3 perfect days in Cincinnati

For a city with the oldest Major League Baseball franchise, and a sudsy rebirth in beer brewing, Cincinnati needs to be seriously reconsidered as a getaway destination. The city dishes out a culinary scene with long-time eateries and artisan restaurants fitting every taste and budget. Speaking of art, the cultural scene is quite colorful. Even your options for getting around are quite good, as a new 3.6-mile loop streetcar is scheduled to roll out this September. So here’s how to spend three perfect days in Cincinnati:
<pstyle=”text-align: center;”>Also: The 10 best U.S. cities for a long weekend

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Day 1: Over-The-Rhine District

Over-the-Rhine got its name from the German immigrants who settled north of what was then the Miami and Erie Canal. The area reminded them of the Rhine, a major river in Western Europe. As workers crossed over en route to their jobs, to them it was like “going over the Rhine.”

German traditions flourished; among them was brewing beer. By 1890, Cincinnati was the third largest beer producer in the country. Prohibition changed all that, and by midcentury the neighborhood fell into decline. Then in the mid-2000s, a revitalization ushered in a new wave of restaurants, and a resurgence of craft breweries and gastro pubs. Housed inside a historic bottling facility, Rhinegeist Brewery is a 21^st-century beer hall with a rooftop patio, ample space, and on-tap, canned and bottled choices. Named for Cincinnati native and President William Howard Taft, Taft’s Ale House is a bar, brewery and restaurant inside a former Protestant church. To truly delve into the OTR’s hoppy history, go with American Legacy Tours through an underground network of abandoned lagering caverns and tunnels that breweries used to store and cool beer before refrigeration was invented.

Taste of Belgium | Flickr CC: 5chw4r7z

For good eats, wander along Vine Street to weigh your choices. To start, consider Taste of Belgium, for Belgian waffle combos; The Eagle, for delectable fried chicken and other Southern specialties; Senate, which takes hotdogs to a new level; Graeter’s, a locally-loved chain ice cream shop; and Holtman’s Donuts, especially for their maple bacon donut. Hit up Main Street and make a beeline to Gomez Salsa for tasty innovative Mexican fare.

Day 2: Findlay Market

For your second day, spend a bit more time in Over-The-Rhine by exploring Findlay Market. Said to be Ohio’s oldest continuously operating public market, Findlay is ideal for wandering around both inside and out, and features year-round vendors. On weekends, find an outdoor farmer’s market area with vendor stalls containing produce, breads, baked treats or flowers from local providers. Inside, find a close-knitsection of morethan 40 longtime and fairly recent tenants providing takeaway or sit-down prepared dishes. Or pick up some pickles, spices, deli foods, cheeses and seafood to take home. The main building contains various shops such as DIRT, which stocks artisan foods produced by Ohioan and Kentuckian businesses; pop-up food booths, and crafty merchants sporting accessories and home décor.

From Findlay Market, head down toward Washington Park, a public green space dating back to the Civil War era. Having undergone a major renovation and expansion in 2012, the park incorporates a mix of old and new features, including its historic bandstand, a fenced dog park, various plaques listing notable facts about the area and a colorful fountain that gives a surprise when approached. Once a month at the park, the City Flea brings a curated flea market complete with vendors ranging from vintage dealers to plant studios to artisan pizza makers. Across the way, take a glimpse of Cincinnati Music Hall, a landmark classical music performance hall undergoing renovation until October 2017. As for another meal, be sure to try Cincinnati’s take on chili. Theirs is a Mediterranean style, soupy meat version. Then head to Skyline Chili or Gold Star Chili to try it as a 3-way (on spaghetti), a 4-way (plus onions or beans), or a 5-way (with both).

Day 3: Culture and History

After some exploratory eating, soak up a different side of Cincinnati. Throughout the city’s 36 neighborhoods, including O-T-R and downtown area, keep an eye on the buildings you pass and you might see something painted on the side. Through ArtWorks Cincinnati, teens and artists pair up in creating public murals depicting various artistic or historic themes. For example, one downtown mural pays tribute to Martha, the last remaining passenger pigeon who lived out her final days at the Cincinnati Zoo.

The lobby of the 21c Museum Hotel | Photo courtesy of the 21c Museum Hotel

Cincinnati’s Downtown area also holds a section called the Backstage District, a source of entertainment, dining and culture. The Contemporary Arts Center is a free-admission museum that’s most noted for its Zaha Hadid-design as well as temporary exhibitions that are temporary and always changing. Based next door to the arts center, 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati is part museum, part cultural center and overall boutique hotel with contemporary art throughout its lobby area and second floor, plus randomly placed yellow penguin figures throughout the property.

Next go down toward the Ohio River, near the Banks Entertainment District, and get a history lesson about Ohio’s place along the Underground Railroad. The National Underground Freedom Railroad Center is a museum that traces the history of slavery in America from the English colonies through the Civil War and Reconstruction. Afterward, head to the water and take a walk along two noted and pedestrian bridges connecting Cincinnati to Northern Kentucky. The John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge is named for the engineer who’s best known for his work on another project: the Brooklyn Bridge. Further down, the Purple People Bridge (officially the Newport Southbank Bridge) is open only to foot traffic. Also around the Banks, spot the Great American Ball Park, the Reds’ home stadium, and Paul Brown Stadium, where the Cincinnati Bengals play.

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