The largest city within 30 minutes of Anderson is Cincinnati (cincinnati-oh.gov); the downtown area is a 15-minute drive west of Anderson. This city had approximately 332,000 residents in 2006. Cincinnati's downtown area is on the Ohio River. Attractions in Cincinnati include Eden Park, home to the Cincinnati Art Museum and Playhouse in the Park; the Great America Ballpark, which hosts Cincinnati Reds baseball games; and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Cincinnati is also bicycle-friendly, with over 11 miles worth of bicycle trails throughout the city.
Also known as the "Gem of the Highlands," Norwood (norwood-ohio.com) is a northeastern suburb of Cincinnati. This city is less than 20 minutes from Anderson. Norwood was founded in 1888 and, at over 21,000 residents in 2011, is the second-most populated city in Hamilton County. This city is three square miles and an enclave within Cincinnati, meaning Cincinnati completely surrounds Norwood's borders. The southern border of Norwood is adjacent to Xavier University.
Covington, Kentucky (covingtonky.com) is across the Ohio River, a 25-minute drive west from Anderson. The city is accessible from Anderson via Interstate 275, and it is one of the largest suburbs in the greater Cincinnati area, with over 40,000 residents. Covington is home to Devou Park, which has hiking trails and an 18-hole golf course. Downtown Covington features the Carnegie Arts Center and Northern Kentucky Convention Center.
Blue Ash (blueash.com) is one of the northernmost cities in the greater Cincinnati area and less than 30 minutes from Anderson. The city is home to the Cincinnati-Blue Ash Airport, which offers domestic flights. Blue Ash is also home to the Blue Ash Golf Course and University of Cincinnati's Raymond Walters campus. Lee and Saralee Rosenberg's book ,"50 Fabulous Places to Raise a Family," lists Blue Ash among the Top 50.
Less than 20 minutes from Anderson, Milford (milfordohio.org) is an eastern suburb of Cincinnati; the city is split between Hamilton and Clermont Counties. Milford is home to the Gatch Site, an archaeological excavation site, which features artifacts from a prehistoric Native American tribe. The Little Miami Bike Trail, a 78-mile southern Ohio bike rail-trail, runs through the city. Milford is set on the banks of the Little Miami River.