Things to do in Cincinnati
Over-The-Rhine
Spend a day or evening: Over-the-Rhine, located just north of downtown Cincinnati, is one of the largest and most intact historic urban districts in the United States. The neighborhood got its name in the 19th century from German immigrants who crossed the Miami and Erie Canal (nicknamed “the Rhine" in ref. to the river Rhine in Germany) to get there—hence, "Over-the-Rhine." The Miami and Erie Canal is now Central Pkwy, a street which still separates Over-the-Rhine from Downtown Cincy. By the mid-1800s, Over-the-Rhine had become a thriving German-American enclave known for its goetta, music halls, theater companies, superior Italianate architecture, and especially breweries. By the late-1800s, Cincinnati was one of the top beer-producing cities in the United States, with more than 35 breweries operating in the city-including Christian Moerlein and Hudepohl-and over 1,300 saloons. Key stops: Findlay Market Washington Park Music Hall Rhinegeist Vine Street for shopping Main Street
Findlay Market
Especially on Saturday mornings, Findlay Market is a must-visit spot in Over-the Rhine, blending history, culture, and community together. Established in 1855, it's Ohio’s oldest continuously operated public market. Growing up, Phillip's dad, Richard, would take Phillip and his brothers to Findlay Market on Saturday mornings to get apples, cheeses, treats, and other locally-sourced groceries and goods. In high school, Phillip loved busking there on weekends with his brother David and their friends.
Washington Park & Cincinnati Music Hall
Built in 1878 by Samuel Hannaford & Sons, Cincinnati Music Hall is a cornerstone of Cincinnati's longtime and rich artistic heritage. Located across the street from iconic Washington Park, it acts as Madeline's "office" for the summer while she performs with Cincinnati Opera. Washington Park is at the center of many of Over-the-Rhine's best restaurants, bars and entertainment. Visiting Music Hall and Washington Park together sounds like a fun time!
Rookwood Pottery
Founded by Maria Longworth Nichols, Rookwood Pottery and its artisans have been standing on business in Over-the-Rhine since 1880. Virtually every historic home in Cincinnati features Rookwood Pottery—from fireplaces and water fountains to tiled floors. Phillip’s high school—the historic Old Woodward Building—features twelve Rookwood Pottery drinking fountains and thousands of square feet of tiled flooring. Suzanne took Madeline and Phillip for a visit a couple years ago and purchased some beautiful items. Visit Rookwood on Race Street and head to Findlay Market or Rhinegeist Brewery after for a drink!
Smale Riverfront Park
Smale Riverfront Park is one of Cincinnati’s most scenic and family-friendly destinations—perfect for walking, relaxing, and exploring. Key stops: Moerlein Lager House Carol Ann's Carousel John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge - prototype for the Brooklyn Bridge The Banks Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum
Cincinnati Art Museum
Built in 1881, the Cincinnati Art Museum is a FREE admission art museum featuring the largest collection of art in Ohio and one of the most comprehensive collections in the Midwest. This collection features works by Monet, van Gogh, Picasso, Renoir, as well as an entire wing permanently dedicated to art created for Cincinnati or by Cincinnati artists since 1788, including work by world-renowned Rookwood Pottery. Rookwood Pottery is goated. Madeline's favorite: Deli-Going to Lunch by Emily Brock Phillip's favorite: Cincinnati Wing and Monet Cincinnati Art Museum is a block from one of the best neighborhoods in Cincinnati: Mount Adams. Mt Adams was home for Madeline and Phillip for 5 years, and they still visit often. Key Stops in Mt Adams: El Barril The Blind Lemon Your Mom's Pizza Crowley's Highland House Cafe Krohn Conservatory
Newport on the Levee
If you're feeling adventurous and want to see what The Bluegrass State has to offer, Newport on the Levee has a fabulous aquarium, shopping, restaurants, bars, and an AMC movie theater (where we saw our first movie together- Hunger Games). It's also walkable to the Purple People Bridge - a pedestrian bridge that connects Newport to Cincinnati. Key stops in Newport: Hofbräuhaus Newport - first Hofbräuhaus outside of Munich, Germany, licensed by the original Hofbräuhaus München - fantastic taste of Bavaria! Newport Aquarium Velocity Bowling AMC Newport Beeline The Party Source - One of the largest stand-alone liquor stores in the country - 100% employee owned
Skyline Chili
There are a few restaurants and bars included in descriptions above, but we'll go ahead and give you more! Cincinnati-style chili was first introduced in the early 1920s by Greek and Macedonian immigrants, including brothers Tom and John Kiradjieff, who opened Empress Chili in 1922 near a burlesque theater in Cincinnati. Cincinnati-style chili is thin and finely ground, seasoned with Mediterranean spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and sometimes chocolate, and most commonly served on spaghetti with a hefty amount of cheese on top. Pictured on the back of Phillip and Madeline's save-the-date is a cheese coney from Skyline (Ludlow Ave - their fave location). Madeline's order: 1 Chilito with Spaghetti Phillip's order: Chilito with spaghetti, 2 cheese coneys or regular 3-way, Greek Salad Other Staple Cincy Chili: Camp Washington Chili (Phillip's Fave) Price Hill Chili Empress Chili Pleasant Ridge Chili Dixie Chili Blue Ash Chili Blue Jay (M&P's neighborhood) Gold Star 😒
Graeter's Ice Cream
Graeter's is Cincinnati's favorite ice cream. Founded in 1870 by Louis Graeter in Cincinnati, Graeter's is still family-owned and operated (4th Generation). Why Graeter's is so good: Graeter’s uses a small-batch, French Pot method dating back to the 1800s: Each batch is made just 2½ gallons at a time Ice cream is spun slowly in chilled pots, making it extra dense and creamy No air is whipped in like most commercial brands (which makes it super rich) The chocolate is poured in as liquid, then broken up by hand Graeter’s has around 18% butterfat (premium ice cream standard) Madeline's flavors: Mocha Chocolate Chip, Vienna Coffee Phillip's flavors: Black Raspberry Chip (their flagship), Skyline Spice, Cotton Candy Honorable mentions: Elena's Blueberry Pie, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Favorite Locations - Ludlow Ave (near Skyline) and Fountain Square
Cafe Mochiko
Named among New York Times' Best Bakeries across the U.S., Cafe Mochiko is an inventive Japanese bakery and restaurant with a menu bursting with flavor. They even have a special ramen featuring a traditional Cincinnati chili topping. Location is not far from Cincinnati Art Museum and Mt Adams. Madeline's order: katsu sando and broccoli gomae Phillip's order: kimchi and egg croissant & Cincinnati-Style Ramen
Pho Lang Thang
Our favorite Pho spot within the city limits! Madeline's order: small pho tai, and gỏi cuốn (summer rolls) Phillip's order: regular pho tai, Bon Bo Huế, and cha gio (fried spring rolls) Madeline and Phillip come here often with their officiant, Sam.
Arnold's Bar & Grill
Arnold's Bar & Grill is Cincinnati's oldest continuously operating bar, open since 1861. Originally owned and operated by Susan Fawcett as "a whorehouse" starting in 1838, Cincinnati Historian Mike Morgan says new owner Simon Arnold converted it into a Bar in '61. Arnold's has been featured in various films/TV shows including The Alto Knights (2025) and Hot Ones, Season 3 Ep. 1 (First We Feast). Madeline loves their Banh Mi Phillip loves their Hudy Delight
Adeep India
Our favorite Indian restaurant, and it's not even close! Adeep India (formerly Deep India) is one of many Indian restaurants located Uptown in the Clifton Heights/University Heights/Fairview (CUF) district. This neighborhood is where Phillip spent his first 12 years of life, and eventually where Madeline and Phillip met for the first time in college at the University of Cincinnati.
Paycor Stadium
The New York Jets are coming to Cincinnati on Sunday, October 26, 1:00pm. Phillip is considering attending this game. The weather can be very nice in October, and the venue formerly known as Paul Brown Stadium is an outdoor stadium. However, Phillip is expecting rain. Phillip and Madeline have attended several significant Bengals games in recent memory, including the January 15, 2022 matchup against the Oakland Raiders, when the Bengals secured their first playoff victory since 1990. The Bengals then went on to defeat the Tennessee Titans (Divisional) and Kansas City Chiefs (AFC Championship) to make their first Super Bowl appearance in 33 years. Madeline and Phillip were also in attendance for "The Fumble in the Jungle" Wild Card Playoff Game on January 15, 2023, when the Bengals defeated the Baltimore Ravens 24-17. Madeline's favorite player: Hayden Hurst Phillip's favorite player: Chad Johnson, Carson Palmer before he was a baby
Great American Ball Park
If Terry "Tito' Francona can lead the Cincinnati Red Stockings to the World Series in his first year as Skipper, Game 1 of the series is currently scheduled for Friday, October 24th. Founded in 1869, the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first professional baseball team in America and remain a significant part of Cincinnati's history. The Reds have led numerous community efforts to support local causes and strengthen neighborhood connections including the RBI Program, Reds Rookie Success League, The Bond Hill Transformation, and the Reds Community Fund. Team Championships: 1919, 1940, 1975, 1976, 1990 Team payroll for 2025: $102 million (23rd in the MLB) Madeline loves to wear her Max Scherzer player jersey to Reds games, especially when her team, the Washington Nationals, are in town. Phillip loves to wear his Joey Votto player jersey to Reds games Best food at GABP: The Skyrosa