Cincinnati
Every time we visit the Queen City, we fall more and more in love with it. And it's hard not to, with its unique geography, world-class restaurants, stunning museums, and one of the largest and best preserved historic districts in the country.
Food
A Tavola: crispy oven-fired pizzas in OtR
Americano Burger Bar: unfancy place downtown for burgers and beer
B&A Street Kitchen: corner spot in OtR serving Tex-Mex breakfasts
Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey: Chef Christian Gill's modern Southern joint, with locations in Pendleton and Union
Cheapside Cafe: downtown corner spot with great coffee and breakfasts
The Eagle: Over-the-Rhine spot with great Southern fried chicken, sides, and beer
Findlay Market: long-running indoor and outdoor market in the heart of Over-the-Rhine.
Holtman's Donuts: delightful old school bakery; we love the OtR location
Krueger's Tavern: easy-to-love burger spot in OtR
Maplewood Kitchen & Bar: much-loved spacious downtown spot with well-executed breakfasts
The Orchids at Palm Court: lavish old school restaurant in the historic Art Deco Hilton Netherland Plaza hotel
Salazar: chef Jose Salazar's world-class corner eatery in Over-the-Rhine)
Sacred Beast Diner: modern diner in OtR
Sleepy Bee Cafe: thoughtful and family-friendly breakfast and brunch spot, with locations in Oakley, Blue Ash, and downtown
Sugar N' Spice: kooky and colorful diner with hearty breakfasts. Lots of rubber duckies used in the decor. Original location sits north on Reading Road; newer diner is in OtR.
Taft's Ale House: local brewery with a giant restaurant in a renovated church
Taste of Belgium: local chain built around dense and sugar Belgian Liege-style waffles. Serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks. Started in the Findlay market, with a first full bistro in Over-the-Rhine. Additional locations on The Banks, Rookwood, Clifton, Kenwood, Crestview Hills, and Mason.
Quan Hapa: eclectic mix of Asian cuisines in OtR
Zundo Ramen & Donburi: cozy spot for ramen in OtR
Coffee
1215 Wine Bar & Coffee Lab: the name says it all! 1215 serves up coffee, snacks, beer, and wine.
Coffee Emporium: long-running coffee shop serving a variety of drinks and snacks. Spacious location downtown on Central Parkway; another in an old Victorian house in Hyde Park
Collective Espresso: high quality local shop with locations in OtR, Findlay, and Northside
Deeper Roots Coffee: busy roaster that supplies many shops regionally. Three coffee bars: Oakley, Findlay, and Fourth Street.
Mom n' Em Coffee & Wine: located in a renovated home in Camp Washington, Mom 'n Em is a family-run spot that was named the #5 coffee shop in the U.S. by Food & Wine in 2019
Cocktails & Beer
1215 Wine Bar & Coffee Lab: small OtR stop that opens early for coffee and offers wine, beer, and snacks
Braxton Brewing: eclectic brewery that started in Covington and expanded to a second space downtown
Japp's 1879: terrific cocktail bar with live music in OtR
MadTree Brewing: giant brewery and taproom in Oakley. Plenty of good beer, house-made pizzas, events.
Rhinegeist: one of Cincinnati's mainstay breweries, Rhinegeist inhabits an old factory in Over-the-Rhine. It's massive taproom features picnic tables, cornhole, in-house snacks, and a rooftop bar with amazing views.
Sundry & Vice: lovely apothecary-themed cocktail bar in OtR
Taft's Ale House: brewery and restaurant in OtR built out of an old church
Urban Artifact: taproom and live music venue in an old church, focused on fruited and sour beers
Parks & Attractions
American Legacy Tours: local tour company offering tours that explore local history and architecture. Try the Ultimate Queen City Underground tour, which takes you into 19th century lagering tunnels beneath Over-the-Rhine.
Carew Tower: one of the best views in Cincinnati, the Art Deco Carew Tower sits on Fountain Square and was completed in 1930. You can head to the 49th floor for rooftop views.
Cincinnati Art Museum: world-class art museum in Eden Park with free admission
Cincinnati Bell Connector: less of an attraction and more of a way to get around. The free streetcar runs a handy loop through downtown and Over-the-Rhine
Cincinnati Museum Center: situated in the original Art Deco train station (which looks suspiciously like the Hall of Justice), the Museum Center is a must-visit. Take in the gorgeous lobby, see their rotating special exhibitions, hit up the history center, children's museum, Omnimax theatre
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens: a must-stop for animal lovers
Contemporary Arts Center: modern arts center downtown, with free admission
Findlay Market: beloved mainstay of Over-the-Rhine, a must visit in Cincy
Great American Ballpark: catch a Reds game with perfect views of the river
MainStrasse Village: shopping and dining district in Covington
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center: museum and education center on the riverfront offering interactive exhibits, classes, concerts
The Newport Aquarium: fun attraction on the river with penguins, a shark walk, and more aquatic fun
Washington Park: centerpiece of Over-the-Rhine, with fountains, a beer garden, play areas for kids, concerts in summer
Acommodations
21c Museum Hotel: modern downtown spot that doubles as a world-class art museum
Hampton Inn: downtown hotel in the original Cincinnati Enquirer building
Holiday Inn & Suites: nice central location downtown for exploring the city
Read our Cincinnati itineraries
Of Bourbon Bars & Distilleries in Northern Kentucky
We spent a couple night south of the Ohio River exploring bourbon bars, distilleries, restaurants, coffee, historic walking tours, and more in Northern Kentucky.
January 2022
A Little Star Wars in Cincinnati
An overnight trip to see the Cincinnati Symphony play some Star Wars, paired with the market, streetcar rides, restaurants, and a stay in a hotel that's also an art museum.
December 2021
Travel to the Moon in Cincinnati
A day trip to see the Apollo exhibition at the Museum Center included breakfast and coffee at Findlay Market, lunch in OtR, and a stop at MadTree.
January 2020
Seeing Cincinnati
An invited family trip that included great fun for the kids: the aquarium, Museum Center, art museum, and the zoo.
February 2019
A Little Star Wars in Cincy
A fun day trip seeing a Star Wars exhibition at the Museum Center, paired with ice cream, burgers, beer, and a ride on the streetcar.
July 2017
A Cincinnati Weekend
Beth and I took an overnight that included excellent eats, cocktail bars, the rooftop at Rhinegeist, and more around downtown, Over-the-Rhine, and over the river in Covington.
September 2016
Sneaking Down to Cincy
A family trip to the Queen City to see a Lego exhibition at the Museum Center, and rolled in some good eats, the aquarium, and more.
February 2016
A Day in Cincinnati
A day trip with my brothers that included a Queen City Underground tour and a Reds game.
September 2014
