Neighborhoods10Central Core .....................................................10 City Center

City Center

Downtown, Over-the-Rhine, Mount Adams, Pendleton

Once known mostly for Fortune 500 companies and business lunches, Cincinnati’s thriving urban core is a mecca for foodies, families and Midwestern libertines looking for a city-centric lifestyle. The Central Business District boasts riverfront entertainment, sports stadiums and historic skyscrapers; Over-the-Rhine (and nearby Pendleton) o er the hippest cuisine and cocktails in one of the nation’s largest collections of Italianate architecture; and Mount Adams o ers major cultural destinations residing between cobblestone streets, steep hills and stunning city overlooks.

1

Somerset

Hailey Bollinger

If you’re looking for an oasis in the middle of Cincinnati, Somerset is the place to be. Tucked into Over-the-Rhine in blink-and-miss-it fashion, the newly opened Somerset is a plant-filled wonderland that boasts a double-decker bus, a glass-roofed conservatory and a cozy lounge space, all with unique seating nooks and exotic art pieces. The restaurant and bar — which was one of Cincinnati’s most anticipated in 2021 — features a global flair in its dishes as well as its craft cocktails. Don’t miss the Instagram-worthy patio. 139 E. McMicken Ave., Over-the-Rhine, somersetotr.com.

City Center

Smale Riverfront Park

Much of Cincinnati’s culture can be traced back to its location on the mighty Ohio River, and the city celebrates that heritage with an expansive park right along the water. Smale Riverfront Park connects downtown from Paul Brown Stadium to Great American Ball Park with 45 acres of greenway and charm. Operated by the Cincinnati Park Board, the park opened in 2012 and features public art, interactive fountains, playgrounds and a giant swingset that offers a heck of a view of the Ohio River. In 2021, USA Today readers said Smale was one of the best riverwalks in the nation. 166 W. Mehring Way, Downtown, cincinnatiparks.com.

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Scott Dittgen

Hailey Bollinger

3

Findlay Market

As Ohio’s longest continually operating public market (and one of the “10 Best Food Markets in the World,” per Newsweek), Findlay Market is a Cincinnati institution. More than 50 full-time merchants at the 19th-century landmark sell everything from meat, cheese and fresh-baked bread to produce, flowers and international eats. Stop by for a pint at Jane’s bar (a partnership with Karrikin Spirits that’s named after Findlay Market founder Jane Findlay), then check out the local farmers market and plenty of arts and crafts vendors. 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, findlaymarket.org.

4

Hailey Bollinger

Cincinnati Art Museum

The oldest art museum west of the Allegheny Mountains has plenty of modern culture. The museum — which is free to enter — has more than 67,000 items that date back more than 6,000 years. Don’t miss the new Art Climb, a flight of 164 steps that ascends from the sidewalk on the western end of Eden Park and zigzags its way up to the museum. At nine stories high, the stairway includes 16 landings and is flanked on either side by greenery and modern light beam structures. If the climb seems daunting, don’t fret: Not only are benches placed throughout, but users can also check out artworks placed at four different plazas. 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams, cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

Hailey Bollinger

5

Pepp & Dolores

Inspired by family dinners at the owners’ grandparents’ house, the menu at Pepp & Dolores features housemade pastas — like the cacio e pepe; limone spaghetti with Meyer lemon and chili flakes; and a frutti di mare with squid-ink pasta — along with a focus on shareable dishes, salads and bread. Their Sunday Sauce pasta represents the meat-laden, long-simmering tomato-based sauce from their Nonna’s kitchen. It’s incredibly rich and filling with veal and pork meatballs, braised pork shoulder and plenty of parmigiano-reggiano cheese. Adding The Dunk bread bowl, with an olive oil and vinegar “dunk,” is a must — as is an after-dinner homemade limoncello. 1501 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, peppanddolores.com.

Cincinnati’s central business district boasts riverfront entertainment — including the city’s major sports stadiums — historic skyscrapers, world-class dining and a flurry of arts activity. downtowncincinnati.com

Eat

Wake up and head for the California-inspired Maplewood Kitchen and Bar (525 Race St., maplewoodkitchenandbar.com), a locally owned breakfast and lunch café with cold-pressed juice and buzzword ingredients (quinoa, kale, etc.). Pick which way your day will go by making a choice between a Brainstorm Coffee or a roasted-tomatillo bloody mary. Neighboring Mita’s (501 Race St., mitas. co) pays homage to chef Jose Salazar’s Colombian grandmother with a menu that plays off Latin American and Spanish traditions — expertly prepared empanadas, ceviche, paella and more. The bar also serves up a mean Mezcal Manhattan. Chef Cristian Pietoso’s Via Vite (520 Vine St., viaviterestaurant.com) does Northern Italian with a view of Fountain Square (520 Vine St., myfountainsquare.com). The Square, centered around the iconic Tyler Davidson fountain, features almost nightly programming in summer and an ice rink in winter. For traditional Italian, Scotti’s (919 Vine St., scottisitalianrestaurant.com), family-owned for more than a century, features nearly 20 different veal dishes and dripping candles in old Chianti bottles. Find more restaurants clustered near the Aronoff Center for the Arts (650 Walnut St., cincinnatiarts.org/aronoff-center), home to Broadway in Cincinnati and other touring shows. Award-winning chef David Falk’s restaurant group encompasses some of the best downtown eateries: modern Mexican hotspot Nada (600 Walnut St., eatdrinknada.com) is next to the Aronoff, while just round the block, traditional Tuscan trattoria Sotto (118 E. Sixth St., sottocincinnati.com) and world-class French-Italian upstairs sister Boca (114 E. Sixth St., bocacincinnati.com) offer excellent high-end dining. At Boca, get the Pommes Soufflees “1942” — the classiest french fries — which are a call back to the restaurant’s former iteration as the five-star Maisonette. You’ll feel like Daisy Buchanan at the masterful French Art Deco Orchids at Palm Court (35 W. Fifth St., orchidsatpalmcourt.com) at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza. After dinner, head to Orchids’ bar; decked out in detailed ceiling frescos and 1930s stylized Egyptian décor with weekend Jazz playing, it’s the perfect place for a champagne cocktail. Before heading upstairs

Contemporary Arts Center.

to one of the Contemporary Arts Center’s (44 E. Sixth St., contemporaryartscenter. org) new exhibits, visit Fausto (faustoatthecac.com) inside for fresh, seasonal cuisine. For a sweet treat, there’s Hello Honey (725 Race St.,hellohoneyicecream. com), a hidden gem where everything is homemade, from the chocolate cayenne ice cream to the waffle cones to the hand-torched marshmallows. For more space and a family-friendly vibe, head to The Banks (thebankscincy.com), a booming mixed-use riverfront development along the Ohio River. It’s home to the multi-level riverfront dining destination of local brewery Moerlein Lager House (115 Joe Nuxhall Way, moerleinlagerhouse. com), with 25 beers on tap and a great view of both the water the Reds’ Great American Ball Park. And if views are what you’re craving, The View at Shires’ Garden (309 Vine St., theviewatshiresgarden.com) features indoor and outdoor dining and cocktail tables on the 10th floor of City Club Apartments. For another eatery with a top-floor attraction, downtown’s The Lytle Park Hotel (311 Pike St., thelytleparkhotel.com) features in-house, upscale Italian eatery Subito and sophisticated rooftop lounge, Vista at Lytle Park.

Drink

The recently revitalized Court Street Plaza (courtstreetcincy.com) — located on Court Street between Vine and Walnut streets — is a pedestrian-friendly urban promenade with enough space to accommodate outdoor dining, events and pop-ups. Check here for new bars and restaurants. Located across the street from Kroger on the Rhine, Key Westthemed bar Pilar (56 E. Court St., pilarcincinnati.com) takes inspiration from famed American author Ernest Hemingway and is named in honor of Hemingway’s 38-foot fishing boat. Island-style cocktails feature names inspired by novels and stories by Hemingway, like The Old Man and the Sea, made with Espolón Anejo Tequila, Banane du Brésil, Angostura bitters and tiki bitters. Mid-City (40 E Court St., midcitycinti.com), from the team behind Over-the-Rhine favorite bar Longfellow, is a cozy little restaurant and bar serving up griddled eats. Head to the contemporary art gallery and boutique lodging experience 21c Museum Hotel (609 Walnut St., 21cmuseumhotels.com/cincinnati), voted one of the best hotels in America by Condé Nast Traveler readers. There, check out the vintage tile floors at the in-house Metropole restaurant and bar, or take a secret elevator up to the seasonal rooftop terrace and watch the sun go down over downtown with a cocktail in hand. For an equally panoramic but greener view, Top of the Park (506 E. Fourth St., topoftheparkcincinnati.com) at the Marriott Residence Inn overlooks historic Lytle Park, where a rare beardless statue of Abraham Lincoln stands sentry. The rooftop bar at AC Upper Banks (135 Joe Nuxhall Way, acupperdeck.com) boasts excellent views of the riverfront and Great American Ball Park. Grab a local beer at the cozy, 150-plus-years-old Arnold’s (210 E. Eighth St., arnoldsbarandgrill.com), the oldest continuously operated tavern in the city. For more history, Nation Kitchen & Bar (1200 Broadway, nationkitchenandbar.com)

Kaitlyn Handel

in neighboring Pendleton serves burgers, bottomless brunch and cocktails themed around Cincinnati’s defeat of Temperance warrior Carrie Nation. Other must-visits in Pendleton include barbecue joint Lucius Q (1131 Broadway St., luciusq.com) and Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey (1201 Broadway St., boomtownbiscuitsandwhiskey.com). Cocktail bar Saeso (1208 Sycamore St., barsaeso.com) is located right on the cusp of Pendleton with a design that calls to mind global drinking destinations from Mexico City to Rome. The Banks (thebankscincy.com) was declared a DORA District in 2021, meaning you can grab an alcoholic beverage in a designated cup and wander from Paul Brown Stadium to the Heritage Bank Center.

Shop

Open since 1940, Ohio Book Store (726 Main St., ohiobookstore.net) is an independent five-story literary treasure trove with an expansive selection of books both old and new. And over the past 70 years, Algin Retro Furniture (800 Main St., alginretro.com) has transitioned from a typewriter and resale shop to a business selling hip Midcentury Modern reproductions and upcycled furniture. The next-door seven-floor Algin Office is an awesome warehouse to find vintage desks, filing cabinets and seating. Head to the Historic West Fourth District (Fourth Street, historicwestfourth.com) for sister shops Koko (kokotheshop.com), a sustainable shop, and Forage (forageplants.com), an “interior plant shop and community for plant lovers”; and Handzy (handzyshopstudio.com), a colorful women’s clothing

and accessories boutique, and Gumdrop (gumdroptots.com), a super cute children’s shop with the same aesthetic. Unheardof (unheardofbrand.com) stocks streetwear and coveted sneakers, while Fabulous Frames & Art (fabframes.com) has a large selection of Charley Harper artwork and gifts. If you need a break, stop by ethical boutique coffee shop Deeper Roots (deeperrootscoffee.com) or the veteran-owned Rebel Mettle Brewery (rebelmettlebrewery.com).

Do

Rent a surrey bike (wheelfunrentals. com) and ride along riverfront park Sawyer Point (705 E. Pete Rose Way, cincinnatiparks.com) or neighboring Smale Riverfront Park (100 W. Mehring Way, cincinnatiparks.com) near the Roebling Suspension Bridge, with spraygrounds, bench-swings and a whimsical carousel. The glass-enclosed Carol Ann’s Carousel features 44 hand-carved animals, which you can ride for $2. For culture, discover the stories of freedom’s heroes at the

National Underground Railroad Freedom

Center (50 E. Freedom Way, freedomcenter. org) or have an exhibition-inspired lunch at the Taft Museum of Art’s (316 Pike St., taftmuseum.org) garden café. Downtown is also home to all of the major professional sports teams (except for Major League Soccer’s FC Cincinnati, which is in the West End): the Reds’ Great American Ball Park (100 Joe Nuxhall Way, reds. com), the Bengals’ Paul Brown Stadium (1 Paul Brown Stadium, bengals.com) and the Cyclones’ Heritage Bank Arena (100 Broadway St., cycloneshockey.com).

Explore

Rent a Red Bike (cincyredbike.org) — which comes with its own basket — and pedal around town. Now with almost 60 locations ranging from Northside to Newport, the bike-share program costs just $8 a day. Check out Cincinnati artist Charley Harper’s public mural, “Space for all Species,” on display in downtown’s John Weld Peck Federal Building (550 Main St.).

MOUNT ADAMS

A prime area for both young professionals and longtime urban dwellers, major cultural and nightlife destinations reside among winding cobblestone streets, steep hills and stunning city overlooks. mtadamscincy.com

Eat

Find plenty of places to grab a bite before a show at the Tony Award-winning Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park (962

Krohn Conservatory.

Mount Adams Circle, cincyplay.com). Once a speakeasy, Mount Adams Bar & Grill (938 Hatch St., mtadamsbarandgrill.com) is now a great place for soup, salads and sandwiches. Bow Tie Café (1101 Saint Gregory St., bowtiecafe.com) does bistro bites, plus Intelligentsia coffee and cocktails.

Drink

Grab your laddies and head to Cincinnati’s oldest Irish pub Crowley’s (958 Pavilion St., 513-721-7709) for a Guinness. City View Tavern (403 Oregon St., facebook. com/cityviewtavern) is a classic dive that offers cheap beer and no-frills made-toorder burgers. Have both on the deck for the bar’s namesake view. Visit The Blind Lemon (936 Hatch St., theblindlemon.com) for live music and a romantic evening on the sequestered, secret-garden patio. Looking for a place to watch the game? Head to El Barril Mexican Sports Bar & Grill (940 Pavilion St., elbarrilmexicansportsbarandgrill.com) for some spicy sports chatter along with a margarita tower.

Do

Two of the city’s best attractions reside here: the Cincinnati Art Museum (953 Eden Park Drive, cincinnatiartmuseum. org) and Krohn Conservatory (1501 Eden Park Drive, cincinnatiparks.com). The art museum offers free public tours of its collection, which spans 6,000 years and includes everything from African, Contemporary and Folk art to fashion and photography. Walk up the nine-story, outdoor Art Climb staircase, featuring large-scale sculptural art and places to rest and relax. With rotating exhibits and more than 3,500 plants on display at all times, the 1930s aluminum-and-glass Krohn Conservatory (which looks like an upside-down heart) is home to an indoor waterfall, exotic plants, an orchid house and a super-popular annual butterfly show.

Brittany Thornton

Explore

As one of Cincinnati’s seven hills, Mount Adams is renowned for its river and city views. Try the Celestial Street Overlook (corner of Celestial and Hill streets, hillsidetrust.org) or walk across the Ida Street Viaduct (once a wooden trestle that carried the 1880s streetcar) into Eden Park (950 Eden Park Drive, cincinnatiparks.com). Climb the 100 or so steps from the base of Columbia Parkway to one of the highest points in Cincinnati — Holy Cross-Immaculata Church (30 Guido St., 2011.hciparish. org). On Good Friday, the faithful make a pilgrimage praying the rosary as they walk slowly up the stairs.

OVER-THE-RHINE

The heart of the city’s booming 19th-century German immigrant population, OTR went through many transformations before being redeveloped as a hip hub. It consistently offers the latest in buzzworthy attractions while preserving one of the nation’s largest collections of historic Italianate architecture. otrchamber.com

Eat

Over-the-Rhine is the epicurean epicenter of cutting-edge bars and restaurants in the heart of Cincinnati. All the food trends are covered: farm-to-table, high-end street eats and anything else that necessitates a long wait. Award-winning chefs own multiple eateries on and slightly off the strip, so anywhere you stop, you can be sure you’re in for a excellent meal and, in keeping with elevated expectations, masterful mixology paired with lists of local craft beers and fine wines. Chef Daniel Wright’s Mediterranean tapas-style stop Abigail Street (1214 Vine St., abigailstreet. com) is down the street from his Pontiac (1403 Vine St., pontiacbbq.com), which has Tiki drinks and smoked meats, as well as Holiday Spirits (1538 Race St., holidayliquorbar.com) and its in-house eatery Forty Thieves (fortythievesgang.com), a dive bar with a walk-up window serving shawarma, falafel and za’atar fries. Stop by Chef Jose Salazar’s namesake Salazar (1401 Republic St., salazarcincinnati.com) for a playful seasonal menu of nibbles, like salmon with an everything-bagel-inspired crust, or his Goose & Elder (1800 Race St., gooseandelder.com) burger joint for classic cocktails and a fried bologna sandwich. Nearby is Pleasantry (118 W. 15th St., pleasantryotr.com), a polished yet easygoing gem that serves simple and seasonal Midwestern dishes. Craving Mexican? The part bar, part taco joint, all classy Bakersfield (1213 Vine St., bakersfieldtacos.com) specializes in gourmet tacos (pollo verde, pastor, huitlacoche, etc.), quality tequilas and whiskeys and hand-crafted margaritas made the old-fashioned way. For seafood, the new Pearlstar (1220 Vine St., pearl-star.com) serves both East and West Coast oysters and other raw delicacies including crudo, ceviche and tartare. They have a giant patio, plus bocce ball. Quan Hapa (1331 Vine St., quanhapa.com) has Asian-inspired street food, sake and ramen. For Italian, Nicola’s (1420 Sycamore St., nicolasotr. com), a top Zagat-rated Italian restaurant, does Bolognese Night on Mondays; get either a meaty beef and veal or vegetarian tagliatelle Bolognese, bread and salad for a deal. French Crust Café (1801 Elm St., frenchcrust.com) is the first full-service brunch and dinner bistro in Findlay Market; it’s a Francophile’s dream — helmed by renowned chef Jean-Robert de Cavel — with note-perfect quiches, croissants, omelets and, of course, a croque monsieur. For more of France, Macaron Bar (1206 Main St., macaron-bar. com) is dedicated exclusively to the art of baking colorful macarons. Brown Bear Bakery (116 E. 13th St., brownbearbakes. com) is a cult favorite slinging craft-made sweet and savory pastries and baked goods. Looking for hearty vegan fare? The award-winning ESSEN Kitchen (1 Findlay St., essenkitchen.com) has one of the best vegan burgers around, along with a host of other delicious entrees. Or stop by Rooted Juicery & Kitchen’s (1801 Race St., rootedjuicery.com) Findlay Market location for plant milk lattes, vegan baked goods and cold-pressed juice. They also serve wine. For late night, Gomez Salsa (107 E. 12th St., gomezsalsa.com) does walk-up tacos. Or grab a midnight slice at Goodfellas Pizzeria (1211 Main St., goodfellaspizzeria. com).

Drink

OTR is home to an entire Brewery District, launched in the 1800s by German

brewers and decimated by Prohibition. Today, the district is exploding with new microbrewers inhabiting the once-abandoned skeletons of former beer giants. Named one of the top 10 best bars in the country by USA Today, Rhinegeist (1910 Elm St., rhinegeist.com) brews hoppy West Coast-style beers in an old bottling plant with an awesome rooftop deck. Down the street, Taft’s Ale House (1429 Race St., taftsbeer.com), named after President/ Cincinnatian William Howard Taft, has creative craft brews and a curated menu in a former German church. Book an American Legacy Tour (americanlegacytours.com) or a Brewing Heritage Trail Tour (brewingheritagetrail.org) for more history. Take a free, self-guided tour on the Brewing Heritage walking trail. “Hop on” the trail, which stretches about three-fourths of a mile between Findlay Market (1801 Race St.) and Grant Park (73 E. McMillan Ave.) in Over-theRhine, at either terminus and follow embedded medallions in the sidewalk to discover historic buildings, brewing sites, public art and more. Skeleton Root (38 W. McMicken Ave., skeletonroot.com) is a functioning winery and tasting room that pays homage to the city’s verdant winemaking past. If you’re serious about cocktails and history, visit Japp’s (1134 Main St., jappsotr. com) for pre-Prohibition style spirits, The Lackman (1237 Vine St., lackmanbar.com) for a barrel-aged Manhattan or the apothecary-themed Sundry and Vice (18 W. 13th St., sundryandvice.com) for drinks with egg whites, bitters and absinthe. Enjoy a wine flight at 1215 Wine Bar & Coffee Lab (1215 Vine St.,1215vine.com) or Revel OTR (111 E. 12th St., revelotr.com), which specializes in promoting regional wineries and makes its own small-batch vino in the basement using a family recipe. Liberty’s Bar & Bottle (1427 Main St., facebook.com/Libertys-Bar-Bottle-715086285194142) hawks European wine and beers, with half-pours and bottles to go. Longfellow’s (1233 Clay St., longfellowbar.com) craft cocktails are cool and dangerously drinkable, while the food menu offers late-night pierogies and old-fashioned snacks, like casino egg salad or a dill pickle and cheese sandwich. Right nearby, HomeMakers Bar (39 E. 13th St., homemakersbar.com) promotes a retro vibe with its decor and drink menu, laden with the domestic cocktails of the 1950s through the 1970s as well as aperitifs, digestifs and bitters. Head to the beer garden at Queen City Radio (222 W. 12th St., qcrbar.com) for a local pint, boozy slushies, wine and cocktails. Get down to some free live music at MOTR Pub (1345 Main St., motrpub.com), or take in a drag show upstairs at Below Zero Lounge (1120 Walnut St., belowzerolounge.com), one of Yelp’s top 100 LGBTQ+ bars in the nation. Those looking for superior drinks and music in an inclusive space can find it at Nostalgia Wine & Jazz Lounge (1432 Vine St., nostalgiaotr.com). Inspired by Cincinnati’s Cotton Club of the 1930s and 1940s, the intimate jazz bar showcases more than 40 bottles from women and minority winemakers and spiritmakers. Wodka Bar (1200 Main St., wodkabarotr.com) dishes out Eastern European eats and specializes in vodka, from housemade infusions to spirits from around the world.

Shop

There’s a bevy of local boutiques within a several block radius — we can’t list them all here, so do yourself a favor and wander. Sloane Boutique (1216 Vine St., sloaneboutique.com) meets clothing needs for the style-blogger set, Continuum (1407 Vine St., continuumbazaar.com) is a curated concept shop showcasing indie designers and MiCa 12/v (1201 Vine St., shopmica.com) has locally made fine art and gifts. The eclectic TMBTITWI (1411 Vine St., themostbeautifulthingintheworldis.com), helmed by a world-traveling art specialist, has storied clothing, jewelry and home goods. Idlewild Woman (1230 Vine St., idlewildwoman.com) is managed by Cincinnati fashion designer and Project Runway alum Tessa Clark. Cincy Shirts (1301 Main St., cincyshirts.com) sells vintage-inspired T-shirts and apparel that focus on hometown and sports-team pride. Mannequin Boutique (1311 Main St., facebook.com/mannequinboutiqueOTR) collects high-end vintage and donates sales proceeds to local nonprofits. To see many local boutiques in one place, visit Second Sunday on Main (secondsundayonmain.org), an eclectic summer festival, or The City Flea (thecityflea.com), an urban market held April through December. The area around Findlay Market is also exploding with local shops, like Artichoke’s (1824 Elm St., artichokeotr.com) curated kitchenware storefront, Budding Florist’s (1817 Elm St., thebuddingfloristcincy.com) plant shop and Deerhaus Decor’s (135 W. Elder St., deerhausdecor.com) eco-friendly and vintage wonderland.

Do

Try your skill at pinball, shuffleboard or duckpin bowling on the rooftop at Pins Mechanical Company (1124 Main St., pinsbar.com/cincy). Get a green manicure at Spruce Nail Shop (1818 Race St., sprucenailshop.com) before catching a concert at the Woodward Theater (1404 Main St., woodwardtheater.com), a century-old Beaux Arts venue that once played silent movies; it now hosts touring indie, punk and rock acts. The Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal (1301 Western Ave., cincymuseum.org) is a 1930s railroad station converted into a natural history museum, OMNIMAX theater and children’s museum (the Super Friends’ Hall of Justice is modeled after the building). It’s also home to the Holocuast & Humanity Center (holocaustandhumanity.org). For the latest in avant-garde theater, check out Know Theatre of Cincinnati (1120 Jackson St., knowtheatre.com), with $15 rush tickets right before performances. On any given weekend, find musicians, a murder mystery dinner or a ComedySportz improv competition at Memorial Hall (1225 Elm St., memorialhallotr.com). And when that relaxing Cincinnati summer heat hits, take a dip in the pool at Ziegler Park (216 Woodward St., zieglerpark.org). The six-acre Washington Park (1230

Washington Park.

Holden Mathis

Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, washingtonpark. org) is a renovated 150-year-old urban public space that offers a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of the city — like Central Park, but a lot smaller and without a zoo or restaurant. But what it lacks in zoos, it makes up for in interactive features like a dog park; children’s playground; synchronizable, splashable water jets; and an elevated deck with lounge seating, yard games and a full bar (hooray!). The park also has plenty of free programming, from instructor-led workouts, movie screenings and pop-up markets to beer fests, holiday happenings and happy hours. It’s basically Over-theRhine’s backyard.

Explore

Stroll Findlay Market (1801 Race St., findlaymarket.org) for farm-fresh food and outposts of favorite eateries like Dojo Gelato (dojogelato.com), which offers an excellent affogato (gelato drowned in espresso), Eli’s BBQ (elisbarbeque.com) with cult-favorite smoked meats; and Pho Lang Thang (pholangthang.com), a Vietnamese eatery with the city’s best banh mi. Go online for an ArtWorks (artworkscincinnati.org) mural map to take a self-guided walking tour or join a group tour — the nonprofit paints large-scale works on local buildings every summer. Visit classical performance landmark Music Hall (1241 Elm St., cincinnatiarts.org), which also features haunted tours; built over a pauper’s cemetery, it reportedly is one of the most haunted places in America. Or catch the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Pops, Cincinnati Opera or May Festival (one of the world’s longest-running choral festivals) there.