Cincinnati Favorites

I’m not interested in ranking things, but I can attest everything below is among my favorites of the city.

Jump to a section:

• Local Flavors
• Restaurants (Cincinnati)
• Restaurants (Northern Kentucky)
• Things To Do
• Great Views

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Local Flavors

• Chili – Cincinnati style chili is a mix of finely ground beef and cinnamon and chocolate. We have “Chili Parlors” all over — Chains: Skyline, Gold Star — Non-chains: Empress, Pleasant Ridge Chili, Camp Washington Chili, and Price Hill Chili to name a few
• Goetta – A sausage like mixture either with meat or vegetarian, often with breakfast
• Frisch’s Big Boy – Some swear by their tartar sauce on the double burger (!!! Sadly many locations are closing. Thanks private equity!)
• Graeters Ice Cream – They’re all over. Also worthwhile: Aglamesis Brothers in Oakley or Dojo (Northside in summer and Findlay year round), and Jeni’s Scoop Shop.
• White Castle – aka “sliders”… Tiny square burgers smothered in onions. Gastrohazard to some, craved by many.

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Restaurants (Cincinnati)

🥂Fancy / 🥃 In-between / 🥤 Casual

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Northern Kentucky Restaurants

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Things to do when not eating

American Sign Museum ★★★★★
Camp Washington
This is a hidden gem, and I’m biased because I love old signs and neon and design.
signmuseum.org 
1330 Monmouth St, Cincinnati, OH 45225

Jungle Jim’s ★★★★★
North & East
HUGE market with speciality foods from all over the world.
junglejims.com

The Lounge at the Hilton Netherland Plaza ★★★★★
Downtown
I think it’s called the 1931 Lounge now, but go there. Go up the steps and grab a drink (if not a meal) because this space is a gorgeous slice of art-deco. Like, amazing.
Website

Carew Tower Observation Deck ★★★★★
Get a view of the city from atop a “skyscraper”
441 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Closed for good :(

Cincinnati Museum Center / Union Terminal
An amazing domed art-deco building… Ask if the railroad observation room is open and if it is? Go for a great view of the control room and tracks. You should visit just to step inside the entryway though, seriously. The rest of the museum is a’ight.
cincymuseum.org
1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45203

Cincinnati Art Museum 
Located in Eden Park (also a great visit, albeit better in Spring/Summer). More traditional art museum, with varied exhibitions. Beautiful setting.
953 Eden Park Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45202
cincinnatiartmuseum.org

Contemporary Arts Center
Downtown
If you like art and architecture, s’worth checking out the latest exhibits.
contemporaryartscenter.org

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Downtown
Interesting architecture of the building.
freedomcenter.org

Newport on the Levee
I go here for movies, but there’s also an aquarium 🦈, Comedy Club, bars, restaurants (some local) and a DEB store.
newportonthelevee.com

Newport Aquarium
Fish and stuff. Great for kids.
newportaquarium.com

Mt. Adams 
near downtown
This is the neighborhood that occupies the steep hill next to downtown. It’s very pretty with great views from the Immaculata Church. There are several places to grab a beer or wine.

Krohn Conservatory & Eden Park
near downtown
Plant lovers place. 
cincinnatiparks.com/krohn-conservatory

The Cincinnati Zoo
Clifton
Not just fun for the kids, but events happen year round for all sorts. Great programs and setting. 
cincinnatizoo.org

Coney Island
East Side
Hit the pool!
coneyislandpark.com

Starlight Drive In
East side
Because drive-in movies are awesome.
starlitedriveinohio.com

Holiday Auto Theatre
Hamilton
This one has a bus outside that they decorate for most shows.
holidayautotheatre.com

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We’ve lots of other museums, galleries and places to visit, here’s a smattering more:

• Artworks – Community based art (responsible for most of the murals downtown)
• DSGN CLLCTV
• Essex Studios
• Manifest (Gallery and Art Classes)
• Pendleton Art Center
• Wave Pool Art Center
• The City Flea – Check the calendar for these pop-ups
• Crafty Supermarket – Happens a few times each year
  

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Great Views

Incline Public House 
Price Hill, West side
Perfect silhouette of the city and surrounding river valley.
2601 W 8th St, Cincinnati, OH 45204

Newport on the Levee
Newport, KY
Great view from across the way, walk down the to the path along the river and wind over to Covington.
1 Levee Way, Newport, Kentucky 41071

City View Tavern
Mt. Adams
I’m told to try the Bloody Mary, so I shall! 
403 Oregon St, Cincinnati, OH 45202  

Devou Park 
Covington, KY

Bellevue Park Clifton
2191 Ohio Avenue Cincinnati, Oh

Mt. Echo Park West Side
251 Mt. Echo Park Dr.

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