I recently took my first trip to Cincinnati, Ohio, a beautiful city located on the northern side of the confluence of the Ohio and Licking rivers. Cincinnati, nicknamed "Cincy," has a population of over 300,000, making it the third largest city in the state of Ohio, following Columbus and Cleveland.
I came to Cincy with very little knowledge about the city but for its location, and left having learned so much. From the culture to the food to the people and the sites, I enjoyed every bit of my time there. I'm excited to share my visit with you.
John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge
One of the first things I saw in Cincinnati was this gorgeous bridge. The John A. Roebling suspension bridge was built in 1866. The bridge connects Cincinnati, Ohio and Covington, Kentucky. At 1,057 feet, its central span was once the largest in the world.
To anyone familiar with New York City, this bridge should look identical to another that is suspended over the East River, connecting the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn. That is because the Roebling Bridge was the prototype for the Brooklyn Bridge.
Cincinnati Skyline
After a quick walk over the Roebling Bridge, I was in Covington, Kentucky. From here, you can see the Cincy skyline, featuring their iconic baseball stadium.
Great American Ball Park
In 1889, Cincinnati established the first, American baseball team. The team was originally called the Cincinnati Red Stockings, but is now known simply as the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds' baseball stadium is legendary. Even if you don't get a chance to see a game, stop by and visit the Hall of Fame, or walk by the stadium during a game to hear the fanfare and watch the fireworks that are set off each time the Reds score.
Discovering Cincinnati on foot was a pleasure. Not surprising as Cincinnati has been voted one of the most walkable cities in the United States.
William Henry Harrison Monument in Piatt Park
The city is full of various green spaces. For example, this statue of the ninth, U.S. President, William Henry Harrison, can be found in Piatt Park, the city's oldest park.
Washington Park
Washington Park
The second oldest park, Washington Park, is located nearby in the Over-The-Rhine neighborhood. This historic district is filled with great restaurants, breweries and shops and is a must-visit when you are in Cincy. I'll share more on this neighborhood in upcoming posts.
Washington Park
I learned that Washington Park was a Presbyterian and Episcopalian cemetery prior to being acquired by the city in 1855.
American Civil War Canon
The park has been open to the public since then, but for an 18-month period during which it underwent an almost 50 million dollar renovation. It reopened in July of 2012 with an additional 2 acres, a parking lot and various other upgrades.
Washington Park Fountain
One such upgrade is this 7,000 square foot, interactive, water fountain that can be enjoyed year-round. If you visit at night, the 130 water jets that are lit up, look most impressive.
Cincinnati Music Hall
Speaking of impressive, Washington Park is situated just across the street from Cincinnati Music Hall, one of the most architecturally stunning buildings in the city. The music hall was constructed in 1878 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1975. Like Washington Park, it too was built on the site of a cemetery, leading some to believe it is haunted.
Don't "BLINK"
I discovered that Cincinnati, much like Austin, Texas, is a city of exquisite murals.
There are over 300 murals across the city.
Therefore, everywhere I turned, there was new, public art to behold.
In fact, Cincinnati earned first place this year in USA Today's list of the top 10 cities for best street art.
If you are interested in doing a deeper dive when you visit, you can book numerous walking tours during which experts will provide details about each mural.
Perhaps the best way to see the murals however, is during the BLINK festival which will take place this October.
During this biennial festival, guests can enjoy light installations, sculptures and interactive art in addition to all of the murals.
These temporary installations project light on the city's existing murals, transforming them in remarkable ways.
Even better, this festival which is the nation's largest immersive art event, is free.
Smale Riverfront Park, Water Curtains and Cascading Fountains
Smale Riverfront Park is another great place to visit while in Cincinnati. This 45-acre park sits on the banks of the Ohio River and spans the area between the Great American Ball Park and Paul Brown Stadium. The park always looks beautiful, but I was particularly impressed with its water curtains and cascading fountains during and after sunset when the water features are illuminated, creating a magical ambiance.
Sun Setting Over the Ohio River and Roebling Bridge
From Smale Riverfont Park, you also get absolutely beautiful views of the Roebling Bridge. I took this picture while the last vestiges of sunlight were still visible and the moon was bright.
The Genius of Water
From Smale Riverfront Park, I walked to Fountain Square, the heart of Downtown Cincinnati. The fountain above is referred to as both The Tyler Davidson Fountain and "The Genius of Water." The fountain was erected in 1871 and still stands in Fountain Square, a public space with restaurants, live music and markets. Fountain Square also serves as a venue for many festivals.
The street art, architecture, parks and public spaces are just some of Cincinnati's features; there is still much to share about this city. Up next is my foray into Cincinnati's signature foods including chili, ice cream and my first taste of a dish I had never heard of before. I also visit one of the oldest, continuously operating public markets in the United States.
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