We love Cincinnati. Not just because it's our home, but because it's secretly a really cool place to visit. With cultural institutions and a dining scene to rival some of America's more populous cities, and a really solid sense of identity and pride that comes from a close-knit, small-town, you'll see why we love Cincy so much.
The Tyler-Davidson Fountain, located on Fountain Square, is one of Cincinnati's favorite icons, and the area around it is a popular hangout spot downtown. There's something going on just about every night, from dance lessons to concerts to movie screenings.
Love it or hate it, you should at least try it. Cincinnati's signature dish, Cincinnati chili from Skyline, is a distinctive chili-like meat sauce over spaghetti, topped with cheese. It's divisive, but those who like it really like it. Try it on a hot dog, coney-style, if you prefer.
Cincinnati is definitely a baseball town. The Reds were the very first professional baseball team, having been established in 1869, so there's a ton of interesting history to sort through when it comes to the city and its beloved Redlegs. From their role in the Black Sox scandal to the Big Red Machine, you can see all kinds of memorabilia and dig into the team's history at the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.
Right in front of the beautiful old Music Hall building is Washington Park, a patch of green space in the historic and trendy neighborhood of Over-the-Rhine. There's a dog park, a playground, a splash pad, a gazebo for concerts, and a bar, and you can frequently find events going on, from live music to craft fairs.
One of Cincinnati's most consistently delicious restaurants, Salazar is a guaranteed hit. The menu, which is all seasonal, changes every so often, but each dish will come out looking beautiful and tasting even better.
Cincinnati has a great craft beer scene... and they're also known for having a lot of old churches, so a craft brewery in an old church is kind of a no-brainer. Named for the only President to come from Cincinnati and serving up some really great brews in a gorgeous restored building, Taft's Ale House quickly became a local favorite.
Another local brewery, Moerlein is more historic than Taft's, with roots dating back to the 19th century. Their taproom serves giant pretzels and other German grub, pours a really solid rotation of beers, offers tours, and has giant Jenga games to play!
And if you don't like beer so much, there are some great places to go for a cocktail in Over-the-Rhine, too. Neon's has a funky, retro living room vibe inside and an incredible, dog-friendly patio outside, along with some of the low-key tastiest cocktails around and a good selection of beers. Plus, they bring in local restaurants to make late-night snacks, too!
Part art museum, part restaurant and bar, part hotel, all awesome. The rooms at the 21c Museum Hotel have subtle, funky, artsy touches and the first two floors of the building are dedicated to an art museum of rotating weird awesomeness and the Metropole, the onsite restaurant. Pro tip: there's a cocktail bar on the roof which is quite the experience!
Brunch time! Taste of Belgium is most well-known for their decadent Belgian waffles (so rich and sweet you don't need any toppings, although you can certainly get it with berries, chocolate, whipped cream, and more) but they also have Bloody Marys and mimosas, and it's a great place to sample another Cincinnati delicacy: goetta, a special kind of sausage.
Spend the morning gawking at the stunning architecture of this train station-turned-museum: the Cincinnati Museum Center. Believe it or not, it's even cooler-looking inside, and features a history museum, a natural science museum (with a cave!) an awesome children's museum, an OMNIMAX theater, and tons more.
Located at Findlay Market, Cincinnati's historic covered market, is Pho Land Thang, a tasty Vietnamese eatery. Bahn mis and pho, plus great Vietnamese coffee, are the perfect lunch to grab so you're not too hungry as you poke around the stalls and shops selling their tasty wares.
One of Cincinnati's bigger craft breweries, Rhinegeist is in a beautiful, huge old building and serves up tons of beers (and cider) to a fun crowd. They also have cornhole inside, so grab a beanbag and practice your tosses while you enjoy your beer!
With a great location in the stunning Eden Park and a lovely collection of pieces from various artists across the globe, the Cincinnati Art Museum is a great place to get lost for a bit. And the best part? It's free to visit!
Also close to the Art Museum is the Krohn Conservatory, with a fun collection of plants that range from exotic to interesting. Orchids, palms, bonsai trees, cacti and more can be found within.
Drive along the river and take in the views on your way to Eli's BBQ. You can order smoked meats and sides inside and then sit under the tent and listen to some live music while you eat. Hopefully you picked up some beer or wine at Findlay Market or Rhinegeist because this place is BYOB!
A hidden gem of the Mt. Adams neighborhood, the Blind Lemon is a little, low-key bar has quirky decor, a great patio, live music, tasty cocktails, and an intimate vibe.
End your night at Arnold's, which has been serving solid grub and slinging drinks for Cincinnatians since before Prohibition. Sit in the courtyard and enjoy some awesome live music with a local craft beer!
The weather in Cincinnati is predictably unpredictable. Summers can get hot, and late winters can get snowy, but you never know. Fall brings beautiful autumn leaves, and everything blooms in the spring (despite the sometimes-drizzly weather). Plus, Cincinnati is home to an early-summer music festival as well as pro baseball and pro football teams, all of which are worth checking out when in season.
