Explore Cincinnati!

Cincinnati is our home city and we couldn’t be more proud to call this fun and sometimes eccentric place home. Keep scrolling for our five favorite Cincinnati finds, the top five Cincinnati events you don’t want to miss, and a comprehensive, downloadable Cincinnati Bucket list created by local comedian Zachary Wycuff (scroll all the way to the end of the post for the bucket list).

Our Five Favorite Cincinnati Finds

1. Breweries! Cincinnati is home to over 18 breweries within city limits and there are 50+ in the tri-state area.

In 1860, 36 breweries operated in Cincinnati and by 1890, Cincinnati was producing and consuming so much beer that it was dubbed the “Beer Capital of the World”. Although prohibition slowed this trend, the Cincinnati beer scene is back, booming, and bigger than ever. Whether you like IPAs, sours, lagers, or any flavor or type of beer, you are guaranteed to find something you like. Sign up for an official beer hopping tour, history and tasting tour, or simply uber or streetcar yourself from brewery to brewery in what is sure to be the perfect day for any beer afficianado. Cincinnati breweries boast incredible warehouse spaces within indoor games, rooftop bars with gorgeous city views, and many allow pups to join in on the fun! One thing is for certain, no trip to Cincinnati is complete without a trip to the iconic Rhinegeist, Madtree, and variety of other breweries!

2. Sporting Events: Although it may be painful at times to be a Cincinnati Sports fan, no visit to Cincinnati is complete without a trip to at least one Cincinnati sporting event, and there are plenty to choose from!

Although not the largest of cities, Cincy is home to 3 different professional teams, the Reds, the Bengals, and FC Cincinnati; and semi-pro teams, Florence Freedom, and the Cyclones. Whether you feel most at home in the spirited bailey at a soccer game or in the end-zone of a pro-football game, you are sure to find something to like about Cincinnati sports. Before each Bengals home game, the surrounding area called The Banks closes its streets and patrons can walk from bar to bar with open containers while listening to local bands and gearing up for a Bengals victory. We may not boast the most successful teams in the country but win or loss, Cincinnatians know how to have a good time!

3. Food! From sushi to gourmet hotdogs to food trucks to Ruby’s steaks, or the Skyline – Gold Star Feud, there is no shortage of delectible and eclectic food options to be found in this city of foodies.

Every Cincinnatian knows that the best pizza, ice cream, cookies, ribs, and specialty food can be found right here in the 513. A visitor to Cincinnati would be remiss not to try a LaRosa’s Pizza, Graeters Black Raspberry Chip icecream, Montgomery Inn’s ribs, Busken’s cookies, or a Skyline 4-way. Truly, the food alone makes Cincinnati the perfect destination for foor-loving travelers!

4. Visit the #2 zoo and botanical garden in the nation then hop over to the nation-renown aquarium, conservatory, and museums.

Come visit Cincinnati’s most beloved celebrity, Fiona the hippo! Fiona lives at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical garden which just so happens to be the #1 zoo ranked in the country! At the zoo you will find a variety of plants and animals, experience interactive and exciting animal encounters (Including feeding a giraffe or watching a cheetah race at top speeds!), and learn all about conservation efforts the zoo is involved in that is making a difference around the globe!
After a day at the zoo, spend a day getting to know the aquatic residents of Cincinnati at the Newport aquarium! Walk through a 360 degree tunnel of sea creatures, cross the rope bridge above circling sharks, and pet sting rays, sharks, and other ocean-dwelling animals in the petting pool.
From there, experience the Krohn Conservatory and walk among native and exotic plant species, or go the the free Cincinnati art museum. If you prefer history, check out Cincinnati’s history museum, a converted, but still operational train station. This museum boasts world-renown ancient, modern, natural, and children’s history exhibits and is experience you will absolutely regret missing out on!

5. Check out the many parks (including amusement parks) and the famous Findlay Market.

Weekends in Cincinnati are always exciting with an never-ending list of fun, family adventures at Cincinnati’s many parks, attractions, and markets. Washington Park, pictured above, is the perfect family-destination with green spaces nearby to picnic, a dog park, and fun interactive fountains for hot summer days. Nearby are a plethora of restaurants and breweries and the park itself has an outdoor bar serving local taps. On most weekends, the park is also host to a variety of events including festivals, markets, and shows.
However, Washington Park is just one of the many unique parks in the city. Visit Devou park for breathtaking views of the city’s skyline, traipse through Eden park for different but equally beautiful views mixed with greenery, or stroll through Ault park for a relaxing day with friends and family.
Downtown parks Sawyer Point and Friendship Park are filled with interesting statues, architecture, and unique interactive play equipments that kids, and adults, of all ages won’t be able to resist! Have fun on the playground, walk or segway along the gorgeous Ohio River, then head across the street to the banks and check out some of Cincinnati’s favorite restaurants and breweries.
Lastly, make sure to check out Findlay Market, a Cincinnati gem! Read what Findlay Market’s website has to say:

Findlay Market is a gathering place for people from all over the city. It routinely attracts perhaps the most socially, economically, racially, and ethnically diverse crowds found anywhere in Cincinnati. They come for the sights and sounds and smells of an old-fashioned public market, for the great variety of fabulous fresh foods, for bargains, for distinctive gifts, for people watching, and for a quintessentially urban shopping experience.

5 Cincinati Events You Don’t Want to Miss!

1. The Largest Oktoberfest outside of Munich

Cincinnati’s Oktoberfest, lovingly dubbed Zinzinnati, is not only the largest in the country, but the largest outside of Munich. With a huge variety of beer and food tents, merchandise, beer gardens, stages, sitting areas, and activities, there is no shortage of fun. Additionally there are carnival games, rides, and food so that the entire family can join in on the festivities. Spend the entire weekend with us so that you don’t miss out on the weiner dog race, where dachshund dogs decked out in bun costumes race to the finish line, or the world’s largest chicken dance!

2. The Red’s Opening Day Festivities

As every Cincinnati native knows, Opening Day for the Reds is akin to a national holiday. The celebrations kick off early in the morning with Red’s fans packing out the bars and restaurants at the Banks and then lining the streets for the Findlay Market Opening Day Parade. Viewers can watch this parade from a variety of locations such as Fountain Square where spectators can enjoy MadTree Beer, food, live entertainment, and more. Families will enjoy watching from Washington Park while taking part in a community block party or just setting up along the parade’s route including the beginning of the route at the Findlay Market. Spend the rest of the day enjoying the many parties and festivities happening in the downtown area and then head to Great American Ballpark to cheer the Reds on to victory!

3. BLINK Cincinnati-Light Based Art Festival

This is a unique Cincinnati experience unlike any other! Blink Cincinnati is a multi-component event that turns downtown Cincinnati and the surrounding area into an interactive light show and museum. This event includes projection mapping installations, light murals, and immersive art. Come down any time after dark and see the city transformed into a magical light show with fun for families, couples, friends and more. This is truly an event unlike any other and you won’t want to miss it!

4. Bunbury Cincinnati: Cincinnati’s 3-day Music Festival

Cincinnati’s take on a music festival with big-name headliners, and three full days of music, food, drink, and fun all taking place along the beautiful Ohio River shoreline. Need we say more??

5. Attend a festival at Fountain Square or an event at Washington Park

In a city the size of Cincinnati there is always a festival or event happening at Washington Park or Fountain Square. From beerfests to farmer’s markets and concerts to fleas, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Check the local schedule of events to find the perfect fit for you!

We would be remiss if we forgot to mention Cincinnati favorites Jungle Jims and Party Source.
While Jungle Jims is technically a grocery store, it feels more like an amusement park for adults with food from all over the world, beer and wine galore, a kombucha bar, a regular bar, a cigar shop and a huge natural foods selection! Additionally, there are often events and tasting including wine, beer, and even hot sauce! *Tip: Make sure to check out the bathrooms for an interesting twist!
Party Source is not your run-of -the-mill liquor store. Party Source is the country’s biggest liquor store and has a large selection of party supplies, drinking paraphernalia, and of course, all the alcohol, wine, beer, and liquor one could ever need (plus it’s bourbon country so there is a wide selection!) In the back resides an experimental brewery and beer garden.

—->CLICK HERE FOR THE ULTIMATE CINCINNATI BUCKET LIST