Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
has been my home all of my life. I was born and raised here, and
no matter how many other places I have visited in the world, I
have never found another city with quite as much charm and hospitality
and Cincinnati. It has all the attractions of a large city, with
booming businesses, sports teams, and plenty to keep busy, but
when you're here, you don't get that alienated feeling that often
comes with a big city. The people here are among the nicest in
the world (Not just saying that cause I'm from here. :-)), the
city is easily navigatable, and it's a very clean and beautiful
city.
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History I Business
I Museums
I Performing
Arts I Attractions
I Education
I Dining
I Events
I Things
To See
HISTORY
Cincinnati, The
Queen City, was established in 1789. It was originally a river
port and the city began to thrive during the steamboat era. Over
the next 60 years, the steamboat industry in Cincinnati brought
many settlers here to look for opportunity and new surroundings.
As a side note, the city was then called "Porkopolis"
because of the large pork industry that was also thriving here.
On May 4, 1819,
B. Cooke wrote in the Inquisitor and Cincinnati Advertiser, "The
city is, indeed, justly styled the fair Queen of the West: distinguished
for order, enterprise, public spirit, and liberality, she stand
the wonder of an admiring world."
Cincinnati has
a diverse number of businesses within the city, especially noteable
are the industries of machine tools, soaps, cleaning products,
playing cards, chemicals, medication, clothing, building materials,
packaged meats, jet engines, candles, organs, furniture, cosmetics,
printing, and packaged meats, coal, lumber, and salt.
Cincinnati was
named after the Roman Statesman Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus.
Cincinnatus was a famous leader because of his selfless devotion
to the republic in times of crisis, and for willingly giving up
his power when the war was over. Cincinnati was built to model
Rome in many ways. The city is built upon 7 hills, just as Rome
was, and we take great pride in our city and our council. It is
often of great debate what the original seven hills were, but
the most commonly named ones include: Mt. Adams, Mt. Auburn, Walnut
Hills, Fairview Heights, Clifton Heights, Vine Street Hill, Price
Hill, Fairmount, Mt. Lookout, Mt. Hope, Mt. Echo, and Mt. Storm.
For more information
on Cincinnati, please visit Cincinnati.com
or The Cincinnati Exchange
Business
As noted above,
Cincinnati has always had a booming business industry. You simply
need to go open any one of your closets or drawers to find something
that was manufactured here. Our biggest claim to fame is the company
Proctor & Gamble. Proctor
& Gamble was started here in Cincinnati, originally by two
men who made candles and toothpaste. Since then, P&G has grown
to be one of the largest companies in the world, manufacturing
toothpaste, cleaning agents, soaps, detergents, food products,
medical innovations, just about anything that you can imagine.
Another large business located here is General
Electric. Anyone driving up I-75 cannot miss the huge plant
the produces some of the largest jet engines in the country. Our
history is very much alive when it comes to the boating industry.
One of my personal favourite things to do is to hop along one
of the riverboats and take a trip down the river. Check out B&B
Riverboats to make your own reservation to learn more about this
business.
Museums
Cincinnati is
home to some of the greatest museums in the country. My personal
favorite is the Cincinnati
Art Museum. Located in historic Eden Park, this is home to
many famous works spanning nearly all art movements. It has recently
been renovated and you must visit to truly gain the whole experience.
If modern art is more your style, skip down to 5th Street and
visit the Contemporary Arts Center,
located across from Fountain Square. The exhibits are constantly
changing, and you're sure to find something that will shock, impress,
or thrill you here. If you're looking for lesser known artists,
visit the Westin Gallery, underneath the Aronoff Center on 6th
Street. This is great because the exhibits are small and it's
never crowded. A much smaller art museum is located in the former
home of President William
Howard Taft. The home still has much of the original decorations
and is a wonderful trip into a past of luxury and wealth. It has
many great examples of jewelry, paintings, and porcelain.
If art isn't
your thing, then you can always check out The
Cincinnati Museum Center. Formerly a train station, the buliding
has been remodeled to become a museum. It is here that you can
visit the Natural History Museum, of check out one of the exciting
and educational shows at the Omnimax Theatre.
Performing Arts
Cincinnati
is home to many great performing arts. Our largest attraction
is the Aronoff Center, located on Walnut Street. It is here that
you can catch Broadway plays of outstanding excellence. Another
great experience is to visit The Playhouse In The Park. This it two
theatres combined into one. Located in Eden Park, the company
performs outdoors in the summer on an open stage, and as the weather
gets colder, it moves into a beautiful building. If you're looking
for something a little more casual, travel just north of Cincinnati
to La
Comedia.
Here you get excellent plays and a great meal in one. They always
have a grand variety of shows that change every couple of months.
Everyone
loves to see concerts, and Cincinnati is no exception. We have
many great places to catch any kind of show that you're looking
for. By far, the most popular place is Riverbend, located next
to Coney Island on Kellogg Avenue. This is an outdoor amphitheater,
with both a pavilion and an open lawn to catch your favourite
band. If you're checking out a very popular performer, you may
find yourself at the Firstar Center, located next
to Cinergy Field. The arena has recently been renovated and is
now very comfortable and exciting to see. If you're into smaller
venues, you must check out Bogarts in Clifton. It mainly hosts
events for rock and metal bands, but the atmosphere and open seating
make it a great place to visit. Also, check around at the Taft
Theater, The
Cincinnati Gardens,
and Music Hall (rumored to be haunted!), where you can catch smaller
and intimate performances.
Other
performing arts that need to be mentioned is the world famous
Cincinnati
Pops Orchestra,
and the University
of Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music. The Orchestra
also shares the stage with an opera and a ballet company. CCM
is the home of many former and future Broadway stars, and because
it is a college activity, the tickets are generally cheap, with
no less quality in the show.
Attractions
Cincinnati
is home to many wonderful attractions. First, we have two professional
sports teams, the Cincinnati Reds (The oldest
professional baseball team in the country) and the Cincinnati
Bengals
(the worst football team in the country :-)). We also host an
International Hockey League team, The Cincinnati Cyclones, and a smaller
Roller Hockey team, The Mighty Ducks. Also in sports, be sure
to check out the University of Cincinnati
Bearcats,
a NCAA Division I team that always excels in Basketball and Football.
The
Cincinnati
Zoo
is the second oldest zoo in the country, and one of the best in
the world. It maintains one of the largest animal collections
in the US, and one of the best research facilities. It is constantly
making news with it's research in helping endangered species and
also with it's breeding programs. The zoo is incredibly large
and focuses not only on animals, but also on plantlife. Our most
famous exhibit is the White Bengal Tigers, which are extremely
rare and are breeded here at our zoo.
Another
great aspect of Cincinnati are our amusement parks. By far, the
most popular here is Paramounts Kings Island. It is here
that you'll find the most thrilling roller coasters in the world.
If you dare, ride the Beast-- But don't say that I didn't warn
you!! It's got rides and attractions for people of all ages, along
with shows, exhibits, and a concert venue.
Two
other amusements parks to visit are Americana and Coney Island.
Both of these offer more traditional rides, generally aimed for
younger kids. However, both have a long history here in Cincinnati,
and are great places to visit. Coney Island is especially cool
because of Sunlite Pool, the worlds largest recirculating pool.
Education
Cincinnati
is home to many great educational institutions. The first is the
University of Cincinnati. The following is taken from The UC Homepage:
The
University of Cincinnati traces its origins to 1819, the year
of the founding of the Cincinnati College and the Medical College
of Ohio. In 1870, the City of Cincinnati established the University
of Cincinnati, which later absorbed the earlier institutions.
In 1906, the University of Cincinnati created the first cooperative
education program in the United States through its College of
Engineering. For many years, the University of Cincinnati was
the second-oldest and second-largest municipal university in the
country. In 1968, UC became a "municipally-sponsored, state-affiliated"
institution, entering a transitional period culminating on July
1, 1977 when UC became one of Ohio's state universities. The University
of Cincinnati is today one of only 88 classified as a Research
I University by the Carnegie Commission.
The
schools that make up the University of Cincinnati are: The College
of Applied Science, The McMicken College of Arts & Sciences,
The College of Business Administration, The College Conservatory
of Music, College of Design, Architecture, Art & Planning,
College of Education, College of Engineering, College of Evening
and Continuing Education, College of Law, College of Social Work,
University College, College of Allied Health Services, College
of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, Clermont
College, and Raymond Walters College. For more information, visit
The
UC Homepage.
Cincinnati
State
is a technical college with many two year programs or preprograms
to suit your needs. There are three Roman Catholic Instituions
here, Xavier University, The College of Mt. St. Joseph, and Edgecliff
College. Also nearby are Hebrew Union College, and Northern Kentucky
University. Travel a bit north to Oxford and you will find Miami
University.
Dining
No
matter what kind of dining experience you're looking for, Cincinnati
is sure to have something to please you. Allow me to start with
a personal favourite, Skyline Chili. Skyline was
started 55 years ago here in Cincinnati, and has since become
almost a trademark of the city. If you've never had a 3way (the
food, not the sexual experience :-)) you simply must come to Cincinnati
to experience it. It's a plate full of hot spaghetti, topped with
steaming Cincinnati-style chili, and smothered with mild cheddar
cheese. Or, if you're more adventurous, try a 4way with either
red beans or onions, or a 5way with all the toppings. Skyline
also has the best cheese coneys (I think the rest of the world
calls them chili-dogs) in the world.
In
the mood for something a little classier? Try La
Maisionette,
located on East 6th Street. This resturant is unparalled when
it comes to food, service, quality, and overall dining experience.
This is the longest running 5 star resturant in the country, being
ranked that way for 35 years in a row. The food is outstanding,
the staff is extrodinary, and the desserts.... I can't even describe!!
If La Maisionette is just a little too rich for your taste, check
out their other resturants, La Normandie, Chester's
Road House,
or The
Golden Lamb.
Are
you looking for the best ribs in North America? Cincinnati is
the right place to start. Our world famous Montgomery Inn Ribs have been rated
the best in the country. There are two locations here in Cincinnati,
the original in Montgomery, and the Boathouse located on the river.
If you're not in the area, be sure to also check out their website
to order the ribs and have them shipped directly to your home.
The
Waterfront, located on the other side of the river in Covington,
is one of the ritziest places to be in Cincinnati. It's here that
you're likely to find local celebrities and sports stars hanging
out. The food is expensive, but the experience is worth it.
If
you're looking for a unique dining experience, check out the Rock
Bottom Brewery in the Fountain Square plaza. You can watch as
they create all their own beers in this casual atmosphere. Don't
leave without trying the beer made just for Cincinnati, the malty
Crosley Field Pale Ale.
Looking
for great pizza? There are a few places to look to. First, try
La Rosas. It's Cincinnati's pizza, with a distinct taste. Instead
of mozzarella, they use provolone on their pizza, which gives
it a smoother taste. They also have a wide variety of other Italian
foods on their menu. If you're more in favor of Chicago-style
pizza, go directly to Unos, either downtown or in Clifton. They
have the best deep-dish style pizza set in a fantastic atmosphere.
Also, try Donato's, a midwest chain of thin crust pizza, great
for snacking or watching the game.
Are
you ready for dessert? There are two fabulous chains here in Cincinnati
where you can treat yourself to the best ice creams and desserts
in the city. The first is United Dairy Farmers. This is a convenience
store located on just about every other corner in Cincinnati.
They have a wide variety of ice creams to choose from, along with
sundaes, shakes, malts, and the very good "Homemade"
brand. Your second choice for the best desserts is Graeters
Ice Cream.
They not only have wonderful ice cream flavors (be sure to check
out the coffee flavor!) but they also make delicious pasteries,
cakes, and other types of desserts. You can also buy directly
from their website.
Events
Cincinnati
is full of fun and exciting events throughout the whole year.
By far, the biggest blowout occurs each Labor Day Weekend, when
the city basically shuts down for Riverfest. Riverfest is a huge
celebration on the riverfront, complete with bands, booths, games,
food, all leading up the one of the largest and most extravagant
Fireworks display on Sunday night, presented by WEBN. This is
an event that you simply cannot miss. Everyone goes. :-)
Another
big festival held here every couple of years is Tall Stacks. It's
a celebration of the history of Riverboats, and beautiful steamboats
travel from city to city. It's a great way to relive the history
of Cincinnati.
Pepsi
Jammin on Main is a yearly event that takes place in the Entertainment
District. Here, many bands play concerts and people roam the streets,
dancing and celebrating. It's rather cheap and a lot of fun.
Cincinnati
has one of the largest German cultures outside of Germany. Oktoberfest
Zinzinnati is a festival presented in late September each year.
I have heard that it is the largest Oktoberfest outside of Germany.
The streets close down as people do the chicken dance, drink beer,
and eat all the german food you can imagine.
Things To See
In case I've
missed anything that you need to see while in Cincinnati, I'm
adding the rest in here. First, you've got to see the Tyler Davidson
Fountain. It's located in the unofficial center of the city, on
the 5th street plaza. It's the defining mark of Cincinnati. While
downtown, also go down to Yatemans Cove and catch the Bicentennial
Commons, the wading pool, the P&G Pavilion, and the Serpentine
Wall. Just a hop skip and a jump away from downtown is the beautiful
area of Mt. Adams and Eden Park. Mt. Adams is a historic little
area of our city, with narrow, hilly streets, beautiful homes,
and wonderful little businesses. Eden Park is exactly what the
name implies- It's one of the most beautiful places in the city.
The John Robeling
Suspension Bridge is also quite a sight to see. Perhaps I'm a
little nostalgic, but I always smile when I see this, recalling
the story that I have heard numerous times from my parents, when
they were young and dating and my dad carried mom all the way
across the bridge. Cheesy, yes, but still a sight to see.
Check out Clifton
while you're visiting. It seems a little daunting and overwhelming,
and at times a little scary, but there is more character, soul,
and creativity living in Clifton than in nearly any other part
of the city. Other great areas in the city include Montgomery,
Tri-County, and my little corner- Colerain. Stop by and say hello.
:-)
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Last Updated
August
2000
Jessica
Combs
