The Cincy Region is quickly becoming one of the most exciting travel destinations in the Midwest, blending historic charm with a thriving culinary and hospitality scene that continues to earn national acclaim. Whether you’re a foodie searching for the next great dining experience, a traveler looking for top-tier accommodations, or simply someone who loves exploring vibrant city culture, the Queen City has something special waiting for you.
Stay in Award-Winning Luxury
Finding the perfect place to stay in the Cincy Region is easy when the destination boasts the best hotels in Ohio and Kentucky.
For those seeking a sophisticated stay in Ohio, look no further than Lytle Park Hotel, ranked as the No. 1 hotel in the state. Located in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, this boutique hotel combines timeless elegance with modern amenities, offering breathtaking rooftop views and world-class service.
Just across the river in Northern Kentucky, Hotel Covington holds the title of the No. 1 hotel in Kentucky. Housed in a historic department store building, this stylish and unique boutique hotel blends Southern hospitality with contemporary design, making it an unforgettable stay for visitors.
A Culinary Scene That’s Turning Heads Nationwide
Cincinnati’s dining scene has firmly established itself on the national stage, thanks to a wave of innovative chefs and restaurants earning top accolades.
The Aperture, named one of America’s 50 best restaurants by The New York Times, is led by Chef Jordan Anthony-Brown, a semifinalist for Best Emerging Chef in America. His boundary-pushing dishes that utilize a wood-fired oven and the flavors of the Mediterranean and Levant have put Cincinnati on the map as a city of culinary creativity.
Wildweed was honored on Esquire’s list of Best New Restaurants in America for 2024. Chef David Jackman, a semifinalist for Best Chef: Great Lakes, crafts dishes that celebrate regional flavors with foraged finds, creative pastas and a fresh, modern approach.
Bar owner by Mike Stankovich, who oversees hip cocktail bistros Mid City and Longfellow, was recognized for Outstanding Cocktail Service, reinforcing Cincinnati’s reputation for top-tier drinks in an atmosphere that blends warmth with innovation.
Café Mochiko was recently named one of The New York Times’ 22 Best Bakeries in America. Known for its fusion of Japanese and American flavors, the bakery and café serves must-try treats like the ube halaya croissant and sweet corn bibingka.
Additionally, six Cincy restaurants earned a coveted spot on OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurants in America for 2024, from upscale dining at Boca and Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse to cozy Italian favorites like Pepp & Dolores and Sotto.
Over the bridge in Northern Kentucky, discover a blend of classic Southern-style cuisine with new favorites. Try family-recipe fried chicken at the Greyhound Tavern — open since 1921 and on the local B-Line passport-guided bourbon tour, made up of craft distilleries, award-winning bourbon bars and bourbon-forward restaurants. Or tavern-style pizza at the hip Wayfarer Tavern and red-sauce Italian at new hot spot Carmelo’s.
Outstanding Attractions
Cincy is the real deal with award-winning, top-tier attractions.
In the 2025 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, four Cincinnati museums were recognized among the best in the country: The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Cincinnati History Museum, American Sign Museum, and The Children’s Museum.
The city was also ranked No. 2 in the U.S. for street art, thanks to the work of nonprofit ArtWorks, which has created over 300 public murals and 14,000 art projects throughout the region, as well as the biennial BLINK art and light festival, which brings international projection mappers and mural artists to town for a 30-block, weekend-long free celebration of the city’s art, architecture and walkability.
Cincy is one of the few cities in America with all five major performing arts: ballet, opera, symphony, fine art museums and theater. The local ArtsWave, the nation’s oldest and largest united arts fund, provides grants to 150+ organizations, projects and artists, creating thousands of arts experiences throughout the region. In addition to beneficiaries like BLINK, the Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Playhouse in the Park and Cincinnati Opera — the nation’s second oldest — are recipients of ArtsWave’s funding.
Why Cincy Should Be Your Next Getaway
With direct flights from Toronto and Montreal, the Cincy Region is an easy and exciting weekend destination for travelers looking for something unexpected. Whether you’re indulging in award-winning cuisine, staying in the region’s top-rated hotels, or exploring the city’s rich history and vibrant street art, Cincy delivers a world-class experience without the crowds or high prices of bigger cities.
Pack your bags and discover why Cincy is the Midwest’s best-kept secret—until now. Book your trip at visitcincy.com
