There are a few television shows that stand out from my childhood. I loved reruns for some reason. Car 54 Where Arw You?, Get Smart, The Monkees running around on a bed… I was enthralled. The all-time favorite? WKRP in Cincinnati. Ah, the theme song would begin and I was instantly transported to the metropolis of this foreign Cincinnati, Ohio. Its skyscrapers and downtown stadiums surely rivaled those of NYC and LA. Where is this magical state of Ohio? I had it on my list of must-see places one day.
Fast forward a few years and guess where I ended up after graduate school? (Go Dayton Flyers!) Yep. I landed a job on the opening team of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center so Jess and I quickly set up our first home in the suburb of West Chester. I was devastated to learn that WKRP wasn’t on the radio. And never had been. It’s just a show. Sigh.
We’ve lived here for 18 years now which is hard to believe, it went so fast! Cincinnati is the perfect blend of a Midwestern (but sort of Southern) city and a great place to raise a family. There’s so much to do! We love to hike as a family and there’s a few trails such as Red Bird Hollow in Indian Hill that we’ve explored countless times. Our Zoo, the second oldest in the country I’m told, was my go-to walking spot when my kids were little. Double stroller + Hills = Burnin’ those wine calories! Our suburb of Loveland, where we have lived for 10 years, has an amazing bike trail that connects Cincinnati up to Toledo. Loveland features cute little shops, coffee houses, fine dining and an amazing Christmas Festival every December.
Cincinnati was originally settled by German immigrants so chances are if you meet someone from around these parts they will have German ancestry. They will also ask you where you went to high school which I still find pretty funny. Do they ask that anywhere else? One of our favorite spots to listen to a “oom pah” band and eat weinerschnitzel is right across the river in Northern Kentucky, The Hofbrauhaus in Newport. Very kid friendly, beers the size of your head and communal tables you can dance on. If loving that is wrong I don’t wanna be right.
Ferrari’s in downtown Madeira is a spot we love to visit when we get the hankering for Italian food. My Mom can certify its the most authentic Italian around. Plus, my kids can blow through 3 or 4 of their bread baskets in as many minutes so it keeps them entertained.
Occasionally we find ourselves looking for a fine dining experience and you cannot go wrong with a steak from any of Jeff Ruby’s restaurants or Tony’s (they also have fabulous raw bars). You’ll often find the restaurants’ owners walking amongst the tables and I think that’s an awesome touch.
But perhaps the best “staycation” attractions are King’s Island or Great Wolf Lodge. For many years we’ve taken our girls to King’s Island and Great Wolf, to ride the great rides, swim, and experience an awesome (but goofy an 100% kid-friendly) change of scenery from the back yard. Cincy has it all, except salt water nearby … it’s a great place to visit or call home!
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