Understand

Formerly known as Losantiville, the city was renamed Cincinnati by the first governor of the Northwest Territory, Arthur St. Clair, in honor of the Society of the Cincinnati, a society named after Roman consul Cincinnatus and founded at the end of the Revolutionary War.

The city's early economy was based on the pork industry, and this was celebrated in the summer of 2000 with the Big Pig Gig, during which large flying pig statues took up residence along the city's main thoroughfares. Many of these pig statues later found homes downtown in offices, parks and even private residences.

Cincinnati also has a charming riverboat heritage that dates back to the days when large, steam and paddle-wheel driven vessels were used to transport locally produced pork products. In recognition of this tradition, the city plays host to the Tall Stacks Festival every four years, during which time the river front is transformed into a mass of color, with river boats of all shapes and sizes jostling for positions along the river banks. Baseball is another Cincinnati tradition, and the Cincinnati Reds were the first professional baseball team in the United States; in deference to that, Opening Day is always a home game for the Reds, held at the new Great American Ballpark.

"Please?" No, Cincinnatians are not correcting your manners. Cincinnati's linguistic claim to fame is the distinctive expression its residents use when other English-speaking Americans might say "What?" or "Could you repeat that?" Cincinnati was built by German immigrants, whose native expression was "Bitte?", which translates most directly into English as... "Please?"

Cincinnati has a thriving local industrial economy and is home to many businesses ranging from manufacturing to services, including General Electric, Procter and Gamble, Fifth Third Bank, Milacron, Chiquita, Kroger, Federated Department Stores, and the American Financial Group. In World Wars I and II, Cincinnati's local machine tool companies, such as LeBlond (now Makino) and the Cincinnati Screw and Tap Company (now Milacron), played an important role, providing what is commonly considered the best machine tool technology in the world for its time.

Recently, Cincinnati has seen some large scale "revitalization" projects, such as the construction of Great American Ballpark and Paul Brown Stadium, and the reconstruction of Fountain Square in Cincinnati. Despite the progress, county officials, city government, and area residents remain flabbergasted that other large scale projects like "The Banks" – a proposed site for an upscale hotel, shopping and dining center – remain undeveloped, while the smaller cities of Newport and Covington, across the Ohio River, continue to develop their riverfronts and draw visitors away from Cincinnati.

Orientation

The city center is "Downtown" Cincinnati, sometimes referred to as the "Central Business District." With many major attractions and corporate headquarters located here, the focus of the region revolves around this district. Downtown's north-south streets can be easily remembered by the mnemonic:

Big Strong Men Will Very Rarely Eat Pork Chops

Going East to West this stands for:

Broadway Sycamore Main Walnut Vine Race Elm Plum Central.

The Cincinnati skyline is breathtaking -- especially at night -- when viewed from Devou Park in northern Kentucky, Mount Echo in Price Hill, or Eden Park and neighboring Mt. Adams.

There is a rivalry between the "East Side" and "West Side" of Cincinnati. Historically people from the West Side were blue collar workers, while those from the East Side were white collar workers.

Notable neighborhoods

• Avondale is a primarily residential urban neighborhood near the center of the city, notable for the presence of the Cincinnati Zoo.

• Hyde Park is an upscale, largely white and upper class residential neighborhood. At the heart of the neighborhood is Hyde Park Square, a tree-lined esplanade of boutique shops and restaurants, including Indigo, Teller's, Vineyard Cafe and Graeter's Ice Cream.

• Mt. Adams is a trendy upscale neighborhood located directly northeast of downtown Cincinnati. Mt. Adams is known for its lively night scene, beautiful views of the skyline, and the Holy Cross-Immaculata Catholic Church, which was built by German immigrants in the city's early days. German inscriptions can be seen around the church.

• Clifton is also located near the city center, and is home to an especially wide range of people, boasting a population diverse in ethnicity, race, sexuality, gender, age, country of origin, and economic status. A number of students at the local University inhabit the stately apartment buildings, as well as many of the beautiful older homes that line the gas-lit streets, though a number of families and other residents are also proud to call Clifton home. Especially notable is the stretch of Ludlow between Clifton Ave and Whitfield, as it is home to a number of restaurants specializing both in American fare (perhaps the best Skyline Chili in all of Cincinnati, as well as local diner the Proud Rooster) and ethnic delights (Ambar and Amol India, Thai Cafe, Mediterranean Foods), as well as a number of independent shops and boutiques, and finally, one of Cincinnati's most historic and popular gay dive bars, the Golden Lions, which features dancing on Tuesday nights.

• Mt. Washington is an up and coming economically diverse neighborhood located on Cincinnati's east side. The neighborhood contains a variety of shopping options along its Water Tower business district, ranging from thrift shops to upscale women's boutiques (Magnolia Clothing Boutique originated in Mt. Washington). The neighborhood is known for its variety of homes, ranging from large estates (along Salem Avenue and Wayside Avenue) to affordable apartments. Architecturally the neighborhood is home to several notable buildings, including the Mt. St. Mary's Seminary, Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church, and Guardian Angel Church.

• Northside is an economically and racially diverse neighborhood notable for a strong sense of community investment and pride. The neighborhood is home to many unique shops including Shake It Records (an independently owned record store), and two vintage clothing stores, Avant Garage and Casablanca Vintage. Restaurants include culinary delights Honey, Melt, and Slims, and KFC. The nightlife in Northside is lively with a variety of clubs including Alchemize!, The Comet, and the Northside Tavern.

• Oakley is an up and coming neighborhood that borders Hyde Park. Oakley has a lively downtown area with many unique restaurants and shops including Kona Bistro, Habits Cafe, Denim, and Bova Furniture. Also notable is Aglamesis Ice Cream, a long-time competitor of Graeter's in the gourmet ice cream category.

• Over-the-Rhine is the location of Music Hall (home of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Opera) and Findlay Market, Ohio's oldest public market in continuous operation. The Main Street Entertainment District is also located in OTR, which is a widely discussed neighborhood in Cincinnati because of the rampant gentrification that has taken place in recent years, resulting in an influx of wealthier residents (or simply bar patrons) into what had previously been a low-income area. When in Over-the-Rhine be sure to drink Christian Moerlein's Over-the-Rhine Ale!

Climate

Climate	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High(°F)	38	44	55	65	69	82	86	85	78	66	54	43
Mean(°F)	30	35	44	43	60	72	76	74	67	56	45	35
Low(°F)	21	26	34	54	51	62	66	64	57	45	36	26
Precipitation (in)	11	5	4	3	4	4	4	4	3	3	5	7

Cincinnati has four distinct seasons. Winters range from harsh to mild, while summer and early fall is hot and humid.

The average temperature in the winter drops to the low 30's (F) and during the summer reaches the upper 70's (F) to mid-90's (F).

Normally, there are very few snowy days that impair driving on the city's hilliest roads. Snow in Northern Kentucky is of exceptional concern, though, because of the increased number of hills and rural roads, which are not as quickly treated as roads in Southwest Ohio. If you plan to drive or travel through Northern Kentucky during a snowy period, be extremely careful and phone ahead to make sure your destination is still accessible.

Newspapers and magazines

• Cincinnati Enquirer, Morning daily newspaper, including a Sunday edition. Features Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Jim Borgman. Located downtown.
• Cincinnati Post, Afternoon daily newspaper, Monday through Saturday. Features award-winning photographers and reporters.
• CiN Weekly, A free magazine with a great calendar for events, concerts, plays, and festivals. It's available at grocery stores, gas stations, and bookstores, and makes an excellent guide for solo travelers or families.
• City Beat, The city's oldest free weekly arts and entertainment publication, geared toward college students and young adults. Has a good list of upcoming events, bars, restaurants and museums.

Get in

By plane

• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. (Follow I-275 south then east to Exit 4 (State Route 212.) Follow the signs to airport terminals and parking.) Phone: +1-(859) 767-3151 (info@cvgairport.com). Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (IATA: CVG; ICAO: KCVG) is on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River, so you'll have to cross the bridge to get to Cincinnati itself. Delta has its second largest airport at CVG, so Delta may offer more direct flights to or from CVG. However, fares to CVG are the most expensive in the nation thanks to Delta's near monopoly at the airport. On the upside, CVG has one of the best records for flights leaving and arriving on time in the entire US.

• Lunken Airport, Lunken Airpot is the other option for travelers, but, in general, only travelers flying their own private planes or who chartered a flight will use the airport.

• Travelers visiting the area should consider using Port Columbus International Airport (IATA: CMH) in Columbus, Dayton International Airport (IATA: DAY) in Dayton, or Louisville International Airport (IATA: SDF) in Louisville, since flights to/from these airports are often cheaper than those serving CVG — which is, by some measures, the costliest airport in the U.S. Louisville, Columbus, and Indianapolis are all within a two hour drive from Cincinnati, while Dayton is only 45-60 minutes away.

By car

Cincinnati is served by Interstates 71 (from Columbus and Louisville), 74 (from Indianapolis), 75 (from Dayton and Lexington), 471 (a spur of I-71 to the south), and 275 (the circle beltway). US 50 also serves the area as an expressway to the eastern neighborhoods (Columbia Parkway) and western neighborhoods via the Sixth Street Expressway, which links River Road and the Waldvogel Memorial Viaduct to Downtown.

One of the most beautiful panoramic views in the country occurs when driving northbound on Interstate 71/75 (the interstate routes share the same highway in part of Northern Kentucky) traveling into downtown Cincinnati, just before the Brent Spence Bridge. Traffic on the bridge sometimes backs up, though, especially during rush hour. Try to plan your trips so you don't get too much of this truly spectacular view!

By train

• Amtrak, 1301 Western Ave (Union Terminal/Cincinnati Museum Center), 1-800-872-7245 (Amtrak's main line), Tu.-Sun.: 11PM to 6:30AM. All incoming and outgoing passenger trains stop at Union Terminal/Cincinnati Museum Center during the night. The station is one mile from downtown Cincinnati and since all trains arrive before public transportation is available it may be wise to call a taxi to finish your journey.

By bus

• Greyhound, 1005 Gilbert Avenue, +1-(513)-352-6012. Station & ticketing hours: Daily: 24 hours. Greyhound offers passenger bus service from many U.S. cities. Buses arrive and depart from Greyhound's station in downtown Cincinnati.

• Megabus, 7th Street at Vine Street (Southern side of West 7th Street, between College Street and Vine Street.), +1-877-GO2-MEGA. Megabus is a budget bus company offering service to Cincinnati from Chicago, Indianapolis, and Columbus. Fares start at $1.

Get around

Cincinnati Subway Between 1920 and 1925 the City of Cincinnati spent six million dollars building a subway system, which was supposed ease congestion and spur growth in Cincinnati. However, when funding ran out in 1925, the construction came to an end with nearly seven miles of the subway dug or graded, but no track laid. Several attempts to complete the subway have been made, but all proposals have ultimately failed. However, sections of the tunnel have been used for various purposes including the conversion of the Liberty Street station into a nuclear fallout shelter.

Bus

Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (Sorta) operates Metro, the bus company that serve the Ohio side of the state line. The Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (Tank) serves Northern Kentucky and all routes between Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati. Bus lines marked with a "X" are express routes and make less frequent stops. Be sure to check whether the bus makes a stop at your required destination before you get on.

Sorta and Tank operate a different fare rate system, though both require passengers to submit the exact fare and no change is given.

Metro charges passengers based on zones: Zone 1 (The City of Cincinnati), Zone 2 (Hamilton County, outside of Cincinnati), and Zone 3 (Stops outside of Hamilton County and the City of Cincinnati). Prices for each zone are respectively: $1, $1.50, and $2. Metro has several routes, most notably routes 71X and 72 (Both $2.25), which charge a slightly higher fare than normal. Transferring between one bus route to another on the Metro system requires another 25 cents for a transfer ticket and passengers transferring from a Zone 2 or 3 bus to another Zone 2 or 3 bus should ensure that the bus driver hole punches the appropriate zone on the transfer ticket. Otherwise a further payment equivalent to the difference between the zone you're traveling to, if your trip ends in zone 2 or 3, and zone 1 fare must be paid.

Tank buses charge a flat rate of $1.25 for all adults, 50¢ for seniors, 75¢ for students, and $1 for the Southbank Shuttle, which connects downtown Cincinnati with Newport, Kentucky for special events like a Bengals game or Riverfest. Transfers between Tank buses are free. However, transferring between Tank buses and a Metro buses costs and additional 50¢ or 40¢, if you're transferring to a TANK bus from a Metro bus.

Government Square

The newly-renovated Government Square is the main bus hub for Metro and is on Walnut Street. Occasionally, when large events are going on downtown, bus routes will be re-routed to avoid Government Square. The square received its name due to the government buildings that border the square, such as the Federal Office Building, a Federal Courthouse, and a Federal Reserve Bank branch. Within the complex is an information kiosk providing details of bus routes and a free Wi-Fi service.

Lines

Below is a short list of the most important SORTA (Metro) lines that serve tourist sites. Line 1 is listed twice because the downtown stop changes depending on the direction of the bus.

• Route 1 Stops from Union Terminal/Museum Center to Cincinnati Zoo via Downtown: Museum Center, Ezzard Charles & Linn Street, 5th Street & Main Street, Ida Street & Celestial Street, Lincoln Avenue & Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati Zoo on Erkenbrecker.
• Route 1 Stops from Cincinnati Zoo to Union Terminal/Museum Center via Downtown: Cincinnati Zoo on Erkenbrecker, Lincoln Avenue & Gilbert Avenue, Ida Street & Celestial Street, 4th Street & Walnut Street, Ezzard Charles & Linn Street, Museum Center.

• Route 72 Stops from Downtown to Kings Island: Walnut Street & Court Street (Downtown), Government Square, Area B, Kenwood Road & Montgomery Road, Mason-Montgomery & Fields Ertel Road ("Park and Ride"), Mason-Montgomery & Western Row Road, Kings Island.

• Route 71X Stops from Downtown to Kings Island: Walnut Street & Court Street (Downtown), Government Square, Area B, Kings Island, Mason-Montgomery & Fields Ertel Road ("Park and Ride").

Taxis

Taxi companies in Cincinnati include:

• Towne Taxi, +1 513-761-7700
• Yellow Cab, +1 513-742-3075
• United Cab Company, +1 513-251-1155

Skywalk

Cincinnati's business district has a Skywalk path. The Skywalk is an indoor, above-ground path through the streets of Cincinnati's business district. The Skywalk is free, and only used by pedestrians. Urban analysts hired by the city and downtown business leaders want to tear down chunks of the elevated passageways. Although some of the paths have been torn down, most of the skywalk still exists, allowing travelers continue to beat the weather.

See

• Carew Tower & Observation Deck, 441 Vine Street (Downtown), +1-513-579-9735. M-Sa 10AM-5:30PM, Su 11AM-5PM. The Carew Tower served as the basis for the design of the later Empire State Building. During the mid- to late-1980s, a giant inflatable gorilla was attached to the upper floors! The 49th floor of Cincinnati's tallest building provides a breathtaking (and gorilla-less) view of the city.

• Cincinnati Observatory Center, 3489 Observatory Place (Mount Lookout,), +1-513-321-5186. The Cincinnati Observatory was the first professional observatory in America, and is now operated by volunteers. Hosts star gazing events, which, are remarkable considering light pollution has nearly surrounded the observatory.

• Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine Streets (Downtown; sandwiched between the Westin Hotel, Macy's, Carew Tower, and the Fifth Third building). The newly renovated Fountain Square holds the Tyler Davidson Fountain, newly added and renovated restaurants, an ice skating rink, a big screen video board, free Wi-Fi, and a hands-on water wall!

• John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge (Riverfront). The John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge was was the longest suspension bridge in the world at 1,057 feet (322 m) when the first pedestrians crossed on December 1, 1866 — a status it maintained until 1883. It served as the prototype for Roebling's design of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York.

Religious buildings

• Holy Cross-Immaculata Catholic Church, 30 Guido Street (Mount Adams), +1-(513)-381-1792. Roman Catholic treasure. Known as the "Church on the Hill". On Good Friday, many Cincinnatians "Climb the steps of Mt. Adams", praying on each step.

• Plum Street Temple (Occasionally referred to as Wise Temple), 726 Plum Street, at the corner of Plum and Eighth Streets (Downtown), +1-(513)-793-2556. Built in 1865-1866 for B'nai Yeshurun, this is one of the best-preserved Moorish Revival buildings of the 19th century.

• Saint Peter in Chains Cathedral, 325 West Eighth Street (Downtown), +1-(513)-421-5354 (Info@StPeterinChainsCathedral.org). Saint Peter in Chains Cathedral is a beautifully and ornate cathedral, a recommended sight for anyone traveling through Cincinnati. St. Peter in Chains Cathedral was the city's tallest structure when completed, as well as one of its most elegant buildings. Copying elements from classical Athenian buildings, architect Henry Walter produced one of the finest neoclassical Greek revival buildings in the United States.

Museums & galleries

• American Classical Music Hall of Fame, 1225 Elm Street (Over-the-Rhine, next to Music Hall, in Memorial Hall), +1-(513)-621-3263 (info@americanclassicalmusic.org, fax: +1-(513)-621-9333). Open by appt. The American Classical Music Hall of Fame includes a timeline through classical music (focusing on American classical music) and interactive displays of inductees.

• Art Beyond Boundaries, 1410 Main Street (Over-the-Rhine), +1-(513)-421-8726. M-Sat 10-5. Art Beyond Boundaries is a visual art gallery showcasing the work of local artists with disabilities. They also have showings at Pendelton Art Center's Final Friday.

• Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive (Eden Park, Go up Gilbert Avenue, until you see the park, and turn onto Eden Park Drive), +1-(513)-721-ARTS (information@cincyart.org). Th-Tu 11AM-5PM, W 11AM-8PM, M Closed. The Cincinnati Art Museum is located in the beautiful Eden Park, which perfectly reflects the artwork the museum houses. According to the Zagat Survey, The Cincinnati Art Museum ranks with The Art Institute of Chicago and The Museum of Modern Art in New York as the best art museums in the nation. The museum features special exhibitions and a terrific collection of art by Cincinnati artists. The Damascus Room is a particular interesting artwork and should be seen by all of the museum's visitors. Admission: Free.

• The Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education, 3101 Clifton Avenue (Hebrew Union College Campus, University Heights, about a block from the University of Cincinnati), +1-(513)-487-3055 (chhe@huc.org, fax: +1-(513)-221-1842). 9AM-5:30PM daily. CHHE has a heart-wrenching and inspiring exhibit called Mapping Our Tears, which follows the stories of Cincinnatians involved in the resistance to Nazis and Holocaust survivors now living in Cincinnati. One part of the exhibit tells the tale of a local man, who after interrogating suspects to be tried at the Nuremberg Trials became U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg. Free.

• Cincinnati Fire Museum, 315 West Court Street, +1-(513)-621-5553. Tu-F 10AM-4PM, Sa-Su noon-4PM. Closed all holidays. The museum for all of us, who wanted to be a firefighter, but never became one. The museum documents the history of firefighting and it's fitting that the museum is located in Cincinnati, which was the first place in America to have a fully paid professional fire department. Adults $6, Seniors $5, Children $4.

• Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, 1301 Western Avenue (Queensgate), +1-(513)-287-7000 (information@cincymuseum.org). M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-6PM. Originally built in 1933 as the Union Terminal train station, the building was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977. The Cincinnati Museum Center is comprised of The Cincinnati History Museum, Museum of Natural History and Science, Duke Energy Children's Museum, and the Robert D. Linder Family OMNIMAX Theater. Admission for one museum or OMNIMAX show: Adults $7.25, Seniors $6.25 , Children (Ages 3-12) $5.25; Admission for all three museums and one OMNIMAX show: Adults $16.25, Children $11.25. Parking is $4.50 per vehicle.

• Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, 3400 Vine Street (Avondale), +1-800-94-HIPPO. (info@cincinnatizoo.org). From September 4th until May 25th, the Zoo is typically open daily from 9AM until 5PM. From May 26th until September 3rd the zoo is typically open from 9AM until 6PM. Hours may be extended on some days for special events like Festival of Lights or HallZOOween. The zoo is closed November 22nd and December 25th. The Cincinnati Zoo is the second oldest zoo in America and one of the most important worldwide, because of its success with the mating of animals in captivity. The zoo is well worth a visit. Adults (13+ years) $12.95, Seniors (62+) $10.95, Children (2-12) $7.95. Parking: $6.50.

• Contemporary Arts Center, 44 East Sixth Street (Downtown, Across from the Aronoff Center), +1-(513)-345-8400 (fax: +). M 10AM-9PM, Tu Closed, W-F 10AM-6PM, Sa-Su 11AM-6PM. The CAC is one of the regional leaders in thought-provoking art; the building itself is a piece of art with some of Cincinnati's boldest architecture. The center has also been the center of controversy; some may not see the "art" in some exhibits. Adults $7.50, Senior (65+) $6.50, Student w/ID $5.50, Children (3-13) $4.50.

• Harriet Beecher-Stowe House, 2950 Gilbert Avenue (Walnut Hills), +1-513-751-0651. (bleefurr@aol.com). Hours vary, see website. Harriet Beecher-Stowe is famous for writing the anti-slavery Uncle Tom's Cabin. Free (donations are welcomed).

• National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 East Freedom Way (Riverfront), +1-(513)-333-7500. Tu-Su 11AM-5PM (Closed: Labor Day, September 7, October 15 at 14:00, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day). The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is a museum of conscience; it offers lessons on the struggle for freedom in the past, in the present, and for the future as it attempts to challenge visitors to contemplate the meaning of freedom in their own lives. Its location recognizes the significant role of Cincinnati, where thousands of slaves escaped to freedom by crossing the Ohio River, in the history of the Underground Railroad. $12 Adults, $10 Seniors, $8 Children.

• Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike Street (Downtown, Located at the east end of Fourth Street, across from Lytle Park), +1-(513)-241-0343 (taftmuseum@taftmuseum.org, fax: +1-(513)-241-2266). M Closed, T W F 11AM-5PM, Th 11AM-8PM, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Closed January 1, Thanksgiving, and December 25. The Taft Museum of Art is known as one of the finest small art museums in America. A National Historic Landmark built around 1820, the Taft is home to an extensive art collection that includes European and American master paintings; Chinese porcelains; and European decorative arts. Adults: $7, Seniors (60 and over): $5, Students (over 18): $5, Youth (18 and under): Free. Free admission on Wednesdays. Parking costs an additional $3.

• Pendelton Art Center, 1310 Pendleton Street (Downtown), +1-(513)-559-3958 ext. 1257 (info@pendletonartcenter.com). Final Friday 6-10PM; Second Look Saturday 10AM-2PM. Final Fridays at the Pendelton Art Center are the "The World 's Largest Collection of Artists Under One Roof!" On the final Friday of each month, Pendelton Art Center showcases many floors of local art for those interested in buying or just admiring. Free admission.

• Weston Art Gallery, 650 Walnut Street (Downtown, on the corner of 7th and Walnut, connected to the Aronoff Center), +1-(513)-977-4165 (WestonArtGallery@CincinnatiArts.org, fax: +1-(513)-977-4182). Tu-Sa 10AM-5:30PM. Su noon-5PM. The Weston Art Gallery is located within the Aranoff Center for the Arts. Exhibitions feature painting, sculpture, prints, photography, textiles, independent film, performance and electronic media. Ten diverse exhibitions are programmed annually in the gallery's 3,500 square foot museum-quality space. Free.

• William Howard Taft National Historic Site, 2038 Auburn Avenue, +1-(513)-684-3262 (WIHO Interpretation@nps.gov, fax: +1-(513)-684-3627). The park is generally open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (it is closed on Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1). The William Howard Taft National Historic Site, which is administered by the National Park Service, was the birthplace and home of William Howard Taft. William Howard Taft served as the 27th President and became the 10th Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court. The Taft family has become one of the most politically distinguished families in Ohio, let alone the US. Free.

Parks

With more than 100 parks and green spaces covering an area of over 5,000 acres, Cincinnati has the most extensive and highest regarded park system in the nation. In addition to offering respite from the urban landscape, the parks also offer scenic views, hiking areas, floral landscapes and picnic facilities

• Sawyer Point, 720 E. Pete Rose Way (Riverfront), +1-513-352-4000. 6AM-11PM daily. Sawyer Point is one of Cincinnati's party parks, where in the summer radio stations throw free outdoor concerts. The park is also used to host the Tall Stacks festival. A popular place to laze about is the Serpentine Wall steps that lead into the Ohio River.

• Mt. Echo, 381 Elberon Ave (Price Hill). Mt. Echo is famous for its stellar view of downtown Cincinnati. The band Over-the-Rhine's "Ohio" album cover was shot from this park.

• Ault Park, 3600 Observatory Ave (Mount Lookout). Ault Park is great for bikers, hikers and joggers. An annual 4th of July celebration is held there with music and fireworks. Ault Park also has great examples of natural glacial history throughout the park.

• Eden Park, 950 Eden Park Drive (Entrances from Kemper Lane, Victory Parkway, Nassau Avenue, Martin Drive or Gilbert Ave). M-Su 11AM-11PM. Eden Park home to the Cincinnati Art Museum, Playhouse in the Park, Murray Seasongood Pavilion, and the Irwin M. Krohn Conservatory.

• Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park, 1101 Eastern Ave (along Cincinnati's downtown eastern riverfront area). The park is named in honor of Cincinnati's first African American mayor, Theodore M. Berry. This park features an International Plaza with ceremonial flags, an earth sculpture in the form of two interlocking hands, a pavilion to provide settings for communal gatherings, celebrations and events, Commissioned sculptures, a serpentine-shaped sitting wall, garden areas representative of the continents, and a bike trail.

• Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive (Eden Park), +1-513-421-4086. M-Su 11AM-11PM. Rainforest-under-glass. 5000 varieties of exotic tropical, desert and orchid plants. One of country's largest public greenhouses with beautiful seasonal floral shows. Admission is by donation.

Do

Music & theater

• Playhouse in the Park, 962 Mt. Adams Circle (Mt. Adams), +1-(513)-421-3888. Box office hours: M.: 10AM-5PM. Tu-F.: 10AM-9PM. Sa: 10AM-10PM. Su: Noon-8PM. Box office hours may vary on days when performances are held. The Playhouse in the Park is a Tony Award winning playhouse, housing two theaters in Eden Park, not far from the Cincinnati Art Museum. The playhouse hosts performances ten months out of the year.

• Cincinnati Music Hall, 1243 Elm Street (Over-the-Rhine), +1-513-744-3344 (fax: +1-513-744-3345). The Music Hall is the beautiful home to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Opera, and Cincinnati Ballet. The building was built in 1878 and funded by what's believed to be the first matching grant fund drive in the United States. In 1880, the building hosted the Democratic National Convention. Tours can be arranged through the Society for the Preservation of Music Hall.

• Bogart's Concert Hall, 2621 Vine Street (Corryville), +1-(513)-562-4949. Small venue that attracts some well-known acts. Crowds can get rough with mosh pits growing annoyingly large.

• Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Avenue (California/Anderson Township), +1-(513)-232-6220. Box office hours: M-F 11AM-5PM, Sa 11AM-2PM. Located on the Ohio river and draws big name artists like John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews Band, and Jimmy Buffet.

• TimberWolf Amphitheatre (TimberWolf Amphitheatre is located at the Kings Island amusement park). This arena also draws some big name artists, usually teen heartthrobs like Aaron Carter.

• Esquire Theatre, 320 Ludlow Avenue, +1-(513)-281-8750 (info@esquiretheatre.com). The Esquire Theatre is a movie theater that generally runs indie/foreign films along with some other mainstream films. It is on Ludlow Ave, which is close to great coffee shops, restaurants, and specialty stores. $5.50-$8.50.

Amusement parks

• Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave (Exit 72 off of I-275), +1-(513)-232-8230. usually 10AM-9PM. Coney Island is a piece of Americana - a park that has been in operation for over 120 years. The park is located closer to Cincinnati, on the Ohio River. General admission is $17.50 to use the rides and Sunlite Pool, the world's largest recirculating pool (200' by 401'). For cheaper admission go after 4 PM when the price drops to $8.95.

• Kings Island (About 20 miles from Cincinnati). Kings Island, located in Mason, OH, is one of the world's greatest amusement parks. The park is divided into three different areas - the main park with adult attractions, a children's park, and a water park. Admission to the park grants access to every one of the areas. Kings Island is also the home to record holding coasters including The Beast, the world's longest wooden roller coaster! Kings Island has just recently been sold, though, and the names for the park and some of the rides may change.

• The Beach Water Park, 2590 Waterpark Drive (Near King Island and about 20 miles from Cincinnati), +1-(513)-398-SWIM (fax: +1-(513)-398-6598). June 11–August 21: 10AM-9PM daily. The Beach is a dedicated water park and popular place among teenagers and twenty-somethings. General admission to the park cost $26.99; however, there are often discounts after 5PM, on holidays, and Mondays.

Festivals

• Appalachian Festival, 6201 Kellogg Ave (Located at Coney Island Amusement Park), +1-(513)-251-3378 (fax: +1-(513)-251-3377). Mothers Day Weekend; Friday, 9 am - 9 pm, Saturday, 10 am - 9 pm, Sunday, 10 am - 6 pm. The Appalachian Festival is bigger and better than ever... with more than 130 crafters, dozens of entertainers on three stages, cultural and educational programs and a new mountain life exhibit area. The Appalachian Festival draws nearly 50,000 people over the three-day event to Coney Island on the shores of the Ohio River.

• Budweiser's Rock the Square (Fountain Square, 5th and Vine). 5:30-8:30 Fridays from June to September. Live, original music and beer- a perfect way to start every weekend in the Summer! free.

• Cincy Cinco Festival, 6295 Kellogg Ave (The Plaza at Riverbend Music Center), +1-(513) 232-5882. Cincy Cinco Festival- Cincy Cinco celebrates the 5th of May (Mexican Holiday). It showcases aspects of Latino culture, values and traditions. All proceeds benefit the tri-state charities that support the Hispanic population. Adults $10, Kids 16 and under are free.

• MidPoint Music Festival (MPMF). The Midwest's biggest and best independent music festival. Over 300 emerging bands from the U.S. and abroad playing all kinds of music in the Main Street Entertainment District every September.

• Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion (Sawyer Point Park). Conceived in 1986 by Dr. Dorothy I. Height, President Emerita of the National Council of Negro Women, the Black Family Reunion Celebration is a 4-day cultural weekend event which brings consumers, corporations, communities and government agencies together to focus on the historic strengths and traditional values of the Black Family.

• Oktoberfest, Fifth Street (Downtown). Cincinnati remembers its German history with a two day festival dedicated to beer and the marriage of Bavarian royalty. Cincinnati's Oktoberfest draws 500,000 over two days (Munich's Oktoberfest draws 6 million over two weeks) making it second biggest Oktoberfest after Munich's. On the Sunday everyone gathers at Fountain Square to participate in the "World's Largest Chicken Dance." This is a must for any visitor to Cincinnati. Oktoberfest is held in mid to late September. $3.00 and above depending on restaurant booth..

• Party in the Park (Riverfront). Held several times through out the summer and entertains 8,000 with the hottest musical acts and cold draft beers. The party is held at Yeatman's Cove.

• PNC Festival of Lights, Dury Avenue (Cincinnati Zoo). The Cincinnati Zoo throws the 23 annual Festival of Lights to celebrate the holiday season with 2.5 million Christmas lights and over 100 light displays. From November 17, 2006 to January 1, 2007. The light display won't start until 5PM. You'll want to arrive a few hours before the light display starts because there will be little or no parking left by 4PM.

• Riverfest (Riverfront). Riverfest is Cincinnati's largest bash and is held on the banks of the Ohio during the Labor Day weekend. The event is essentially the spectacular Rozzi's fireworks display, which last for half-an-hour and is choreographed to music by local radio station WEBN. There's also a famous race between rubber ducks called the Rubber Duck Regatta.

• Tall Stacks (Riverfront). Held every four years, this festival honors Cincinnati's riverboat history. The festival also stages multiple concerts by both well-known artists and local artists. The last Tall Stacks was held in 2006 and saw 900,000 visitors.

• Taste of Cincinnati (Fifth Street). Taste of Cincinnati is held every Memorial weekend and draws 500,000 people each year. More than 40 restaurants sell their food for $4 or less. Live musical acts are there for entertainment once you're full. $3.00 and above depending on restaurant booth.

Sports

Sports are taken extremely seriously in Cincinnati. Everyone roots for the Reds and the Bengals, but college basketball is where the city becomes divided.

Who Dey The term always refers to the Cincinnati Bengals and can be used as a cheer or a greeting among Bengals fans. At Bengals games fans screaming "Who Dey!" often leads to an entire section chanting the Who Dey chant: "Who dey! Who dey! Who dey think going to beat dem Bengals?" The answer is an extended "Nobody!" The chant is most often used at Cincinnati/Cleveland and Cincinnati/Pittsburgh games.

• Cincinnati Bengals, One Paul Brown Stadium (Riverfront), +1-(513)-621-8383. For more than a decade, the Bengals were the punchline of a joke about the NFL. No more, though. Since the hiring of Head Coach Marvin Lewis, the Bengals have gone on to win the AFC North Division and have gained respect within the NFL. In his first season (2003), Lewis led the Bengals with an 8-8 record compared to the 2002 record of 2-14. The Bengals have since posted an 8-8 record in 2004 and an 11-5 record with an AFC North Division Championship. Since their turnaround, a visit to a Bengals game is recommended — if you can get a ticket. Their new home is Paul Brown Stadium, named for the Hall of Fame founder and owner/first head coach of the team in their American Football League days.

• Cincinnati Reds, 100 Main Street (Great American Ball Park; Corner of Main Street and Second Street), +1-(513)-765-7000. The "Big Red Machine" has always been a leader in professional baseball since its formation as the first professional baseball team. The team earned their nickname during the 1970s, when the team made six post-season appearances and won two World Series with the likes of Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, Tony Perez and manager Sparky Anderson. The Reds' new home is Great American Ball Park, located on the downtown riverfront near the site of the stadium it replaced, the now-demolished Riverfront Stadium.

• ECHL Hockey Cincinnati Cyclones, U.S. Bank Arena (Riverfront), +1-(513)-421-PUCK. Hockey has a long legacy in Cincinnati. In the seventies, Cincinnati was home to a WHA team, in the Cincinnati Stingers, and an AHL team, in the Cincinnati Swords. Then came the Cyclones in various incarnations, and the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks. The Cincinnati Gardens was frequented by the likes of Barry Melrose, Don Biggs, Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky on a pretty regular basis. Now, the third incarnation of the Cincinnati Cyclones plays in the ECHL. Crowds run closer to 1,500 people, far below the capacity of 16,000, so tickets should be easy to come by. $13-$20.

• University of Cincinnati Bearcats, 2700 Varsity Way. The University of Cincinnati has a strong tradition in football and basketball. The two-time national champion basketball team plays their games at Fifth Third Arena, formerly the Shoemaker Center. The football team plays at Nippert Stadium.

• Xavier University Musketeers, 3800 Victory Parkway, +1-(513)-745-3411 (tickets@xavier.edu, fax: +1-(513)-745-3063). Box Office Hours: M-F 9AM-5PM. The XU basketball team plays at the Cintas Center, just northeast of downtown.

Learn

• Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, 3520 Central Parkway (located at the confluence of I-75 and I-74, at the intersection of Central Parkway and Ludlow Avenue, technically in the neighborhood of Clifton), +1-(513)-861-7700. Cincinnati State is the technical and community college of choice in the region and nationally recognized for academic excellence and workforce development.

• College of Mt. St. Joseph on the Ohio, 5701 Delhi Road, +1-(513)-244-4200. Private Catholic college located in Cincinnati's western suburb of Delhi. Known for its Education majors.

• Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, 3101 Clifton Avenue. HUC-JIR is the oldest "new world" Jewish seminary, founded in 1875 by Cincinnati Rabbi Isaac M. Wise. Since Rabbi Wise was one of the key rabbis in the development of Reform Judaism, the school follows in his footsteps preparing its students for services in the Reform community.

• University of Cincinnati, 2600 Clifton Avenue, +1-(513)-556-6000. UC is a public university located in the neighborhoods of Avondale, Corryville, Clifton Heights, and University Heights. Ranked as one of America’s Top 25 public research universities and in the Top 50 of all American universities, UC has an annual enrollment of approximately 35,000 students, making it one of the largest universities in the U.S. Though many incorrectly refer to the main Campus of the University as its "Clifton Campus", the University is not located within the Clifton neighborhood.

• Xavier University, 3800 Victory Parkway, +1-(513)-745-3000. Xavier (pronounced Zay-vyur) is a private Catholic college located in the neighborhood of Evanston.

Work

Cincinnati is home to numerous international corporations that are important employers within the Greater Cincinnati area. The region fares well nationally with 10 Fortune 500 companies and 18 Fortune 1000 companies headquartered in the Cincinnati area. Statistically, Greater Cincinnati ranks sixth in the U.S. with 4.98 Fortune 500 companies per million residents and fourth in the U.S. with 8.96 Fortune 1000 companies per million residents. A few of Cincinnati's important employers include: Fifth Third Bank, Great American Insurance, Federated Department Stores, Kroger and Procter & Gamble.

In the summer, restaurants and amusement parks employ large numbers of foreign students with J-1 Visas. Kings Island in particular is a major employer, hiring several thousand foreign college students.

Buy

Cincinnati has 52 neighborhoods, and each one has its own unique shopping districts. Some of the more noteworthy are Clifton Gaslight District (Ludlow Avenue between Clifton Avenue and Middleton Avenue), which offers bohemian and international shops, Mt. Washington Water Tower District (Beechmont Avenue between Campus Lane and Crestview Place), Northside Business District (Ludlow Viaduct/Blue Rock Street/Spring Grove Avenue), Hyde Park Square (Erie Avenue between Zumstein Avenue and Shaw Avenue) and Oakley Square (Madison Road between Hyde Park Avenue and Marburg Avenue) offer upscale boutiques.

If you're searching for something that is quintessentially Cincinnati, be sure to look for Rookwood Pottery, Findlay Market, or Graeter's handmade candy.

• The Rookwood Pottery Company, 2619 Glendora Avenue (Corryville) (Near the University of Cincinnati), +1-(513)-381-2510. Due to Great Depression, a dramatic decrease in demand for the company's handcrafted quality artwork caused the original Rookwood Pottery closed its doors. The legendary status of Rookwood Pottery inspired its resurrection in mid-2006.

• Bengals Pro Shop (Riverfront, located inside Paul Brown Stadium.), +1-866-774-4776. W-F 8AM-6PM, Sa 6AM-6PM, Su 11AM-4PM, M-Tu contact vendors. Get your Bengals gear here.

• Findlay Market, 1801 Race Street, +1-(513)-665-4839 (info@findlaymarket.org). W-F 8AM-6PM, Sa 6AM-6PM, Su 11AM-4PM, M-Tu contact vendors. Ohio's oldest continuously operating market offers collection of fresh food vendors, restaurants, and non-food shops that's been in operation since 1855.

• Joseph-Beth Booksellers, 2692 Madison Road (In the Rookwood Center, on the Norwood-Cincinnati municipal border), +1-(513)-396-8960. M-Th 9AM-10PM, F,Sa 9AM-11PM, Su 10AM-9PM. Locally owned bookstore. Many nationally known authors sign books here.

• Tower Place Mall (Downtown, Inside Carew Tower) (concierge@towerplace.com). Every day 10AM-8PM, Su noon-5PM. Tower Place Mall is a the three-level shopping center features dozens of exclusive shops and renowned retail establishments and an expansive food court with over a dozen dinning options.

• Saks Fifth Avenue, 101 West 5th Street (Downtown, Fifth and Race Streets, Opposite Hilton Netherlands Plaza Hotel), +1-(513)-421-6800. M-W 10AM-6PM, Th 10AM-8PM, F-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su noon-5PM. A branch of the upscale department store selling high-priced designer goods.

• Shake It Records, 5156 Hamilton Avenue (Northside), +1-(513)-591-0123. M-Sa 11AM-9PM, Su noon-6PM. Independent record label and record store. They have just about every CD you can imagine. They also carry used CDs and vinyl, DVDs, books, magazines, and Japanese toys.

Eat

This guide uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink:
Budget	$15 or less
Mid-range	$16 - 25
Splurge	$25 or more

Budget

• Amor de Brazil Fiery Steakhouse, 5150 Merten Drive, Mason, OH 45040 (513) 336-0043 Amor de Brazil offers a fine dining experience with the highest quality in its selection of 15 cuts of grilled meats with seasonings and marinades that represent a tradition of great flavors. Enjoy their salad extravaganza with as many as 50 different items. A fine dining experience for one price and great value.

• Aglamesis Bros, 3046 Madison Road (Oakley), +1-(513)-531-5196. A long-time competitor of Graeter's in the gourmet ice cream category. Take a step back in time as this parlor is largely unchanged since it was opened in 1913!

• Arthur's Cafe, 3516 Edwards Rd (Hyde Park), +1-(513)-871-5543. M-Sa 11AM-2:30AM, Su 11AM-9:30PM.. Great bar and cafe in trendy Hyde Park neighborhood. Excellent burgers that are borderline amazing. On Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays, Arthur's has "burger madness" where burgers are $5.50 with unlimited toppings.

• The Echo, 3510 Edwards Road (Hyde Park), +1-(513)-321-2816. Great diner located just off of Hyde Park Square. Try the fish special on Fridays (closed after lunch except Th-Sa). Roughly $10 or less.

• Graeter's Ice Cream, 322 Ludlow Avenue (Clifton), +1-(513)-281-4749. Hours: M-Sa 7AM-10:45PM. Su 9AM-10:45PM. Quite possibly Cincinnati's greatest gift to humanity. No drive through Cincinnati is complete without Graeter's ice cream or another one of their delicious desserts. There are other locations throughout Cincinnati, including one store directly on the Hyde Park Plaza. About $4 per person, unless you opt for more expensive treats. In that case you could spend upwards of $20.

• Ingredients, 21 E. 5th St (Downtown, inside Westin Hotel Atrium), 513-852-2740. Ingredients is restaurant with a unique concept and motto: "(some assembly required)". Ingredients serves salads, paninis, sandwiches, and pizzas all made to order. The ingredients used are all gourmet and very tasty!

• Izzy's, 800 Elm Street (Downtown), +1-(513)-241-6246. Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 8am-5pm. Izzy's is well known for its reubens and other corned beef sandwiches. This deli has other delicious sandwiches and its corned beef is available to purchase at any Kroger's grocery store. Served with your sandwich is a big potato pancake. There are multiple locations in the Cincinnati area.

• Jim Dandy's Family BBQ, 2343 E Sharon Rd., +1-(513)-771-4888. Jim Dandy's, although rather new, is considered by many as one of the best traditional barbecue restaurants. Jim Dandy himself is usually on hand to handle the customers, oversee the smoking, and just hang out with whatever crowd is eating.

• LaRosa's Pizzeria, 2717 Vine Street (Clifton, near UC Campus and Bogart's), +1-(513)-347-1111. Founded in 1954 on Cincinnati's west side, LaRosa's is one of the most popular pizza chains in the Cincinnati area. LaRosa's serves in addition to a large selection of pizzas; calzones, pasta, and salads. If you dial the 347-1111 number an operator from the central call center will pick up the phone and you can place an order through them. If you give them your address they should be able to direct you to the nearest store, if you want to pick up your food, otherwise they'll have the nearest store deliver to you. $10-20.

• Tucker's Restaurant, 1637 Vine Street (Over-the-Rhine), +1 (513) 721-7123. Tucker's has been dishing out food since 1946 and is well-known amongst Cincinnatians. Joe Tucker, the owner, has become famous for socializing with his guests. $10 or less.

• Busken Bakery (Multiple Locations). A local fixture since 1928. No trip to Cincinnati is complete without sampling some of Busken's cookies, cakes, breads, or other baked goods.

• Zips Cafe, 1036 Delta Ave (Mt. Lookout Square), +1-(513)-871-9876 (info@zipscafe.com). Mon-Sat: 10:30 am - 11:30 pm, Sun: 11 am - 11:30 pm. Zips Cafe is not only the absolute best place in Cincinnati to get a burger (The Zip Burger), but it is also a bar! Perfect for the budget traveler! $5-$10.

Chili

Cincinnati is famous for its own unique kind of chili, based on a Greek recipe. It contains finely-ground meat, no beans or onions, and usually contains spices such as cinnamon or cocoa powder, and not as much tomato as traditional recipes. It is served over spaghetti with finely-shredded Cheddar cheese on top, known as a "three-way"; add onions to make it a "four-way," and beans for a "five-way." It's also served over hot dogs with shredded Cheddar cheese on top, known as a "cheese coney." Cincinnati has more chili restaurants per capita than any city in the United States. The debate over where to find the best Cincinnati chili is almost a religious war. Two major chili-parlor chains are dominant, but individual parlors and other smaller chains have their fans as well.

• Empress Chili, 8340 Vine Street. Founded in 1922 by two brothers from Greece. Empress is named after the burlesque theater that was originally located next door. It has been suggested that the Empress Chili concept was copied by other chili restaurants. Empress Chili consistently wins taste tests of Cincinnati's chili chains.

• Skyline Chili, 254 East Fourth Street (Fourth and Sycamore Street), +1-(513)-241-4848. The most famous chili chain, with locations in numerous other Midwest and Florida cities. Their chili is sold in supermarkets throughout the Midwestern United States in frozen packages or cans.

• Camp Washington Chili, 3005 Colerain Avenue (Camp Washington), +1-(513)-541-0061. Considered by most locals to be the original home of Cincinnati-style chili, though Empress Chili had opened 18 years earlier.

• Price Hill Chili, 4920 Glenway Ave (Price Hill), +1-(513)-471-9507. M-Th 6AM-11PM, F-Sa 6AM-2AM, Su 7AM-3PM. Price Hill Chili has been a landmark for the past 45 years, serving up Cincinnati favorites to West Side regulars. Cincinnati chili and stacked double-deckers are what Price Hill Chili is all about. The menu includes specialty dinners and salads. You can get goetta, Cincy-style. under $10.

• Gold Star Chili, 2713 Vine Street, +1-(513)-751-8841. One of Cincinnati's major chili chains. Just as well liked as Skyline amongst Cincinnatians. For more locations, see Gold Star's store locater.

Mid-range

• Porkopolis, 1077 Celestial Street, +1-(513)-721-5456. Hours: Su-Th 11AM-9PM, F-Sa 11AM-10PM. Porkopolis (formerly Rookwood Pottery) is a burger and ribs restaurant, which is housed in the National Historical Register Building that used to be home Rookwood Pottery. $10-$20.

• Cadillac Ranch, 41 East 6th Street (corner of 6th and Walnut, Fountain Square), +1-(513)-621-6200,. Cadillac Ranch is Cincinnati's Premier All-American bar and grill. It is open for lunch dinner and late-night fun. It offers the best country, party and rock music, live bands and the baddest mechanical bull in town! $10-$25.

• Indigo Casual Gourmet Cafe, 2637 Erie Avenue (Hyde Park), +1-(513)-321-9952. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-midnight. Indigo is a small, but chic place to eat. The atmosphere is relaxed and offers a great outdoor patio. Menu consists of pastas, pizzas, and salads. Highly recommended. $10-$25.

• Nicholson's Tavern & Pub, 625 Walnut Street (Downtown, Across from the Aronoff Center), +1-(513)-564-9111. Hours: M-Th 11AM-10PM, F 11AM-11PM, Sa 4PM-11PM, Su 4PM-11PM. $20-$50 a person.

• Cumin Indian Fusion Cuisine, 3520 Erie Avenue (Hyde Park), +1-(513)-871-8714 (info@cuminrestaurant.com, fax: +1-(513)-871-3287). Lunch hours: M-F 11:30AM-2:30PM (Dinner hours: M-Sa 5-11PM). A boutique Indian cuisine restaurant.

• Nicola's Ristorante, 1420 Sycamore Street, +1-(513)-721-6200. Italian fine Dining in downtown Cincinnati. Wine list is so-so, but atmosphere and food are excellent.

• Primavista, 810 Matson Place, +1-(513)-251-6467 (primavista@fuse.net). Mon.-Thu. 5:30-9:30PM, Fri. 5:30-10PM, Sat. 5-10:30PM, Sun. 5-9PM. Where the food is as captivating as the view of Downtown Cincinnati, Primavista specializes in fresh fish and veal dishes & also offering seafood, steaks, lamb, poultry, and pasta. $6-$30.

• Shanghai Mama's, 216 E 6th Street (Downtown), +1-(513)-241-7777. M-Th 11AM-9:30PM, F 11AM-3AM, Sa 5PM-3AM, Su closed. Shanghai Mama's is a great place to grab some late-night grub. You can't go wrong with any of their noodle or rice dishes. They also feature soups and vegetarian options. $10 - $15.

• Mejana, 25 West Sixth Street (Downtown), +1-(513)-333-0660 (fax: +1-(513)-333-0098). Monday thru Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-11pm, Sunday 11am-10pm. Mejana, a mediterranian resturant, has won First Place at the Taste of Cincinnati for their Chicken Shawirma Sandwich and has won the Award of Excellence for their Baba Ghanouj app! Mejana also has outside hookah. $6-$20.

• Vinyl, 1203 Sycamore Street (Over-the-Rhine), +1-(513)-898-1536 (rsvp@vinylcincinnati.com). Dinner: Monday - Thursday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm, Friday - Saturday: 5:00pm - 12:00am, Sunday Brunch: 11:00am – 3:00pm. Vinyl was transformed from a former historic diner car into a sleek and modern resturant geared towards the 21+ crowd. The highlights are kobe mini burgers, duck confit spring rolls, artisinal corn dogs & a ceviche that changes daily. Under $30.

Splurge

• Boi Na Braza, 441 Vine St, +1-(513)-421-7111 (boinabraza.cincinnati@boinabraza.com, fax: +1-(513)-421-7112). Boi Na Braza is a Brazillian Steakhouse located in the Carew Tower in Fountain Square. They serve steak, lamb, chicken and pork dishes. $51 and up.

• The Celestial Steakhouse, 1071 Celestial St (Mt. Adams), +1-(513)-241-4455 (thecelestialgm@fuse.net, fax: +1-(513)-241-4855). Mon.-Thu. 5-9:30PM, Fri.-Sat. 5-10:30PM, Sun. 4-9PM, Lounge: Fri.-Sat. 4PM-1AM. Rated the Most Romantic by the Cincinnati Enquirer and the New York Times, Celestial's seasonal menu is eclectic and contemporary, with delightful steak and seafood offerings. Wine connoisseurs might appreciate the hundreds of vintages available from the wine cellar. $22 for the least expensive, expect $35+.

• Jean-Robert at Pigalls, 127 West Fourth Street (Downtown,), +1-(513)-721-1345 (info@pigalls.com, fax: +1-(513)-352-6010). Tu-Th 6PM-10PM. F-Sa 5:30PM-10:30PM. Jean-Robert de Cavel, a former five star chef at the closed Maisonette, opened his own upscale restaurant at the location of Cincinnati's former Pigall's restaurant and now serves French food along with great service, which earned the restaurant a four star rating. $74 (Three Course Prix Fixe). Free valet parking.

• Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse, 700 Walnut Street (Downtown, Across from the Aronoff Center), +1-(513)-784-1200. M-Th 5PM-10PM, F,Sa 5PM-11PM. Upscale Steakhouse owned by Jeff Ruby, who gained fame for kicking OJ Simpson out of his restaurant in Louisville. Roughly $31 and up.

• McCormick & Schmick's, 21 East Fifth Street (Downtown, across from Fountain Square), +1-(513)-721-9339. McCormick's & Schmick's is a very classy seafood restaurant located across the street from Fountain Square. They serve fresh seafood imported from exotic locations all over the world. The restaurant also serves meat and poultry for less adventurous. $17-30.

• Montgomery Inn Ribs, 925 Riverside Drive (formerly Eastern Avenue) (Riverfront, near Sawyer Point), +1-(513)-721-7427. M-Th 11AM-10:30PM, F 11AM-11PM, Sa 3PM-11PM, Su 3PM-10PM. Renowned as the place to go for great baby-back ribs Montgomery Inn has become one of Cincinnati's most beloved eateries. The flagship restaurant is located in the village of Montgomery, in the northeast suburbs.

• Palomino, 505 Vine Street (Fountain Square), +1-(513)-381-1300. Lunch: Monday - Saturday: 11:30am - 2:30pm Dinner: Sunday - Thursday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm, Friday - Saturday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm. Palomino is a vibrant restaurant, bar and rotisserie famous for its style, hardwood fired Mediterranean cooking and versatile, imaginative menu. $31-$50.

• The Precinct, 311 Delta Ave (Columbia-Tusculum), toll free +1-(877)-321-5454 (fax: +1-(513)-321-8010). Sun.-Thu. 5-10PM, Fri.-Sat. 5-11PM. The Origional Jeff Ruby Steakhouse, set in a former police precinct! 30+.

• Teller's of Hyde Park, 2710 Erie Avenue (Hyde Park), +1-(513)-321-4721 (info@tellersofhydepark.com, fax: +1-(513)-321-4717). Tellers is a trendy restaurant located in old bank building in Hyde Park Square. Tellers has an excellent outdoor patio for dining in the summer. The food is very contemporary American fare. $14-61.

Drink

Forbes Magazine ranked Cincinnati's nightlife first in the nation for singles. With several very popular clubs and bars closing recently due to a somewhat dubious claim of a 'slowed business', actual Cincinnati singles may raise their eyebrows at their city's exalted status. However, Cincinnati and the tri-state area do provide an amazing array of bars, clubs, and concert venues.

The Main Street Entertainment District (located on Main Street north of 12th Street in Over-the-Rhine) is a popular area featuring many clubs and bars. The area is always busy on weekends, especially with many young professionals. Across the Ohio River in Kentucky, many restaurants and nightspots are located along the riverbank in Covington and Newport, particularly the Newport on the Levee.

• The Comet, 4579 Hamilton Ave (Northside), +1-(513)-541-8900. Bar open daily 4:00pm to 2:30am, Kitchen open daily 4:00pm to 1:00am. Featuring a huge selection of beverages including over 200 beers, The Comet's famous San Francisco - style burritos, the hippest jukebox, 2 pool tables, work from local artists, and live music weekly and there is never a cover!

• Havana Martini Club, 441 Vine Street (Downtown, Inside Carew Tower with the entrance outside), +1-(513)-651-2800. M-Th 4PM-1AM; F 4PM-2:30AM; Sa,Su 6PM-2:30AM, Happy hour: M-F 4:20PM-7:30PM.. The Havana Martini Club bills itself as an after work bar for professionals.

• McFadden's, 19 East 7th Street, +1-(513)-621-6800 (party@mcfaddenscincy.com, fax: +1-(513)-621-2179). 11:30AM-2AM daily.

• Rock Bottom Brewery and Restaurant, 10 Fountain Square (Downtown, On Fountain Square), +1-(513)-621-1588 (fax: +1-(513)-621-1722). M-Sa 11:30AM-10PM, Su noon-9PM. Part of the Rockbottom Brewery chain. Features beer brewed on-site and typical bar food.

• The Blue Wisp Jazz Club, 318 East Eighth Street (Downtown,), +1-(513)-241-WISP. Hours: Su-W 9AM-midnight, Th-Sa 9:30PM-1:30AM.

• The Dock, 603 W. Pete Rose Way (Downtown,), +1-(513)-241-5623. Tu-Th Su 8PM-2:30AM, F-Sa 8PM-4AM. Gay night club.

• Poison Room, 301 West Fifth Street (Downtown, Entrance across the street from Convention Center), +1-(513)-333-0010. The Poison Room has two floors and features local music. On the weekends, the second floor aka "the Toxic Room" features djs spinning the latest music.

• Whiskey Dicks, 700 W Pete Rose Way (Downtown/Riverfront), +1-(513)-421-6200 (whiskeydickscincinnati@gmail.com). Whiskey Dicks is a popular college bar/club with Rock, Country and dj's.

• Alchemize, 3929 Spring Grove Ave. (Northside), +1-(513)-541-6777. Alchemize features many locally and nationally known indie music acts. Alchemize is also home to popular dance nights such as girls and boys.

• City View Tavern, 403 Oregon St. (Mount Adams), +1-(513)-241-VIEW. City View Tavern has for years been a popular spot amongst locals to grab an after-work drink. The outdoor deck is small but offers one of the best views of the city.

• Barrelhouse Brewery, 22 E. 12th St (Over-the-Rhine), +1-(513)-421-2337. Tues-Fri 11am-2:30am; Sat. Noon to 2:30am. Gourmet pizzas, speciality sandwiches, fresh salads and the best beer in town.

Sleep

This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
Budget	under $75
Mid-range	$76 - 125
Splurge	$126 and over

Budget

• Comfort Inn & Suites Cincinnati, 4421 Aicholtz Rd, +1-(513)-947-0100 (fax: +1-(513)-943-2991).

• Quality Hotel & Suites Central Cincinnati Hotel, 4747 Montgomery Rd, +1-(513)-351-6000 (fax: +1-(513)-351-0215). Centrally located only seven miles from downtown Cincinnati, 1.5 miles from Xavier University, 20 miles from the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, and two miles from excellent shopping. Offers 148 guest rooms and suites.

Mid-range

Where did you sleep last night? When you make a reservation at the "Embassy Suites Cincinnati", take a closer look at the address – it's actually in Covington, across the river in Kentucky. Many Covington hotels shamelessly play up their proximity to their more famous neighbor, keeping the dirty secret of the address down in the fine print. From Covington, it's only a short drive across the bridge to get back to downtown Cincinnati and the stadiums, so it's not an inconvenient option for travelers with cars. But if you're here for Cincinnati, it's best experienced in Cincinnati.

• Gaslight B&B, 3652 Middleton Avenue (Clifton), +1-(513)-861-5222. $115 - $150 per night.

• Millennium Hotel Cincinnati, 141 West Sixth Street (Downtown, Entrance on Fifth Street), +1-(513)-352-2100 (cinti@mhrmail.com, fax: +1-(513)-352-2148). check in time: 12PM. A large hotel located three blocks west of Fountain Square and three blocks north of Paul Brown Stadium and the Great American Ball Park. $99 - 179.

• The Terrace Hotel Cincinnati, 15 West Sixth Street (Downtown, Northwest of Fountain Square), +1-(513)-381-4000 (info@terracehotelcincy.com, fax: +1-(513)-381-5158). check in time: 3PM, check out time: 11AM. $109 and above without discounts.

Splurge

• Cincinnatian Hotel, 601 Vine Street (Downtown), +1-(513)-381-3000. Sets the bar for luxury in downtown Cincinnati. Located near Fountain Square and is within walking distance of the convention center and the major businesses in the city. Single: $165, Suites: $254-1,500.

• Hilton Netherland Plaza, 35 West Fifth Street (Downtown, Inside Carew Tower), +1-(513)-421-9100. check in time:. Originally the Netherland Plaza Hotel, a favorite of Bing Crosby and many other celebrities who frequented Cincinnati during it's golden age of WLW radio. Hilton's historic luxury hotel in Cincinnati is the located inside of historic Carew Tower Complex in the heart of Cincinnati (Fourth and Vine Streets). The Carew Tower is the tallest building in Downtown Cincinnati, and an Art Deco architectural landmark.

• Hyatt Regency, 151 West Fifth Street (Downtown, One block west of Fountain Square), +1-(513)-579-1234 (fax: +1-(513)-579-0107). Centrally located hotel with a sports bar and hosts Jazz concerts on Fridays during the summer. The hotel is circular shaped, which, depending on your luck may give you a view of a parking lot, another hotel, or Carew Tower and the Fifth Third Building.

• Westin Cincinnati, 21 E. 5th Street (Downtown, across from Fountain Square and adjacent to Carew Tower), +1-(513)-621-7700 (fax: +1-(513)-852-5670). check in time:. The Westin is located directly across the street from Fountain Square and is connect to Carew Tower via the skywalk. The hotel will offer a great view of Fountain Square when renovation of the square is finished in October. All rooms are non-smoking. $255 - $300.

Contact

• Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, 800 Vine Street (Downtown, in the vicinity of Aronoff Center), +1-(513)-369-6900. M-W 9AM-9PM, Th-Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 1-5PM. Visitors should visit the information desk on the ground floor. Ask a librarian to give you access to the Internet. Access is usually for an hour, but can be extended. Free.

• Cincinnati Post Office Main Office, 1623 Dalton Avenue (Queensgate), 1-800-275-8777. M-F 7:30AM-9PM, Sa 7:30AM-6PM.. Package and shipping price varies.

Wi-Fi

• Cincinnati Bell offers over 300 Wi-Fi spots throughout Cincinnati. Rates are $4.95 an hour or $9.95 for 24 hours payable with credit card. Free for Cincinnati Bell Fuse/Zoomtown customers.
• Lily Pad is a 100% volunteer-driven free Wi-Fi service throughout Cincinnati, available in most public, business, and common areas.

Stay safe

In recent times, Cincinnati has experienced a rise in murder and violent crime, so it's inadvisable to be out alone late at night in certain neighborhoods, particularly Over-the-Rhine, Avondale and Bond Hill. Downtown Cincinnati is generally safe; however, travelers should still travel in groups and exercise caution especially at night.

Homeless people often congregate at sporting events and camp by the Ohio River. They may ask for money. Some are in genuine need, while others are fake or may use the money to fuel addictions. If you wish to help, food may be a wiser donation than cash.

Tornado activity is a problem in mid-spring and even as late as late fall in the tri-state area. Heed all weather warnings provided by the National Weather Service. Please see Tornado safety for more information.

Cope

Banks

• Fifth Third, 429-433 Vine Street (Lobby of Carew Tower, Across the street from garage of Westin Hotel), +1-(513)-579-5580. M-F 8:30AM-5PM.

• National City, 632 Vine Street (Downtown, On the corner of 7th and Vine Street), +1-(513)-579-2345.

• PNC, 3 West Fourth Street (4th Street and Vine Street), +1-(513)-241-8385. M-F 9AM-5PM, closed Sa-Su.

• Key Bank, 580 Walnut Street (Downtown 6th and Walnut), +1-(513)-579-5023.

Hospitals

• University Hospital, 234 Goodman Street (Avondale), +1-(513)-584-1000.

• Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue (Avondale), +1-(513)-636-4200.

Religious services

• Holy Cross-Immaculata Catholic Church, 30 Guido Street (Mount Adams), +1-(513)-381-1792. Roman Catholic treasure. Known as the "Church on the Hill". On Good Friday, many Cincinnatians "climb the steps of Mt. Adams", praying on each step.

• Holy Trinity-St Nicholas Greek Church, 7000 Winton Road, +1-(513)-591-0030. Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is the oldest parish on record in Ohio.

• Plum Street/Wise Temple, 726 Plum Street (Downtown). According to the Temple's website, the Reform movement of Judaism was organized here 160 years ago.

• St. Louis Church, E. Eighth Street (Downtown). Roman Catholic Church located on eastern Downtown. The Chancery offices are located here, as well as the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's Catholic Schools Office.

• St. Francis Xavier Church, Sycamore Street (Located on Eastern Downtown between Sixth and Seventh Streets.). Roman Catholic Jesuit Church.

• St. Francis DeSales Church, 1600 Madison Road (East Walnut Hills, DeSales Corner on Madison Road), +1-(513)-961-1945. Roman Catholic services.

• The Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati, 8092 Plantation Drive (North of Cincinnati in the City of West Chester), +1-(513)-755-3280. Muslim services.

• Clifton Mosque, 3668 Clifton Avenue (Clifton- just north of downtown), +1-(513)-221-4003. Muslim Services.

Get out

Cincinnati is centrally located in reference to other interesting Midwest cities, and the following are accessible as day trips:

• Chicago, The largest city in the Midwest is a little over a four hour drive from Cincinnati via Interstates 74 and 65.
• Cheviot, OH. Tiny city close to Cincinnati, popular destination for bar-goers.
• Cleveland, The Rock and Roll city is located in northern Ohio and is about a four hour drive from Cincinnati.
• Columbus, Ohio's capital and largest city is a 1½ hour drive from Cincinnati.
• Covington (Kentucky). Just south of Cincinnati across the river, home to good resturants and Devou Park, which provides one of the best views of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Mainstrasse Village is a popular destination for bar-goers.
• Creation Museum, 2800 Bullittsburg Church Rd, Petersburg KY (7 miles west of the airport, in Kentucky), +1-888-582-4253. M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su (Memorial-Labor Day) 12PM-6PM. A unique and interesting attraction, whether you believe it or not. This museum presents a "young Earth" interpretation of the book of Genesis, depicting vegetarian dinosaurs roaming the Garden of Eden, and explaining how a world that science suggests to be ancient could be only several thousand years old. $10 children/$20 adults/$15 seniors.
• Daniel Boone National Forest. The Daniel Boone National Forest is home to the Red River Gorge Geological Area--over 80 natural arches, historical sites, and miles and miles of trails made for cross-country backpacking or just day hikes. Eastern Kentucky past the city of Winchester.
• Dayton, Just 45 min. north on I-75. Home of the Wright Brothers, The Dayton Art Institute, The National Museum of the United States Air Force, and The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery.
• Indianapolis, Home of the Indianapolis 500 and Brickyard 400 automobile races. A two-hour drive from Cincinnati via Interstate 74.
• Kentucky Speedway. A new racing speedway located in Sparta KY, home to major motor races.
• Lexington, KY, Lexington is Kentucky's beautiful college town. It's home to the University of Kentucky and the top ranked Wildcats, and is generally acknowledged as the Thoroughbred racehorse capital of the world, with many famous horse farms located nearby. Lexington is a 1½-hour drive south on Interstate 75.
• Louisville Home of the Kentucky Derby, the world's most famous horse race. A 1½-hour drive southwest on Interstate 71.
• Mammoth Cave National Park. The world's largest cave system, located in Kentucky. About three hours southwest, via Interstates 71 and 65.
• Milford-Miami Township. An average town with plenty of outdoor activities and parks.
• Newport (Kentucky). Just south of Cincinnati across the river, locally famous because it was home to local Italian mobsters. Newport Aquarium and Newport on the Levee are popular destinations.
• Oxford (Ohio). Home to Miami University, called "the prettiest campus ever there was" by Robert Frost.
• Perfect North Slopes. Winter ski resort in nearby Lawrenceburg, IN. 1/2 hour from Cincinnati.
• Serpent Mound. The largest effigy of a serpent in North America (¼ mile long). The park is dated to belong to the Fort Ancient era. The mound apparently represents an uncoiling serpent eating an egg. It's believed that the head of the serpent is aligned with the summer solstice sunset and the coiled tail is pointed toward the winter solstice sunrise and the equinox sunrise. Located at 3850 State Route 73 in Peebles, Ohio.