From Wikitravel Shared

Cincinnati [2] is Ohio's third largest city and second largest metro region. Cincinnati lies on the North bank of the Ohio River in Southwest Ohio in the United States of America. Across the river in Kentucky are the cities of Covington and Newport.

Downtown Cincinnati is surrounded by picturesque foothills on all sides, creating many beautiful views of the Queen City and its legendary skyline, made famous both by the television show "WKRP", which showed the city in the opening credits of every episode, and the Skyline Chili company which was founded here.

[edit] Understand

Cincinnati is named after The Society of the Cincinnati, which was founded at the end of the Revolutionary War and was itself named after the Roman consul Cincinnatus. Arthur St. Clair, a member of The Society of the Cincinnati and the first governor of the Northwest Territory renamed Losantiville to Cincinnati in honor of the Society.

"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?"

In its early years, Cincinnati's local economy was powered largely by the pork industry. This pork heritage was made evident by a host of flying pig statues that lined the streets of downtown during the Big Pig Gig in the summer of 2000. Many of these pigs are still on display at various locations downtown, as well as at businesses, parks and private residences throughout the area.

Cincinnati also has a charming riverboat heritage due to the large, steam powered, paddle-wheel driven vessels that were used for exportation of the locally produced pork products. The local stretch of river here is overrun by riverboats (and people) during the Tall Stacks Festival which is held in Cincinnati every four years. Baseball is another Cincinnati tradition going back to the earliest days of the sport. The Cincinnati Reds were the first professional baseball team in the United States, which is why opening day is held at home every season. Recently, the city built a new stadium for the Reds, The Great American Ballpark. Other recent developments on the riverfront include Paul Brown Stadium (home of the Bengals), the Newport Aquarium in Newport, KY, and The Underground Railroad Freedom Center. The Cincinnati Art Museum and the "Playhouse in the Park" are located on neighboring hills in Eden Park.

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.

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

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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 nightscene, 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 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. OTR is a widely discussed neighborhood in Cincinnati because of the rampant gentrification taking place in recent years, resulting in an influx of wealthier residents (or simply bar patrons) in a neighborhood that had previously been a low income area.

[edit] 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
Forecast	Check Cincinnati's 7 day forecast at NOAA.

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 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.

[edit] Newspapers

• Cincinnati Enquirer, [3]. Morning daily newspaper, including a Sunday edition. Features Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Jim Borgman[4]. Located downtown.
• Cincinnati Post, [5]. Afternoon daily newspaper, Monday through Saturday. Features award-winning photographers and reporters.
• City Beat,[6]. Alternative news and entertainment weekly.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By air

There are two airports close to Cincinnati:

• 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.), ☎ +1-(859)-767-3151 (info@cvgairport.com), [7]. 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. CVG is the costliest airport in the U.S. to fly to or from, so it may be wise for you to look into flying into Louisville, Dayton, Columbus or Indianapolis. Louisville, Columbus, and Indianapolis are all within a two hour drive from Cincinnati, while Dayton is only 45 - an hour away. Delta has it's second largest airport at CVG so Delta may offer more direct flights to or from CVG.

[edit] 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!

[edit] By train

• Amtrak, 1301 Western Ave (Union Terminal/Cincinnati Museum Center), ☎ 1-800-872-7245 (Amtrak's main line), [8]. Hours- 11pm to 630am Tuesday to Sunday. 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. (See Taxis.)

[edit] By bus

• Greyhound, 1005 Gilbert Avenue, ☎ +1-(513)-352-6012, [9]. 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, [10]. Megabus is a budget bus company offering service to Cincinnati from Chicago, Indianapolis, and Columbus. Fares start at $1.

[edit] 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 subway have been used for various purposes including the conversion of the Liberty Street station into a nuclear fallout shelter.

[edit] Bus

Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (Sorta) [11] operates Metro, the bus company that operates on the Ohio side. The Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (Tank) operates all bus routes in Northern Kentucky and any route that travels between Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati. Buses lines marked with a "X" are express routes and often by-pass many of the stops on a regular line so ask a bus driver before getting on to make sure the bus stops where you need it to.

Payment systems are different on both systems except that riders must pay with exact fare, because no change is given.

Metro charges riders based on the location where they start the bus ride and their destination and which zones the ride starts/ends in. Metro has three 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, respectively, are: $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 normally required. Transferring between one bus route to another on the Metro system requires another 25 cents for a transfer ticket and if you are transferring from a Zone 2 or 3 to another Zone 2 or 3 bus make sure the bus driver hole punches the appropriate zone on the transfer ticket otherwise you'll have to pay the difference between a zone 2 and zone 1 fare.

Tank buses charge a flat rate of $1.25 for all adults, $0.50 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 a Tank bus and a Metro bus cost and additional $0.50 or $0.40 if transferring from Metro bus to a Tank bus.

[edit] Government Square

Government Square is the main bus hub for Metro and is located on Walnut Street. The square receives its name from the fact that it is bordered by the Federal Office Building, a Federal Courthouse, and a Federal Reserve Bank branch. After extensive renovations the square reopened in August 2006 and is again the heart of Sorta's Metro stations. An information kiosk provides information on bus routes when staffed. Free WiFi is now available at the station too.

[edit] Lines

This is a short list of the most important SORTA (Metro) lines pertaining to tourists. 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").

[edit] Taxis

Several taxi companies in Cincinnati include:

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

[edit] See

• Carew Tower & Observation Deck, 441 Vine Street (Downtown), ☎ +1-513-579-9735, [12]. 10:00 - 17:30 Mon-Sat, 11:00 - 17:00 Sun. The 49th floor of Cincinnati's tallest building provides a breathtaking view of the city.

• Cincinnati Music Hall, 1243 Elm Street (Over-the-Rhine,), ☎ +1-513-744-3344 (fax: +1-513-744-3345), [13].

• Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine (Downtown,), [14]. The newly renovated Fountain Square holds the Tyler Davidson Fountain, newly added and renovated restaurants, ice skating rink, big screen video board, and a hands-on water wall! It is also a free wireless internet hot-spot.

• Cincinnati Observatory Center, 3489 Observatory Place (Mount Lookout,), ☎ +1-513-321-5186., [15]. 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.

• John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge (Riverfront,), [16]. 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 John A Roebling's design of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York.

• Ingalls Building, 4th and Vine (Downtown,), ☎ ., [17]. The Ingalls Building was the first reinforced-concrete skyscraper in the world. Reflecting its importance as the first high-rise of its type, the Ingalls Building was designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1974, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

• PNC Tower, 1 West 4th Street (Downtown,), ☎ ., [18]. When completed the PNC Tower was the 5th-tallest building in the world, only behind buildings in New York.

• Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum, 4521 Spring Grove Avenue, [19]. This sprawling cemetery dates back over 160 years, and is the final resting place of many gypsies and famous Civil War generals and Ohio businessmen. The unique layout makes it feel less like a cemetery and more like a park that just happens to have people buried in it. Stop by the office on your way in for a free map.

[edit] Religious buildings

• Holy Cross-Immaculata Catholic Church, 30 Guido Street (Mount Adams,), ☎ +1-513-381-1792, [20]. Roman Catholic treasure. Known as the "Church on the Hill". On Good Friday, many Cincinnatian "Climb the steps of Mt. Adams" praying on each step.

• Plum Street Temple, 726 Plum Street (Downtown), ☎ +1-513-793-2556, [21]. 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), [22]. Saint Peter in Chains Cathedral is a beautifully and ornate cathedral, a recommended sight for anyone traveling through Cincinnati or anyone who wants to have their soul saved.

[edit] Museums & Galleries

• 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), [23]. Th-Tu ('''Closed Monday''') 11AM-5PM, W 11AM-8PM.. The Cincinnati Art Museum is located in the beautiful Eden Park, which perfectly reflects the artwork the museum houses. The museum routinely has a special exhibition and has 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.

• 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), [24]. Hours: Mon.: Closed; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 11:00 - 17; Thursday 11 - 20; Saturday: 10 - 17; Sunday: 12 - 17. Closed January 1, Thanksgiving, and December 25. Admission: 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.

• Contemporary Arts Center, 44 East Sixth Street (Downtown, Across from the Aronoff Center.), ☎ +1-(513)-345-8400 (fax: +), [25]. 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 Center, itself is a piece of art with 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.

• 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), [26]. 9AM-5:30PM. 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 admission.

• Cincinnati Fire Museum, 315 West Court Street, ☎ +1-(513)-621-5553, [27]. Tu-F 10AM-4PM, Sa Su noon-4PM. Closed all holidays.. Adults $6, Seniors $5, Children $4.

• Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, 1301 Western Avenue (Queensgate), ☎ +1-(513)-287-7000 (information@cincymuseum.org), [28]. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-6PM. The museum center is comprised of four museums: 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.

• Museum of Natural History, [29]. An Ice Age trail, and ice and limestone caves are highlights of this museum.

• History Museum, [30]. Scale model-train displays of Cincinnati at various periods are good, as are several expository displays of river life, culminating in a riverfront Main Street with a riverboat.

• Children's Museum, [31]. Best part: terrific ball-blaster area with lots of baskets, treadmills, and air pipes to send balls through. Great parts: A tree-house themed play area and a water area. Good parts: Building blocks, toy hammer-and-nails, and a working crane.

• Robert D. Lindner Family OMNIMAX Theater, [32]. Currently, "Beavers," a nature film about beavers. Please call the theater for showtimes.

• National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 East Freedom Way (Riverfront), ☎ +1-(513)-333-7500, [33]. Tuesday - Sunday 11:00 - 17:00 (Closed: Labor Day, September 7, October 15 at 14:00, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day). Admission: $12 Adults, $10 Seniors, $8 Children.

• 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), [34]. Tuesday - Saturday: 10 - 17:30. Sunday: Noon - 17:00. Free admission.

• Pendelton Art Center, 1310 Pendleton Street (Downtown), ☎ +1-(513)-559-3958 ext. 1257 (info@pendletonartcenter.com), [35]. Final Fridays: 6-10PM; Second Look Saturdays: 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 is the home to many floors of local art. You may also buy/sell art. Free admission.

• Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, 3400 Vine Street (Avondale), ☎ +1-800-94-HIPPO. (info@cincinnatizoo.org), [36]. Until early October hours are normally 9AM-5PM with several days the zoo will be open until 6PM.. 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.

• Harriet Beecher-Stowe House, 2950 Gilbert Avenue (Walnut Hills), ☎ +1-513-751-0651. (bleefurr@aol.com), [37]. Hours vary, see website. Harriet Beecher-Stowe is famous for writing the anti-slavery Uncle Tom's Cabin. Admission is free, but donations welcomed.

• Creation Museum, 2800 Bullittsburg Church Rd, Petersburg KY (7 miles west of the airport, in Kentucky), ☎ +1-888-582-4253, [38]. 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.

[edit] Parks

The Cincinnati Parks system, with more than 100 parks and green spaces, comprises more than 5,000 acres and is the most extensive and highest regarded park system in the nation. Whether you enjoy scenic overlooks, hiking, floral landscapes or picnics, these and many other activities can be enjoyed throughout the Cincinnati Parks system.

• Sawyer Point, 720 E. Pete Rose Way (Riverfront,), ☎ +1-513-352-4000, [39]. Daily 6AM-11PM. Sawyer Point is one of Cincinnati's party park, 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), [40]. Mt. Echo is famous for its stellar view of downtown Cincinnati.

• Ault Park, 3600 Observatory Ave (Mount Lookout), [41]. Ault Park is great for bikers, hikers and joggers. An annual 4th of July celebration is held there with music and fireworks.

• Eden Park, 950 Eden Park Drive (Entrances from Kemper Lane, Victory Parkway, Nassau Avenue, Martin Drive or Gilbert Ave), [42]. 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. Admission: Free.

• Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive (Eden Park,), ☎ +1-513-421-4086, [43]. 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.

[edit] Do

The free CiN Weekly, [44] magazine available in grocery stores, gas stations, and bookstores has a great calendar for events, concerts, plays, and festivals. CiN Weekly would be an excellent guide for solo travelers or families. Additionally, the free City Beat [45] magazine is geared toward college students and has a good list of upcoming events.

[edit] Music & theatre

• Playhouse in the Park, 962 Mt. Adams Circle (Mt. Adams), ☎ +1-(513)-421-3888, [46].

• Cincinnati Music Hall, 1243 Elm Street (Over-the-Rhine), ☎ +1-(513)-744-3344 (fax: +1-513-744-3345), [47]. The Cincinnati Music Hall amongst one of the most spectacular buildings in the Cincinnati area and is rooted not only in Musical history, but American history having played host to the Democratic National Convention of 1880. Music Hall is home to the world renown Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Opera.

• Bogart's Concert Hall, 2621 Vine Street (Corryville), ☎ +1-(513)-562-4949, [48]. Small venue with big acts. Popular among younger people.

• Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Avenue (California/Anderson Township), ☎ +1-(513)-232-6220, [49]. Box office hours: M - Fri. 11:00 - 17:00, Sat, 11:00 - 14:00. Located on the Ohio river and draws big name artists like Elton John, Three Doors Down.

• TimberWolf Amphitheatre, (Mason) (TimberWolf Amphitheatre is located at the Kings Island amusement park). This arena also draws some big name artists. The artists that play here are usually teen heart throbs like Aaron Carter.

• Esquire Theatre, (Clifton), ☎ +1-(513)-281-8750 (info@esquiretheatre.com), [50]. The Esquire Theatre is a movie theatre 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.

[edit] Amusement parks

• Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave (Exit 72 off of I-275), ☎ +1-(513)-232-8230, [51]. The park is usually open from 10:00 - 21:00.. 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. Sunlite Pool is the world's largest recirculating pool (200' by 401'). For cheaper admission go after 4 PM when the price drops to $8.95..

• King's Island, [52]. Paramount's King's Island 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 - Beast, the world's longest wooden roller coaster, and the Son of Beast, the only wooden looping roller coaster. Kings Island has just recently been sold to Cedar Fair, it is currently unclear whether the park's name and name for some of its rides will change.

• The Beach Water Park, 2590 Waterpark Drive (The park is in Mason, OH and is near King Island.), ☎ +1-(513)-398-SWIM (fax: +1-(513)-398-6598), [53]. Between June 11 and August 21 the park is open from 10:00 to 21:00.. The Beach is a dedicated water park and popular place among teenagers and 20 somethings. General admission to the park cost $26.99, however, there are often discounts after 5 PM, on holidays, and Mondays..

[edit] Festivals

• 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 highlighted by the spectacular Rozzi's fireworks display.

• MidPoint Music Festival (MPMF), [54]. 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.

• Party in the Park (Riverfront), [55]. 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. Check the website for details.

• Taste of Cincinnati (Fifth Street), [56]. Taste of Cincinnati is held every Memorial weekend and draws 500,000 people each year. The Taste of Cincinnati is held on four blocks of Central Parkway where more than 40 restaurants sell their food for $4 or less. Live musical acts are brought in to entertain the not-so-hungry. $3.00 and above depending on restaurant booth..

• Oktoberfest, Fifth Street (Downtown), [57]. 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. Check the website for details. $3.00 and above depending on restaurant booth..

• Tall Stacks (Riverfront), [58]. Held every four years, this festival focuses on Cincinnati's riverboat history. The last Tall Stacks was held in 2006 and saw 900,000 visitors.

• PNC Festival of Lights, Dury Avenue (Cincinnati Zoo), [59]. 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 17:00. You'll want to arrive a few hours before the light display starts because there will be very little or no parking by 16:00. See the zoo listing under the See section for more details about the zoo.

[edit] Sports

Sports are taken extremely seriously. Everyone roots for the Reds, and the Cincinnati Bengals, but college basketball is where Cincinnati 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, [60]. The Bengals were almost always the punchline of a joke about the NFL. No more, though, since the hiring of Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis. 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, Great American Ball Park (Riverfront), ☎ +1-(513)-765-7000, [61]. 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, [62]. 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. Despite having a legacy in Cincinnati, don't expect them to draw a sellout of 16,000. If you go, expect around 1,500 people. $13-$20.

• University of Cincinnati Bearcats, 2700 Varsity Way Cincinnati, OH 45521, [63]. 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), [64]. Box Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 - 17:00.. The XU basketball team plays at the Cintas Center, just northeast of downtown.

[edit] Learn

• Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, 3520 Central Parkway (It is 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, [65]. Cincinnati State is the technical and community college of choice in the region, nationally recognized for academic excellence and workforce development.

• College of Mt. St. Joseph on the Ohio, 5701 Delhi Road, ☎ +1-(513)-244-4200, [66]. 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, [67]. 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 Reform Judaism rabbis the school follows in his footsteps preparing its students for services in the Reform Judaism community.

• University of Cincinnati, 2600 Clifton Avenue, ☎ +1-(513)-556-6000, [68]. UC is a public university located in the neighborhoods of Avondale, Corryville, Clifton Heights, and University Heights. Though many incorrectly refer to the main Campus of the University as it's "Clifton Campus", the University is not located within the Clifton neighborhood.

• Xavier University, 3800 Victory Parkway, ☎ +1-(513)-745-3000, [69]. Xavier is a private Catholic college located in the neighborhood of Evanston.

[edit] Work

Cincinnati is home to numerous important businesses, that have become important employers within the Greater Cincinnati area and in the global arena. 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.[70]. A few of Cincinnati's important employers include: Fifth Third Bank [71], Great American Insurance [72], Federated Department Stores [73], Kroger [74] and Procter & Gamble [75].

In the summer large numbers of foreign students can find jobs at the restaurants and amusement parks in the area, provided they have a J-1 Visa. Kings Island, as an example, will hire several thousand foreign college students.

[edit] Buy

Cincinnati contains 52 neighborhoods; each neighborhood has its own unique shopping districts. Some of the more noteworthy shopping districts are: Clifton Gaslight District (Ludlow Avenue between Clifton Avenue and Middleton Avenue) 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 or want a shopping experience that is quintessentially Cincinnati be sure to look for Rookwood Pottery, Findlay Market, Graeter's handmade candy.

• The Rookwood Pottery Company, 2619 Glendora Avenue (Corryville) (Near the University of Cincinnati), ☎ +1-(513)-381-2510, [76]. Browse and purchase pottery from the world famous The Rookwood Pottery Company. Due to Great Depression a dramatic decrease in demands 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, [77]. W-F: 8AM - 6PM, Sat: 6AM - 6PM, Sun: 11AM - 4PM. Monday & Tuesday: Check with individual vendors.

• Findlay Market, 1801 Race Street, ☎ +1-(513)-665-4839 (info@findlaymarket.org), [78]. 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, [79]. M - Th 9:00 - 22:00, Fri & Sat 9:00 - 23:00, Sunday 10:00 - 20:00.. Locally owned bookstore. Many nationally known authors sign books here.

• Tower Place Mall (Downtown, Inside Carew Tower) (concierge@towerplace.com), [80]. Daily 10:00 - 20:00, Sunday 12:00 - 17:00.

• Saks Fifth Avenue, 101 West 5th Street (Downtown, Fifth and Race Streets, Opposite Hilton Netherlands Plaza Hotel), ☎ +1-(513)-421-6800.

• Shake It Records, 5156 Hamilton Avenue (Northside), ☎ +1-(513)-591-0123, [81]. 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.

[edit] 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

[edit] Budget

• Aglamesis Bros, 3046 Madison Road (Oakley), ☎ +1-(513)-531-5196, [82]. Aglamesis Ice Cream, 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. Monday - Saturday 11:00 - 02:30, Sunday 11:00 - 21:30.. 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). Great diner located just off of Hyde Park Square. Try the fish special on Fridays (closed after lunch except for Thursday-Saturday).

• Graeter's Ice Cream, [83]. 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. Locations throughout Cincinnati the Hyde Park location being the most popular.

• Ingredients, 21 E. 5th St (Downtown, inside Westin Hotel Atrium), ☎ 513-852-2740, [84]. 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!

• Jim Dandy's Family BBQ, 2343 E Sharon Rd., ☎ +1-(513)-771-4888, [85]. 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 (Multiple Locations), ☎ +1-(513)-347-1111, [86]. Founded in 1954 on Cincinnati's westside 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. The original location is located at 2411 Boudinot Ave.

• Tucker's Restaurant, 1637 Vine Street (Over-the-Rhine), ☎ 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.

• Zips, 1036 Delta Ave (Mount Lookout), ☎ +1-(513)-871-9876. Sunday - Thursday 11:00 - 22:30, Friday & Saturday 11:00 - 23:20.. Home of the famous Zip burger, this 70 year old Mount Lookout restaurant and bar has been consistently voted best burger in town.

• Quatman Cafe, 2434 Quatman Ave (Norwood), ☎ +1-(513)-731-4370. Monday - Saturday 11:00AM - 10:30PM. "Keep it simple, stupid" is the motto here. No frills, but many locals will tell you this greasy spoon is home to the best burger in town.

• Busken Bakery (Multiple Locations), [87]. A local fixture since 1928. No trip to Cincinnati is complete without sampling some of Busken's cookies, cakes, breads, or other baked goods.

[edit] 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 hotdogs 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. It's almost a religious war as to which Cincinnati chili is the best. Two major chili-parlor chains are dominant, but individual parlors and other smaller chains have their fans as well.

• Empress Chili, 8340 Vine St, [88]. 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 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, [89]. 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, [90]. 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, [91]. 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 6 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday; 7 a.m.-3 p.m Sunday. 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, [92]. One of Cincinnati's major chili chains. Just as well liked as Skyline amongst Cincinnatians. For more locations please see Gold Star's store locater [93].

[edit] Mid-range

• Porkopolis, 1077 Celestial Street, ☎ +1-(513)-721-5456. Sun - Thu: 11AM - 9PM, Fri - Sat: 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.

• Indigo Casual Gourmet Cafe, 2637 Erie Avenue (Hyde Park), ☎ +1-(513)-321-9952. Monday - Thursday 11:00 - 22:00, Friday & Saturday 11:00 - 0:00. 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, [94]. Monday - Thursday 11:00 - 22:00, Friday 11:00 - 23:00, Saturday 16:00 - 23:00, Sunday 16:00 - 21:00. $20-$50 a person.

• Cumin, 3514 Erie Avenue (Hyde Park,), ☎ +1-(513)-871-8714, [95].

• Nicola's Ristorante, 1420 Sycamore Street, ☎ +1-(513)-721-6200, [96]. Italian fine Dining in downtown Cincinnati. Wine list is so-so, but atmosphere and food are excellent.

• Shanghai Mama's, 216 E 6th Street (Downtown), ☎ +1-(513)-241-7777, [97]. Mon - Thu: 11AM - 9:30PM, Fri: 11AM - 3AM, Sat: 5PM - 3AM, Sun: 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.

[edit] Splurge

• Jean-Robert at Pigalls, 127 West Fourth Street (Downtown,), ☎ +1-(513)-721-1345 (fax: +1-(513)-352-6010), [98]. Cincinnati's newest Mobil rated four star restaurant. 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, [99]. Monday - Thursday 17:00 - 22:00, Friday & Saturday 17:00 - 23:00..

• McCormick's & Schmick's, SE Corner of Vine and Fifth St. (Downtown), ☎ 513-721-9339. McCormick's & Schmick's is a very classy seafood restaurant located across the street from Fountian 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,), ☎ +1-(513)-721-7427, [100]. Monday - Thursday 11:00 - 22:30, Friday 11:00 - 23:00, Saturday 15:00 - 23:00, Sunday: 15:00 - 22:00. Renowned as the place to go for great baby-back ribs Montgomery Inn has become one of Cincinnati's most beloved eateries. The flagship location is located in the village of Montgomery, in the northeast suburbs.

• Morton's of Chicago, 28 W. Fourth Street (Downtown, Inside Carew Tower), ☎ +1-(513)-241-4104, [101]. Monday - Saturday 17:30 - 23:00 (bar opens at 16:45); Sunday 17:00 - 22:00.

• Teller's of Hyde Park, 2710 Erie Avenue (Hyde Park), ☎ +1-(513)-321-4721 (info@tellersofhydepark.com, fax: +1-(513)-321-4717), [102]. 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.

[edit] Groceries

• Kroger, 6165 Glenway Avenue (Roughly 6.5 miles from downtown), ☎ Store: +1-(513)-719-2401, Pharmacy: +1-(513)-719-2420, [103]. Open 24 hours a day. The Kroger chain is based in Cincinnati and has at least one store in every town in the area. This particular store has a 24 hour pharmacy.

[edit] Drink

Forbes Magazine ranked Cincinnati as first in the nation for providing an excellent nightlife for singles. While single people may disagree, Cincinnati and the tri-state area do provide an amazing array of big name concerts and local bands. Clubs and bars are providing an increasing amount of entertainment too.

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. The Newport on the Levee area is quite popular.

The free CiN Weekly, [104] magazine has a great calendar for events, concerts, plays, and festivals. CiN Weekly is marketed toward all groups and would be an excellent guide for solo travelers or families. Additionally, the free City Beat [105] magazine,the city's oldest free weekly arts and entertainment publication, is geared toward college students/ young adults and has a good list of upcoming events, bars, restaurants and museums.

• Havana Martini Club, 441 Vine Street (Downtown, Inside Carew Tower with the entrance outside), ☎ +1-(513)-651-2800, [106]. Monday - Thursday 4 PM - 1 AM, Friday 4 PM - 2:30 AM, 6 PM - 2:30 AM, Happy hour: Monday - Friday 4:20 PM - 7:30 PM.. 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), [107]. Daily: 11:30AM to 2AM.

• Rock Bottom Brewery and Restaurant, 10 Fountain Square (Downtown, On Fountain Square), ☎ +1-(513)-621-1588 (fax: +1-(513)-621-1722), [108]. Mon-Sat 11:30 - 22:00, Sun 12:00 - 21:00. Part of the Rockbottom Brewery chain. Features beer brewed onsite and typical bar food.

• The Blue Wisp Jazz Club, 318 East Eighth Street (Downtown,), ☎ +1-(513)-241-WISP, [109]. Sunday - Wednesday 21:00 - 0:00, Thursday - Saturday 21:30 - 1:30..

• The Dock, 603 W. Pete Rose Way (Downtown,), ☎ +1-(513)-241-5623, [110]. Tuesday - Thursday & Sunday 20:00 - 2:30, Friday & Saturday 20:00 - 4:00. 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

• 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, [111]. 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.

[edit] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Comfort Inn & Suites Cincinnati, 4421 Aicholtz Rd, ☎ +1-(513)-947-0100 (fax: +1-(513)-943-2991), [112]. check in time:.

• Quality Hotel & Suites Central Cincinnati Hotel, 4747 Montgomery Rd, ☎ +1-(513)-351-6000 (fax: +1-(513)-351-0215), [113]. check in time:. 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.

[edit] Mid-range

• Gaslight B&B, 3652 Middleton Avenue (Clifton,), ☎ +1-(513)-861-5222, [114]. Check in time: , Check out time:. $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), [115]. check in time: 12 pm. 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), [116]. check in time: 15:00, check out time: 11:00. $109 and above without discounts.

[edit] Splurge

• Cincinnatian Hotel, 601 Vine Street (Downtown), ☎ +1-(513)-381-3000, [117]. check in time:. Rated four stars by Mobil Travel Guide and four diamonds by AAA. 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, [118]. 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), [119].

• 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), [120]. check in time:. The Westin is located directly across the street from Fountain Square and is connect to Carew Tower via skywalk. The hotel will offer a great view of Fountain Square, when renovation of the square is finished in October. The hotel is a non-smoking hotel since all Westin hotels converted from smoking and non-smoking to only non-smoking hotels in 2006. $255 - $300.

[edit] Contact

• Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, 800 Vine Street (Downtown, In the vicinity of Aronoff Center), ☎ +1-(513)-369-6900, [121]. Monday - Wednesday 9:00 - 21:00, Thursday - Saturday 9:00 - 18:00, Sunday 13:00 - 17:00.. 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. Cost: Free..

• Cincinnati Post Office Main Office, 1623 Dalton Avenue (Queensgate), ☎ 1-800-275-8777, [122]. Monday - Friday: 7:30 AM - 21:00, Saturday: 7:30 - 18:00.. Package and shipping price varies.

[edit] WiFi

• Cincinnati Bell offers over 300 WiFi spots through out Cincinnati.
• Lily Pad [123] is a %100 volunteer driven free WiFi service through out Cincinnati available in most public, business, and common areas in Cincinnati.

[edit] Stay safe

Unfortunately, Cincinnati has seen a rise in murder and violent crime and for that reason it's advisable that a person not be out late at night, alone, in parts of the urban neighborhoods of Over-the-Rhine, Avondale and Bond Hill. Downtown Cincinnati is generally safe, however, travelers should still travel in groups, and exercise caution, as in all urban areas.

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

[edit] Cope

[edit] Banks

• Fifth Third, 429-433 Vine Street (Lobby of Carew Tower, Across the street from garage of Westin Hotel), ☎ +1-(513)-579-5580, [124]. Monday - Friday: 08:30 - 17:00.

• National City, 632 Vine Street (Downtown, On the corner of 7 th and Vine Street), ☎ +1-(513)-579-2345, [125].

• PNC, 3 West Fourth Street (4th Street and Vine Street), ☎ +1-(513)-241-8385, [126]. Monday - Friday: 9:00 - 17:00, Closed: Saturday & Sunday.

[edit] Hospitals

• University Hospital, 234 Goodman Street (Avondale), ☎ +1-(513)-584-1000, [127].

• Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue (Avondale), ☎ +1-(513)-636-4200, [128].

[edit] Religious services

• Holy Cross-Immaculata Catholic Church, 30 Guido Street (Mount Adams), ☎ +1-(513)-381-1792, [129]. Roman Catholic treasure. Known as the "Church on the Hill". On Good Friday, many Cincinnatian "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). A Jewish Synagogue.

• 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 Dr (North of Cincinnati in the City of West Chester), ☎ +1-(513)-755-3280, [130]. Muslim services.

[edit] Get out

Cincinnati is centrally located to other interesting Midwest cities. If you're planning on traveling by plane you may want to consider looking into flying out of Columbus' Port Columbus International Airport, which usually offers lower fares than flights out of the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airports. If you're looking for some day trips from Cincinnati be sure to investigate:

• Oxford (Ohio) is home to Miami University, "the prettiest campus ever there was" - Robert Frost, U.S. Poet Laureate.
• 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.
• 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.
• Columbus. Ohio's capital and largest city is a 1½ hour drive from Cincinnati.
• Indianapolis. Home of the Indianapolis 500 and Brickyard 400 automobile races. A two-hour drive from Cincinnati via Interstate 74.
• Mammoth Cave National Park. The world's largest cave system, located in Kentucky. About three hours southwest, via Interstates 71 and 65.
• Cleveland. The Rock and Roll city is located in northern Ohio and is about a four hour drive from Cincinnati.
• Chicago. The largest city in the Midwest is a little over a four hour drive from Cincinnati via Interstates 74 and 65.
• Milford-Miami Township - An average town with plenty of outdoor activities and parks.

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