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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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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Central Business District
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See what travellers are saying
  • Carol M
    72 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great museum for a group visit
    As 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 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 28 October 2023
  • jenandallthethings
    118 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Full of a lot of intense information. Give yourself time to digest it while there
    This 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 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 1 January 2024
  • newyorknick
    Edmond, Oklahoma19 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Something 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 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 24 April 2024
  • EastCoastCanada
    253 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Everyone 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 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 25 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,078 reviews
Excellent
665
Very good
268
Average
94
Poor
34
Terrible
17

John H
Owego, NY13 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
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
3.0 of 5 bubbles
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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.
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
2.0 of 5 bubbles
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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.
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
2.0 of 5 bubbles
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.
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
3.0 of 5 bubbles
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.
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
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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.
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.

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National Underground Railroad Freedom Center - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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