Cincinnati the Pearl of the West

Cincinnati is a city in Ohio located on the Ohio River. It is a vibrant and interesting city that has been called the “Pearl of the West” and the “Queen City”. It is an industrial city that offers a wide range of cultural and recreational facilities. Interest in the city was sparked by the popular TV show “WKRP in Cincinnati” in the late 1970s.

The Cincinnati Museum Center has found its home in the Cincinnati Union Terminal and Art Deco railroad station that was built in 1933. There are three museums here. The Cincinnati History Museum, Duke Energy Children’s Museum, and the Museum of Natural History and Science. You’ll find of interest the OMNIMAX Theater and the Cincinnati History Library and Archives. There are traveling national and international exhibits.

The 1878 Music Hall is one of the finest buildings in the city. It is located in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood at Washington Park. It has an impressive arched entranceway below a huge round window and flanked by two square towers. It is home to the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra, the Cincinnati Ballet, and the Cincinnati Opera. The Music Hall Ballroom is used for events and exhibitions.

The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden has one of the largest insectariums in the world. There are rides, a 4D theater, and shows. Among the exhibits here are Gorilla World, Africa, Cat Canyon, and Painted Dog Valley. Special events are held all year round. The zoo has more than 500 animals and 3,000 plant species. Their breeding program was the first to successfully breed California sea lions.

There are educational exhibits at the Botanical Garden. It has been designated a National Historic Landmark.

The Great American Ball Park in the heart of downtown is the place to catch the iconic Reds Baseball game. Baseball games are seasonal but the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum is open all year round. The Reds are baseball’s first professional franchise.

The Cincinnati Art Museum displays works of art including sculptures, ceramics, and photos. Besides the permanent collection, there are also temporary national and international exhibitions. Some of the highlights are American and European paintings and sculptures, Far East and African art, Decorative Arts, and textiles. It is also known for its art-related programs and special events held throughout the year.

The Krohn Conservatory is home to over 3,500 plant species from all around the world. There are themed houses that include a desert and a tropical rainforest as well as waterfalls. The various greenhouses include the Fern House, Palm House, and the Desert House.

The Taft Museum of Art is housed in an impressive 1820 Palladian-style building known as the Baum-Longworth-Taft House and is a National Historic Landmark. It displays a collection of paintings from Old Masters, European Decorative Arts, sculptures, and furniture.

In the front of the museum is a statue of the 16th US President Abraham Lincoln created by George Grey Barnard in 1917. The museum hosts regular educational talks and social events.

Fountain Square is the focal point of the Cincinnati city center. The impressive Tyler Davidson Fountain is in the middle, cast in Munich, Germany, and erected in 1871. Fountain Square is a social center that is surrounded by places to dine and be entertained. In the summer there are outdoor tables to enjoy a meal. In the winter you can skate on the outdoor skating rink.

Carew Tower is the second tallest building in the city. It is a French Art Deco building built in the 1930s and is a National Historic Landmark. The building has offices, stores, and hotel rooms. You can get spectacular city views from the Observation Deck on the 49th floor.

The American Sign Museum has unique and colorful displays of various signs. You can take a museum tour.

The Smale Riverfront Park in downtown Cincinnati is a great place to walk on the trails and enjoy the boats on the Ohio River. The park stretches along the river banks with green spaces, gardens, and playgrounds.

In the background, you can see the impressive Roebling Bridge.

Children enjoy riding Carol Ann's Carousel with Cincinnati-themed characters and artwork depicting local landmarks.

Walk the Ohio River Trail starting at the park and stretching for ten miles.