What to do in Cincinnatti???

[fixiewrek]

Heading to Cincinnati to see the woman's relatives for the weekend. I've never been there and have no idea what to expect. Is there anything I shouldn't miss while am there, bars, museums, sights, restaurants, neighborhoods, etc. Love to hear any recommendations since I have nothing to go on yet.

[The AD]

Go to Kings Island if you like roller coasters!

There's a nice a museum complex that's worth visiting: http://www.cincymuseum.org/

Some cool restaurants on the river on the Kentucky side. Over-the-Rhine near downtown is the hotspot for nightlife, but be careful because it gets seedy pretty quickly around that area.

Cincinnati (proper spelling) is pretty fun actually. My sister lived there for several years back in the '90s and I visited quite a bit.

[freshie247]

When in Cincinasty, Kings Island is a must

[OldLarry]

<insert WKRP reference here>

[Steven S. Dallas]

You should start a race riot. Shouldn't be too tough.

[The AD]

<insert WKRP reference here>

"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."

[half-fast]

cincinnati zoo is pretty good

the area around uc has lots of bars, etc

[Steven S. Dallas]

"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."

This is the only acceptable WKRP reference. Well done.

[bad_roo]

You could go to Boomer Esiason's House of Jack Cheese.

[Sensisnow]

You should start a race riot. Shouldn't be too tough.

Nope, shouldn't be tough at all today....

Beatty guilty in Oba death

[Tippster]

Lotsa Homoerotic Art Exibits, I hear....

[MarsB]

eat chilli over spaghetti? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnati_chili

[The AD]

eat chilli over spaghetti? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnati_chili

Yes, this actually is a must. Three-way chili = delicious!

[dogwonder]

Montgomery Ribs...proclaimed best ribs in the country...

http://www.montgomeryinn.com/

Also, go to the Deliverance side of the river and go to the Hofbrauhaus, great brewpub.

http://www.hofbrauhausnewport.com/

[half-fast]

skyline chili

[Staggerwing]

Ok, I'll fes up and admit Cinci is my hometown.

The history museum is good, as mentioned, as well as the zoo. If you dig amusement parks, the Kings Island idea works, and it might be a good weekend to go. All the local kids just went back to school this week, and the weather looks OK.

About Cinci chili, some love it and some can't stand it. Don't even think of Texas chili. Basically, it is a mild chili, as realized by a Greek. The secret ingredients are cocoa powder and cinnamon. The most popular incarnation is a 3-way, which is chili, spaghetti, with a heaping layer of mild, finely shredded cheddar cheese on top, served with oyster crackers. Add onions or beans for a 4-way, and both for a 5-way. The most common is Gold Star, although I think Skyline is better. Both have locations in almost every neighborhood. There is also Camp Washington Chilli, which is great, but at one location only, just north of downtown proper. Don't knock it till you try it though.

Besides chilli, Cincinnati is known for good ice cream. Graeters (http://www.graeters.com/) and Aglamesis Brothers (http://www.aglamesis.com/) are the one's you want. The former is unbelievably rich and creamy, and available at many locations. The latter has more intense flavors, but only have two local stores. The Oakley location is killer though; basically hasn't changed significantly in 70 years. Both are available in any local Kroger's Supermarket.

As for Montgomery Inn Ribs. I've been going there all of my life, and it has always been one of my father's favorites, but I don't think it's that special. Think meaty, lean, city-style back ribs with a sweat BBQ sauce. If you think real BBQ is something slow cooked over a hardwood fire, Montgomery Inn isn't going to light your fire.

Also this weekend is the first, and in my opinion, the best local Oktoberfest of the season. (http://www.germaniasociety.com/). It's on the northwest side, outside the I-275 loop. Great event, with liters of good German beer on tap.

Besides that, some of the local City and County parks are pretty cool. My favorites are Ault, Alms and Eden parks. The first two are near Hyde Park, while the latter is in Mt. Adams.

The suggestion to hit Hofbrauhaus is a good one. Best to get there early, before the crowds get insane. I would skip Main Street Downtown as a partt spot though. They have been dying a slow death since our race riots. A better bet is Mt. Adams, although parking is tight, and some of the spots are pricey. If you get up there, the Blind Lemon can be cool. For a more funky area, Northside, just across the levey from Clifton has some cool spots. Northside Cafe and the Comet are both good for tunes and beer. Over the river, on the Kentucky side, the Southgate House gets an interesting selection of nationally touring, independent type music (http://www.southgatehouse.com/NewWebsite/HOME.htm)

Almost forgot, this one is pretty cool too:
http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online...o4l.htm#photos
and
http://www.cincinnatiobservatory.org/

You can also check out the official visitors site at:
http://www.cincinnatiusa.com/

or get a more unique perspective via our local independent rag:
http://citybeat.com/current/index.shtml

Ring back if you need more.

[Adolf Allerbush]

Personally I've had a good time going to the Reds games and then cruisng up to Mt. Adams...cool hood...good bars.....hot chicks.

[dogwonder]

Oh yeah, and don't forget to look up the Carmen Electra and Jerry Springer homesteads.

[Staggerwing]

I don't follow baseball that closely, but seem to remember hearing they were out of town this weekend. Not a bad way to spend any afternoon/evening though.

True Springer story. He was elected mayor of Cinci, back in the 70's, after bouncing a personal check on a local hooker. In most towns that would have torpedoed your bid, but here, it gets you elected.

[jed peters]

Shoot yourself.

[sar13]

I'll sceond the Montgomery Inn and Graeters.

Also, a client of mine put together this turist trap. He raves about it. Might be worth checking out if you have the time.
http://www.purplepeoplebridgeclimb.com/

[fixiewrek]

Chili with cocoa and cinammon and spaghetti. Alright, as strange as it sounds it definitely sounds like a must eat while I'm there and the rib joint sounds just like what the doctor ordered. The Northside sounds pretty good too, good tunes and beer is a winning combo and Oktoberfest! Shit, this town is getting better and better!

[Staggerwing]

If I didn't tell there was cocoa and cinnamon in it, you probably would never peg it, as it's subtle. If you are making your own pot-o-chili, even a hot southwest style, try adding some cocoa; smooths the heat a bit, while adding rich undertone. The Inca's had it right, cocoa and chilis do mix.

If you insist on the Montgomery Inn thing, go the to Boathouse location, right on the Ohio river, just east of downtown proper. Be prepared on a weekend, as it is a total zoo. Just a guess, but I wouldn't be surprised to hear it seat's 400+. If you like real southern BBQ, there are a few Cinci options, like Pit-to-Plate, BBQ Revue, and this new one(http://citybeat.com/2006-08-09/diner.shtml )sounds good too, although I haven't tried it. BTW, you can, however, get Graeters for dessert at Montgomery Inn, for a 2 for 1 shot.

The Oktoberfest I pointed you to, is a smaller event, put on by the Germania Society of Cincinnati. There is a much larger one, downtown, in three more weeks (http://www.oktoberfest-zinzinnati.com/). There will be mass quanities of beer consumed locally over the next several weeks, althoug much of it weasel piss. Sadly, our best local brewpub, Barrelhouse Brewing, shut down a couple of years back because their building was sold. They are now brewing again, in a different location, but with no bar. Cincinnati is also where most Samuel Adams stuff is brewed. I think you can get a brewery tour. Hofbrauhaus brews their own too, and the Heifeweisen is stellar. Yes, it is a sister to the German location.

[SkiCougar]

i'd recommend walking thru the u. of cinci. its pretty impressive for a non-big name school. its on top of a hill, its huge, great landscaping and architecture and there's probably some bars w/ college girls nearby. i was more impressed with cinci than ND, even considering touchdown Jesus.

[Sensisnow]

i was more impressed with cinci than ND, even considering touchdown Jesus.

Wow, I almost forgot touchdown jesus! If you have any interest in seeing the tackiest statue of jesus ever created just drive north on I-75 and it's located between the Monroe and Middletown exits on the right side of the interstate.

Can't miss it!