Cross the bridge
Cincy’s most iconic landmark is the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge – the engineering marvel that inspired the Brooklyn Bridge. It spans the Ohio River, connecting Ohio and Kentucky, making it possible to both walk and drive between the neighbouring states.
The walkability of Cincinnati, Covington and Newport – two of the main cities in Northern Kentucky – is part of the region’s charm. The bridge is open 24/7 and gives pedestrians or cyclists scenic views of the Ohio River and both Cincinnati and Covington.
Eat like a local
Travellers are in for a treat when they tuck into the region’s legendary Cincinnati chili. With a history dating back 100 years, the dish was created by immigrants missing the taste of home.
Today there are Cincinnati-style chili restaurants all over the Cincy Region serving it one-way (just a bowl of chili), two-way (with spaghetti), three-way (with spaghetti and topped with grated cheddar), four-way (adding either onions or beans) or five-way (both onions and beans and the ultimate Cincinnati chili experience).
Take a tunnel tour
Many of the Cincy Region’s German settlers lived in the resurgent Over-the-Rhine (OTR) neighbourhood, whose historic lagering tunnels, formerly used by brewers to store beer, can be visited during guided walking tours.
Visitors can explore an abandoned brewery and hear the stories of the immigrants who established the brewing industry that flourished before Prohibition. It’s also possible to sip drinks in an underground bar inspired by the speakeasies that flourished during the Prohibition era.
Sample the local tipple
Cincinnati is a gateway to bourbon country in Northern Kentucky. Bourbon aficionados should take a self-guided tour of The B-Line, a trail with nine distilleries. Part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, it offers insights into the heritage and craft of distilling.
Festival fun
The Cincy Region enjoys a year-round calendar of festivals. The America’s River Roots Festival, taking place October 8-12 this year, explores the heritage of the Ohio River through food, culture and music and riverboat cruises – a relaxing way to view scenery.
Murals on Covington’s flood wall convey a colourful history of the region and many more public artworks adorn buildings. Several are a legacy of the popular BLINK art and light festival, whose next edition is in October 2026.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is the largest event of its kind in the U.S. and a nod to the region’s German heritage. So too is the springtime Bockfest. Food and culinary creativity also take centre stage during Taste of Cincinnati in May and the summertime Goettafest, which champions the sausage-like delicacy unique to the Cincinnati region.
July’s Cincinnati Music Festival draws top acts to Paycor Stadium.
Getting there
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport has direct flights from London Heathrow, making the region easy to visit as a destination in its own right or at the start or end of a road trip, with Nashville only a four-hour drive away. The driving times from Pittsburgh and New York City are five and 11 hours, respectively.
Find out more at visitcincy.com
Travel agents learned all this and more at Selling Travel Connect: Cincy Region, which took place in Dublin and Leeds in June.
Agents took part in a fun cocktail-making session, and in a business card prize giveaway Amy Nolan won a €100 M&S voucher while Julie Bamford took home £100 in John Lewis vouchers.
Looking ahead to September, further North America-themed events are planned for Bristol, Leeds, Edinburgh and London. In mid-October, London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow will host Indian Ocean and Middle East events.
View the Selling Travel Connect Calendar for information about forthcoming events and to register online.
