Overview   Located on the Ohio River, Cincinnati has been a prosperous town ever since its founding as an Indian trading post in 1788. Through the years, Cincinnati has attracted new businesses and new groups of people including a substantial number of German immigrants who have given the city a European flavor. Considering its long history of commercial success, the city has invested time and money on developing its cultural resources, a task to which it has devoted itself with special care. Cincinnati is divided into several neighborhoods, each with a distinct feel. Expansive Eden Park is near Mount Adams, a well-to-do neighborhood with great cafes and restaurants. The Over-the-Rhine district, which got its name from German immigrants, houses numerous bars, clubs and other fun spots. In the midst of these various neighborhoods, Cincinnati has built some common cultural centers that are a source of pride for the whole city. The Cincinnati Art Museum covers 5,000 years of art history including an impressive collection of Islamic art. The Contemporary Arts Center houses modern art that always makes a big impression. The Taft Museum, a converted mansion, exhibits stunning paintings by Rembrandt, Goya and Turner, as well as priceless Ming porcelain. Finally, the Museum Center at Union Terminal is a collection of museums, including a natural history museum and a history of Cincinnati. Outdoor activities abound in this family-friendly city. The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is a favorite destination for locals and visitors alike. In addition, Public Landing is a mile-long riverside walk offering views of carefully painted showboats and other river craft that recall the city's bustling days of river commerce. For the true outdoors enthusiast, Surf Cincinnati Waterpark offers visitors several water slides, miniature golf courses, boat rides and go-cart racing. Visitors to Cincinnati are encouraged to take in the city's cultural resources, while appreciating the various cultures that thrive within its boundaries. Not only does the city itself offer many unique sites, it also makes a convenient jumping-off point for visits to nearby states of Kentucky and Indiana.          Cincinnati Art Museum 953 Eden Park Dr 513-721-5204 Founded in 1881, the Cincinnati Art Museum has expanded to house 88 galleries and more than 100,000 objects. Cincinnati Zoo 3400 Vine St 513-281-4700 The Cincinnati Zoo is a seventy-acre home to 700 different animals and species plus more than 3,000 types of plants. The zoo features lowland gorillas, a baby elephant, and white Bengal tigers. The Children's Zoo has 55,000 square feet of exhibits. "Insect World" is the largest building in North America focusing on the display of live insects. Museum of Natural History and Science 1301 Western Ave 513287-7000 More than 125,000 square feet of exhibits spread over two levels focus on regional natural history. The museum features immersion exhibits designed to bring guests into the setting. The Children's Discovery Center offers interactive exhibits on the human body and on the impact of human settlement in Cincinnati over the last 400 years. Paramount's Kings Island 6300 King's Island Drive King's Island, OH 45034 513-573-5800 This awesome theme park features roller coasters, rides and lots of excitement. Perhaps best-known is the Beast, the world's longest wooden roller coaster, and the centerpiece among the other 11 coasters at the park. Little ones love Hanna-Barbera Land while pre-teens and teens head for Nickelodeon Splat City featuring the Rugrats, the Addams Family-style haunted Shriek House, and WaterWorks, a 30-acre water park. With 300 rides and attractions in all, the park itself is an event, even just to walk through. Southgate House 24 E 3rd St Newport, OH 41071 Guests to Cincinnati looking for a good time should check out Southgate House, one of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky's best club attractions. An historic mansion located on the Ohio River across from downtown Cincinnati, the Southgate is being restored with entertainment venues on every floor. Taft Museum 316 Pike St 513-241-0343 The Taft is one of Cincinnati's treasures, recognized as one of the best small art museums in the country. Built as a home in 1820, its final residents were Anna and Charles Taft (half-brother of President William Howard Taft) who used their combined fortunes to travel the world collecting paintings and decorative arts. Americana Amusement Park 5757 Hamilton Middletown Rd Middletown, OH 45044 513-539-7339 This amusement park has both old-fashioned and state-of-the-art rides. There's a nostalgic brass ring carousel, a ferris wheel and a tilt-a-whirl. The newer area features more than 100 rides, many updated and refurbished within the past two years. Also included are a trio of roller coasters, the very popular log flume ride, a miniature golf course and a petting zoo. Kids also love the Kids Water Play World with several water slides. Bicentennail Commons Sawyer Point 801 E. Pete Rose Way 513-352-6316 Altogether, this park encompasses more than 22 acres of premiere downtown playground including ice skating, roller skating, tennis courts, a boathouse with a rowing center, a performance pavilion with free concerts in the summer and a super playground for children. Cincinnati Nature Center 4949 Tealtown Rd Milford, OH 45150 513-831-1711 This outstanding nature preserve, located east of Cincinnati, offers 15 miles of trails in its 1,425-acres permitting easy observation of the 237 varieties of wildflowers. Heritage Village Sharon Woods Park 11450 Lebanon Rd 513-563-9484 All of the buildings in this recreated 19th century village were gathered from across southwestern Ohio to be part of the Heritage Village. Parky's Farm, Ark, Playce, and PlayBarn 10245 Winton Rd. 513-521-7275 Located in 2,630-acre Winton Woods, "Parky" activities are designed to delight city children. Parky's Farm is a 100-acre demonstration farm with vegetable gardens, orchards, farm animals and a petting zoo. Parky's PlayBarn is an indoor, two-story barn-like playground with soft flooring where kids can tumble, explore and climb to their heart's content. Kids can get wet at Parky's Ark water playground near the Harbor Pavilion, where creatures like frogs, turtles, bugs and fish spurt water at squealing youngsters. The hands-down favorite is the 180-foot snake that crawls through the play area with 47 nozzles squirting water in all directions. Kids can also choose to stay dry at Parky's Playce, another playground located near the Pavilion. Surf Cincinnati Waterpark 11460 Sebring Dr 513-742-0620 This water park includes Cincinnati's largest wave pool. This relaxed, family-oriented destination offers lots of excellent water activities: flumes, white-water rapids, lazy river rides and water slides. Next door is Fun City, which has dry activities like Chip Shot miniature golf with 18 holes, volleyball, basketball and a game room. Squirt City is designed for younger children. The Dude Ranch Waynesville Rd Morrow, OH 45152 513-958-8099 The Dude Ranch offers everything from one-hour trail rides through the woods and rolling meadows to a real cattle drive. Kids can take pony rides, hay rides, and enjoy looking at all of the beautiful horses and animals features on the trail. The Beach Waterpark 2590 Water Park Dr 513-398-7946 The Beach features more than 41 water slides in its 35-acres. Adults will like the 100,000-gallon Pearl lagoon where relaxation is encouraged. Children's Theater of Cincinnati 2106 Florence Ave 513-569-8080 Some of Cincinnati's best actors, musicians and technical people are on the production team that presents great musicals, comedies and dramas for kids. This is a great attraction for families with children of all ages.            Summer July: The Coors Light Festival (PHONE: 513/871-3900), an annual jam session held at Cinergy Field, attracts top jazz and rhythm-and-blues musicians. Fall September: Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati (PHONE: 513/333-6888) celebrates the city's German heritage. The three-day event features plenty of beer and live entertainment. September: Riverfest (PHONE: 800/246-2987), a Labor Day weekend party on the banks of the Ohio River, includes a 30-minute fireworks display choreographed with music broadcast live on a local radio station.                Shopping Centers and Malls There are upscale stores in the FOUNTAIN PLACE LAZARUS (5th and Race Sts.), with Tiffany & Co. and Brooks Brothers setting the tone for this shopping area. Over the Roebling Suspension Bridge in Covington, Kentucky, MAINSTRASSE VILLAGE has gift and antiques shops and vintage clothing boutiques. TOWER PLACE (4th and Race Sts.) is an atrium shopping mall.                CHATEAU POMIJE 2019 Madison Rd., Cincinnati, OH, USA Phone: 513/871-8788 $20 to $40 Convert It Cincinnati Contemporary This neighborhood café in the artsy O'Bryonville neighborhood, close to Hyde Park, specializes in creative bistro-style chicken, beef, and seafood dishes. Specialties include cioppino and Chateau chicken (sautéed with caramelized onions and mushrooms and served with a light sherry cream sauce). The restaurant serves beer and wine only; you can also choose a bottle from the wine shop next door ($4 corking fee). There's open-air dining in good weather. D, MC, V. Closed Sun. No lunch Sat.   CHESTER'S ROAD HOUSE 9678 Montgomery Rd., Cincinnati, OH, USA Phone: 513/793-8700 $20 to $40 Convert It Cincinnati Contemporary, Italian This historic restaurant in a 19th-century structure is a popular special-occasion spot. The main dining room has a glass ceiling, which allows in plenty of light for the large Floridian silk oak tree growing inside. Several newer dining rooms have been added to the original house. Chester's serves good old standbys like rack of lamb and prime rib as well as pasta and Northern Italian dishes. AE, D, MC, V. No lunch weekends.   CHINA GOURMET 3340 Erie Ave., Cincinnati, OH, USA Phone: 513/871-6612 Over $20 Convert It Cincinnati Chinese The setting at this Chinese restaurant in Hyde Park is more elegant and upscale than you'd expect. The fare has been described as Chinese haute cuisine, as well as somewhat overpriced. Cantonese and Szechuan offerings include seafood with pan-fried noodles and Confucius chicken (breast of chicken with shrimp, pork, and vegetables covered in brown sauce). There are also Chinese preparations of Lake Erie walleye, a regional delicacy. AE, D, MC, V. Closed Sun.   THE DINER ON SYCAMORE 1203 Sycamore St., Cincinnati, OH, USA Phone: 513/721-1212 $20 to $30 Convert It Cincinnati American/Casual The modern diner, decorated with the requisite stainless steel and neon, caters to the hip Gen Xers that frequent the nearby Main Street club district. The blue plate special is pork chops with a barbecue sauce made with Jack Daniels and Coca-Cola. A martini bar features more than 18 varieties of the cocktail, both shaken and stirred. AE, D, DC, MC, V.   GRAND FINALE 3 East Sharon Ave., Cincinnati, OH, USA Phone: 513/771-5925 Over $20 Convert It Glendale Contemporary Mismatched antique wooden tables and chairs fill the charming Victorian dining rooms of this restaurant in the suburb of Glendale, about 17 mi northwest of downtown. Homemade bread starts off a meal featuring gourmet poultry, lamb, steak, and seafood entrées; favorites include garlic oysters with sweet pepper and corn relish and grilled marinated chicken with sweet ginger and walnuts. The delectable Sunday brunch buffet is famous; highlights include bread pudding, crunchy fried chicken livers, and crepes. Open-air dining is on an enclosed brick patio. The restaurant is no-smoking. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Mon. No dinner Sun.   LEBOXX CAFE 819 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH, USA Phone: 513/721-5638 Under $20 Convert It Cincinnati American/Casual, Delicatessens This popular Downtown lunch spot serves up light entrées such as quesadillas and a tasty Caribbean chicken sandwich. Burgers, meat loaf, ribs, salads, and deli-style sandwiches are also available. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed weekends. No dinner.   THE MAISONETTE 114 E. 6th St., Cincinnati, OH, USA Phone: 513/721-2260 Over $40 Convert It Cincinnati French Since 1964 the Maisonette has been ranked among the foremost restaurants in the United States. The food is fresh and French, the atmosphere formal, and there are three salmon-colored dining rooms in which to savor chef Jean-Robert de Cavel's blend of classical and modern fare. The menu offers only a few dishes and changes daily, with such dishes as beef tenderloin, sea scallops, and rack of lamb remaining constant. Paintings by famous Cincinnati artists hang throughout the restaurant; a self-portrait by Frank Duveneck is over the bar. Reservations essential. Jacket required. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun.   MONTGOMERY INN AT THE BOATHOUSE 925 Eastern Ave., Cincinnati, OH, USA Phone: 513/721-7427 Under $30 Convert It Cincinnati American/Casual With two floors and several dining areas, all brimming with unique sports memorabilia, the boathouse is famous for its barbecued ribs. Even the limited poultry and seafood items are either barbecued themselves or served as a combo with ribs. In warm weather sit out on the deck adjacent to the bar and watch the boats roll by on the Ohio River. Lunchtime and happy hour both draw crowds. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekends.   ORCHIDS AT THE PALM COURT Omni Netherland Plaza, 35 W. 5th St., Cincinnati, OH, USA Phone: 513/564-6465 $30 to $40 Convert It Cincinnati Contemporary Set in the Carew Tower's Omni Netherland Plaza, this restaurant echoes the elegant, Art Deco atmosphere of the hotel. Many of the beautifully presented dishes feature Ohio's bounty -- Lake Erie walleye, served with a lobster and carrot fricassee, is just one example. The Sunday brunch is worth hotel-hopping for. Valet parking makes things easier if you are driving. . AE, D, DC, MC, V.   PACIFIC MOON 8300 Market Place La., Cincinnati, OH, USA Phone: 513/891-0091 $20 to $30 Convert It Cincinnati Pan-Asian The innovative Pan-Asian cuisine draws patrons to this upscale suburban restaurant in the Montgomery area. The knowledgeable servers will help you with the menu. Try the Thai grilled chicken or Siam-steamed pike. There is open-air dining in good weather. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Mon.   PALACE Cincinnatian Hotel, 601 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: 513/381-6006 Over $30 Convert It Cincinnati American Reservations are essential at the, where the chef delights diners with his regional American cuisine -- and his crème brûlée.   THE PRECINCT 311 Delta Ave., Cincinnati, OH, USA Phone: 513/321-5454 Over $30 Convert It Cincinnati Contemporary, Steak Servers at this hip restaurant in East Cincinnati's Columbia-Tusculum neighborhood give a predinner presentation introducing the 28-day-aged Colorado Angus steak and gigantic South African lobster tail that make up the surf and turf. All entrées come with all the oven-baked bread you can eat and a tangy Greek salad or Kentucky hot slaw. The noisy, crowded dining rooms are good places to sight visiting celebrities and notable locals. . AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.   PRIMAVISTA 810 Matson Pl., Cincinnati, OH, USA Phone: 513/251-6467 Over $20 Convert It Cincinnati Italian The restaurant offers a spectacular panoramic view from the top of Price Hill, a well-known high point in the city. The menu emphasizes classic Northern Italian dishes; there are savory choices in each category -- antipasti, pasta, veal, beef, lamb, poultry, and seafood. The kitchen always uses fresh vegetables and meats and fine imported olive oil and cheeses. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.   THE RESTAURANT AT THE PHOENIX 812 Race St., Cincinnati, OH, USA Phone: 513/721-8901 Over $30 Convert It Cincinnati Contemporary, Steak, American Designated a National Historic Landmark, the Phoenix proffers American cuisine at its finest in the downtown area. Start with the Maryland crab cakes with Cajun-style style rémoulade (sauce of mayonnaise, mustard, and capers) or the Brie wonton served with caramelized walnuts and apples. There are well-prepared steaks, including a New York strip, and a variety of poultry options, including pan-seared duck with a cherry demi-glace. . AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun.-Mon. No lunch.   ROOKWOOD POTTERY 1077 Celestial St., Cincinnati, OH, USA Phone: 513/721-5456 Under $20 Convert It Cincinnati American/Casual, Contemporary Cincinnati is well known among antiques collectors as the home of the famous Rookwood art pottery, and this restaurant, which once was the Rookwood factory, has achieved its own level of local fame. The dining area is situated in the old kiln room. Menu favorites include burgers and the seafood-stuffed, cajun-spiced mushroom appetizer. Best bets among entrées: poached salmon with light lemon cucumber sauce and linguine, and Oriental stir-fried turkey. The kids' menu makes this a favorite for families. AE, DC, MC, V.   TEAK 1049 St. Gregory St., Cincinnati, OH, USA Phone: 513/665-9800 Under $20 Convert It Cincinnati Thai The helpful and friendly servers at this Mt. Adams restaurant are happy to describe the ingredients and cooking methods of the various Thai dishes on the menu. Entrées run the gamut from mild to kick-in-the-pants hot, and there is a sushi bar as well. Favorite dishes include pad Thai (stir-fried rice noodles with shrimp, peanuts, sprouts, and chiles), dark crispy duck, and jumbo shrimp with chiles. A multideck patio keeps you cool on summer evenings. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekends.