Sometimes you have to look with fresh eyes to really appreciate what your city has to offer. Cincinnati is no exception. The Queen City is full of exciting and enriching attractions that are often overlooked. So rather than going out of town for vacation, sometimes it's a good idea to get re-acquainted with the pleasures of your hometown instead.

Let's examine some of the top spots for Cincinnati seniors to visit when enjoying a "staycation."

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

Situated on 70 acres of well-manicured ground, the Cincinnati Zoo offers a beautiful stroll paired with unmatched animal watching. This historic zoo has been around since 1874, making it the second oldest in the United States. The zoo is known nationally for its chimpanzee breeding program, and is putting the finishing touches on its spectacular "Africa" exhibit—a celebration of the African continent and animals introduced to the public in stages over the last few years. A stop at the Zoo's visually striking Botanical Garden is an absolute must for local green-thumbs.

Whether you're an animal lover or a green space enthusiast, there are few better ways to spend a Sunday than a trip to the city zoo.

Cincinnati Observatory

Whether you’re a full-fledged devotee of Carl Sagan or a rookie star gazer, the Cincinnati Observatory offers a thrilling opportunity to gaze at the wonder of the night sky.

The building is a working 19th Century observatory used for research by students and scientists. Situated on Mt. Lookout, the observatory features one of the planet's oldest functioning telescopes, and is open for celestial viewing several nights each week. If you're seeking to experience awestruck wonder at the beauty of universe, there is no better vantage point.

Newport Aquarium

Residents of our city are fortunate not only to have access to a world-class zoo, but also a fantastic public aquarium. This spring, visitors to the Newport Aquarium are able to experience a new exhibit celebrating the lives of turtles. "Turtle Canyon" brings more than a different species of turtle to the aquarium, including the mighty Galapagos turtle, which can weigh upward of 600 pounds. As a bonus, visitors are able to touch and "pet" some of their new green friends. "Turtle Canyon" gives Cincinnati seniors a great reason to return to one of the unquestioned jewels of the area.

Farmers' Markets

You don't have to be a foodie to avail yourself of some of the best produce, vegetables and meat in the Greater Cincinnati area— you just have to take a tour of some of the best local farmers' markets. The Hyde Park Farmers' Market and the Madeira Farmers' Market are two of the best, but there are many more hidden gems to uncover. Many of these markets don't kick into gear until June, but Findlay Market offers a "Winter Farmer's Market" with winter vegetables, meats and cheeses.

A good farmers' market is in some ways a treasure hunt, so those with a taste for amazing local foods and a penchant for exploration would do well to put a market tour on their itinerary.

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park

Let's face it– sometimes the best vacation is the simplest. A beautiful place to unwind and unplug from all the pressure and stress of daily life, Pyramid Hill offers just that, plus an opportunity to appreciate masterful works of art from acclaimed artists. Sitting about a half-hour outside the city, Pyramid Hill's pastoral landscape of meadows and trees is a great place to recharge your batteries and your appreciation for everything our great city has to offer.

These are just a few of the hundreds of wonderful places for Cincinnati seniors to visit. We live in one of the great American cities, and now is a good time to get to know it even better.