to park.
We arrived with 45 minutes (4:15) before closure. I knew that wouldn’t be enough time, but I figured it was better than not going at all. They showed us what would be the most important to see- but at 4:35, they started saying they were closing in 15 minutes?! Then, I tried to go see the eternal flame, but at 4:40, they had already locked up and the security guard was gone. Then, at 4:50, they announced they were closed. We were really disappointed as we had not even seen an 1/8 of it. Previously, I had read online that the last admission was at 4:30, so I figured we would get something out of it. Now, I get people want to be out on time, but at least let people look until 4:58/5:00.
However, the positives- it was only $16.50 for an adult, and you could spend hours there. It is very informative, but I was disappointed in the limited hours they had (closed Monday and a Tuesday) and being only open 11-5. We specifically stayed in Cincinnati an extra day to see it.
Make sure to budget in parking costs, and reminder that they don’t accept cash.
We arrived with 45 minutes (4:15) before closure. I knew that wouldn’t be enough time, but I figured it was better than not going at all. They showed us what would be the most important to see- but at 4:35, they started saying they were closing in 15 minutes?! Then, I tried to go see the eternal flame, but at 4:40, they had already locked up and the security guard was gone. Then, at 4:50, they announced they were closed. We were really disappointed as we had not even seen an 1/8 of it. Previously, I had read online that the last admission was at 4:30, so I figured we would get something out of it. Now, I get people want to be out on time, but at least let people look until 4:58/5:00.
However, the positives- it was only $16.50 for an adult, and you could spend hours there. It is very informative, but I was disappointed in the limited hours they had (closed Monday and a Tuesday) and being only open 11-5. We specifically stayed in Cincinnati an extra day to see it.
Make sure to budget in parking costs, and reminder that they don’t accept cash.
Written 15 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChefTosh
Washington DC, DC48 contributions
Oct 2020
This was an incredible experience, but I was both surprised and disappointed that Robert Smalls was not mentioned even once in the displays. This man stole an entire ship to free slaves. South Carolina honors him in all ways. He was huge in the freeing of slaves, to the point there is a major motion picture underway about him
Written 19 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SM Y
Malaysia22 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Interesting place to have visited.
Better understanding of the history of the color people in the country.
Their hardships and challenges were share here.
Good place to bring the young and teens to remind them of the long journey the country and the people have come about and not to take advantage of today.
Better understanding of the history of the color people in the country.
Their hardships and challenges were share here.
Good place to bring the young and teens to remind them of the long journey the country and the people have come about and not to take advantage of today.
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca P
Columbus, Ohio
Is information provided about specific underground sites in the city?
Written 8 April 2023
Rebecca P
Columbus, Ohio
Are any special exhibits being planned this Spring, specifically Memorial Day Weekend 2023?
Written 8 April 2023
Is this museum closed on Sunday and Monday..??
Written 11 August 2019
According to their website they are open both Sunday and Monday.
Written 23 August 2019
We are planning to visit soon with our four sons, ages 5-11. I am trying to decide if the Rosa Parks experience is worth it for my family. Thanks in advance for your advice.
Written 20 January 2019
Yes it is worth the experience and history because you have to know the full story. I was very young when I first heard about this but now that I’m much older there are things we were not told. Let them know now please do not keep them in the dark about our history that’s the only way because the schools are not going to be able to help. I’m learning more about things just by going to the museum and places where our country is founded. Washington DC is only halfway go to places like Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania that’s where it all began.
Written 10 February 2019
Is there a cafe in the museum? Or can I leave to eat lunch and return to finish my visit?
Written 2 August 2018
I didn’t notice a cafe but your tickets allow you to leave and return same day. We had a fabulous sit-down lunch at a Belgium eatery next to the Museum and then returned, no problem.
Written 2 August 2018
Is this near the Riverfront? Would I be able to visit this and then be near the riverfront to visit the park and walk the suspension bridge all in a few hours?
Written 13 September 2017
Yes. Absolutely! They are all in the same proximity.
Written 13 September 2017
My 6 year old is very interested in Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. Do you think this museum would be of interest to a 6 year old?
Written 1 June 2017
Most definitely! There are numerous videos in addition to the displays.
Written 1 June 2017
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