A view of Cincinnati from the bank of the Ohio River in Northern Kentucky.

Cincinnati [2] is Ohio's third largest city and 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.

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.

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 few 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, Price Hill, or Eden Park and neighboring Mt. Adams.

Orientation

Hyde Park Square

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.

The other noteable areas are:

• Mt. Adams is a trendy neighborhood located directly northeast of downtown Cincinnati, known for its lively nightscene 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.
• Hyde Park is a tranquil and pleasant 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.

• Clifton is home to many gas light- lined streets and sprawling mansions. The neighborhood borders many transitional neighborhoods, but maintains its own desirability. The Ludlow Avenue business district contains a mixture of trendy restaurants and local chain restaurants.

• 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. OTR is a widely discussed neighborhood in Cincinnati because of the clash between the poverty that pervades the neighborhood and efforts to create a thriving arts and entertainment district in the area. A crackdown by Cincinnati police to curb crime and the drug trade in the neighborhood has been met with some success.

Climate

Cincinnati's climate is one of 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.

Newspapers

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

Get in

By air

There are two airports close to Cincinnati:

• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (IATA: CVG) (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), http://www.cvgairport.com/. CVG 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 hub here.

• Dayton International Airport (DAY) [7] is about 50 miles to the north.

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) travelling 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), http://www.amtrak.com/. All incoming and outgoing passenger trains stop at Union Terminal/Cincinnati Museum Center. The station is several miles 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.)

By bus

• Greyhound, 1005 Gilbert Avenue, ☎ +1-(513)-352-6012, http://www.greyhound.com/. 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, http://www.megabus.com. Megabus is a budget bus company offering direct service from Cincinnati to Indianapolis and Chicago and vice versa.

Get Around

Bus

Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (Sorta) [8] 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.

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 2007 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.

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").

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

See

Carew Tower, Cincinnati's tallest building.

• Carew Tower Observation Deck, 441 Vine Street (Downtown), ☎ +1-513-579-9735, http://www.cincymuseum.org/. 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.

• Union Terminal/ Museum Center, 1301 Western Avenue (Queensgate), ☎ +1-513-287-7000, http://www.cincymuseum.org/. 9PM-5:30PM. A beautiful museum that used to house the rail station of Cincinnati, a few Amtrak trains still depart and arrive at the station. See Museums Rs. 50 for entrance.

• Holy Cross-Immaculata Catholic Church, 30 Guido Street (Mount Adams,), ☎ +1-513-381-1792, http://www.hciparish.org/. 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.

• Saint Peter in Chains Cathedral, 325 West Eighth Street (Downtown,), ☎ +1-513-421-5354 (Info@StPeterinChainsCathedral.org), http://www.stpeterinchainscathedral.org/. Saint Peter in Chains Cathedral is a beautifully and ornate cathedral, a recommended sight for anyone traveling through Cincinnati or anyone who want's to have their soul saved.

• Cincinnati Music Hall, 1243 Elm Street (Over-the-Rhine,), ☎ +1-513-744-3344 (fax: +1-513-744-3345), http://www.cincinnatiarts.org/venues/musichall/.

• Cincinnati Observatory Center, 3489 Observatory Place (Mount Lookout,), ☎ +1-513-321-5186., http://www.cincinnatiobservatory.org. The Cincinnati Observatory was the first professional observatory in American, and is now opeated by volunteers. Hosts star gazing events, which, are remarkable considering light pollution has nearly surrounded the observatory.

• Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, 3400 Vine Street (Avondale,), ☎ +1-800-94-HIPPO. (info@cincinnatizoo.org), http://www.cincyzoo.org. 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), http://www.ohiohistory.org/places/stowe/. Hours: Vary please see website.. Harriet Beecher-Stowe is famous for writing the anti-slavery Uncle Tom's Cabin book. She represents Cincinnati's conservative values. Admission is free, but donations welcomed.

Parks

The Cincinnati Parks system, with more than 100 parks and greenspaces, 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, http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cityparks/pages/-3036-/. 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.

• Ault Park, 3600 Observatory Ave (Mount Lookout), http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cityparks/pages/-3036-/. 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), http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cityparks/pages/-4690-/. 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, http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cityparks/pages/-3452-/. 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..

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), http://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/. 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 intresting 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), http://www.taftmuseum.org/. 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. The Museum is free to all 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: +), http://www.contemporaryartscenter.org/. 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), http://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/. 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 Nuremburg Trials became U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg

• Cincinnati Fire Museum, 315 West Court Street (directions), ☎ +1-(513)-621-5553, http://www.cincyfiremuseum.com/. Tu-F 10AM-4PM, Sa Su noon-4PM. Closed all holidays.. Adults $6, Seniors $5, Children $4.

The Cincinnati Museum Center and Union Terminal

• Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, 1301 Western Avenue (Queensgate), ☎ +1-(513)-287-7000 (information@cincymuseum.org), http://www.cincymuseum.org/. 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, http://www.cincymuseum.org/explore_our_sites/natural_history/default.asp. An Ice Age trail, and ice and limestone caves are highlights of this museum.

• History Museum, http://www.cincymuseum.org/explore_our_sites/cincinnati_history/default.asp. 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, http://www.cincymuseum.org/explore_our_sites/childrens_museum. 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, http://www.cincymuseum.org/explore_our_sites/omnimax/default.asp. 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, http://www.freedomcenter.org. Tuesay - 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.

Learn

Xavier University's campus

Colleges & Universities

• University of Cincinnati, 2600 Clifton Avenue, ☎ +1-(513)-556-6000, http://www.uc.edu/. 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 (at all) within the neighborhood borders of Clifton.

• Xavier University, 3800 Victory Parkway, ☎ +1-(513)-745-3000, http://www.xu.edu/. Xavier is a private Catholic college located in the neighborhood of Evanston.

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

• 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, techincally in the neighborhood of Clifton.), ☎ +1-(513)-861-7700, http://www.cincinnatistate.edu/. Cincinnati State is the technical and community college of choice in the region, nationally recognized for academic excellence and workforce development.

Do

The free CiN Weekly, [9] 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 travellers or families. Additionally, the free City Beat [10] magazine is geared toward college students and has a good list of upcoming events.

Music & Play venues

• Playhouse in the Park, 962 Mt. Adams Circle, ☎ +1-(513)-421-3888, http://www.cincyplay.com.

• Cincinnati Music Hall, 1243 Elm Street, ☎ +1-(513)-744-3344 (fax: +1-513-744-3345), http://www.cincinnatiarts.org/venues/musichall/. 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, ☎ +1-(513)-562-4949, http://www.bogarts.com/. Small venue with big acts. Popular among younger people.

• Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Avenue, ☎ +1-(513)-232-6220, http://www.riverbend-music.com/. 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 (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.

Amusement parks

• Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave (Exit 72 off of I-275), ☎ +1-(513)-232-8230, http://www.coneyislandpark.com/. 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, http://www.pki.com. 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 (fakeemail@fakehost.com, fax: +1-(513)-398-6598), http://www.thebeachwaterpark.com. Between June 11 and August 21 the park is open from 10:00 to 21:00.. The Beach is a dedicated Waterpark 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..

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), http://www.mpmf.com/. 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), http://www.party-in-the-park.com/. 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 (Over-the-Rhine), http://www.taste-of-cincinnati.com. 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), http://www.oktoberfest-zinzinnati.com/. 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). Held every four years, this festival focuses on Cincinnati's riverboat history. The last Tall Stacks was held in 2003 and saw 900,000 visitors. Due to the tremendous success the Tall Stacks festival will be held a year earlier during October 4-8, 2006. Live music lines the festival area.

Sports

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

• Cincinnati Bengals, One Paul Brown Stadium (Riverfront), ☎ +1-(513)-621-8383, http://www.bengals.com/. 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 and 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. 2006 NFL games are sold out so you'll probably have to resort to a scalper.

• Cincinnati Reds, Great American Ball Park (Riverfront), ☎ +1-(513)-765-7000, http://www.cincinnatireds.com/. The "Big Red Machine" has always been a leader in professional baseball since its formation as the first professional baseball team and when the Reds played the first night game in Cincinnati. 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.

• University of Cincinnati Bearcats.

• Xavier University Musketeers, 3800 Victory Parkway, ☎ +1-(513)-745-3411 (tickets@xavier.edu, fax: +1-513-745-3063), http://goxavier.cstv.com/. Box Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 - 17:00.. The XU basketball team plays at the Cintas Center, just northeast of downtown.

Eat

• Cumin, 3514 Erie Avenue (Hyde Park,), ☎ +1-(513)-871-8714, http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/dining/reviews/022803_cumin.html.

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

Budget

• 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).

• 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.

• Graeter's Ice Cream, http://www.graeters.com/. 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.

• LaRosa's Pizzeria, ☎ +1-(513)-347-1111.

• Arthur's Cafe, 3516 Edwards Rd, ☎ +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. Borderline amazing.

• Federal Reserve Piano Lounge, 101 West Fourth Street (directions). Monday - Friday 11:00 - 02:00, Saturday & Sunday 12:00 - 02:00..

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.

• Camp Washington Chili, 3005 Colerain Avenue, ☎ +1-(513)-541-0061, http://www.campwashingtonchili.com/. Considered by most locals to be the original home of Cincinnati-style chili.

• Skyline Chili, 254 East Fourth Street (Fourth and Sycamore Street), ☎ +1-(513)-241-4848, http://www.skylinechili.com/. 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.

• Gold Star Chili, 2713 Vine Street, ☎ +1-(513)-751-8841, http://goldstarchili.com/. One of Cincinnati's major chili chains. Just as well liked as Skyline amongst Cincinnatians. For more locations please see Gold Star's store locator [1].

• Dixie Chili, [11]. Dixie Chili is a very small chain, consisting of only three stores in Northern Kentucky.

Mid-range

• Indigo's, 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.

• Nicholson's Tavern & Pub, 625 Walnut Street (Downtown, Across from the Aranoff Center), ☎ +1-(513)-564-9111, http://www.nicholsonspub.com/. Monday - Thursday 11:00 - 22:00, Friday 11:00 - 23:00, Saturday 16:00 - 23:00, Sunday 16:00 - 21:00. 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. $20-$50 a person.

Splurge

Jean-Robert at Pigalls.

• Brown Dog Cafe, 5893 Pfeiffer Rd., Blue Ash, (513)-794-1610, [12]. Lunch Mon-Fri 11-2, Dinner Mon-Thurs 17:00 - 21:00, Fri-Sat 17:00 - 22:00. Voted one of Cincinnati's "Top 25" restaurants by Cincinnati Magazine.
• Jean-Robert at Pigalls, 127 West Fourth Street (Downtown,), ☎ +1-(513)-721-1345 (fax: +1-(513)-352-6010), http://www.jean-robertatpigalls.com/. Owned by former five star Maisonette chef Jean-Robert de Cavel who opened his own restaurant in 2002 at the site of closed 5 star restaurant Pigall's. In October 2005 Mobil Travel Guide rated de Cavel's restaurant 4 stars.

• Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse, 700 Walnut Street (Downtown, Across from the Aronoff Center), ☎ +1-(513)-784-1200, http://jeffruby.com/. Monday - Thursday 17:00 - 22:00, Friday & Saturday 17:00 - 23:00..

• Montgomery Inn Ribs, 925 Eastern Avenue (Riverfront,), ☎ +1-(513)-721-7427, http://www.montgomeryinn.com/. 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, http://www.mortons.com. 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), http://www.tellersofhydepark.com/.

Groceries

• Kroger, 6165 Glenway Avenue (Roughly 6.5 miles from downtown), ☎ Store: +1-(513)-719-2401, Pharmacy: +1-(513)-719-2420, http://www.kroger.com. 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.

Buy

Cincinnati contains 52 neighborhoods, all of which contain their own neighborhood shopping districts. Some of the more noted and defined business districts are:

• Clifton Gaslight District (Ludlow Avenue between Clifton Avenue and Middleton Avenue)
• Hyde Park Square (Erie Avenue between Zumstein Avenue and Shaw Avenue)
• Mt. Washington Water Tower District (Beechmont Avenue between Campus Lane and Crestview Place)
• Northside Business District (Ludlow Viaduct/Blue Rock Street/Spring Grove Avenue)
• Oakley Square (Madison Road between Hyde Park Avenue and Marburg Avenue)

Souvenirs can be purchased at shops in hotels or at the visitors center on Fountain Square.

• Joseph-Beth Booksellers, 2692 Madison Road (In the Rookwood Center, on the Norwood-Cincinnati municipal border), ☎ +1-(513)-396-8960, http://www.josephbeth.com. M - Th 9:00 - 22:00, Fri & Sat 9:00 - 23:00, Sunday 10:00 - 20:00.. Stuff about the attraction.

• The Bookshelf, 7754 Camargo Road, ☎ +1-(513)-271-9141. A local, independently owned seller of used books, this small but comfortable bookshop is owned by a partnership of four middle-aged ladies, who take it in turns to act as a sort of presiding partner. Very nice place to go if you are looking for a one-on-one chat about books, as well as personal recommendations.

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

• Bengals Pro Shop (Riverfront, located inside Paul Brown Stadium.), ☎ +1-866-774-4776, http://proshop.bengals.com/.

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

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, [13] 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 travellers or families. Additionally, the free City Beat [14] magazine is geared toward college students and has a good list of upcoming events.

• Havana Martini Club, 441 Vine Street (Downtown, Inside Carew Tower with the entrance outside), ☎ +1-(513)-651-2800, http://www.havanamartini.com/. 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.

• Rock Bottom Brewery and Restaurant, 10 Fountain Square (Downtown, On Fountain Square), ☎ +1-(513)-621-1588 (fax: +1-(513)-621-1722), http://www.rockbottom.com. Mon-Sat 11:30 - 22:00, Sun 12:00 - 21:00.

• The Blue Wisp Jazz Club, 318 East Eighth Street (Downtown,), ☎ +1-(513)-241-WISP, http://www.bluewispjazzclub.com. Sunday - Wednesday 21:00 - 0:00, Thursday - Saturday 21:30 - 1:30..

• The Dock, 603 W. Pete Rose Way (Downtown,), ☎ +1-(513)-241-5623, http://www.thedockcomplex.com/. Tuesday - Thursday & Sunday 20:00 - 2:30, Friday & Saturday 20:00 - 4:00. Gay night club.

Sleep

Budget

• Comfort Inn & Suites Cincinnati, 4421 Aicholtz Rd, ☎ +1-(513)-947-0100 (fax: +1-(513)-943-2991), http://ci-cincinnatisuites-oh.chidirect.com/. check in time:.

• Quality Hotel & Suites Central Cincinnati Hotel, 4747 Montgomery Rd, ☎ +1-(513)-351-6000 (fax: +1-(513)-351-0215), http://qi-cincinatticentral-oh.chidirect.com/. 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 guestrooms and suites.

Mid-range

• Millenium Hotel Cincinnati, 141 West Sixth Street (Downtown, Entrance on Fifth Street.), ☎ +1-(513)-352-2100 (cinti@mhrmail.com, fax: +1-(513)-352-2148), http://www.millenniumhotels.com. 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), http://www.terracehotelcincy.com/. check in time: 15:00, check out time: 11:00. $109 and above without discounts.

• Gaslight B&B, 3652 Middleton Avenue (Clifton,), ☎ +1-(513)-861-5222, http://www.gaslightbb.com. Check in time: , Check out time:. $115 - $150 per night.

Splurge

The Cincinnatian Hotel.

• Cincinnatian Hotel, 601 Vine Street (Downtown), ☎ +1-(513)-381-3000, http://www.cincinnatianhotel.com/. 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.

• 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), http://www.westin.com. 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.

• Hilton Netherland Plaza, 35 West Fifth Street (Downtown, Inside Carew Tower), ☎ +1-(513)-421-9100, http://www.hilton.com/. 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 architectual landmark.

• Hyatt Regency, 151 West Fifth Street (Downtown, One block west of Fountain Square.), ☎ +1-(513)-579-1234 (fax: +1-(513)-579-0107), http://www.hyatt.com/.

Contact

• Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, 800 Vine Street (Downtown, In the vicinity of Aronoff Center), ☎ +1-(513)-369-6900, http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/. 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, http://www.usps.com. Monday - Friday: 7:30 AM - 21:00, Saturday: 7:30 - 18:00.. Package and shipping price varies.

Stay safe

It's not recommended that a person be out late at night, alone, in parts of the urban neighborhoods of Over-the-Rhine, Avondale, and Bond Hill. Most violent crimes in Cincinnati are confined to these areas; however, since April 2001, when the city was rocked by riots, the police and city council have stepped up efforts to make Cincinnati safer. It is recommended that people travel in groups, and exercise caution, as in all urban areas.

A particular problem in mid-Spring and even as far late as late-Fall is tornado activity in the tristate area. Heed all weather warnings provided by the National Weahter Service. Television stations keep updated maps of severe weather on the screens. Some radio stations are not as good at alerting people to severe weather. 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, https://www.53.com. Monday - Friday: 08:30 - 17:00.

• National City, 632 Vine Street (Dowtown, On the corner of 7 th and Vine Street), ☎ +1-(513)-579-2345, http://www.nationalcity.com.

• PNC, 3 West Fourth Street (4th Street and Vine Street), ☎ +1-(513)-241-8385, http://www.pnc.com. Monday - Friday: 9:00 - 17:00, Closed: Saturday & Sunday.

Hospitals

• University Hospital, 234 Goodman Street, ☎ +1-(513)-584-1000, http://www.universityhospitalcincinnati.com/.

• Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, ☎ +1-(513)-636-4200, http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/.

Religious services

• Holy Cross-Immaculata Catholic Church, 30 Guido Street (Mount Adams), ☎ +1-(513)-381-1792, http://www.hciparish.org/. 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. Muslim services.

Get out

Cincinnati is centrally located to other interesting Midwest cities. Some day trips include:

• Milford-Miami Township
• 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 racehose 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.
• West Chester