Itching to get out of town, Lexingtonians? Skip those pesky airport security lines and jump in your car for a road trip to Cincinnati instead. From Festival of Lights experience at the Cincinnati Zoo, to the house-made pasta at Pepp & Dolores — we’re spilling all the details on how to have an unforgettable time in the Queen City.
📍 Essential info
Drive time: ~1.5 hours from downtown
Year city was established: 1788
Est. population: 2.26 million
🎟️ Experience
Findlay Market
Get ready to devour some of the freshest + tastiest eats at Ohio’s oldest continuously-operated public market. This local hotspot is open Tuesday-Sunday year-round and is home to 50+ full-time merchants selling meat, produce, flowers, ethnic foods, and more.
Krohn Conservatory
If you love exploring plants + greenhouses, this one is a must-do for you. Check out the current exhibit, “Solstice Glow,” where you’ll learn to appreciate the quietness of winter with candle light, lanterns, and festive displays.
Cincinnati Art Museum
Take a public tour of the dazzling rotating galleries that encompass 67,000+ works spanning 6,000 years. Explore the “CAMaraderie: Artists of the Cincinnati Art Museum,” now until January 5. Pro tip: Parking + general admission are free.
Rhinegeist Brewery
This widely-acclaimed brewery offers a rooftop bar + taphouse to sip on ales and ciders like the Cheetah Lager or Geist Hard Tea. Plan ahead with a tour of its beer-making facility.
Bogart’s
Before you hit the road, check out this high energy, two-story indoor music venue for its upcoming shows like Luke Grimes, Juvenile, and The Prince Experience.
🍲 Eat
Camp Washington Chili
The chili at this classic 1940s diner has earned the James Beard Award as an “American Regional Classic” + has been featured on shows such as “Man vs. Food.”
Pepp & Dolores
Prepare to carb load starting with small bread bites like The Dunk + pasta dishes including the Spicy Vodka bowl.
Rich’s Proper Food and Drink
While Rich’s has good eats for any time of day, be sure to block off your Sunday for brunch — featuring its “Only On Sunday” chicken sandwich, a bourbon slush, mimosa pitchers + more.
BoomTown Biscuits and Whiskey
The name says it all. Pick from a list of 10+ specialty biscuit sandwiches like the “Gold Fever” that stacks buffalo mac & cheese, fried chicken, bleu cheese, bacon + more.
Silver Spring House
A homey + relaxing dive that has something tasty for everyone, especially when involving its award-winning citrus-marinated chicken.
Pro tip: Don’t spoil your dinner too badly with the unlimited movie theater popcorn machine.
Goose and Elder
Located at the historic Findlay Market, the seasonal market-driven menu offers fresh health conscious options like its Big Salad + grain bowls. Or, snag foodie classics like grass-fed beef burgers or pepper-crusted steak.
Montgomery Inn BBQ
According to Cincinnati Business Journal, this BBQ spot with Ohio River views, is one of the Queen City’s most recommended restaurants on Facebook. Create your own three-course meal that might just include Graeter’s ice cream.
Madtree Brewery
While brews on tap like the 3 Legged Lion or 42 Mile are reason enough to go, its Alcove restaurant seals the deal. Start off with Salmon Cakes or Crispy Tofu that features veggies, pickled mustard seeds + more. For your entree, order the Sakura Farm Meatball with lemon caper sauce and thank us later.
Boca
Its new revitalized menu features artful, in-season dishes like the Beet Mezzaluna — local greens, goat cheese, and hazelnut. End your dining experience with a handcrafted dessert like the Candy Bar 3.0 with Grand Cru chocolate, nougat, brownie, Rocher, and hazelnut ice cream.
Nicola’s
This dreamy patio provides the perfect date night backdrop. Try the Seafood Risotto with oishii shrimp, charred octopus, clams, saffron, tomato + calabrian chili paired with an Orangecello Cosmo.
Coffee Emporium
Find all of your caffeine needs fulfilled out of this trendy Hyde Park coffee joint. Treat yourself to the Bumble Bee Buzz Latte for the perfect balance of honey + vanilla.
🏨 Stay
21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati, 609 Walnut St.
Unique art, modern rooms, a delicious restaurant — what more could you ask for? Pro tip: Try the blistered shishitos from onsite restaurant Metropole, they are City Editor Molly’s favorite.
The Lytle Park Hotel, 311 Pike St.
Nothing says romance like the lobby of The Lytle Park Hotel. A refreshing take on hospitality awaits in this 1909 building that offers a beautiful rooftop space + Italian restaurant Subito.
Hotel Covington, 638 Madison Ave., Covington
This trendy boutique hotel is located in Covington, KY, but it’s right across the river from Cincinnati + just over a mile from the city’s major sports venues.
Kinley Cincinnati Downtown, 636 Race St.
If those Reds games caught your attention, this stay + play is a short distance from the Great American Ballpark. More into the arts? The Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center is only a five-minute walk.
Symphony Hotel, 210 W. 14th St.
This restored 1871 townhome is known for its five-course pre-concert dining in its Historic Dining Room. Stick around for live jazz + specialty martinis every Friday and Saturday night at the bar and lounge.
Westside Condo, Westside Cincinnati
This one-bedroom, one-bath condo is directly across from the TQL Soccer Stadium + has views for days. Its open-air patio is perfect for sipping pre-FC soccer game cocktails.
🚗 Cruise
No matter where the highway takes you, our road trip must-haves will ease your journey as you make your way to your destination.
- With more than 23,000 location-based audio stories, Autio’s Unlimited Plan: Lifetime Subscription is your perfect companion offering mini podcasts about the history, culture, and geology of areas you drive through.
- You’ll stay fully charged up and connected with this 4-in-1 retractable car charger that has iPhone compatibility and secure plug-in capability.
- Rock a comfortable sweatshirt and pants set for the road featuring a cozy elastic waistband and side-seamed pockets to store your valuables.
- Keep your tailbone supported during lengthy drives with a thick memory foam cushion that is machine washable and gives complete postural support.
- Avoid getting stranded with a dead battery by packing this portable car jump starter that gives up to 50 jumps in a single charge — no flagging down a stranger needed.
- Easy to clean and leak-proof, this collapsible car trash can gives you 2 gallons of storage capacity to keep your vehicle free from clutter.
