In honor of the Bengal’s recent appearance in Super Bowl 56 (whomp whomp), I felt that now would be the perfect time to recap my winter getaway to Cincinnati – a trip that exceeded my expectations despite not having any at all! Cincinnati was meant to be our home base on our way to the slopes at Perfect North, a ski resort in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, but turned into an unexpected delight! Read on for all the recommendations! 

Drink

This craft beer has become a staple in the Benz household, so I was thrilled to visit the brewery based in Cincinnati! The outside is a bit deceiving as it’s housed in an upstairs warehouse that you’d totally miss if you weren’t looking for it. The inside, however, was bright, colorful and very lively! There were plenty of game tables, group seating and quick and easy bar access. 

Dinner

One of my favorite tapas restaurant I’ve visited! We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Mita’s, a fantastic tapas restaurant located in Downtown Cincinnati. The restaurant is just a block away from the popular Fountain Square, a must visit all year round! 

Stay

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Embassy Suites Cincinnati Rivercenter. The hotel is actually located in Covington, Kentucky, just across the river from Downtown Cincinnati. The room was comfortable, spacious, and we were able to enjoy the complimentary evening reception and sweeping views of the city at breakfast. Also, the hotel is located right at the base of the gorgeous Roebling Bridge. Pedestrians are welcome to walk across the bridge, putting you right at The Banks (see below!). 

Explore

The Banks is a riverfront district with plenty of bars, restaurants and shopping. Situated between the city’s two professional sports stadiums, we enjoyed a bite at Moerlein Lager House and bopped around to a few bars afterward. Between the stadiums, you are permitted to carry to-go drinks while you stroll! 

Another great area to explore – especially with young children – is Newport on the Levee. 

Play

Now, diving into the reason for our getaway! While we stayed in Cincinnati (actually Kentucky), we were visiting to ski at Perfect North (actually in Indiana!). Perfect North is a winter park with skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing during winter months. As a novice skier myself, there were great entry-level runs and a few more challenging slopes for my much more adventurous husband! 

If you live within driving distance to Cincinnati, hoping to visit a Bengals or Reds game or just looking for an off-the-beaten-path American city to visit, I highly recommend exploring all the town (and its neighboring states) has to offer! Happy travels!