Travel to Cincinnati for a Relaxing Vacation

When thinking of the best and most amazing cities in America, Cincinnati, Ohio rarely comes to mind. Yet the city sits nestled between many hills and a gorgeous river, and it is one of the most underrated cities in America. To quote Winston Churchill, Cincinnati is "the most beautiful of the inland cities of the union!"

Here’s why: In downtown Cincy, you'll find the Bengals's and Reds's stadiums. Cincinnati boasts of having the first-ever baseball team, so if you’re a baseball fan, catching a game in the beautiful riverside stadium will be worthwhile. Also down by the banks is the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, a powerful reminder that the Ohio River marked the entry to freedom for slaves on the run.

Speaking of banks, a riverfront area between the two sports stadiums boasts an array of amazing restaurants and architectural beauties. The Banks not only has an ongoing economic impact of $91.6 million, but after completion, it will also be the region’s largest mixed­use development and will house more than 3,000 residents. Some of the amazing places to grab some grub in this area include Orange Leaf, Moerlein Lager House, and Yard House.

Dining

If you aren’t hungry, there are plenty more things to do in The Banks! Smale Riverfront Park is a great place to either relax or have some fun. Multiple playgrounds, a carousel, and interactive water displays are just a couple of ways your children can stay occupied and have fun for hours. Beautiful gardens, tree groves, walkways, and huge porch swings facing the river are great places to relax and enjoy the serenity and beauty of The Banks.

If being close to a large body of water isn’t your thing,­ fear not! Cincinnati is a huge city with so many attractions to experience; there's way too much to see for just a small weekend away. If your time is limited and you don't think you'll be able to do it all, then take my free advice on living the Cincinnati dream: eat. There are a bunch of places, most originating in Cincy, that have delicious food you won’t be able to find anywhere else.

Taste of Belgium is the deceiving name for this amazing restaurant. While Belgium waffles are arguably their most popular dish, this restaurant offers food above and beyond a fluffy breakfast dish. Not feeling this restaurant? No problem! Try Skyline Chili’s famous Not a fan of meat? They also make a mean veggie 3­way with beans and rice.

After eating dinner, head over to an ice cream shop. You have two choices Graeter’s or Aglamesis Brothers. If you want to transport yourself back to an ice cream parlor with an early 1900s ambiance, choose Aglamesis. The workers are positive and helpful if you can’t decide on a flavor. Not in the mood for ice cream? They also have a huge selection of delectable chocolates and pastries guaranteed to make your mouth water just by looking at them. Graeter’s is a more modern ice cream store, but just as good. They have a wider selection of candies and goodies other than chocolate, but their ice cream is just the right amount of sweet and savory.

Then, make a visit to Findlay Market. This unique marketplace is one of the hidden jewels in Cincy. Everything you could think of is crammed into a little block in Over the Rhine. Whether you need gelato, bread, spices, honey, homemade soap, jewelry, gyros, or just a place to sit and talk with friends, Findlay Market is your mecca! 

Shopping Ideas

The upscale shopping and dining block in the Hyde Park neighborhood has unique shops and creative restaurants offering French pastries, crab cakes, and create­-your­-own pizzas. After grabbing something to eat, take a stroll around the beautiful fountain in the middle of the grassy area surrounded by shops. This is a great place to take kids or pets to run around and have fun after dinner.

Want to catch a concert while you’re in Cincy? Bogart’s is the place to go. This is a music venue located right to the University of Cincinnati that has hosted artists ranging from rock 'n’ roll to indie, from alternative to pop, and more. The staff are incredibly friendly, not to mention the inside is gorgeous and has a full bar.

Love art and museums? Visit the Cincinnati Art Museum­! It boasts an entire wing dedicated to Cincy’s rich artistic heritage with more than 400 works including furniture, paintings, sculptures, ceramics and pottery, most produced by artists born or trained in Cincinnati.

Another great museum to visit is the Cincinnati Museum Center, which rivals the Smithsonian. The museum, originally a train station terminal, houses history, science, and children's museums. Costumed interpreters help visitors forge connections with history at the Cincinnati History Museum; kids can explore areas like the Energy Zone, Little Sprouts Farm, and Kid's Town in the Duke Energy Children's Museum, and you can step back 19,000 years into the Ice Age in the Ohio Valley at the Museum of Natural History and Science. Plan to spend almost the entire day in this museum, as there is so much to see and take in.

The Taft Museum of Art, a National Historic Landmark, should be another stop on your museum list. The renovated 1820s mansion holds over 700 works from a once­ private collection.

In for some thrills? Visit King’s Island, one of the best and most widely known amusement parks in the country. Just north of the city, the most notable features of the park are a replica Eiffel Tower ⅓ the size of the actual one in Paris, an 80 mph, 230-foot tall roller coaster called the Diamondback that has ten vertical drops!

Often overlooked, it turns out that Cincinnati is one of the best places to visit in the country!

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