With the ceremony not starting until 6pm on Saturday, May 12, you may find yourself with some free time in Cincinnati. Below you'll find a few highlights you should keep an eye out for.
Landmarks
Originally founded as "Losantiville" in 1788, two years later the settlement was renamed in honor of the Society of the Cincinnati. Cincinnatus was a farmer who was asked to take charge of the Roman Republic as dictator to fight some rival tribes, then immediately gave up his absolute power when he had succeeded. In the late 18th century, Americans admired Cincinnatus' civic virtue and drew many parallels to George Washington. We recommend checking out Cincy's wikipedia page for a brief history, and many more Queen City facts.
The Roebling Suspension Bridge was the longest in the world when it was completed in 1867. John Roebling is the engineer that designed it, and the Cincinnati bridge became a prototype for his much-more-famous Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. Our reception will look out over the Ohio River just west of this bridge [you may recognize it from our Save-The-Dates]!
The popular Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati is in the heart of the retail district. Only a couple blocks southwest of our Ceremony location, it's an easy walk!
Bicentennial Commons & Sawyer Point are parks along the Ohio River, with many paths and dramatic views of the riverfront and its bridges. A serpentine wall winds west towards the sports stadiums, while heading east you will find yourself at The Montgomery Inn [see 'food' below]. You can follow the "Purple People Bridge" south across the river here, and end up at Newport on the Levee [see 'attractions' below].
Procter & Gamble's Headquarters are located in downtown Cincinnati, and have a large pavilion in front with trellises and fountains. This is almost right across the street from our church, so should be easy to find! You may even catch us pre-ceremony getting a last few group shots in...
A walk around Covington, Kentucky is a good place to find brunch. Their Mainstraße district is a historic landmark, and is a short drive south from our reception hotel.
Devou Park, located in the hills west of Covington, gives you a dramatic birds-eye view of the Ohio River and Cincinnati. A great spot for photo ops and picnics.
Attractions
"The Banks" is the official name of the development tying together Paul Brown Stadium [home of the NFL Bengals] and Great American Ball Park [home of the MLB Reds]. The Reds will be playing the Nationals the weekend of our wedding, so you may be able to catch a game overlooking the Ohio River [and we're hoping for free fireworks visible from our reception!]. An easy walk over the Roebling Bridge from our recommended hotels.
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is a museum chronicling the history of the Underground Railroad, and other civic causes. Located in the heart of The Banks.
The Contemporary Arts Center in downtown Cincinnati can scratch your itch for modern art.
The Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal is a large complex of visitor-friendly attractions including a natural history & science museum, children's museum, and OMNIMAX theater. Located in the former railroad station, Union Terminal is easily seen towering over western Cincinnati.
Newport on the Levee is a shopping and entertainment complex located on the bank of the Ohio River in Newport, Kentucky. Here you'll find shops to browse, many restaurants to choose from, as well as an AMC movie theater. Looks like they'll be hosting a Jazz Fest the weekend of our wedding...
Food
Okay, admit it, you skipped straight to the food section. Known as "Porkopolis" in the mid-1800s because of the hog trade, Cincinnati was also home to a large number of German immigrants. You'll see their influence below. Cincy certainly won't let you starve, here are a few of our favorite options:
When perusing restaurant menus, keep your eyes open for Metts and Goetta. Metts [or Mettwursts] are skinless smoked sausages; delicious with some sauerkraut. Goetta [get-uh] is also known as "Cincinnati Caviar" in higher culinary circles. It's a breakfast sausage of pork mixed with oats and onion. Look for it at brunch!
Visitors are almost required to try some of Cincinnati's famous chili; Skyline and Gold Star Chili are the two most popular chains. "Coneys" are hotdogs in buns with chili & cheddar cheese piled high atop them. Or you can get the chili from 3-way [spaghetti, chili & cheese] to 5-way [spaghetti, chili, cheese, diced onions & red beans]. Typing all this while hungry was a mistake *drool*.
Findlay Market, in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, is an indoor fresh food market full of many local specialties. You'll wish you had a grill to prepare the endless sausages displayed throughout the aisles.
The Montgomery Inn is a famed barbeque restaurant with several locations in the Cincinnati area. Their ribs and pulled pork are fresh, and their sauce super tasty. We'll be holding the Rehearsal Dinner at their Boathouse location on the Ohio River.
The Hofbräuhaus in Newport was the first official expansion of Munich's legendary beerpub in America. Get the same full-liter mugs of German lager that you can in Deutschland, and don't forget the pretzels and mustard! Located near Newport on the Levee.
And yes, Cincy does dessert. Graeter's Ice Cream is famous for its variety of flavors and sundaes. On any given summer night, you will find lines of Cincinnatians waiting to get their scoops.
