Discover Cincinnati
In late August, members of the American Legion Family will gather in Cincinnati for the 98th National Convention.
Cincinnati will be the second “Queen City” in recent years to host the national convention, following Charlotte, N.C., in 2014. Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow gave Cincinnati its longtime nickname in his 1854 poem “Catawba Wine,” writing, “And this Song of the Vine, This greeting of mine, The winds and the birds shall deliver, To the Queen of the West, In her garlands dressed, On the banks of the Beautiful River.”
While visiting the downtown area, look up and you will see that the city even has its own crown – atop the 41-story, 665-foot Great American Tower at Queen City Square, inspired by and designed to resemble Princess Diana’s tiara.
Downtown Cincinnati is easily navigated by foot or car, with plenty of restaurants and shops near the Duke Energy Convention Center and hotels. Nine bridges connect Cincinnati and Newport, Ky., including the 2,670-foot Newport Southbank Bridge (called the “Purple People Bridge”) for pedestrians and bicyclists. After crossing the Ohio River into Newport, visitors will find additional restaurants, shops and the Newport Aquarium. It’s about a 1.5-mile walk one way from the convention center to Newport entertainment, but there are ample parking spots there.
For those eager to make the most of their down time during the convention, The American Legion Magazine suggests a few options (all locations are in Cincinnati, unless otherwise indicated).
FOOD AND DRINK
Breweries Cincinnati was the third-largest U.S. producer of beer in the 1890s. Today, the region is home to the largest collection of pre-Prohibition breweries in the nation. There are some modern breweries, too, including Rhinegeist, located in the Over-the-Rhine district and named one of the top 10 new breweries in the world by Ratebeer.com in 2014. Rhinegeist does not serve food, but patrons can bring it in or have it delivered. Located at 1910 Elm St. www.rhinegeist.com
Graeter’s ice cream For nearly 150 years, Graeter’s has produced and sold ice cream in Cincinnati and other locations. The handcrafted ice cream mix is made and frozen two gallons at a time, without fake sweeteners, colorings or trans fats. Graeter’s has several locations in downtown Cincinnati. www.graeters.com
Cincinnati chili The region’s best known food, Cincinnati chili can’t be confused with any other.If you feel adventurous, grab a fork – not a spoon. This chili is coupled with spaghetti or hot dogs, and loaded with toppings such as cheese, onions and beans. Across the region, more than 250 places serve it.
ENTERTAINMENT
Newport Aquarium Take 1 million gallons of fresh and salt water, add thousands of animals from around the world and mix in interactive exhibits, and you have the Newport Aquarium. It is the
first aquarium to breed shark rays – which are neither sharks nor rays, but fish. Visitors can also meet Mighty Mike, a 14-foot-long, 800-pound alligator, and travel through a half-dozen tunnels where sharks and other creatures swim above and beside visitors. Located at 1 Aquarium Way in Newport, the aquarium is wheelchair-accessible. www.newportaquarium.com
Cincinnati Zoo Opened in 1875, the nation’s second-oldest zoo is home to nearly 1,900 animals on 75 acres of land. It is known for its successful breeding program, which includes California sea lions, South African cheetahs, Sumatran rhinos, tigers, gorillas and more. Located at 3400 Vine St. www.cincinnatizoo.org
Distillery tour Free tours are offered at New Riff Distilling in Newport. (A 90-minute in-depth tour is offered on the last Thursday of each month for $15 per person.) Located at 24 Distillery Way in Newport, New Riff is open to the public Thursday through Sunday. www.newriffdistilling.com
HISTORY
American Sign Museum This nearly 20,000-square-foot museum displays signs of all kinds, including restaurants, roads, hotels and more. There’s a shop where neon signs are created on weekdays. Guided tours are included in admission. Located at 1330 Monmouth Ave., the museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. www.americansignmuseum.org
Fire Museum of Greater Cincinnati The nation’s first professional and fully paid fire department was created in Cincinnati on April 1, 1853. It was also the first to use horses to pull fire engines. The museum, at 315 W. Court St., is closed Sundays and Mondays. www.cincyfiremuseum.com
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Cincinnati played a major role in the Underground Railroad as slaves crossed the Ohio River to find freedom. The museum educates visitors about the Underground Railroad’s history as well as modern-day struggles for freedom. The museum, at 50 East Freedom Way, is closed Sundays and Mondays. www.freedomcenter.org
EXPLORE
Findlay Market This eclectic market offers a range of eating options, including Mexican, seafood, Greek and more. There are also sandwiches, fresh fruits and vegetables. Indoor and outdoor seating are available. Weekends are the busiest times, as a farmers market and street performers draw crowds. Adjacent parking is free for the first hour on weekdays, and 50 cents per hour beyond that; weekend parking is slightly higher. Located at 1801 Race St. www.findlaymarket.org
Queen City Underground Tour Discover Cincinnati’s history and landmarks, including the revitalized Over-the-Rhine district, hidden crypts under the city streets, and a tour of the Christian Moerlein bottling plant and tap room. Tours begin at 1332 Vine St. and last between 90 minutes and two hours. Parking at Washington Park, a 450-space underground garage, is recommended. Visitors should arrive 20 to 30 minutes early. www.americanlegacytours.com/queen-city-underground
Jungle Jim’s International Market This supersized grocery store has two locations: 4450 Eastgate South Drive and 5440 Dixie Highway, both about 30 miles from downtown Cincinnati. They feature exotic foods from 75 countries and unusual décor. www.junglejims.com
Military aviation history on display in nearby Dayton The National Museum of the United States Air Force is located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, about an hour’s drive from Cincinnati. The 19-acre museum has various galleries chronicling aviation history, from the early years of aerial combat through the Vietnam War era to today. More than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles are on display, as well as hundreds of artifacts, photographs and other documents.
The museum opens its fourth building June 8, focusing on space exploration and global reach. Visitors will be able to board a space shuttle.
Plan several hours to visit the museum. Admission is free, but there is a fee to ride the simulators and see a movie. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.nationalmuseum.af.mil
Henry Howard is deputy director of media and communications for The American Legion.