Summers here are apparently crazy hot so best to avoid the park during the hottest months. Spring weekends are apparently also packed, but there's loads of great hiking and climbing and it's an easy day-trip from SF.
Hear there's a drink to be tried called a 'Sarsaparilla' that was popular in the 19th century. It's is a soft drink, originally made from the Smilax regelii plant and you can try it here! Town supposedly is a little cheesy but fun to do with kids.
I hear Cades Cove Valley offers some pretty amazing hiking and views. Not far from Pigeon Forge if for some reason you get tired of the overwhelmingly beautiful natural surroundings.
Provides a fascinating history of the evolution of planes, trains and automobiles. Seems the exhibits don't change much, but they're super engaging and interesting and the building itself is really cool!
Beautiful hiking and running trails! One of the most scenic nature reserves in the city in my opinion. There's a little shop with locally-made knick knacks too.
Great bike / running trail around the field, really beautiful pieces of it that go down by the river too. Wish I'd discovered it sooner! It's also a totally doable bike ride from downtown (even better if you stop at Eli's BBQ on your way back!).
Nice little square in the middle of Hyde Park and surrounded by restaurants and little coffee shops, an ice cream shop and a few bars. Nice place to take a stroll if you live in the area.
This is one of the best breakfast places in the city and hands down some of the best scones I've ever had! They mix their clotted cream with mascarpone and a dash of fresh vanilla. I'm usually not at all a fan of pastries but this place just blows any notion of regular old pastries out the water. It's sort of a French café atmosphere, there are definitely Mexican touches on the menu so if you're looking for a Mexican breakfast you can get that too. Pretty crowded every day of the week as it's a prime spot for "Ladies who lunch" in the well-heeled Lomas neighborhood so expect a bit of a wait if you arrive anytime between 9 and noonish.
If you're in the area you definitely have to go! The general store definitely seems like it's stuck in the past. They sell plenty of cool, over-priced little trinkets but it's just a fun, quirky town (the town mayor is a dog) that is a good stop on a trip through. Combine the town of Rabbit Hash with some hiking in Big Bone Lick State Park and you've got a great day-trip!
There's some pretty good hiking in the park and it's not far from Rabbit Hash, Kentucky which is a really cool little town that's definitely worth a visit. Combined it makes a great day trip from Cincinnati.