Cincy Region Guide

GROUP TOUR PLANNER

CINCINNATI MUSEUM CENTER

BB RIVERBOATS

ARK ENCOUNTER

NEWPORT AQUARIUM

NATIONAL UNDERGROUND RAILROAD FREEDOM CENTER SMALE RIVERFRONT PARK

RIDING IS BELIEVING

RIDING IS BELIEVING

GET WHERE YOU’RE GOING FASTER & EASIER THAN EVER METRO is new & improved:

GET WHERE YOU’RE GOING FASTER & EASIER THAN EVER METRO is new & improved:

FIND OUT ALL THE WAYS METRO IS MAKING IT EASIER TO GO

FIND OUT ALL THE WAYS METRO IS MAKING IT EASIER TO GO

SMALE RIVERFRONT PARK

WELCOME

to the Cincy Region—Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky—where what’s ours, is yours. Our neighborhoods are yours to explore. Our museums are your inspiration. Our restaurants are yours to savor. It’s our culture, but it’s your Cincy.

The Cincy Region is the intersection of the North and the South, a melting pot of American art, culture, and history. Perfect for a long group stay or a short stopover, the region will wow with myriad memorable group offerings.

CINCINNATI MUSIC FESTIVAL

GROUP BENEFITS

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

When considering the Cincy Region for your next tour or group outing, here are some must-see attractions:

ARK ENCOUNTER

Noah’s Ark is brought to life through the largest wood-framed timber structure in the world

NATIONAL UNDERGROUND

RAILROAD FREEDOM CENTER

A museum that preserves the courageous stories of the Underground Railroad

» Welcome gifts for all passengers delivered directly to your host hotel when arranged before arrival

» Complimentary bus driver accommodations and room allotment (dependent on hotel partners)

» Itinerary planning services available for step-on guide offerings or city tours

» Single point of contact for both sides of the Ohio River in this unique multistate destination

AMERICAN SIGN MUSEUM

Here, the largest public museum dedicated to signs in the U.S. showcases storied insignia

MUSIC FAITH

Music fills the air in the Cincy Region! Whether enjoying national and local acts at riverfront venues like the Andrew J. Brady Music Center or MegaCorp Pavilion or catching a concert at the Riverbend Music Center, your group can enjoy an impactful music experience. The Cincy Region is also home to historic music venues like Music Hall, Cincinnati Symphony and Opera, and some of the largest multicultural music events in the country, like the Cincinnati Music Festival

CINCINNATI ZOO & BOTANICAL GARDEN AND NEWPORT AQUARIUM

Committed to inspiring visitors, these are two of the top family-friendly destinations in the area

The spirit is strong in the Cincy Region, especially at the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum. These interactive spiritual destinations bring the Bible to life in creative ways and are perfect additions to any faith-based itinerary. Make sure to include spectacular docent-led tours at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains in downtown Cincinnati.

CREATION MUSEUM

MEGACORP PAVILION

As the place where the North ends and the South begins, the Cincy Region offers a unique perspective of American history. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is a must-see and is dedicated to telling the true story of the Underground Railroad and the impact it had in this region. The Harriet Beecher Stowe Home is another wonderful addition to any itinerary that showcases this celebrated author’s literary contributions to society and notable abolitionist works, including the novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” which was hugely impactful on American culture leading up to the Civil War. Or take a walking tour over the famous John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge or a Newport Gangster Tour to see Newport, America’s original “Sin City.”

HISTORY DISCOVERY ART

Discover the wonders of the natural world in the Cincy Region through our world-class Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and Newport Aquarium, both rated top in the country. Learn about American history through signs at the American Sign Museum, and explore the Cincinnati Museum Center, home of the Cincinnati History Museum, Museum of Natural History and Science, the Cincinnati Children’s Museum, and the Nancy and David Wolf Holocaust and Humanity Center. Journey to the top of Covington’s Devou Park for a truly unique experience at the Behringer-Crawford Museum, which features exhibitions on natural history, American history, and the region’s iconic railway system.

SPORTS

There is nothing like game day in the Cincy Region! Join the roar of the crowds rooting for our football team, the Cincinnati Bengals, or America’s first baseball team, the Cincinnati Reds. Be sure to visit the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum, which showcases our groundbreaking baseball history. New to the sports arena is FC Cincinnati, our Major League Soccer team that debuted in 2019. For racing fans, our region is home to many notable horse tracks, including the new Turfway Park Racing & Gaming by Churchill Downs in Florence.

Art abounds in the Cincy Region! With a bevy of public art and free art museums, like the Cincinnati Art Museum and the Cincinnati Contemporary Art Center, art enthusiasts revel in visits to these can’t-miss landmarks. The region is also home to many top-notch performance venues like the Aronoff Center for the Arts, where Broadway and ballet take the stage. The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company performs the Bard’s timeless works, along with other great plays by Charles Dickens, Noël Coward, and many more celebrated playwrights.

TURFWAY PARK RACING & GAMING

OHIO RIVER WAY

NATIONAL UNDERGROUND RAILROAD FREEDOM CENTER

CINCINNATI ZOO & BOTANICAL GARDEN

SEE WHERE CONNECT NORTH & SOUTH FOR

MEMORABLE GROUP TOUR EXPERIENCES

A region with rich experiences, new events, and unforgettable moments to offer group visitors, this is your official source for itineraries and group tour services for the Cincy Region.

Sports & Recreation

The Cincy Region, like much of America’s heartland, has a strong sports culture, making it an excellent destination to tailgate, watch a game, or get active.

America’s favorite pastime has strong roots in the Cincy Region. The Cincinnati Reds is the oldest franchise in professional baseball, and the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum traces its storied past through sports broadcasting exhibits, vintage memorabilia, and the stories of boundary-breaking baseball players. In the summer, watch an FC Cincinnati soccer match or tailgate at Paycor Stadium before a Cincinnati Bengals football game. Get in on the sporting action yourself at one of Northern Kentucky’s

Outdoor Recreation

Hike, bike, paddle, and stroll in the great outdoors and local parks. Outdoor fun is all around in the Cincy Region, from the peace and quiet of Kentucky back roads to an urban oasis in downtown Cincinnati to gliding down the Ohio River on a riverboat or kayak.

ULTURE

Arts & Culture

The Cincy Region is where the best of Northern and Southern cultures collide, resulting in artistic works and experiences that are diverse, creative, and distinctly American. Local musicians and artists draw from this rich culture to create incredible experiences across the region’s many concert venues, theaters, and museums. Fill your trip to the Cincy Region with color, music, and merriment with visits to these one-of-a-kind destinations.

Art lovers will marvel at the masterpieces of the Cincy Region. Even just walking around the Cincinnati and Newport areas, visitors will see colorful murals splashed across buildings, a testament to the creative culture of the region. View works by Rembrandt and Turner at the Taft Museum of Art, a mansion-turned-museum that was originally home to Cincinnati’s frst millionaire. At the American Sign Museum, you’ll fnd a collection of creative engineering marvels that have lit up America’s main streets and big cities. Known for its internationally acclaimed architecture as much as its enviable art collection, the Contemporary Arts Center showcases the latest and greatest of modern art.

The region also regularly hosts incredible artistic performances. The Cincinnati Ballet, the region’s premier ballet company, stages productions of classics like “The Nutcracker” and several modern dance performances. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (aka Cincy Shakes) performs some of live theater’s most recognizable works. Rock out to well-known bands and up-and-coming acts at the Andrew J. Brady Music Center, which is also home to the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame, a must-see for fans of Cincy Region legends like Bootsy Collins, Otis Williams, Dr. Charles Fold, and the Isley Brothers. In Newport, outdoor venue MegaCorp Pavilion hosts musicians across genres for an unforgettable night under the stars.

beautifully maintained golf courses or at Topgolf West Chester, a state-of-theart virtual golf simulator and sports bar and restaurant.

The Cincy Region’s rolling terrain and riverside paths make for great hiking or biking excursions. Walk or bike to scenic overlooks at Bellevue Hill Park or Devou Park or along the riverfront to Newport on the Levee’s Bridgeview Box Park. At Eden Park’s Twin Lakes, see the Ohio River’s famous “bend” and the yellow arches of the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge

If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, try your hand at archery dodgeball at Archery Arena, a new family-friendly activity center that is excellent for team building. Or Fowling Warehouse Cincinnati, where participants play a mash-up game that combines football and bowling—a party that your group will remember for years.

BRIDGEVIEW BOX PARK

AMERICAN SIGN MUSEUM

PERFECT NORTH SLOPES

EVENTS SEASONAL

WINTER

The Cincy Region lights up during the holiday season. The Ark Encounter and Creation Museum host Christmas displays from November through year-end, and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden puts on a dazzling annual display at the PNC Festival of Lights. Sharonville’s popular Holiday in Lights event is one of the country’s largest with over a million lights and 250 light displays. Or join the fun at Y’alls Stadium during Deck the Y’alls Lightfest and experience more than 2 million lights, themed areas, holiday shopping, great food, a visit from Santa, ice skating, and a carnival. Model train enthusiasts will adore the wonderful holiday railway exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center, a building which houses a history museum, children’s museum, an OMNIMAX Theater®, and more.

Winter is also the perfect time to taste the Queen City’s famous Cincinnati-style chili. This Greek-influenced take on chili is the perfect warm pick-me-up and can be found in many restaurants throughout the city. After fueling up, it’s time to take on holiday craft shows, which pop up left and right through the region. Visit Christkindlmarkt, the region’s oldest German Christmas market, to find unique gifts imported from

Germany and works by local craftspeople, or peruse the Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market at the Duke Energy Convention Center

For more Cincy-style holiday shopping, visit Covington, the largest city in Northern Kentucky. See downtown’s historic buildings as you browse eclectic small businesses, including Donna Salyers Fabulous Furs, the shops of MainStrasse Village, and the numerous art galleries of the Covington Arts District. Also in Covington, check out events and exhibitions at The Carnegie, which serves as a gallery, theater, and education center.

Winter sports make for an excellent outing this time of year, and the Cincy Region has you covered. Attend a Cincinnati Cyclones hockey game at the Heritage Bank Center, or take to the ice yourself and go skating on one of the Cincy Region’s many frozen lakes. A visit to the ice rink on Fountain Square or going on the bumper cars is an annual tradition for locals and visitors alike. Rent skates at Lawrenceburg’s Winter Wonderland Ice Skating Rink or Ice Rink at Summit Park in Blue Ash, or for indoor skating (and rentable skates!), visit the Northland Ice Center in Evendale.

PNC FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

CHRISTMASTIME AT THE ARK ENCOUNTER

SPRING

Explore the wonder of nature’s rebirth at the Krohn Conservatory every spring and its award-winning butterfly show. Or spend a day witnessing the Cincy Region bloom along the Ohio River Scenic Byway. See the seven historic bridges as you drive or motorbike along the winding roads of this stunning stretch of riverside real estate.

In April, make plans to attend the Cincinnati Reds’ Opening Day, as America’s first baseball team takes the field at the Great American Ball Park, and Cincy celebrates with a parade and lively street party.

Cincinnati is one of the most prolific brewing cities in the United States, and that tradition is celebrated at Bockfest. This three-day beer festival in March involves historic walking tours, a 5k race, live music, and of course, plenty of delicious, locally made brews. Another celebration of the region’s distinctive heritage is the Appalachian Festival at Coney Island. Attendees can dance to old-time music, shop handmade wares, and chow down on regional favorites like biscuits and gravy, country ham, fried chicken, cornbread, and more.

Ring in the sweet sounds of springtime, as Cincinnati annually hosts the oldest continuous choral festival in the Western Hemisphere. Join the May Festival Chorus and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra for two weekends of choral music and orchestration at Music Hall.

GREAT AMERICAN BALL PARK

TAFT MUSEUM OF ART

JOHN A. ROEBLING SUSPENSION BRIDGE

ULTURE

SUMMER

Summertime in the Cincy Region is filled with leisure and adventure. Whether you’re visiting one of the many local festivals or venturing into the great outdoors, you’re sure to find a way to enjoy the sunshine.

Enjoy Newport like a local at the annual Italianfest in June. This celebration of Italian heritage—complete with authentic Italian food, music, and historic photographs of the region’s Italian ancestors—attracts thousands of visitors to the riverfront each year. Also in the summertime, Summerfair is one of the area’s largest fine arts and crafts festivals. Held at Coney Island, the fair features a wide range of work, from paintings to metalwork. Attendees also enjoy live music and fantastic fair food.

The Ohio River is one of the defining natural wonders of the Cincy Region, so understandably, locals and visitors spend plenty of time enjoying the waterway—including the urban green space, Smale Riverfront Park. Porch swings, water play areas, a carousel, and spectacular river views make this a great spot for visitors of all ages. In June, this area hosts local and national blues musicians at Cincy Blues Fest, part of the region’s storied love for the blues and R&B music. Also in the area is the Ohio River Paddlefest, a late-summer event that involves 2,000 paddlers traveling 9 miles

down the Ohio River. It’s one of America’s largest paddling events and attracts kayakers and canoers from all over, plus plenty of supportive spectators.

Celebrate the Fourth of July with events like Red, White and Boom at Riverbend and enjoy fireworks with a side of symphony. The last weekend in July always brings the fun with the Cincinnati Music Festival, the largest urban music festival in America, held at Paycor Stadium.

Every summer, Glier’s Goettafest is for both goetta devotees of the world and those seeking to find their new favorite food. A weekend stuffed from top to bottom with live entertainment, family-focused goetta games, and super inventive food.

Round out summer at the world’s largest Christian music festival—40 Days & 40 Nights of Gospel Music at the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum—featuring multiple concerts daily from award-winning artists, inspirational messages from sought-after speakers, and more. Between concerts, explore the Ark Encounter with state-of-the-art exhibits, ride the brand-new carousel with custom-built animals, visit Ararat Ridge Zoo’s exotic animals, enjoy group-friendly dining, and ride zip lines—or even ride a camel!

ULTURE

FALL

Spookiness abounds in the Cincy Region during October. Experience the USS Nightmare haunted ship on the riverfront, or take a stroll through one of the many regional pumpkin patches (if you dare!). For more fall fun, take in the beauty of autumnal foliage at Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove, the Miami Fort Trail, Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum, or Boone County Arboretum

Art lights up the night during BLINK—the Cincy-only light, art, and culture show— which is the largest light and projection show in the country. Artists from all over the world lend their creativity and expertise to create the installations that span 30 city blocks and light up Cincinnati’s landmarks, every other year in October. Other can’t-miss Cincy Region fall festivals include the Ohio Renaissance Festival, the Harvest Home Fair, and the Cincinnati Coffee Festival. And we’d be remiss not to highlight the much-loved breweries that dot the area— 60-plus breweries and 15 distilleries, in fact. The Cincy Region has a rich tradition of celebrating Oktoberfest, but these breweries are a must-visit no matter the time of year. Get a taste of local flavor at Braxton Brewing Company, which has locations in Covington, Over-the-Rhine, and Fort Mitchell, or pair your beer with local food truck fare at West Side Brewing. Watch airplanes fly overhead from the beer garden at Bad Tom Smith, and be sure to ask the bartenders to tell you the story of the outlaw behind the brewery’s name. Rhinegeist, a large brewery and event space in historic Over-the-Rhine, is housed in an old Moerlein bottling plant and known for hoppy ales. Urban Artifact, housed in a converted church, focuses on wild and sour beers and features the best of local entertainment. Sip your beverage of choice while enjoying a live performance from one of the Cincy Region’s many talented local musicians.

THE B-LINE

The ultimate self-guided bourbon trail awaits! The B-Line is comprised of five craft distilleries, seven bourbon bars, and six bourbon-centric restaurants. Pick and choose from 18 stops, located throughout Covington, Newport, Independence, Sparta, Augusta, and Maysville.

OKTOBERFEST ZINZINNATI

NEW RIFF DISTILLING

BLINK

From corporate meetings to casual get-togethers, the Taft Museum of Art offers a historic oasis with downtown convenience.

Groups of 10 or more receive special rental pricing.

Photo by Kevin J. Watkins

CASH IN ON THE COOLER MONTHS

The Cincy Region is excited to welcome back group tours!

As the temperature drops, the fun heats up in the Cincy Region! In addition to our year-round attractions and adventures, seasonal activities enhance your visit. Plan a visit to the Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens, then visit Deck the Y’alls Lightfest in Florence at the Florence Y’alls Ballpark. Take the group to enjoy the Ice Rink at Fountain Square for bumper cars or ice skating.

BOOK 20 ROOM NIGHTS AND RECEIVE $250!

Yes, you read that correctly! When you book a group tour and pay for 20 room nights or more at a Cincy Region hotel during eligible months, you’ll receive a $250 rebate.

Eligibility Months: January 2023, 2024

November 2023, 2024

• February 2023, 2024

• December 2023, 2024

• March 2023, 2024

Terms and Conditions: Group sales agreement valid for new bookings with hotel that must be signed after Dec. 15, 2022. This incentive is limited to one rebate per eligible calendar month per organization. Rooming list and group itinerary must be submitted to the Cincy Region prior to arrival. Rebate check may take up to 90 days to receive once group pickup has been verifed. Ofer is subject to alterations or discontinuation at any time.

GROUP - FRIENDLY EATS

Need group-friendly dining? Look no further! These restaurants offer up dishes and drinks sure to please every palate. Call ahead for reservations and to ensure staff and seating are available. Some can even create customized menus, to-go orders, and specials!

BB Riverboats

101 Riverboat Row Newport, KY 41071 800-261-8586

BJ’s Brewhouse 7852 Mall Road Florence, KY 41042 859-282-8865

Bru Burger

279 Buttermilk Pike Fort Mitchell, KY 41017 859-331-3888

Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen 6935 Houston Road Florence, KY 41042 859-746-2966

Emzara’s Kitchen at The Ark Encounter 1 Ark Encounter Drive Williamstown, KY 41097 855-284-3275

Golden Corral-Cincinnati East

4394 Glen EsteWithamsville Road Cincinnati, OH 45245 513-752-0137

Golden Corral-Florence 4770 Houston Road Florence, KY 41042 859-534-1414

Hofbräuhaus 200 Third St. Newport, KY 41071 859-491-7200

Montgomery Inn The Boathouse 925 Riverside Drive Cincinnati, OH 45202 513-721-7427

Dinner Only

Morelein Lager House 115 Joe Nuxhall Way Cincinnati, OH 45202 513-421-2337

Yard House 95 E. Freedom Way Cincinnati, OH 45202 513-381-4071

HOFBRÄUHAUS

EMZARA’S KITCHEN

MONTGOMERY INN THE BOATHOUSE

MORELEIN LAGER HOUSE

EXPLORE THE STORIES OF ONE OF THE LARGEST INTACT 19TH CENTURY HISTORIC DISTRICTS IN THE COUNTRY

Our highly rated Walking the Stories tours show how people lived, worked, and experienced Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood since the 1800s

CINCY REGION FREESTYLE DINING OPTIONS

Just park the bus and let your group explore the area and select the restaurant of their choice.

Element Eatery

5350 Medpace Way

Cincinnati, OH 45227

element-eatery.com

Element Eatery is a new Cincinnati food hall located in Madison Square, the dynamic new development at the intersection of Red Bank Expressway and Madison Road. This unique Cincinnati dining experience offers new twists on familiar favorites, comfortable spots to gather, and the opportunity to explore delectable new dishes.

Findlay Market

1801 Race St.

Cincinnati, OH 45202

findlaymarket.org/grub

Findlay Market offers multiple dine-in and carry-out options. Findlay Market is Ohio’s oldest continuously operated public market and one of Cincinnati’s most cherished institutions.

Oakley Kitchen

3715 Madison Road

Cincinnati, OH 45209

Oakley Kitchen is a Cincinnati local food hall featuring chef-driven eateries, the Campfire Foods commissary, a bar, and food retail market. The building features indoor/outdoor seating and nearly 10,000 square feet of event space. Innovating the dine-in and takeout food experience for Cincinnati. Making local food reachable!

Roebling Point

Court Street and Greenup Street between Second Street and Fourth Street

Covington, KY 41011

meetnky.com/plan-your-visit/ neighborhoods/roebling-point

Located in Covington, at the foot of the beautiful and iconic John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, the small square of Roebling Point offers a peaceful oasis of relaxed dining and drinking options in a nostalgic town

otrmuseum.org

square setting.

THE GALLEY ON THE LEVEE Opening in 2023, The Galley on the Levee is a micro food hall coming to Newport on the Levee. Located adjacent to Central Plaza, The Galley on the Levee will incorporate four restaurants featuring American, Asian, Italian, and Mexican flavors, as well as a signature bar experience spilling out into Bridgeview Box Park.

AN AWARD-WINNING MUSEUM. CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY. LIFE-CHANGING LESSONS AND STORIES.

AN EXPERIENCE THAT INSPIRES YOU TO MAKE YOUR MARK.

Take the same steps Holocaust survivors took to rebuild their lives in Cincinnati. Thousands of Holocaust survivors arrived by train to Union Terminal to begin a new chapter of their lives here. Now, historic Union Terminal is home to the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center – the only Holocaust museum in America with a positive authentic connection to its site.

Book your group experience today. holocaustandhumanity.org or email info@cincyhhc.org.