A longstanding CityBeat tradition returns with this year’s Annual Manual — a guide celebrating the people, places, experiences and rituals that make Cincinnati uniquely Cincinnati.
In previous years we’ve taken you on a guided tour of the city’s diverse neighborhoods and a bucket list of Queen City adventures. This year, we’re back with a deep dive into the quintessential experiences that make this region matchless, written by Cincinnatians, for Cincinnatians.
It’s a celebration of who we truly are: our museums, musicians, bars, restaurants, parks, people and weird quirks deserve to shine.
Whether you want to show your Queen City pride, find your tribe, go on an adventure or lie low for a bit, there’s a spot for you here in the Paris of America.
From a guide to Cincy’s live music scene to an only-in-Cincinnati food tour to a mini road trip, our CityBeat staff and members of the community have crafted a love letter of sorts to our humble Porkopolis.
This is by no means intended to be a Cincy bible. Everything you are about to read is based on the personal experiences of the writers. If you find inspiration, follow it. If not, tell us what we’re missing.
What makes this place special to you might seem foreign to your neighbors, but at the end of the day, we’re all in this together.
If you’re passionate about showcasing our region’s arts and entertainment and are in a position to make a monetary contribution, please consider donating to the CityBeat Press Club Fund.
This philanthropic fund is dedicated to sustaining and expanding our arts, culture and nightlife coverage for the Cincinnati region. Scan the QR code on this page to make a donation now.
There are plenty of other ways to support us too! Go to citybeat.com and read our articles, sign up for our newsletters, pick up our print edition and follow us on social media.
This article appears in Annual Manual 2026.
