Cincinnati, the third largest city of Ohio is situated on the northern bank of the Ohio River. The MSA consists of 15 counties in three states, which include seven in Kentucky, three in Indiana and five counties in Ohio. With the population of 2,155,137 across the Metropolitan boundaries, it has earned the status of the largest Metropolitan state in Ohio and 24th most populous in the United States. Approximately two-third of the American population lives within the radius of 1,000 kilometers of the metropolitan area of Cincinnati. Ninety-eight percent of the area of Cincinnati is land with just two percent of it being water. With picturesque hills and the Ohio River on its north-bank, the city not only offers a remarkable blend of architecture and industry, but this boomtown has much more glamour and beauty to it. Cincinnati claims its eminence as the third-largest city in Ohio with a city population of 333,200. Cincinnati enjoys all four distinct climates with winter and summer making their mark. Summers are hot and very humid and the temperature can soar up to 32 degrees centigrade with high humidity. Winters tend to get snowy at times particularly in January when the temperature may drop down to -18 degrees centigrade. Cincinnati has a striving industrial economy and homes many giant business corporations which include Procter & Gamble, General Electric, and American Financial Group among others. Cincinnati has headquarters of nine fortune 500 companies and ranks in the nation's Top 10 markets for hosting this number of Fortune 500 companies beating big cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Cincinnati has also witnessed some major revitalization projects in the area, however, the city still is lacking behind in the development of upscale tourist attraction endeavors due to which it is losing visitors to it comparatively more developed neighboring riverfront cities.
Originally known as Losantiville meaning “city opposite the mouth of Licking River” was founded in 1788 by Colonel Robert Patterson and John Cleves. It was in 1790 that Arthur St. Clair, governor of Northwest Territory, named it as Cincinnati. This was in honor of the Society of Cincinnati which honored George Washington who was regarded as the latter day Cincinnatus.
Cincinnati was chartered as a village in 1802 and earned the status of a city in 1819. Cincinnati also had the privilege of playing a key role in the American Civil War by being a major source of supplies and troops. Early 70's saw the emergence of the Cincinnati Reds baseball team which proved to be the most dominant team of the decade. Building of various canals across the bank of River Ohio and Miami River made the city well connected and contributed positively to the growth of its population. It was only after World War II that Cincinnati divulged a plan for the modernization and urban renewal of the inner city. It was the new millennium that saw the development and completion of various advanced projects including the Great American Ball Park and two museums. It took almost a century for Cincinnati to diverge from being called in the Queen city” to more metropolitan “Boomtown.”
Most livable city, to city that rocks, to the most walk-able: Cincinnati has earned several accolades from various magazines for the quality of life it offers. The city life is fun and rocking; no wonder it's called the boomtown of Ohio. Partners for livable Communities titled it as the “Most Livable City” in 2004. The city has to offer a perfect blend of small-town values, big city luxuries, and a strong sense of community life.
Cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average. The median rent for an apartment comes to around $600 and average rent being $550 per month. To rent an apartment, downtown is one place that offers great urban living along with all other facilities including restaurants, shops, and entertainment. Around 4,000 people live within the 0.8 square miles of downtown that offers houses, condos, and apartments. The area that is fast seeking attention is Avondale; in very little time this area has become the most populous and fastest growing area in the city. With the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden in its vicinity, this area offers plenty of places to live at a reasonable cost. Transportation within the city is well planned and well laid. Metro city passenger bus system and the rail service by Amtrak makes the task of getting around anywhere within the city quite comfortable.
With diversified economy, Cincinnati offers employment opportunities across a number of sectors including wholesale, manufacturing, insurance and finance, government, and health services. With more than 1000 firms, including 300 international firms, generating $6.7 in sales, Cincinnati has conceded a well-deserved position as an international trade centre. Compared to the national economy, a good number of Cincinnati's workforce is employed in business, manufacturing and professional services with a very small percentage employed in government and information sectors. Since the previous business peak in the year 2001, its employment has grown at a significantly slower pace than the national average. However, the effect of 2002 recession on its employment was less severe with less employment loss and quick rebound. Since the year 2005, Cincinnati's employment has been at a plateau and there has been no significant outburst of the overall work opportunities. Presently more than 1.56 million workers are settled within 50 miles of downtown.
The unemployment rate in the city has been lower than the national average in the years 1990 to 2004. However, since 2001, the unemployment rate has been hovering with 5.0 percent unemployment in 2007, which was 0.3 percent over the country's average. BLS report announced that the unemployment rate for Cincinnati in July 2010 was 9.8%, a decline of 0.2 percent from the last month with peak unemployment in February 2010 which reached to 121,036. Restaurants and amusement parks employ huge numbers of foreign students in summers.
From five star luxuries to river-side dining to burgers to sushi; Cincinnati offers a vast range of dining options to suit every taste-bud and pocket. Diversity in the taste reflects very well from the variety of dining options that the downtown has to offer where people can indulge in their favorites while being nice to their pockets.
Celestial is the place to be to spice-up your taste buds with delicious steaks. No wonder it is the only restaurant in Cincinnati that has been offered the four star and four diamonds. Steaks are available in different cuts, and the menu offers a wide selection including veal strip loin, steak, Cajun tilapia, and lobster saltimbocca. For a unique curry experience, Indian restaurant Ambar at 350 Ludlow Avenue offers both a vegetarian and non-vegetarian menu for a delightfully reasonable price. For those wanting to indulge in a laidback ice-cream parlor, Aglamesis Bros, offers a parlor that is largely unchanged since its opening in 1913. Situated in Norwood, Quatman Cafe offers the best burger in town. Cincinnati is famous for its unique kind of chili which is based on a Greek recipe. Containing various spices and grounded meat and vegetables, it's served with spaghetti and cheese. If you fancy such food, then head straight to Empress Chili. Founded in 1922, the owners have kept the true originality of the recipes alive.
The Arts Consortium of Cincinnati which was established in 1972 is Cincinnati's premiere center for the African-American art and culture. This institution is one-of-a-kind, preserving the African and American art and culture and provide platform to new talent to showcase their work. The Cincinnati Music Hall was built in 1878 and was funded through city's first matching grant fund drive. With its recent renovation, it is considered the world's most beautiful and extravagant theater. The theater also homes the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Opera among other performing arts organizations. Cincinnati Opera is the second oldest opera in the US. Cincinnati Art Museum situated in the Eden Park is among the best museums in the US. The Damascus room in the museum has some terrific art work by Cincinnati artists and should not be missed. The Taft Museum of Art is considered the finest museum for small arts in America.
This Historic Landmark was built around 1820 and has an extensive art collection including master paintings from some European and American artists, European decorative art, and Chinese porcelains. Another attraction that attracts history lovers is Heritage Village Museum. It is a non-profit museum that is managed by Historic Southwest Ohio Inc. It has preserved 19th-century life. The village is a reconstructed community of the 1800s and features historic buildings that were saved from destruction. The village offers a rural simplicity and brings to life the time of early pioneers through their homes, store, train station, and buildings. The village hosts various events to highlight different periods and aspects of life from history.
Sightseeing in Cincinnati provides a rich glimpse into its rich past. From adventure parks to theaters and boat rides, Cincinnati offers a wide range of entertainment options for the whole family. Zagat survey has rated the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden in Cincinnati as one of the top zoos in the nation. With 300 animal and 500 plant species it is sure to keep the family and especially the kids entertained for a long time. Newport Aquarium in Cincinnati has some strangest fish with magnificent marine animals in a 360-degree see-through aquarium which bring to people the most advanced technology and, of course, around 7,000 aquatic creatures.
A giant Pacific Octopus tops the list and its fame has attracted a large number of visitors to the aquarium. Nothing can contribute to the appreciation of riverfront beauty than a boat ride. BB Riverboats has been entertaining its guests for the last 25 years, endowing them with the history along with offering them great meals and dancing under the stars. They offer a variety of cruises including day trip cruises, lunch or dinner cruises, and all day cruises. For those who thrive on adventure, Ozone Zipline Adventures is the right place to be. This breathtaking canopy tour will have you skimming through the canopy of little Miami River bringing the fun-filled experience of exotic spots to the country.
Cincinnati's nightlife is speckled and glittery with trendy places and picturesque neighborhood bars. Local music is sizzling, and adds charm to the restaurants and bar. The city has many bars, clubs and late night restaurant that carry on the music till way past the sunset. Those out to have fun often hit all the bars around Calhoun St. before ending up at one. For such wanderers, Papa Dino is a great option. With its hip-hop atmosphere and loud dazzling music, it is sure to keep you entertained.
Cincinnati nightlife has been ranked first for the singles by a famous magazine and there is much truth in that. The entertainment features many clubs and bars and is always buzzing with young people on the weekends. Comet's San Francisco style Burritos, 2 pool tables, hippest jukebox, and live music is a hot spot for fun-loving singles or young couples. To laugh off the night, Laugh and Go Banana brings top-shelf comics to give you cramps in your stomach. For the beer lovers, BarrelHouse in downtown offers a sample beer tasting with five different kinds of beer. Karaoke night at the Mount Lookout Tavern is worth a drop for singles 20-40, and is something new to Cincinnati. It is a good place to meet locals and provides a good survey of Cincinnati tavern life.
Cincinnati is surrounded by 52 neighborhoods each with their own shopping districts. So for shoppers, there are plenty of options to choose from and like they say, no one goes away empty-handed. To get shopping and entertainment under one roof, Newport on the Levee is the answer. With 20 unique shopping venues, 12 restaurants, live cabaret, a movie theater, aquarium, and much more, it indeed is a pleasurable experience for the whole family. It's opened throughout the week and offers various street performances and events. If grocery is what you are looking for then head towards Jungle Jim. So rightly named, it is not a supermarket but a zoo market with 1000s of varieties of grocery and household items and when you get tired of it all, there is Starbucks to relax you a bit. Hyde Park Square is one of the oldest shopping meccas in Cincinnati.
With 175 unique shops it could provide the latest trends for shopping lovers. With big designers like Hopkins, Soho Boutique and Khakis it attracts a huge number of up-scale buyers. Mt. Adams offers a huge selection of antique gifts and unique art along with fine dining and entertainment experience. Main Strasse Village has 50 quaint shops and fine restaurants along with an exquisite atmosphere and tranquility of German Heritage to enjoy.
Cincinnati offers several day-spas, beauty salons, and fitness center to maintain beauty and healthy living. It also has several medical and health spas and fitness centers for those needing extra care. Beauty salons and barber shops offer hair cutting, styling, and other beauty services. Nail salons offer manicures, pedicures and other hand and foot treatments. The day spas and destination spas offer a variety of skin care services. Medical spas and personal care medical centers offer medical health techniques to maintain your beauty. Fitness centers and wellness centers offer weight loss and nutritional programs.
Health Style Fitness offers great variety of health and weight loss programs. They offer various program options including personal training and fitness makeover. They also offer boot camps to add adventure to fitness regime. If you want to indulge and spoil yourself then Woodhouse Spa would have enough for you. They offer a day spa using 70 ways to relax and unwind. They also offer Vichy showers and aromatherapy baths. Tuscany Spa is another good option that offers complete spa and salon services. From body massage to body wraps and facials they offer all the services at reasonable prices.
Cincinnati offers a wide range of hotels and inns that would fit under any budget. Various hotels offer special packages during the peak time however one must be prepared to pay a little extra when travelling during holidays or summer time when many travelers visit the place from Europe.
For those looking for luxury, Hilton Netherland Plaza, situated in Downtown, is the right place. The hotel has hosted many famous artists and celebrities over time and further attracts guests because its location inside the historic Carew Tower Complex. For those with reasonable budget Millennium Hotel three blocks from Fountain Square offers good service and ambience at a reasonable price. If you are on a tighter budget, there are quite a few options available. Quality Hotel & Suites is ideally located close to the downtown and airport and offers reasonable rooms at a decent price.
The public school district in Cincinnati has a long history of 175 years. It is also the third largest school district in Ohio. There are 58 schools - 16 high schools and 42 elementary schools. More than 34,600 students are served on 90 square miles. Next to the academics, serving nutritious meals and providing students with transportation to and from school are also two of the most important areas that the Cincinnati school district deals with. Cincinnati public schools have developed a strategic plan that was approved in 2006, to involve parents and the whole community in the learning process.
Next to public schools there are also around 130 private schools, most of which are run by Roman Catholic Archdiocese. There are schools for gifted children as well as for students with learning disabilities. The Cincinnati Catholic school system has become the 9th largest in the US. There are 10 single-sex schools – 6 for girls and 4 for boys. Cincinnati area has one of the highest rates of private school attendance in the United States. Both public and private schools are making their best effort to prepare their students for higher education. University of Cincinnati is a part of the higher education system of Ohio State. It has just below 40,000 students, who are pursuing degrees from different associate to doctorate levels. All academic fields are represented here. University of Cincinnati has been ranked 156th among all the schools in the nation by US News and World report. It is also the largest employer in Cincinnati and it has a very highly appreciated campus system that was extensively renovated in 1989. Other more distinguished higher education providers in Cincinnati are the Jesuit institution Xavier University, the Jewish Institute of Religion – Hebrew Union College, The Athenaeum of Ohio, Miami University in Oxford, Thomas More College, Northern Kentucky University and others.
One of the world's most modern and fastest growing airports is the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport. It is also a large hub of Delta Airlines and main hub of Comair. The airport has 500 departures every day and over 120 nonstop destinations, including some European cities. There are different airport shuttle services available at the airport. Downtown of Cincinnati is very compact, you can walk to most of the landmarks, ballparks or restaurants, but if you want to explore more, you need to use some form of ground transportation. There are three main Taxi companies in Cincinnati – Community Yellow Cab, Town Cab and United Cab. It costs $3.60 to start the meter and therefore $1.60 per mile. There are taxis available outside most Major hotels.
There is no train or subway in Cincinnati. All of the public transportation is based on buses. The biggest bus company is called Metro. It is run by the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority and funded by taxpayers, fares and federal sources. Metro has about 400 buses, employs 1000 workers and operates 79 different routes. In 2006 Metro became environment-friendly as they started using engines that are 50% fueled by biodiesel energy. 20% of Cincinnati locals use Metro to get to work every morning. The service runs daily from 4 A.M. until 1.30 A.M. The Southbank shuttle or the TANK bus service connects the city with its southern neighbors. It has 27 routes and a fixed rate of 1.25 on all of them. The service operates every day and runs every 15 to 20 minutes. School transportation is also offered in Cincinnati area for students who live in the Cincinnati public school district and who attend both public and non-public schools. The students of University of Cincinnati could ride free on Metro buses from 2007 to 2009 and today they have large discounts.
The city of Cincinnati's Office of the Mayor operates both business and civil services throughout the municipality. The City Council and the Office of the City Mayor sit alongside the Office of the Mayor at the heart of this administration. For transparent elective systems, the City of Cincinnati Elections Commission has details on all elected officials. As a modern, forward thinking city, both its Economic and Finance departments hold information on the financial buoyancy of the city which is available to the public. The City Planning and Buildings Department processes all planning applications and businesses looking to expand should start there. The Community Development department plays a more social role in programs and initiatives to develop the city's suburbs.
Cincinnati Recreation Commission looks after both citizens' and tourists' options with events, activities and sports and the city is served by an initiative called Keep Cincinnati Beautiful which preserves the natural surroundings of the area. The Office of Environmental Quality is the place to go for more detail or advice on how to get involved. Parking facilities and fleet services are managed by the city government and the Citicable and Transportation & Engineering Departments ensure a smooth running public transport network. The Police department plays a vital role in their functions along with its primary function of preserving the peace. The Law Department is always available to support this work and provides information and help to citizens directly too.
Civil services in the communities are also provided by Greater Cincinnati Water Works and the Metropolitan Sewer Distribution Department. The Duke Energy Center looks after utility supplies to the city and is a permanent research department which supports green initiatives within the locality. The general Public Services department is a good first port of call for other needs of inhabitants and the Citizen Complaint and Internal Audit Department gives local people peace of mind knowing that they are being looked after fairly.
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