Cincinnati Travel Guide

At first glance, it would seem that Cincinnati only has sports to offer. After all, it is home to the Cincinnati Reds, the Cincinnati Bengals, annual host to the Cincinnati Masters tennis tournament and has seven major sports venues. But look more closely and you'll realize that this city by the Ohio River has a lot more to offer. There are festivals, such as the Cincinnati Flower Show, Oktoberfest and the MidPoint Music Festival; parks like Sawyer Point, Krohn Conservatory and Mt. Echo; museums like the Cincinnati Art Museum and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center; and amusement parks like the 120-year-old Coney Island, which though not quite as popular as the Coney Island, is still regarded as a local institution.

Sights

Downtown Cincinnati is fairly easy to navigate on foot. The newly renovated Fountain Square with its restaurants, free wi-Fi and seasonal ice-skating rink is every pedestrian's paradise. You can also see the whole of the "Queen City of the West" from the Carew Tower and Observation Deck. Other places of interest in the downtown area are the Great American Ballpark, Music Hall, and several top-tier museums and art galleries including the Taft Museum of Art, the Pendleton Art Center and the Weston Art Gallery. You can also explore Avondale, home to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens.  For a taste of high-end living, you can take a stroll through Hyde Park and stop by the tree-lined boardwalk of Hyde Park Square. If you crave a little bit of history, Over-the-Rhine is worth visiting. OTR, as it is called locally, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 and boasts one of the largest and most impressive collections of Italianate architecture in America.

Dining

When you're in Cincy, it would be a sin not to get a "three-way," "four-way" or "five-way." Don't let your mind wander too far -- these are just chili recipes that the restaurants in Vine and Fourth Streets are known for. For chic and upscale dining, check out the many restaurants lined along Hyde Park Square. For a cool night out, head to the pubs and bars located near Fountain Square and the Arnoff Center in the Downtown area.

Shopping

Virtually all 52 districts in the city have their own shopping areas. The more popular ones, however, include the Clifton Gaslight District, Mt. Washington Water Tower District and the Northside Business District. Be sure to include the oldest operating markets in Ohio, Findlay Market and the historic Rookwood Pottery Company, on your shopping itinerary. Sports fans may also get their Bengals sporting gear at the Bengals Pro Shop located inside Paul Brown Stadium.

Where to Go in Cincinnati