Cincinnati USA, comprised of the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region, is a vibrant destination on the scenic Ohio River. Known for its major league sports and world-class arts and culture, it’s no wonder that Lonely Planet travel guide named the area one of the top 3 U.S. travel destinations for 2012. With its rolling hills and lush valleys, Cincinnati USA offers visitors a tapestry of neighborhoods and experiences both in Ohio and Kentucky and continues to reflect its rich German heritage through architecture and the spirit of its people.
Founded in 1869, Cincinnati USA is home to the first professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Reds, who boast five World Series titles (1919, 1940, 1975, 1976 and 1990) and won the 2010 National League Central Division championship. The team plays at the picturesque riverfront-themed, Great American Ball Park. The Cincinnati Bengals represent Cincinnati in the National Football League and play home games at the state-of-the art Paul Brown Stadium, named after the team's founder who was a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Cincinnati also hosts a number of professional sporting events such as the AVP Volleyball Tour, Duramed Championship women's professional golf, NASCAR at the Kentucky Speedway and the Western & Southern Open men's and women's tennis tournaments.
Family-fun experiences abound with venues featuring world-class roller coasters, exotic animals and water-themed attractions. Kings Island is internationally known for its fast and tall roller coasters, live entertainment and Planet Snoopy kids area. New at the park for 2012 is Soak City, the largest water park in the region. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, nicknamed the "World's Sexiest Zoo", is renowned for its reproductive program and presents adorable Zoo Babies every spring. New at the Zoo for 2012 is Cat Canyon with new habitats, a watering hole and underwater viewing area. More animal fun awaits at the Newport Aquarium located on the Northern Kentucky waterfront. The Aquarium recently expanded its penguin exhibit, Penguin Palooza, and has been named one of the top aquariums in the country. After visiting with the penguins, check out Mighty Mike, the biggest gator in the country at 14 feet long and 800 pounds. You won't be likely to find any penguins waddling or gators lounging at Coney Island or Coco Key Water Resort, but these attractions offer outdoor and indoor fun for the whole family throughout the travel seasons. Other water fun includes dining, sightseeing and specialty cruises on BB Riverboats that travel the Ohio River revealing Cincinnati USA landmarks and history as well as the beauty of the river.
Cincinnati USA's arts and culture scene rivals that of New York, Chicago and Los Angeles and is anchored by the Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Tony Award-winning Playhouse in the Park. Other notables include: Aronoff Center for the Arts, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Contemporary Arts Center and the Taft Museum of Art. The Cincinnati Museum Center, a national historic landmark, is home to the Children's Museum, History Museum and Museum of Natural History and Science as well as the Omnimax Theater. In addition to its annual programming, the Cincinnati Museum Center is one of only four museums in the country to host the A Day in Pompeii exhibition featuring more than 250 ancient artifacts including room-sized frescos, jewelry and body casts of the victims of the Mt. Vesuvius eruption in 79 A.D. Art-loving visitors will also want to explore the art galleries in Mt. Adams, O'Bryonville and Over-the-Rhine.
Major annual events draw visitors to Cincinnati USA from across the country, like the Flying Pig Marathon, named by Runner's World magazine as the best named marathon in the country. In celebration of its German heritage, Cincinnati USA hosts North America's largest Oktoberfest each year with more than 500,000 people attending. The Cincinnati May Festival is the oldest continuous choral festival in the Western Hemisphere, and the Macy's Music Festival touts performers such as Keyshia Cole and Chaka Khan. Other events include the annual Taste of Cincinnati USA and the end-of-summer blowout known as Riverfest, which includes one of the largest fireworks displays in the Midwest.
Cincinnati USA also proves that fun can be free with Fountain Square in the heart of downtown Cincinnati. The square offers free entertainment throughout the summer and holiday season and serves as a gathering place for residents and visitors to shop, dine and play all year long. The new Phyllis W. Smale Riverfront Park in Ohio provides a stunning close-up of the Ohio River and a relaxing spot for visitors to soak in the Cincinnati USA atmosphere and enjoy the view before heading to a Reds game or dinner downtown at the new Moerlein Lager House. Across the river in Northern Kentucky, Newport on the Levee offers an excellent array of restaurants, shops and entertainment including free live music in the summer, AMC Theatres, Funny Bone Comedy Club and outdoor dining with spectacular views of the river.
With nearly seven million in visitation annually, the Cincinnati USA region continues to draw new and loyal visitors from a trade area within 600 miles of the destination, including major markets such as New York and Chicago.
