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When people come to town and you have the task of showing them the best of Cincinnati, where do you go? You have plenty of places to choose from, whether it’s museums, sports, dining, kid activities and more.
Keep scrolling to see the top spots CityBeat readers voted as the best places to take a visitor.
No. 4 Best Bookstore: The Friends of the Public Library Warehouse
8456 Vine Street, Hartwell Photo: facebook.com/cincylibraryfriendsLayers of Innovation at the Cincinnati Museum Center
When: Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.
Where: Cincinnati Museum Center, West End
What: This adults-only night at the Cincinnati Museum Center is an ode to all things science, technology, art, music and math.
Who: The Cincinnati Museum Center and Atomic Data
Why: Explore science and let your inner child roam free — minus the actual children. Photo: Austin OldingNo. 8 Best Place to Take a Visitor: Cincinnati Reds Game
The Cincinnati Reds have been entertaining the Queen City since 1869. Rosie Red, Mr. Redlegs and Mr. Red put on great fun for the crowd while Cincy’s team takes the field. Cincinnati is going to give you classic baseball, with “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” playing; a crack of a home run here and there; and helmet nachos, Graeter’s Ice Cream and hot dogs galore. Photo: Sam ChavezA Happening with Pablo at the Cincinnati Art Museum
6-11p.m. June 23
Be one of the first to experience the brand new exhibit Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds. Take in this exciting new piece while enjoying an immersive experience that includes music from the Bluewater Kings Band, cocktails and rare menu items, both inside and outside in the Alice Bimel Courtyard. Proceeds will go to youth and family programs and thousands of free public programs both in the museum and the Greater Cincinnati area.
6-11p.m. June 23. 953 Eden Park Drive, Walnut Hills. cincinnatiartmuseum.org. Photo: facebook.com/cincinnatiartmuseumThe Upper Deck at AC Hotel Cincinnati’s Rooftop at The Banks // On top of the new AC Hotel at The Banks, the Upper Deck boasts excellent views of the riverfront and Great American Ball Park. Lounge under string lights while gorging on Grand Slam Nachos and sipping a local craft beer. 135 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown. Photo: Hailey BollingerNo. 6 Best Free Attraction: Smale Riverfront Park
Smale Riverfront Park connects downtown Cincinnati to the Ohio River and consists of many fun attractions for all members of the family. Whether you are enjoying the lights on the cascading waterfall, searching through the garden maze or dancing on the giant ground piano, there is loads of fun to be had at Smale Riverfront Park. Photo: Hailey BollingerMain Street in Over-the-Rhine. Photo: Hailey BollingerJungle Jim’s International Market
5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield; 4450 Eastgate S Drive, Eastgate
Jungle Jim’s is an amusement park for foodies, and not just because of its kitschy statues and animatronics that photograph really well. The huge store (more than 6 acres) contains equal parts weekly shoppers scanning the aisles for super fresh seafood, exotic produce and international eats from more than 70 countries and visitors wandering, mouths agape at the wacky decor, likely with a beer in hand. The singing soup can is a beloved sight to snap a photo of; same goes for the elaborate restroom hidden behind a port-a-potty facade. This Hogwarts of grocery stores offers nearly 1,500 different kinds of hot sauce. The aisle is pretty hard to miss: It’s the one with the giant fire truck on top of it. Photo: junglejims.comSip, Bite and Stroll at Findlay Market
1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
At more than 150 years old, Findlay Market is Ohio’s oldest continually operated public market. Go for the farmers market, butcher shops, flower stalls, OTR Biergarten and eclectic eats.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey BollingerNo. 4 Best New Thing: Elephant Trek at the Cincinnati Zoo
The Harry and Linda Fath Elephant Trek opened on Oct. 1, 2024 at the Cincinnati Zoo with swimming pools, mud wallows and an immersive experience to create connection between humans and elephants. The Asian elephant herd that lives there now and the elephants that come after them have plenty of room in their new environment. Photo: Provided by the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden