9 Cool Things to Do in Cincinnati

Like so many rust belt cities, Cincinnati, Ohio is experiencing a renaissance. While it might not be transforming at the rapid rate of cities like Cleveland and Detroit – where millennials and savvy entrepreneurs are invading once-downtrodden neighborhoods with craft coffee shops and locally-sourced eateries – Cincinatti is definitely in the game. Here are some spots not to miss in Ohio’s third-largest city:

1. American Sign Museum

A lot of American history can be seen in its signs, and Todd Swormstedt, founder of the American Sign Museum, is intent on preserving them for posterity. The 40,000-square-foot former factory houses signs from various periods. Bold, neon signs are crowd pleasers while older, handmade signs show the creativity of American business owners from the early 20^th century. Don’t miss the “Signs of Main Street” section, with salvaged signs from drug stores, hairdressers, shoemakers and dentists. The museum also houses a working neon shop, where the owners of Neonworks create signs as visitors take tours.

2. Cheapside Cafe

In the heart of the 8^th Street design district, Cheapside Cafe is a true gem for hungry Cincinnati tourists and residents seeking breakfast, lunch and coffee. The all white café with recycled wooden accents and a cedar teepee on the patio is modern and airy. On the menu, don’t miss the Oatmeal Brulee served with maple cream or the Chorizo egg sandwich on ciabatta. When it comes to the coffee, the Japanese-style nitro iced coffee will jolt you awake. It’s double brewedinto a keg, then served through a nitro tap, like a Guinness.

 

3. Findlay Market

Findlay Market, Ohio’s oldest public market, is open year-round and is one of the best spots in town to shop for fresh foods or simply wander around and people watch on a nice day. Check out Taste of Belgium for a waffle cooked in a cast iron press. Unlike other waffles, they are made from thick dough and a coarse Belgian beet sugar that caramelizes inside the waffle iron.

 

4. Nada

A hoppin’ Mexican eatery on Walnut Street, Nada is where the party is at on a Saturday night in Cincinnati. Fruity cocktails, a casual but energetic atmosphere and a fun patio scene make it a popular choice. And the handheld menu items like carnitas, barbacoa and mahi mahi tacos are always a hit.

5. Over-the-Rhine

Did you know that Cincinnati is home to the largest, most intact historic district in the United States? Over-the-Rhine, a neighborhood bordering Downtown, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. In the 19^th century, the area was home to a large population of German immigrants and is a prime example of preserved Italianate architecture. In the early 2000s, the area took a turn for the worse with riots driving businesses and residents out, transforming it into an almost wasteland. But in recent years, it’s experienced a resurgence. Today, young professionals flock to Over-the-Rhine where many of the historic buildings have been converted into apartments and condos. Washington Park, a former haven for drug addicts and prostitutes located in the heart of the neighborhood, also underwent a $48 million renovation in 2012. As the neighborhood turns around, more and more restaurants and business owners are setting up shop.

 

6. Great American Ball Park

In addition to the country’s most historic neighborhood, Cincinnati can also claim America’s first professional baseball franchise, the Cincinnati Reds. A trip to the city wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Great American Ball Park, which opened in 2003 on the banks of the Ohio River in downtown. The park plays tribute to the Reds’ rich history and has several other standout features. For example, “The Gap,” a 35-foot break in the stands between home plate and third base, offers views into the stadium from downtown and out to the skyline from the park.

 

Favorite Neighborhoods outside the city

 

7. Hyde Park

Another great place to spend an afternoon in during a trip to Cincinnati is Hyde Park, an upscale neighborhood abundant with green spaces and turn-of-the-century homes located on the city’s east side. The center of the city’s most prestigious neighborhood, located less than five miles from downtown, is Hyde Park Square, a park surrounded by hip shops and restaurants. On Sundays from May through October, the park plays host to a farmer’s market in the morning and early afternoon, and in October it’s home to the annual Hyde Park Art Show.

 

8. Mount Adams

One of Cincinnati’s best parks is Eden Park, located in Mount Adams, a residential neighborhood that is also east of downtown. The park is home to the Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati Playhouse and Krohn Conservatory as well as several picturesque landmarks, like gazebos, memorial tree groves, lakes and a fountain. It’s the perfect place to wander on a nice day, when residents can be found walking their dogs, jogging, enjoying picnics or simply sunbathing. The surrounding neighborhood of Mount Adams is also a great place to walk around – it’s filled with brightly painted Victorian homes with steep, narrow streets that offer amazing views of the city.

 

9. Best Day Trip Outside City: Wake Nation

While exploring the city is awesome, there’s a really cool adventure to be had outside of it: Wake Nation. Wake Nation is the first and only full sized cable wake park in the Midwest – that means that visitors can wakeboard or water ski on the lake without a boat. Even if you’ve never wakeboarded or water skied before, Wake Nation is designed for riders of all levels.