Cincinnati has once again been recognized by a leading travel publication for its “folksy charm” and “metropolitan energy.”
Travel + Leisure magazine recently published a new Cincinnati city guide, highlighting the best hotels, neighborhoods, restaurants, bars and more in the Queen City.
According to the article, which published Nov. 2, Cincinnati is the “most underrated city” in the Midwest, highlighting the city’s No. 2 placement on the magazine’s Best Places to Live in the Midwest list and Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the United States.
The magazine writes that Cincinnati has one of the most exciting culinary scenes in the region, as well, mentioning our beloved chili. The magazine also goes on to name a few award-winning restaurants and bars like The Aperture, Kiki and Ghost Baby.
Additionally, Travel + Leisure cites Cincinnati’s arts and culture scene, particularly Blink – the nation’s largest art, light and projection-mapping festival – as a reason for its glowing review, as well as the city’s historic neighborhoods, architecture, craft breweries, museums, sports teams and more.
So, where are the best places to stay, eat and drink in Cincinnati? What are the best things to do in the area? Here’s a look at what Cincinnati has to offer, according to Travel + Leisure.
Best hotels in Cincinnati, NKY
Here are the best places to stay in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky:
- The Lytle Park Hotel, 311 Pike St., Downtown.
- Hotel Covington, 638 Madison Ave., Covington.
- 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati, 609 Walnut St., Downtown.
- Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, 35 W. Fifth St., Downtown.
Best things to do in Cincinnati, NKY
- Findlay Market, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine.
- National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 E. Freedom Way, The Banks.
- Queen City Underground Tour, 1332 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine.
- Revival Vintage Spirits, 614 Madison Ave., Covington.
- Cincinnati Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine.
Best nightlife in Cincinnati
Here’s a list of the best bars and clubs in Cincinnati, per Travel + Leisure, including Ghost Baby, which was named one of the best bars in the country for 2025 by USA TODAY.
- Ghost Baby, 1314 Republic St., Over-the-Rhine.
- Longfellow, 1233 Clay St., Over-the-Rhine.
- Homemakers Bar, 39 E. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine.
- King Pigeon,2436 Gilbert Ave., Walnut Hills.
- Somerset, 139 E. McMicken Ave., Over-the-Rhine.
Best restaurants in Cincinnati, NKY
Travel + Leisure’s best eateries in Cincinnati, which includes The Aperture, named in USA TODAY’s 2025 Restaurants of the Year list.
- Wildweed, 1301 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine.
- The Aperture, 900 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills.
- Bridges Nepali Cuisine, multiple locations.
- Kiki, 358 Ludlow Ave., Clifton.
- Sotto, 118 E. Sixth St., Downtown.
Best cities and neighborhoods in Greater Cincinnati, NKY
- Over-the-Rhine.
- The Banks.
- Mount Adams.
- Covington.
- Northside.
- Walnut Hills.
