Adriatico's Pizza: Stone’s throw to University of Cincinnati, super premium ingredients, like homemade pinched sausage, meticulously crafted pizza, kick-ass beer selection. https://adriaticospizza.com/
Aglamesis Brothers: Original 1908 ice cream parlor on Madison on the east side, the real thing, plus unusually creamy chocolates. https://www.aglamesis.com/
Airheads Candy: Tangy, stretchy candy with 16 flavors, made locally in Erlanger. https://www.airheads.com/
Alabama Fish Bar: Delectable fish platters; favs include whiting, cod, and ocean perch. Over-the-Rhine. https://alabamafishbar.shop/menu
Amazon Air/Distribution Hub: The largest Amazon hub in the world is at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport—over 2,000 employees, 600 acres, seven buildings, three million square feet of space, and a tarmac for over 100 cargo planes. It is worth a drive-by. https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/operations/welcome-to-the-amazon-air-hub
American Sign Museum: A mesmerizing world of neon innovation and ingenuity; there really is a buzz in the air. And people are sending them salvaged signs all the time, so it is always changing. https://www.americansignmuseum.org/
Anchor Grill: Curvy counter, tiny band, eggs over easy, cash only. Real America right in Covington. So real, they don't even have a website. https://maps.app.goo.gl/oFdatzJbTG4Hxor3A
Anderson Ferry: Drive onto the ferry boat, then drive off on the other side of the Ohio River. Crazy experience for newbies. Weather permitting—call for current conditions. Ferrying since 1817. https://www.andersonferry.org/
Aronoff Center for the Arts: Think The Lion King, Hamilton, and Les Misérables. https://www.cincinnatiarts.org/events/all
ArtWorks Murals: Truly breathtaking murals on buildings all over the city, world-renowned public art. Check out their tiny art park on Gilbert Avenue. https://www.artworkscincinnati.org/
BB Riverboats: Ornate sternwheel paddle boats, sightseeing, lunch, dinner cruises, slow and splashy cruising on the Belle of Cincinnati and River Queen. https://bbriverboats.com/
Beer: Beer capital of the world since 1832. 80+ regional breweries, award winners like Rhinegeist, MadTree, Braxton, Streetside, Christian Moerlein, Hofbrauhaus, Municipal Brew Works, Voodoo, Urban Artifact, and Fifty West. Beer is everywhere. https://ohiocraftbeer.org
Blind Lemon: Old-worldish bar, crafty cocktails, and 50 years of live music atop Mt. Adams. Even Crosby Stills and Nash and Jimmy Buffett played there. https://theblindlemon.com/
Boca: Kitchen-to-table fine dining with seasonal ingredients. At the center of Cincinnati’s culinary culture—plus those damn fancy Brussels sprouts. https://www.bocacincinnati.com/
Bogart’s: Cozy music venue for James Brown, the Ramones, and Beastie Boys. You can get a tattoo or two nearby. On Short Vine in Corryville. https://www.bogarts.com/
Brady Music Center: River-adjacent music venue for Kings of Leon, Judas Priest, and ZZ Top. They call it intimate for 4,500 people. https://bradymusiccenter.com/calendar
Carew Tower: This opulent 1931 Art Deco landmark stands in the heart of downtown. The building features an upscale hotel, residential floors, a restaurant, grill and lounge. At 574 feet, it is the second-tallest building in the city. https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/cvgnphf-hilton-cincinnati-netherland-plaza/
Cincinnati Art Museum: One of the oldest art museums in the United States, 67,000 artworks, spanning 6,000 years. Local Frank Duveneck, plus Rubens, Cassatt, Renoir, Monet, van Gogh, and Picasso. https://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/
Cincinnati Bengals: Who dey think gonna beat them Bengals? Sir, who are you suggesting is capable of defeating the Bengals? https://www.bengals.com
Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame: Outdoor tribute honoring legends like Bootsy Collins, John Legend, James Brown, and Midnight Star. https://www.cincyblackmusicwalkoffame.org/
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park: Premier regional theater with award-winning productions, located in Eden Park. https://www.cincyplay.com/
Contemporary Arts Center (CAC): Approachable art museum downtown—they want you to feel something. CAC is known for its innovative programming and commitment to showcasing diverse perspectives, like those from Robert Mapplethorpe. https://www.contemporaryartscenter.org/
Duke Energy Convention Center: COMING SOON Under construction. Expanding the Convention District, adding a hotel, green space and streetscaping. https://www.visitcincy.com/meetings/meet-in-cincinnati/convention-development/
Cincinnati Financial Corporation: Headquarters of property and casualty insurance, Fortune 500 company. https://www.cinfin.com/
Cincinnati Reds: Baseball at Great American Ball Park—America’s first professional baseball team, MLB. https://www.mlb.com/reds
Connector Cincinnati Streetcar: Four miles of electric streetcar, electric, free. https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/streetcar/
Cincinnati Union Terminal with Museum Center: One-of-a-kind, multi-museum complex housed in Union Terminal, a historic Art Deco train station and National Historic Landmark. The iconic building is featured in Superman (2025). https://www.cincymuseum.org/
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden: 150-year-old, award-winning Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is the second oldest zoo in the United States, founded in 1873, plus the world-famous Festival of Lights. https://cincinnatizoo.org/
City of Covington, Kentucky: Quaint neighborhoods with a German-inspired Mainstrasse Village. Try Hawaian at Kialoa's Kitchen or Cock and Bull at Cock & Bull Public House on Main. https://www.covingtonky.gov/
Crest: Cincinnati is home to the most famous, best-tasting toothpaste in America. Minty fresh. https://www.crest.com/en-us
CVG Airport: Cincinnati’s official airport not in Ohio, located in CoVinGton, Kentucky. https://www.cvgairport.com/
Devou Park: Covington, Kentucky park with the best view of the Cincinnati skyline. https://www.covingtonky.gov/government/departments/neighborhood-services/parks-recreation/parks-playgrounds/devou-park
E.W. Scripps Company HQ: TV station network, Scripps News, ION Television, Court TV, National Spelling Bee. https://scripps.com/
From or Made in Cincinnati: Earth credits Cincinnati for Easy-Bake Ovens, steam locomotives, electric streetcar systems, Play-Doh, Pringles, candy canes, fire departments, turtle soup, Star Wars toys, “Twist and Shout” song, The Simpsons toys, Steven Spielberg’s birth, 98 Degrees band, Ivory Soap, Benadryl (diphenhydramine), oral polio vaccine, Magic 8 Ball, and self-starting automobiles. https://www.cincymuseum.org/historymuseum/made-in-cincinnati/
FC Cincinnati: Major League Soccer (MLS) team with a modern architectural facility at TQL Stadium. https://www.fccincinnati.com/news/
Fifth Third Bank HQ: Tiny Fifth National Bank met Third National Bank and grew up to be a Fortune 500 big bank. https://www.53.com/content/fifth-third/en.html
Findlay Market: Oldest public market in Ohio; delicatessens, butchers, and bakers with an unusual iron structural foundation. https://www.findlaymarket.org/
Fountain Square: Historic town square, epicenter of downtown—everything cityish happens here. Big fountain, bars, restaurants, clubs, concerts and home of the annual city Christmas tree. https://myfountainsquare.com/
GE Aerospace HQ: Aviation powerhouse, America's first jet engine, Fortune 500. https://www.geaerospace.com/
Gillette: Famous brand of the first safety razor with a disposable blade, considered barbershop industry royalty. https://gillette.com/
Glier's Goetta: Makers of Goetta, a local German-inspired mush-like meatloaf of ground meat (pork, sausage, or beef), steel-cut oats, and spices. But what is mush? https://goetta.com/
Gold Star: Beloved Cincinnati-style chili, burgers, & double-deckers. https://www.goldstarchili.com/
Goodwill Thrift Stores: Over 20 retail stores in our area, an online store, and a last-chance outlet. Goodwill trains, supports, and helps people find jobs, including individuals with disabilities, veterans, and others. https://www.cincinnatigoodwill.org/
Gorilla Glue Company: Started with glue for teak furniture, now the famous brand glues anything everywhere—sticking it for 20 years. https://www.gorillaglue.com/
Great American Tower: Cincinnati’s tallest building, topped with a 93-foot crown. Headquarters of the American Financial Group subsidiary, Great American Insurance Company. https://www.queencitysquare.com/great-american-tower
Graeter's Ice Cream: Pretty much the official ice cream of Cincinnati. French pot, historic company goes back to 1870. I like their cookies better, but that’s me. https://www.graeters.com/
Hard Rock Casino: The downtown Cincinnati casino with lots-o slots, table games and sports betting. I suggest a Whiskey Sour and sleepy blackjack at the Hard Rock Cafe at three in the morning. https://casino.hardrock.com/cincinnati
Harriet Beecher Stowe House: Fought the evils of slavery, wrote the bestseller Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and lived on Gilbert Avenue in 1832. https://www.harrietbeecherstowecenter.org/
Head & Shoulders: Another super-famous P&G shampoo brand from Cincinnati. Ten years of research before launching in 1961. https://headandshoulders.com/en-us
Ikea West Chester: Crazy busy Scandinavian store with lots of cardboard boxes, build-it-with-a-screwdriver furniture and shapely home furnishings. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/
Incline Public House: Laid-back American gastropub, sweeping views of the river and downtown. Restaurant name references the “incline streetcars” that traveled horizontally up very steep Cincinnati hills in the 1800s. https://www.inclinepublichouse.com/
Japp's Over-the-Rhine: Historic craft cocktail bar built inside the Japp’s Hair Store. Wild pre-Prohibition cocktails, dry but extra sweet people. Swigs and wigs. https://www.jappsotr.com/
Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse: Upscale dining, prime cuts, impeccable service, and a lux vibe. Think perfume, cigars and high heels. https://www.jeffruby.com/cincinnati
Jungle Jim's International Market: Wild, fantastical Fairfield grocery—200,000 products from 70 countries, surprises around every corner. A monorail in the parking lot and an animatronic Elvis the Lion. https://www.junglejims.com/
Keebler Fudge Stripe Cookies: Kellogg’s Keebler Hollow Tree Factory is real, they have tiny ovens and tiny unionized worker-elves in Florence, Kentucky—the only place in the world that makes Fudge Stripe Cookies. https://www.keebler.com/
Kentucky Bourbon Trail: Have a shot, hit the road. Drive the B-Line, a bourbon trail that takes you to local distilleries in Northern Kentucky. https://www.kybourbontrail.com/
Kings Island Amusement Park & Water Park: Only 24 miles northeast of Cincy in Mason. Over 100 rides, shows, and attractions, including the world's longest wooden roller coaster. Oh, and it was in The Brady Bunch TV show in 1973. https://www.visitkingsisland.com/
Kitty’s Sports Grill: Perhaps the most authentic Bengals-centric place in Cincinnati. Closest watering hole and closest hardwood smoked BBQ to the stadium. It is their smoke you are smelling. Real. Really real. Not at all like the Banks Entertainment District, can’t really stress that enough. (218 W 3rd St) https://kittys.us/
Kroger HQ: Barney Kroger opened his first store in Cincinnati in 1883. His little known secret to success was baking and selling his own bread. Today, with over 2,700 stores in 35 states, Kroger is the largest supermarket operator in the country. https://www.kroger.com/
Krohn Conservatory at Eden Park: Historic greenhouse, floral shows, tropical rainforest, bonsai trees. Use caution, as swarms of exotic butterflies attack unsuspecting visitors once a year. https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/visit-a-park/find-a-parkfacility/krohn-conservatory/
LaRosa's: An award-winning, real Italian family restaurant with pizzerias popping up around the country. Great people. Great food. Much closer to family than Olive Garden—just sayin’. https://www.larosas.com/
Lemon Grass: Classic Thai dishes, fresh ingredients, lots of coconut, cucumber, and lime, plus a killer peanut sauce. This is my absolute favorite restaurant because I eat a lot of Pad Thai. https://www.lemongrasscincy.net/
Lindner Family Tennis Center: Hosts the oldest tennis tournament in the U.S.—the Cincinnati Open—since 1899. Myrtle McAteer won the first match in 1899. And Myrtle was a winner off and on for about a decade, go Myrtle. https://www.lindnerfamilytenniscenter
McGlasson Farms: Sunflowers, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and U-pick apples can be had at a Hallmark Channel-like seasonal farmstand on Route 8 River Road in Kentucky. People fight over the fricken homemade apple fritters. Very seasonal. May not be open. http://www.mcglassonfarms.com/
Mentos: Famous mint candies known for making Diet Cokes explode and for their awkward not-supposed-to-be-funny TV commercials. Made locally by a Kentucky-Italian-Dutch candy company. https://us.mentos.com/
Montgomery Inn BBQ: Famed barbecue restaurant known for fall-apart loin back ribs, crusty mac ’n’ cheese, and slightly tangy barbecue sauce. Name-drop guests include Elton John, Bob Hope, Ronald Reagan, Britney Spears, Bill Cosby, and Elizabeth Taylor. https://www.montgomeryinn.com/
Movies Filmed in Cincinnati: If you're a movie buff, check out "Rain Man," "Tango & Cash," and "Lost in Yonkers," plus recent flicks like Superman (2025) and Alto Knights (2025). Over-the-Rhine’s 19th-century architecture stars in films like Eight Men Out, Little Man Tate, and Milk Money. http://www.filmcincinnati.com/#filmcincinnati
Music Hall: National Historic Landmark and Cincinnati’s most recognizable music and arts venue, showcasing the Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and May Festival. https://www.cincinnatiarts.org/music-hall-home
Newport Aquarium: Step into an underwater world with sharks, alligators, jellyfish, and penguins. It’s a walking-tunnel experience that makes you feel like you're underwater (without going home with wet clothes). https://www.newportaquarium.com/About
New Riff Distillery: Family-owned, Kentucky-bred whiskey distillery, “a new riff on an old tradition.” Somewhat shy, a tiny bit anxious, but a genuinely full-bodied whiskey offering savory, spicy character, teasing your senses with an approachable sweet nose of brown sugar and caramel. Also, my friend Bryon works there. https://newriffdistilling.com/
City of Norwood: Rapidly growing suburb of Cincinnati, famous for making the ’57 Chevy and Bicycle Playing Cards. https://www.norwoodohio.gov/
Ohio River: Back in the day, massive steamboats carried tons of Cincinnati pork, iron works, and horse carriages up and down the stretch of river through Cincinnati. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio_River
O'Keeffe's: This hard working hand cream is another famous product from Cincinnati. https://www.okeeffescompany.com/
Over-the-Rhine (OTR) District: Historic neighborhood with German roots. Cincinnati's largest entertainment district, award-winning restaurants, bars, clubs, breweries, shops, theatres, and parks. https://www.otrchamber.com/
Pompilio’s Restaurant: Honestly, they have been serving great Italian family food since 1933. Newport’s own Pompilio’s was the filming location for a pivotal scene in Rain Man, where Ray counts 246 toothpicks. https://pompilios.com/
Procter & Gamble HQ: One of the world’s largest consumer goods companies, headquartered in downtown Cincinnati. Known for the biggest brands on earth, like Tide laundry detergent, Dawn dish soap, Pampers diapers, and Puffs tissues. https://www.pg.com/
Purple People Bridge: Walkers, runners, and bikers traverse the purple-painted, pedestrian-only bridge over the Ohio River, connecting Newport, Kentucky, to downtown Cincinnati. Three minutes from the stadium. Starts at 700 Pete Rose Way. https://purplepeoplebridge.com/
Rhinegeist Brewery: An OTR brewery in a former bottling plant of Christian Moerlein. Probably the fastest-growing beer company in Cincinnati. Unique space. Great company, great community people. https://rhinegeist.com/
Roebling Suspension Bridge: The longest bridge in the world in 1867. Drive across and you’ll instantly understand why they call it the humming bridge. https://roeblingbridge.org/
Rookwood Pottery: American art pottery seen on just about every Antiques Roadshow episode since 1880. Renowned for tiles, floral ceramics, and innovative glazing. https://www.rookwoodpottery.com/
Rumpke Sanitary Landfill: Or Mt. Rumpke, as we call it—one of the largest landfills in the United States. You can drop a truck load for around $60. Every once in a while you’ll get a whiff of it in Colerain. https://www.rumpke.com/
Samuel Adams: No, it wasn’t born here, but Sam Adams is brewed here. But Boston Beer Company founder Jim Koch was born here and has left his mark on his hometown. Great guy, great company. Jim is featured in the “Cheers to Cincy, Brewing the American Dream” mural on the wall of his brewery, the largest public art piece in Cincy. And he has a Sam taproom on Logan. https://www.samueladams.com/
Skyline Chili: Cincinnati-based but growing restaurant chain that serves secret-is-cinnamon chili with spaghetti and cheese coneys with mounds of cheddar. People have flown to Cincinnati for a Three-Way. No, I’m not talking dirty. https://www.skylinechili.com/
Smale Riverfront Park: 45-acre park that runs along the Ohio River. Gardens, water features, walking paths, and swings overlooking the river. Food trucks on occasion. Next to the second best tailgating area near the stadium. https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/visit-a-park/find-a-parkfacility/smale-riverfront-park/
Sotto: Farm-to-table fine dining restaurant serving elevated Italian cuisine in an elegant townhouse on sixth. Ranks high on the foodie list. https://www.sottocincinnati.com/
Spring Grove Cemetery: Third-largest cemetery in the United States, extraordinary forest setting, lush gardens, lakes, and winding roads on 700 acres. Plus, a tiny spooky castle. https://www.springgrove.org/
Taft Museum of Art: Works by Rembrandt, Whistler, and Sargent. In a 200 year old house, a collection of European paintings, Gothic sculptures, Chinese porcelains, and American furniture. https://www.taftmuseum.org/
Taste of Belgium: Second closest restaurant to the stadium (E&O is closest). Belgian-inspired waffles taking the waffle community by storm. Breakfasty but other stuff as well. https://www.tasteofbelgium.com/
Tender Mercies: OTR residential facility for homeless adults with mental illness. Stability, community, and incredible transformations. Lots of folks in our community support this place, shout out to the good people at Dewey’s Pizza. https://www.tendermerciesinc.org/ https://deweyspizza.com/location/clifton/
Turfway Park: Thoroughbred horse racing track with 800 games, sometimes live music, plenty of drunk jockeys, and trackside gamblers. Located in Florence, about 10 miles south of downtown Cincinnati. https://www.turfway.com/
The Banks: Closest entertainment district to the stadium, with 20 bars and restaurants. From tacos and tequila to a porterhouse and a blackberry gimlet—lots of options. Plus, legal street, sidewalk and gutter drinking. https://thebankscincy.com/
The Eagle: Hearty OTR spot for Southern comfort food and comfort drinks, with a focus on comfort fried chicken and sides. A complete stranger told me they “dredge it” correctly. Tiny restaurant chain started here—now they go as far as Detroit. https://www.eaglerestaurant.com/
Top Golf West Chester: We call it sky golf, but it's hitting microchipped golf balls from temperature-controlled bays onto a football field-sized target. Plus, bar food & drinks. You can see the nets from Ikea, I-275 & I-75. https://topgolf.com/us/west-chester/
Traders World Flea Market: Biggest and best flea market in the entire Midwest—yes, I said that. 11 acres, 16 buildings, up to 850 inside vendors and 400 outdoor vendors, and only a 30-minute drive from downtown Cincinnati. https://tradersworldmarket.com/
Treasure Aisles Flea Market: Need more crap? Second-best flea market is on the other side of the highway from Traders World. Smaller, less formal, and more junky. https://www.treasureaislesflea.com/
Tyler Davidson Fountain: Our fountain at Fountain Square, called “The Genius of Water,” is a most-visited attraction. Many restaurants, bars, and things around the fountain district. As seen on TV in WKRP in Cincinnati. Also, my husband installed the fountain lights. https://myfountainsquare.com/
U-Dig Potatoes: Blooms and Berries in Loveland, Ohio has a season for everything, including strawberries and blueberries. You’ll get dirty knees. https://bloomsandberries.com/u-pick/u-pick-strawberries/
U Pull and Pay Used Auto Parts: Need a side mirror for a 2018 Mustang GT? Massive Cincinnati auto yard selling used, salvaged car parts, plus the option to sell them junk vehicles. https://www.upullandpay.com/locations/ohio/cincinnati/
University of Cincinnati (UC): Campus is in the Clifton neighborhood, just north of downtown. Over 50,000 students and growing, nationally ranked academic programs, regional campuses, and the Bearcats are in the Big 12 Athletic Conference. Forbes Magazine has called it one of the world's most beautiful college campuses. https://www.uc.edu/
Vent Haven Ventriloquist Museum: In 1973, William Shakespeare Berger established the world’s first and only museum dedicated to ventriloquism. Over 1,000 dummies from 20 countries. A residential setting, open seasonally and by appointment only. A bit creepy, but nearby in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky. https://www.venthaven.org/
Washington Park: Large central city park, mature trees and walking paths in OTR. Small outdoor patio bar, playground, climbing walls, sandbox, fountains, water features, and a dog park. Street parking & parking garage underneath. https://washingtonpark.org/
Western & Southern HQ: Very Cincinnati, with family heritage dating back to 1888. Diverse financial services, real estate, insurance, annuities, and investments. First customer was Cincinnati’s William Cholmondelely. Fortune 500. https://www.westernsouthern.com/
Xavier University: Private university, Jesuit institution, over 5,000 students, liberal arts education, 80 academic programs. Sixth-oldest Catholic university in the United States. Ohio’s leading online MBA program and one of the nation’s top-ranked undergraduate nursing programs (BSN). My friend Jimmy is a psycho Musketeer fan. https://www.xavier.edu/