Whether you call it Porkopolis, the Queen City, or the Paris of America, Cincinnati, Ohio, offers an array of experiences, from exploring historic neighborhoods and iconic bridges to savoring gourmet dining and craft brews.

Located right on the Ohio River and surrounded by pretty foothills, Cincinnati was one of the country’s preeminent cities throughout the 1800s. It was renowned for bustling steamboats, grand architecture and bunches of beer-brewing German immigrants — all of which left their mark. Today, this unpretentious, sports-loving metropolis blends big-city appeal with user-friendly convenience, and TCU fans who travel north will likely be pleasantly surprised by Cincy’s cultural charms. Except for the chili (more on that later). 

See the Sights

Cincinnati punches above its weight when it comes to walkability, impressive historical buildings and museums of every stripe.

Downtown Cincinnati rubs shoulders with Over-the-Rhine, aka OTR, a gentrified historic district with eye-catching murals and ornate Italianate architecture from the 1800s. Stroll 10 minutes across the river to reach the small Kentucky towns of Covington and Newport, both considered part of Cincinnati in spirit — two adopted siblings with Southern accents and an unabashed enthusiasm for bourbon.

John A. Roebling Bridge Connecting downtown Cincinnati with Covington, this sky-blue suspension bridge was the prototype for Roebling’s next project: the Brooklyn Bridge in New York.

Cincinnati Music Hall
This magnificent Victorian Gothic venue hosts ballets, operas and symphonies and lords over Washington Park, a fountain-filled expanse of grass with outdoor markets and events.

Cincinnati Museum Center
The imposing Union Terminal rail depot houses several history and science museums along with an IMAX theater. Explore a re-created riverfront landing and steamboat, waterfalls in an Ice Age cave replica and a huge model train display of Cincinnati.

Eat Fine Fare

The local culinary scene is vastly underrated due to the city’s most famous food: Cincinnati “chili,” a mild, watery meat sauce flavored with cinnamon and cloves that’s served over spaghetti and mountained with shredded cheese. You can try it for fun at Skyline Chili — but your epicurean cravings will be much better served at these eateries:

Boca One of the top French restaurants in America, Boca earns its reputation with treats such as pommes soufflés, balloon-like potato wedges that disappear in your mouth like savory cotton candy. Even better: the tantalizing scallops with caramelized Brussels sprouts, a dish whose shifting flavors are so complex they forge new neural pathways in your brain.

Metropole Sous-vide octopus and grits with Calabrian ’nduja sausage. Grilled cabbage with beer and black garlic. Blistered shishitos with honeyed goat cheese, smoked almonds and yuzu compressed apples — and everything in a chic, artistic atmosphere. The touch of toasted sesame oil in their tahini-washed vodka cocktail is pure genius.

Alcove A giant living wall of foliage creates a fresh, natural vibe inside this farm-to-table gastropub by MadTree Brewing. Grab a table in the patio greenhouse for “outdoor” dining on chilly days and order the tater tots, fancy cubes of layered potato with cured pork crumbles and charred scallion aioli. 

Opal With an 88-inch open-fire cooktop, this rooftop restaurant and bar imparts the heavenly aroma of oak smoke to every dish that comes out of the kitchen — from trout and dry-aged pork chops to grilled sourdough with truffle ricotta. The 360° views can’t be beat.

Graeter’s Ice Cream With multiple locations in Cincinnati (including the airport), this small-batch treat is churned in two-gallon steel bowls surrounded by cold saltwater. Black raspberry chocolate chip is their signature flavor, and the butter pecan is extra butterscotchy.

Drink & Be Merry

Three neighborhoods cater to late-night revelry with vibrant bar scenes and copious craft breweries. Over-the-Rhine and Covington are more upscale, while sports fans head to The Banks: a pedestrianized, open-container zone on the riverfront between the Cincinnati Reds’ and Cincinnati Bengals’ stadiums. 

Ghost Baby There’s no sign for this speakeasy-style bar, just a glowing purple orb and a big dude with a walkie-talkie in an alleyway entrance — the gatekeeper for the subterranean hideaway. Climb down several flights of stairs (or take the elevator) to reach the retro lounge, situated in a 170-year-old tunnel carved out by German immigrants as a place to cool their lager.

Sundry and Vice Elixirs, remedies and tonics: Dark academia meets vintage apothecary charm at this corner cocktail bar. Indulge in poetic libations like the velvety Purple Rain made with mellow purple ube, lavender gin and violet liqueur — or the smoky LDC with mezcal and peat spray. The mocktails are just as clever.

Moerlein Lager House Overlooking Roebling Bridge and Smale Riverfront Park, this microbrewery serves belly-warming flights and elevated pub grub. Sip a tart Raspberry Hefe or Barbarossa Bohemian dark lager while you nosh on a charcuterie board with sliced pork sausage, pickled veggies and apple kraut.

Shop for Souvenirs

Indie boutiques proliferate in these retail hot spots, which eschew national brands and chains for one-of-a-kind treasures.

Findlay Market Browse specialty grocers and family-owned artisan booths at this iconic indoor market that opened in 1855. Pick up handmade ceramics at SKT, ridiculously flaky pastries at Makers Bakers Co. and custom spice mixes at Colonel De Gourmet (including one for goetta, a mushy meat-and-oat sausage that’s another Cincy staple).

Over-the-Rhine Wander down Vine and Main streets to shop for high-end home decor and eclectic apparel. Peruse jewelry from 30 countries at Little Mahatma, unique local artwork at MiCA 12/v and boho-chic fashion at Kismet. Fuel up with a dirty chai latte at 1215 Wine Bar & Coffee Lab.

Mainstrasse Village Enjoy colorful 19th-century buildings and a whimsical glockenspiel clock tower in this German storybook-inspired neighborhood. Funky boutiques cluster along Main and Pike streets, like Sohza Sister (fair-trade attire), Grainwell (handcrafted wooden decor) and Hail (records and oddities). You’ll also find tons of taverns and eateries tucked between the tree-lined streets including Del Gardo’s, a make-your-own cannoli bar. 

Get Around Town

The Connector is a free streetcar that runs every 15 minutes on a 3.6-mile loop between the riverfront and Findlay Market, an easy way to travel around downtown and Over-the-Rhine. Ride-sharing services like Uber will take you everywhere else.

Sleep Somewhere Cool

With a breathing chandelier out front and a legit art museum inside, the 21c Museum Hotel overflows with creative idiosyncrasies — like a front desk supported by thousands of miniature human figurines. Floors glow with your footsteps, fiber-optic tapestries soar up the nine-story solarium and plastic yellow penguins pop out in unexpected places. Try the top-rated restaurant Metropole and book a CBD massage at the spa. Located right on the streetcar line downtown, this luxe boutique hotel is convenient to the riverfront, Over-the-Rhine and free-spirited breakfast spots like First Watch and Sleepy Bee.