Art and Culture are Alive in the Cincy Region

The Cincy Region has a rich artistic heritage which is especially evident in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Over-the-Rhine got its name from the German immigrants who settled there in the early 1800s, who said the canal running through the neighborhood reminded them of the Rhine River that flows through their homeland. That German heritage is still alive today at Queen City Radio – a beer garden serving German draft beer, schnitzel sandwiches and homemade beer-braised sauerkraut. After your meal, be sure to spend some time wandering the streets and spotting more than 300 public murals; every other October, they come to life with lights and projection-mapping as part of the biennial BLINK festival. As you discover the artistic treasures of the area, you’ll understand why the Cincy Region was named the 11th most arts-vibrant region in the USA by Southern Methodist University’s DataArts research center.

Take in the historic beauty of the area when you stroll the spacious grounds of Washington Park. Live public programming is available in the park nearly every day, from workout classes to movie screenings. Adjacent to Washington Park music lovers can find a seat at the Cincinnati Music Hall and attend inspiring orchestral and operatic performances. Each spring, Music Hall hosts the May Festival, the longest-running choral festival in the Western Hemisphere.

Hop across the river and sip your way down The B-Line^®, Northern Kentucky’s self-guided bourbon tour. If you want to know what makes the USA’s native spirit so special, tour New Riff Distilling in Newport and witness first-hand how bourbon is made before enjoying a complimentary tasting on the rooftop bar. No matter your tastes, you’ll find a bourbon you love in the bars and restaurants of colorful Mainstrasse Village in Covington, Kentucky, from traditional blends to upscale specialties. Complete with German architecture, live music and historical markers, the neighborhood is home to Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar, which has over 700 different varieties to try and has been named among the USA’s best bourbon bars by The Bourbon Review magazine. Sample rare and vintage bottles on their cozy, intimate patio, or grab a seat at the bar to chat up friendly locals and knowledgeable bartenders. Nearby, experience modern Southern cuisine with a bourbon twist when you sip a seasonal cocktail at Coppin’s Restaurant in the award-winning Hotel Covington.

Walk through ages of technology and design at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati. Holding artifacts from more than 100 years of signage in the USA, this museum is dedicated to the history of commercial signs and the art of sign-making. Experience Americana nostalgia in the Signs on Main Street display, which features neon signs and other cultural curiosities typical of small-town USA. As you walk through the museum, an audio tour paints a clear picture of the collection while sharing fascinating stories about the signs themselves. No visit is complete without stopping by Neonworks, the neon workshop inside the museum that creates signs for area businesses. Spend an afternoon admiring the craft of sign making as you observe tube-benders at work.

Fly into Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) and rent a car to explore the area.