Iconic Cincinnati – Nature & Parks Edition

Posted on February 19, 2024 by Janet Chiarella

Iconic Cincinnati – Nature & Parks Edition

Whether you are new to the greater Cincinnati area or have lived here for a while, you’ve probably not had the chance to experience all the wonders around you. It’s so easy to take the abundance of things to do for granted and to simply be grateful that there is a plethora of activities available…if we ever need them. I am guilty of hanging out at home instead of getting off my duff and broadening my horizons. So this post is not just for you; I’m hoping it inspires me to get out there to explore and experience all the best things to do and see in our little corner of the world. Explore with me, won’t you? In this edition of Iconic Cincinnati, we’ll explore the most interesting places in the region to enjoy nature in the City’s various aminal, art, and park venues.

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

In operation since 1875, the Cincinnati Zoo is home to the world-famous hippo Fiona. Throughout the property, zoogoers can also see gorillas, zebras, Sumatran orangutans, Komodo dragons, and red pandas. Check out the animal footprints on each pathway and guess which animals can be seen next or ride the colorful Safari Train past various habitats. The latter is one of the zoo’s most popular attractions, so be sure to arrive early to avoid long wait times.

The seasonal penguin parades on select days below 50 degrees are a favorite, and visitors say the zoo and gardens are a must-see attraction. The park’s commitment to sustainability is seen throughout the facility and through its outreach efforts, including the Plant for Pollinators initiative and field projects to support hippos, bonobos, manatees, and more.

This second oldest zoo in the U.S., considered one of the best in the country, is most renowned for its endangered species and birthing programs, particularly for gorillas and white tigers, and has a wonderful collection of felines, and a delightful manatee exhibit.

A few of their many special events include:

Penguin Days: January 8 – March 8, 2024
Zoo Blooms: April 1 – 30, 2024
Zoo Babies: May 1 – 31, 2024
Festival of Lights: late November 2024 until early January 2025

Krohn Conservatory

Located within Eden Park in between Cincinnati’s East Walnut Hills and Mount Adams neighborhoods, Krohn Conservatory is an incredible botanical garden filled with over 3,500 plant species from around the world. It’s widely recognized as one of the country’s largest public greenhouses. Krohn Conservatory opened in 1933, and the building is a classic example of the Art Deco style. The land in the park used to belong to Nicholas Longworth and he called it his Garden of Eden.

The Shape of Nature Floral Show: January 27 – April 21, 2023
Butterfly Show: late spring to early summer
Golden Days of Yule: mid-November through early January
- Live Nativity, poinsettia display, botanical artworks, and model trains in a floral landscape filled with miniature landmarks

Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum

The third largest cemetery in the United States dates from 1844 when members of the Cincinnati Horticultural Society formed a cemetery association. They took their inspiration from contemporary rural cemeteries such as Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, and Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The numerous springs and groves suggested the name “Spring Grove”. The first burial took place on September 1, 1845. Designed with lakes, islands, footbridges, and protected woodland areas, the cemetery has hundreds of trees and plants from other parts of the world including an expansive collection of both native and exotic plant materials as well as its State and National Champion Trees and its Centenarian Collection. Today, Spring Grove encompasses 733 acres of which approximately 450 acres are beautifully landscaped and maintained. The remaining undeveloped acres ensure the permanence of the cemetery for hundreds of years.

Spring Grove offers a variety of events and private group tours, or you can explore on your own.

Smale Riverfront Park

John G. and Phyllis W. Smale Riverfront Park connects downtown Cincinnati to the Ohio River and the existing riverfront parks. It sits along the Ohio River near the base of the Roebling Suspension Bridge. This 45-acre park spans the riverfront area between Paul Brown Stadium and Great American Ballpark. It’s a wonderful location to view the bustling activity along The Ohio River Trail, and a place to gather and celebrate as a community. The park boasts multiple water play features, giant swings, an interactive foot piano, an imaginative play area for kids, expansive pollinator gardens, and Carol Ann’s Carousel. Several historical monuments can be found like the Black Brigade Monument and the recently dedicated Marian Spencer Statue.

Loads of events take place here. You can find the full listing at the link above.

Eden Park

Eden Park is nestled between East Walnut Hills and Mt. Adams. The park is home to the Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and the Krohn Conservatory, making Eden Park one of the most popular parks in Cincinnati. Landmarks within the park include the Hinkle Magnolia Garden, which features an enchanting gazebo that can be rented for an intimate wedding ceremony, Seasongood Pavilion, which hosts outdoor concerts and plays, and Mirror Lake featuring the Bettman Fountain in the center and the haunted Spring House Gazebo overlooking the lake. Other highlights include the charming Twin Lakes area; the lakes were once an old quarry that was converted into two small lakes, joined by a footbridge, and surrounded by walking paths. This area boasts an impressive view of the Ohio River and Kentucky, several sculptures, and a playground. It’s a great spot for chess or launching model boats. Also, within Eden Park is a historic 172-foot high Water Tower from 1894, The Memorial Grove, The President’s Grove, walking paths, and many more sights to see! Eden Park’s newest feature is Tom Jones Commons, which includes a walking loop, wetlands with a walking bridge, a picnic shelter, natural play areas, seating, beautiful landscaping, and a connection from the lower reservoir area to Seasongood Pavilion and Mirror Lake. There is something for every nature lover and parkgoer to see, experience, and enjoy at Cincinnati Parks’ Eden Park.

Newport Aquarium

The Newport Aquarium is a public aquarium located at Newport on the Levee in Newport, Kentucky. It has 70 exhibits and 14 galleries, 1,000,000 gallons of water, including five acrylic tunnels totaling over 200 feet in length. It is the first aquarium to have had success in breeding shark rays.

Delighting families since 1999, Newport Aquarium welcomes your family to discover the wonder of an underwater world. See thousands of the world’s most exotic aquatic creatures as you waddle with playful penguins, meet rare white alligators, be surrounded by sharks, and be surprised by smiling stingrays. Encounter thrilling adventures like the first-in-the-world Shark Bridge, where you can cross inches above a tank full of sharks on a rope bridge. Plus, experience the exhibit Shipwreck: Realm of the Eels and explore a long ago-sunken ship and the creatures that call this accidental reef home.

This state-of-the-art facility was named the No. 1 aquarium in the 2012 Readers’ Choice Travel Awards from 10Best.com; the Best Rainy Day Outing in 2006 in Cincinnati Family Magazine; and the Best Aquarium in the Midwest in the Zagat Survey’s U.S. Family Travel Guide in 2004.

Pyramid Hill

Pyramid Hill is a three-hundred-acre nonprofit sculpture park founded in 1997. The Park is home to over 70 monumental outdoor sculptures displayed in a landscape of rolling hills, meadows, lakes, and hiking trails. The Park also features an Ancient Sculpture Museum that displays Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Syrian, and Egyptian antiquities dating to 1550 BCE, as well as the iconic Pyramid House. Pyramid Hill is the only museum you can experience by Art Cart – a gold cart you can rent to tour the park. The carts are rented on a first-come, first-served basis, so get there early if you want to ride. Attracting more than 30,000 visitors annually, Pyramid Hill serves as the premier cultural tourist attraction in Butler County. Pyramid Hill is unparalleled in the region as a place where art, culture, education, and nature intersect.

The Park provides summer programs for children, as well as numerous special events throughout the year that are traditions for many families and our community. The stunning landscape and unique architecture offer ideal backdrops for weddings, corporate retreats, meetings, family reunions, and celebration of life ceremonies.

Mt. Airy Forest

Located between Mt. Airy and Westwood, Mt. Airy Forest is the largest Cincinnati Park at 1,459 acres. It is a man-made forest with miles of hiking trails, several picnic areas, a disc golf course, and a multi-use mountain biking trail. Mt. Airy also has Ohio’s only wheelchair-accessible public treehouse (currently closed for repairs), a beautiful arboretum, and an enclosed dog park.

Sawyer Point Park and Yeatman’s Cove

Overlooking the majestic Ohio River, Sawyer Point is a landmark destination in Cincinnati. A great place to view Cincinnati’s annual Labor Day fireworks show or watch the river traffic go by on any other day, this charming mile-long park is nestled between T.M. Berry International Friendship Park and Smale Park. Sawyer Point & Yeatman’s Cove feature beautiful landscapes, award-winning playgrounds, numerous pieces of public art, walking paths, tennis courts, pickleball courts, and volleyball courts. Sawyer Point is also a premier host site for many regional and national events, including many walks and runs, major music festivals, and other cultural events. Sawyer Point Park and Yeatman’s Cove are side-by-side parks on the shores of the Ohio River. Both are some of the best parks in Cincinnati and stretch for about a mile along the riverfront. Here, you can enjoy beautiful waterfront views and lots of activity spaces. There are places to play volleyball and tennis, as well as concession stands, picnic tables, and performance pavilions.

Sawyer Point is home to an outdoor amphitheater where you can see live events, including concerts. The Serpentine Wall is also here. It’s a wall of large concrete stairs that curve like the coils of a snake. There’s also a giant statue of Cincinnatus.

Cincinnati Observatory

The Cincinnati Observatory atop Mount Lookout is the oldest professional observatory in Ohio. The building, which has been preserved to retain its classic look, has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. The Cincinnati Observatory refers to itself as the “birthplace of American astronomy.”

However, the commitment to a vintage appearance doesn’t stop the observatory from looking into the future. It heavily promotes the study of 21st-century astronomy.

When you visit, you can tour the building, look through the fascinating displays of moon rocks, and watch presentations. Use the gigantic telescope during the day (solar viewing) or night (stargazing).

Devou Park

Located across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, Devou Park is a city park in Covington, Kentucky. Encompassing 700 acres, it is the city’s largest park and has been in operation for over 100 years. The hilltop park’s overlooks offer panoramic views of the Cincinnati skyline and the Ohio River valley below. The park is full of opportunities to engage your mind, body, and spirit. Stroll along the scenic nature trails. Throw a frisbee. Play a round of golf on their 18-hole course. In addition to a beautiful vantage point to admire and photograph, the Devou Memorial Overlook offers open green space, benches, a shaded gazebo, parking, ADA accessibility, and picnic tables. Tour the museum. Attend a concert.

There are a plethora of other parks located all across the Cincinnati area. Click here for a complete listing of Cincinnati parks, and here for parks in Northern Kentucky. For folks who love nature, parks, and animals, Cincinnati is hard to beat. Let us know your favorite destination in the comments.

Iconic Cincinnati – Food Edition

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Janet Chiarella

Iconic Cincinnati – Food Edition

Whether you are new to the greater Cincinnati area or have lived here a while, you’ve probably not had the chance to experience all the wonders around you. It’s so easy to take the abundance of things to do for granted and to simply be grateful that there are a plethora of activities available…if we ever need them. I am guilty of hanging out at home instead of getting off my duff and broadening my horizons. Soo this post is not just for you; I’m hoping it inspires me to get out there to explore and experience all the best things to do and see in our little corner of the world. Explore iconic Cincinnati with me, won’t you?

Let’s start with Cincinnati’s unique food scene. Most famous are Cincinnati chili, Montgomery Inn barbecue, Graeter’s black raspberry chip ice cream, goetta (a mixture of beef, pork, oats, and seasonings) which reflects the city’s German heritage, Frisch’s Big Boy, and LaRosa’s Pizzeria.

But did you know about Cincinnati’s legacy of fine dining? In the 1970s, it was home to three Mobil Travel Guide five-star restaurants (New York was home to just two!). They were all French; surprisingly considering Cincinnati’s German heritage. There was Pigall’s, The Gourmet Room which featured a 30-foot mural by the artist Joan Miró (it now hangs in the Cincinnati Art Museum), and The Maisonette which still holds the record for the most consecutive years with a five-star Mobil guide rating, at 41. Beloved Jean-Robert de Cavel, a French-American chef, was chef de cuisine at The Maisonette from 1993 to 2002, executive chef at Jean-Robert at Pigall’s from 2002 to 2009. Pigall’s is now Boca. Below the Maisonette was La Normandie, now the wildly successful Sotto. These were, and are, the best of the best.

Let’s chat about foods that are so good they’ve gained popularity outside of our region. Here are eight Cincinnati favorites to check out in case you haven’t done so already.

Cincinnati Iconic Foods

Cincinnati Chili – Well known for its unusual chili, a thinner, soupier version than traditional chili con carne or Tex-Mex, Cincinnati chili is ladled over hot dogs and spaghetti. Customary toppings include cheddar cheese, onions, and beans; specific combinations of toppings are known as “ways”. The most popular order is a “three-way”, which adds shredded cheese to the chili-topped spaghetti (a “two-way”), while a “four-way” or “five-way” adds onions and/or beans before topping with the cheese. “Ways” are served with oyster crackers and a mild hot sauce. Cincinnati chili is seldom eaten by the bowl. Two chain brands are famous in the region: Skyline and Gold Star. However, there are plenty of other great places around the city to try Cincinnati chili, but none are more iconic than Camp Washington Chili.

Graeter’s Ice Cream – In business since 1870, Graeter’s uses the French Pot method to make its ice cream. It’s a slow, small batch process making only 2 1/2 gallons at a time creating ice cream that is rich, creamy and dense. Black raspberry chip is a Graeter’s bestseller, one of the flavors containing its incredible chocolate chips, some of which are as big as a quarter, in every scoop. There are almost two dozen Graeter’s stores in the tristate area, and Graeter’s is available in every major supermarket.

LaRosa’s Pizza – In 1954 Buddy LaRosa opened his first family pizzeria on Cincinnati’s West Side. His Sicilian-born father told him he was crazy. “You gonna sell pizza? You must be crazy!” Who could argue with him? After all, back then many Americans hadn’t even heard of pizza. LaRosa’s signature pizza is a thin crust variety made with a distinctive thick, sweet sauce (a family recipe created by the founder’s Aunt Dena) and topped with provolone cheese.

Montgomery Inn Barbecue– November 1, 1951 the Gregory’s and their four children took over a restaurant and began serving ribs full-time. A local journalist dubbed Ted Gregory “The Ribs King,” a nickname that stayed with Gregory for the rest of his life. The restaurant attracted some famous customers, including Bob Hope, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Other famous diners include several Cincinnati Reds legendary baseball stars as well as actors and entertainers from all over the world. The secret to their success is in the sauce – Wife Matula’s still secret family recipe from 1959. Try their barbecue in one of two restaurants: The Boathouse, located on the Ohio River is just east of downtown Cincinnati or the original location on Montgomery Road. The barbecue sauce is sold in big box and grocery stores and on Amazon.

Izzy’s World Famous Reuben – Izzy’s can trace its roots to Russia. Settling in Cincinnati Izzy Kadetz and wife Rose opened the first kosher style delicatessen West of the Alleghenies in 1901. Consistently ranked as the “best deli in Cincinnati“, visitors to this local deli can indulge in Izzy’s Famous Reuben and their famous potato pancake. The savory sandwich is piled high with Izzy’s famous corned beef, sauerkraut, Izzy’s special dressing and melted imported Swiss cheese served with a bowl of all you can eat locally made dill pickle slices. There are five locations in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region.

Frisch’s Big Boy – In 1939 Frisch’s opened the Mainliner restaurant, Cincinnati’s first year-round drive-in named after the first tri-motor passenger airplane. Today, some 85 years later, a replica of the airplane still adorns the restaurant’s sign on Wooster Pike. Famous for their double-decker hamburger called the “Big Boy” with a specially formulated tartar sauce. The chain is best known for its trademark chubby boy with a pompadour hairstyle wearing red-and-white checkered overalls holding a Big Boy sandwich. Frisch’s is also known for its fish sandwich, Swiss Miss sandwich, and hot fudge cake.

Glier’s Goetta – Goetta is an old German recipe brought here in the 1800’s by the German immigrants who dominated Cincinnati 200 years ago. It was a way for poor folks to stretch a few scraps of meat. This celebrated regional dish of pork, beef, steel-cut oats, and seasoning is somewhat similar to sausage and scrapple, is shaped into a roll or a brick and fried up in a pan. In 1946, Robert Glier returned home from World War II and bought a small store with a sausage kitchen and a smokehouse. The rest is history. Glier’s goetta can found stores and at German festivals throughout the summer, especially Glier’s Goettafest at Newport on the Levee.

Busken Bakery – Founded in Cincinnati by Joseph C. Busken Sr. in 1928 the company started from humble beginnings, selling baked goods from the counter of a meat market in East Hyde Park on Erie Avenue. In 1962, Busken moved the bakery operation to its current location at the corner of Madison and Edwards roads in Hyde Park. There are four locations in the region. This 4th generation bakery operates around the clock, six days a week and produces more than 100 unique varieties of fresh baked goods every day but is famous for its smile cookie, donuts, and king cake.

And did you know that Pringles, Frank’s RedHot Sauce, Airheads, Slush Puppie, and McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish are all from Cincinnati?

The story of the Filet-O-Fish story is so fun. It began in 1962 with Franchisee Lou Groen from Cincinnati, Ohio. Groen’s restaurant was located in a predominantly Roman Catholic neighborhood and he noticed a decrease in sales on Fridays. With determination and a knack for thoroughness, Groen convinced McDonald’s to test a breaded whitefish sandwich to help satisfy customers who abstained from eating meat on Fridays in observance of Lent.

At first, McDonald’s executives were not certain about adding fish to the menu, which required a more complicated cooking process. As a matter of fact, McDonald’s Founder Ray Kroc had plans for what he called the Hula Burger ― a slice of grilled pineapple and cheese on a bun. Kroc made a deal with Groen that they would sell the Hula Burger and the Filet-O-Fish on a Friday, and whichever sandwich sold the most would be added to the permanent menu. Kroc was so convinced that his Hula Burger would outsell the Filet-O-Fish that he made a side bet with his first grill man Fred Turner that the loser would buy the winner a new suit. The final score? Hula Burger: 6, Filet-O-Fish: 350.

“Fred got a new suit and McDonald’s got the Filet-O-Fish,” said McDonald’s Company Historian Mike Bullington.

Whether you are new to the greater Cincinnati area or have lived here for a while, it’s always fun to know – and taste – what the region is known for. What are your Cincinnati favorites? Let us know in the comments.