Vacation in Cincinnati: What to do?

In My Humble Opinion
1

Hey Dopers!

We’re shortly to depart on a Sunday-Friday vacation to Cincinnati. Any suggestions as to what might go over well for two middle-aged adults and 3 girls aged 15-21?

DH has nixed Kings’ Island as he does not wish to pay the entrance fees. I’m sad to miss Findlay Market - I understand Saturday’s the big day to go, but DH will not stay another day. I thought probably zoo, aquarium, and observatory but wasn’t sure what else the Queen City has to offer. I’m very bookish so suggestions for bookstores (new & used) and other lit-ish things would be most welcome. We’re also very comic-book / nerd-culture inclined as well (Sherlock, Dr. Who, Supernatural, that kind of stuff).

Thoughts?

2

Check out the Cincinnati Museum Center.

3

If you’re driving and coming up I-65 thru Louisville, KY, stop at Clermont, Ky, for the Jim Beam Distillery tour.

(The adults get samples at the end of the tour)

4

We’re actually coming through Indianapolis (we’re from central Illinois), but now if everyone drives me crazy, I know which direction to head for a day away. :wink: Thank God for free whiskey samples!

5

You should definitely check out the Half Price Books outlets in the are. There are two in Cinncinnati and another one right over the river in Florence.

And now an offbeat suggestion. Whenever I drive through Cinncinnati, I like to stop at Jungle Jim’s. It’s a supermarket but it’s more like a supermarket theme park. (I’ve only been to the Fairfield one so I don’t know what the Eastgate one is like.)

6

I’ve collected some info on Cinnci. as it’s the perfect distance for a weekend get-a-way for me.

Mecklenburg Gardens
302 East University Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45219-2431
(513) 221-5353
Highly rated German Rest.

Cincinnati ‘chili’ characterized by the use of unusual ingredients such as cinnamon, cloves, or chocolate, and by the absence of chili peppers or chili powder.
It is commonly served over spaghetti, topped by shredded cheddar cheese.
Skyline, by far the most popular. Skyline restaurants dot the local landscape the way McDonalds does in other cities.
Gold Star definitely more like traditional chili

German Heritage Museum
4790 West Fork Road Cin.
Free 1-5 p.m. every Sunday

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
50 E. Freedom Way
Cincinnati,
11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
$12

World Peace Bell Center
421 Monmouth St.
Newport, KY
visitor center: Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free

MainStrasse Village German Village
406 W. 6th St., Covington, Ky.
Most shops, restaurants and attractions are open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Steamboat Monument
Pete Rose Way
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum
1763 Hamilton-Cleves Road
Hamilton, Ohio
8am -6pm $8

Annual Toyota/WEBN Riverfest fireworks start at 9:05 p.m.
on the Sunday before Labor Day.
one of the largest fireworks displays in the Midwest.
The synchronized musical soundtrack can be heard on 102.7 WEBN-FM.

One of the most popular places to watch the fireworks from Northern Kentucky is Devou Park. The hill-top offers a great view of the fireworks and the Cincinnati skyline.
Other popular spots are the Newport Riverfront (which charges $1 for clean-up costs), the Covington Floodwall and the Serpentine Wall in Cincinnati.

7

Jungle Jim’s FTW

Plan to spend at least an hour there.

8

Can you rent a helicopter to throw turkeys from?

9

Some good suggestions upthread. I especially second the Museum Center, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and MainStrasse Village.

You might also take a look at:

The Newport Aquarium.

The Cincinnati Observatory. This is a glorious 19th century observatory with cheap public viewings. I used to live about a half mile from there.

There are some neat neighborhoods that are fun for walking around and eating – Mount Adams, Hyde Park, Mount Lookout, Oakley.

A little ways outside the city is Loveland Castle, a castle this guy built by hand. A little odd, but also kind of fun (IIRC. I was there several years ago).

It’s about an hour away in Dayton, but the National Museum of the Air Force is awesome if any of you are aviation or military enthusiasts.

ETA: I see you mentioned the Observatory and Aquarium in the OP. Note to self: read first, then post.

10

Go to a Reds’ game. Even if they don’t like baseball, it’s still fun for a few innings and they usually have $10 tickets. Beautiful stadium right on the river.

11

If you’re a fan of The Avengers, you could see if you could find out where they shot the “Berlin” scene and visit those. Kinda geeky, but whaddaya gonna do?

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A fan of the Avengers? Why Ethilrist, you are speaking our language - we’re complete Avengers geeks! I will definitely try.

Love the other suggestions as well, people. Keep 'em coming!

Except for the turkey / helicopter deal. Be they live or dead, I’m not cool with flinging the turkeys, and DH would NEVER pop for a heli-rental fee. :wink:

13

If you need to pick up some supplies for your next Halloween party or trip to comic-con, you might drop in to Cappel’s. I think the two locations downtown are the biggest (they’re about a block apart).

14

The Krohn Conservatory in Eden Park is also very nice.

15

Here I thought I was going to be the only one suggesting to go to a grocery store while on vacation. Definitely have to hit Jungle Jim’s.

I’m not a baseball fan at all but I had a great time at a Red’s game.

It is a very German city so you can get good German food there. I don’t have any place in particular to recommend though. Goetta is found on many menus even if they don’t have any other German food. It is like a breakfast sausage patty, but they eat it all the time. They are having their Goetta Fest around the 9th I think.

I can’t believe your DH nixed King’s Island. It is one of my favorite theme parks. Sounds like DH stands for Dull Husband :smiley: Let him know they serve beer and LaRosa’s pizza.

16

Cincinnati also boasts two of the best ice cream places in the universe. Graeter’s has several locations. I was always partial to the one in Hyde Park since it was close to my house. Aglamesis Brother’s has just two locations. The one on Oakley Square is the original, I think.

Another cute little neighborhood to check out is Mariemont (link, link). There is a nice artsy movie theatrethere.

17

Oh yes, hit Jungle Jim’s. I too have only been to the Fairfield one. I love that store.
It’s hard to explain until you’ve been there, but if you are into exotic or international foods, Jungle Jim’s is the place to go. It truly is a destination of it’s own, plan to spend a lot of time

How many grocery stores have you been to that give you a map of the store that starts with “You are here”?

The olive bar sends me into transports of delight. Don’t pass up the booze section either, if you like wine or beer.

18

I’ll miss you there by a week. I’ll be there for the week of August 9th. We are visiting family.

The Reds are out of town that weekend; however, the Florence Freedom minor league team is playing at home. They are about 12 miles south of Cincinnati in Florence, Kentucky. Nice prices, free parking, and very good seats.

19

I believe that was Cleveland not Cincinnati.

20

Visit the Flem Building at the very least.