Frankly, I didn’t know what to expect from a Midwest city in an Eastern time zone at the intersection of three states: Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. What I discovered in Cincy (a nickname that confers the urban development on both the Ohio and Kentucky side of the river) was Midwest nice, Southern hospitality and urban sophistication in a walkable, art-filled grid.
Early Ascent
In the 1800s, the region was a cultural crossroads known as the Athens of the West. It was a leading pork-processing hub, which led to many flying-pig references in the area. But the Cincinnati Red Stockings were also one of the first professional baseball teams. The early cultural influence is evident in many of the buildings, including Cincinnati Music Hall.
The ornate Art Deco Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza dates back to the 1930s when it was a groundbreaking city-in-a-city that attracted celebrities and changemakers to the gold-leaf bejeweled ballroom and now hosts conferences and visitors in grand style.
The historic reuse is alive and well in the soon-to-open Beaux Arts Cincinnati’s Fidelity Hotel. This thoughtfully designed take on comfortable luxury in the heart of the city accentuates the intricate detail while maximizing modern comforts.
A thorough investigator, I even went underground to explore the many subterranean caves in the historic German Over-the-Rhine District with Queen City Underground Tours. These former lager-chilling nooks are a window into another time, and one serves as the backdrop for cozy Ghost Baby speakeasy.
New Again
The centerpiece of the tour was the reimagining of art and light-filled First Financial Center. With an assist from ArtsWave and Black Art Speaks, we explored the $800 million transformation of the 750,000-square-foot convention center from its locally inspired murals and the tech glow-up in the Cincinnatus Ballroom’s copper-mesh lighting to a new rooftop terrace overlooking the city.
A new 700-room Marriott International hotel is in the midst of pre-site work across the street with a projected opening date of early 2029. The Westin Cincinnati was recently purchased and is planning a complete renovation as well.
Tastes, Sights and Sounds of Cincy
The art didn’t stop in the convention center. A vibrant park plaza outside the doors featured one of the city’s 350 art walls. They paint the history, characters and vibe of the area larger than life.
Home to one of the year’s largest music festivals at Paycor Stadium, the city reverberates with music in its parks and plazas year-round.
I ate well from morning to nightcap. From three-way Skyline Chili to the Top Chef love story of Young Buck Deli and local celebrity Chef Jose Salazar, the city wears culinary pride for local ingredients and traditions on its plates.
This article appears in the September/October 2026 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.
