Cincinnati is a hidden gem in the rolling hills on the banks of the Ohio River. Famous for beer, german culture and pork, Cincinnati is undoubtedly so much more! While you meander the city, keep your eyes out for ArtWorks murals decorating the sides of buildings. Fun fact: Artworks has completed 132 murals in 42 Cincinnati neighborhoods and seven nearby cities. Count how many you see during your adventure!
DAY 1:
After you check into 21c Cincinnati, drop your bags in your room, freshen up and head down to Metropole to grab a delicious craft cocktail. The lounge is beautiful and cozy but our recommendation is to walk through the museum with cocktail in-hand and decompress in an artful way. It’s the first contemporary art museum dedicated to the art of the 21st century in the nation and not something you’ll want to miss. Also, its free 24/7. Bonus!
Metropole would be a great spot for dinner as well. However, if you want to get out, grab dinner at Nada or Sotto. Both are walking distance from the hotel and are worth checking out. Nada is a hip upscale Mexican-inspired scene where you would be crazy to miss out on the pink grapefruit margarita, while Sotto offers exceptional rustic handmade pasta, polished up to a shine. If you have a time for a show, the Aronoff Center is across the street from 21c and features world class productions for all tastes.
Rest up a bit, the next day is gonna be epic! Don’t forget to fill out your breakfast card. Place it on the room door handle, so a delicious breakfast-in-bed arrives from Metropole first thing. Night-night!
DAY 2:
After finishing up a breakfast fit for royalty, head over to one of the Queen City’s amazing neighborhoods for a walk around. Over The Rhine, Northside, Clifton, and Mount Adams, are just a few of the great little jewels around Cincinnati. But you can’t do it all in one day, so start with Over the Rhine. OTR is said to be the largest, thriving historic district in the United States. Begin at Findlay Market, Ohio’s oldest continuously operated public market for bites, treats, local produce, artisan crafted products and perhaps beer in the biergarten! Don’t be shy!
After indulging in all the tasty nibbles at Findlay Market make your way to Moerlein Brewing Co, for a free tour and a beer tasting. Tasting beer at one brewery isn’t going to make you an expert, so you’ll probably need to taste some more beer at Rhinegeist and Taft’s Ale House. Don’t forget to stop along the way and smell the metaphoric roses at the shops along Vine Street and then people watch on a park bench in Washington Park. About this time in the day, you’ll need a pick me up from all the day-drinking so head to Coffee Emporium or Collective Espresso for a boost. Dinner would be lovely, right? OTR offers some great eats, as well. Check out A Tavola, for delicious pizza.
Day 3:
It’s the next day, you’ve had a delicious breakfast at Metropole again and you’re trying to figure out what to do next. There are 37 active breweries within about 25 miles of Cincinnati and 14 are within the actual city limits. So, there’s that. If beer is still on your mind, go wild!
If you’re thinking about something a little different, here’s our best suggestion for a day of art and nature. Start at the Contemporary Arts Center (or as locals call it, CAC), which is next door to the hotel. See the newest exhibition in the inspiring space designed by Zaha Hadid. Then, head over to Mount Adams for lunch and some more culture at the Cincinnati Art Museum. While you’re in Eden Park, check out the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, the 2nd oldest zoo in the US, or at the very least see the Krohn Conservatory. If you’re lucky you may be visiting during the butterfly exhibition! Wrap up the day with dinner in Clifton neighborhood at either Adriatico’s Pizza, Harvest Bistro or Ambar India. Grab a sweet treat to finish at the Cincinnati original, Graeter’s Ice Cream.
Back at the homebase, you’re dogs are going to be barking from all the galavanting. Wouldn’t it be a perfect cherry on top of this glorious trip, to wake up and go to the Spa at 21c before check out? Yes, it would. Insider tip: the packages offer a little discount if you’re going for more than one treatment. And it’s so worth it. So, plan ahead and treat yourself. Your dogs will thank you.
Well, that was some trip wasn’t it? Oh wait, you haven’t gone yet. Happiness is a city guide and a room at 21c. We’ve done half the work for you. Now you’re only clicks away from a good time.
