Cincy faves!
Cincy faves!
HYDE PARK AREA (CLOSE TO HOTEL/VENUE)
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In short: A lovely, well manicured park.
In long: Our favorite Cincinnati park that we would go to multiple times a week when nice out! There are overlooks, a fancy stone pavilion, big grassy lawns, and nature trails that we would frequent when needing to “forest bathe” as we would call it.
*Also, highest number of picnics (in our relationship) award goes to this park!Also also, fun people watching.
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Third spaces are a big thing now, this whole square was our third place for a lot of our lives before and during our relationship. You’d definitely see Devon doing loops while on the phone or with a friend grabbing a Cincy MUST: Graeter’s Ice cream.
Swing down Michigan Ave. past the fire station to see where we first lived together in the cute U-shaped, brick building.
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This is a coffee shop we walked to many, many, many times.
There is seating outside and it feels like a neighborhood hang. You would definitely find Devon here any weekday the temp was above 71 and she wasn’t actively in a zoom meeting. (you would find us BOTH here on a nice Saturday morning)
Highly recommend getting a drink AND a baked good, sitting outside and watching the neighborhood pass by. -
If you ask why you should get tacos from a gas station parking lot, the only answer is: I want you to be happy.
Stick to the chicken, and if you ask Stuart, he’d say you would need to get the burrito (because of the fried cheese).
FYI it’s cash only, and make sure you tip.
(We went here almost weekly for a good two years.)
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If you want to know where we would always be on a Sunday morning (and we’ll probably swing by this weekend for nostalgia). Stop by Hyde Park Square, you’ll see our old neighborhood and one of the highlights of our week.
DOWNTOWN-iSH AREA (15 min from hotel/venue)
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This perfect little bar is where we had our second date (first date spot didn’t last as long as we did) and then many, many, little celebrations after from birthdays to Covid vaccines to the first warm days of the year.
They have cute/perfect/balanced/elevated cocktails, fun bites and very cute vibes. (The Shiso painkiller is a crowd favorite, but all drinks are good and please try the onion dip if they have on the menu!)
*They also have a sister bar/restaurant called Mid City which is also a favorite a few streets over. -
Two look out options for an amazing view of Cincinnati: One easy to access lookout or if you want to add some stairs and one of Cincy’s greatest traditions Catholic Churches try this one. (Also, because we need to suggestion max, on the note of catholic churches, stop by The Basilica for some truly impressive stain glass).
While you’re in the neighborhood. Pop by:
The art museum (it’s free if you want/need to spend some time indoors). If it weren’t the wedding weekend, you’d probably run into Seth and Pam here (and still might see Seth on his daily neighborhood walk)The Twin Lakes Park for a park culture that is truly one of a kind and another great lookout, but this view is of KY.
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Findlay Market is Ohio’s oldest public market! Home to lots of food stalls and cute stores surrounding.
If you want to go for lunch, grab a table outside and everyone gets to get what they want! Win win.
If you don’t know where to start —
Eli’s BBQ has been a Cincy favorite for years now and has a location at the market.
If you’re feeling more of a sit-down-inside-somewhere-for-lunch vibe, but in this area, go across the street to Pho Lang Thang! The pho, bahn mi and decadent Vietnamese coffee were all frequent orders for us (up to being the last place we went before lockdown)! -
Swing by Washington Park to see a cute urban park surrounded by historical gems like Music Hall.
For the main drag of shops and restaurants in OTR, bop around Vine Street, a couple blocks from the park! Must grab a cookie at Sugar (if they’re open because they don’t like to do normal business hours) and if you’re here, there is a Graeter’s as well.
Neither Here nor there but worth it
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Stuart’s take: Go to any of them, but the Clifton one will be the most confusing parking situation but most old-school vibe. I’d suggest getting the chili on multiple modes of transportation (a coney and a 3-way and a chilito). Also, if you don’t eat meat the black bean chili is a great substitute.
Devon take: to some who are not from Cincinnati, Skyline can be an acquired, but it’s worth the cultural experience to give it a go. In addition to the coneys and 3-ways, their greek salad is surprisingly good and the oyster crackers make for a nice lil free appetizer. My suggestion would be the Oakley location.
*Also, they will expect you to know what you want as soon as you sit down which I (Devon) can’t handle - but know they’ll forgive you for needing a menu …which you’ll have to ask for. -
The highest-caloric-possible (Detroit Style) pizza that we would go to as a treat (too often). The pepperoni and hot honey Detroit style pizza can be blamed for this addiction.
We recommend the Columbia Tusculum location.
*Bonus: If you go to the Columbia Tusculum location, be sure to drive up the hill (just a few minutes up!) to Alms Park for another great park and view. You’ll get to see colorful Victorian houses on the way up, too! -
Mariemont is one of the first planned communities in the U.S. modeled after English “garden cities”. (Devon did a paper on this in college 🤓).
If you’re into this sort of thing - starting in Mariemont Square and strolling through the historic district could be fun. There is also a Graeter’s here. (If you’re thinking, “Haven’t they mentioned icecream in most of these suggestions?” Yes, you would be correct. Devon has us very well acquainted with icecream establishments. If you need more icecream suggestions, just ask)
If you’re not into this sort of thing and you’ve already been to two Graeters, drive past the village area of Mariemeont to 50 West for a great outdoor space and good beer.
For the curious, here’s a little rundown on the history.