Short But Sweet: How to Spend Only a Few Hours in Cincinnati, Ohio

Manageable in size with an easy-to-navigate downtown, Cincinnati is one of the best Midwest cities in which to spend a few hours. Dubbed the “Queen City,” Cincinnati is rich in history, and you’ll see remnants of this across its central neighborhoods. From Art Deco skyscrapers to hilltop boroughs that were once the site of the country’s most prolific wine region, visitors are often caught off guard by the city's interesting past. While it's now a city of suburbs that sprawl across a tri-state area (Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky), you’ll want to make a beeline for the core of downtown to start exploring. Here’s how to make the most of just a few hours in Cincinnati.

Morning Itinerary in Cincinnati

One of my favorite spots to grab coffee in Cincinnati is at Urbana in the Pendleton neighborhood. This cobbled district oozes character with boutique shops, bars, and restaurants. Pop inside to grab a latte to go before strolling around this tiny corner of the city. 

Next, make your way to The Banks. Tucked between the Bengals and Reds stadiums, this small stretch of Cincinnati is situated right on the Ohio River and offers beautiful views of historic homes in Northern Kentucky as well as the Cincinnati skyline. The popular brunch spot Taste of Belgium is a wonderful place to grab a bite. Its extensive menu highlights European-style breakfast options—apt for a city founded by German immigrants—and local favorites like goetta.

Cap off the morning with a 360-degree view of downtown from the top of Carew Tower, once the tallest building in the city. If you’re not big on heights, it's still worth a visit if only to see the stunning Art Deco interior. Don’t skip out on the Palm Court, located inside the Netherland Plaza Hotel on the first floor of Carew Tower, which is an architecture-lover's dream. 

Afternoon Itinerary in Cincinnati

Hop on The Connector, Cincinnati's answer to speedy public transportation, and make your way to Washington Park, the beating heart of the OTR neighborhood. An abbreviation of “Over-the-Rhine,” OTR was once the nucleus of Cincinnati’s German settlement and a hub for breweries. 

Admire the beautiful High Victorian Gothic architecture of Music Hall, one of the most haunted places in Cincinnati, before strolling over to Findlay Market, an open-air market that opened in 1855. You’ll find everything from delicious local restaurants to hole-in-the-wall shops and my personal favorite, The Rhined cheesemonger, situated just across the street from the market itself. If you’d like to dabble in the city’s brewing history, head to Rhinegeist next, one of the city’s most popular breweries. It’s just down the street, ensconced in an impressive warehouse that was the pre-Prohibition Christian Moerlein Brewing Co.

Of course, no visit to Cincinnati would be complete without dining at Skyline. Started by Greek immigrants, Skyline is a classic diner chain that focuses on our city's unique style of chili. While the menu is surprisingly large, locals don’t even bother to look, usually ordering either a three-way—spaghetti topped with chili and a mountain of shredded cheese—or a cheese coney: your classic chili cheese dog. Top off your meal with a walk over to Graeter’s Ice Cream, another Cincinnati staple that's been putting smiles on citizens faces since 1870. They use the French Pot process for creating super creamy confections that include its classic Black Raspberry Chip flavor. Graeter’s and Skyline are located just a 7-minutes away from each other on Vine Street. As a local, I can say wholeheartedly that this is one of the best things to do in Cincinnati.

End the day in the Mount Adams neighborhood, perched on a hilltop overlooking the Ohio River and downtown. This charming village happens to hide the Cincinnati Art Museum, which boasts underrated exhibits featuring masterpieces from the likes of Van Gogh and Toulouse Lautrec. Mount Adams doubles as one of the best spots to watch sunset in Cincinnati—the perfect end to your short but sweet time in the Queen City.

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