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The Moerlein Lager House exists in two time periods: the ultramodern building, a composition of steel and glass that looks out on the Ohio River. From here you can see new city parks, the Red’s baseball stadium, and gastropubs with more taps than you could actually count. Then you have the history of Cincinnati’s brewing tradition, which is infused throughout the building. Most of the rooms are named for old Cincy breweries (most now defunct) and the walls are adorned with signage, old posters, photos, licenses and more from the bygone breweries. Inside the front door next to the brewing room they even have a huge glass display case filled with old brewing paraphernalia. The menu also pays homage to Cincy’s roots, with a fair amount of slaws, sausages and cheeses that recall the city’s once massive German population. This is a great place for date night, getting a bite before the game, or big events for family or work. It’s an easy walk to most downtown attractions, including the Reds’ baseball stadium, Paul Brown football stadium, and The Underground Railroad Museum. Fountain Square is walkable too (albeit a bit longer). Oh, and my burger in the photo? It is the MOER BURGER: cheddar, pastrami, applewood bacon, fried egg, sweet onion relish and black pepper mayo. Note, vegetarian options are available, but are limited.

For homemade ice cream, sweets, and old-fashioned flavored sodas, take a step back in time to a real soda fountain in Cincinnati. Aglamesis Brothers has been a Cincy institution since 1908 and there is no better place around town to get old-school treats. There are two locations in the metro area, but it’s the Oakley Square location (pictured) that still has the old school soda fountain. Definitely worth a trip out of your way, especially if you are traveling with kids. Want a fresh vanilla or chocolate cola, or opera creams? Looking for toffees or a box of assorted chocolates? Hankering for a champagne italian ice? Aglamesis has them all.

Arnold’s is Cincy’s oldest pub and it feels like it: nice’n cozy, with that worn-in, august feeling of a place just rife with history. Passing through that history at the actual bar brings you to a great open patio in the back that sometimes has blues bands. Food is really good and the drinks are great, especially the mojito. Having one of those while sitting out on the patio, listening to blues, can’t be beat. Esquire Magazine lists their “16 Best Bars in America,” and Arnold’s on Eighth Street in downtown Cincinnati is one of them!

Sometimes a night out in Cincinnati leaves you feeling a bit peckish and your feet will automatically head to Madonna’s around midnight. Madonna’s is a sticky floor dive bar in downtown Cincy with story-telling bartenders who remember your face and your drink, an eclectic mix of customers and a juke box with a wide ranging music mix. Once there give in and order that giant messy burger with everything on it and get a stack of quarters. Shove some quarters in the jukebox, pick a Ke$ha song, something by Old Crow Medicine Show and maybe a Whitesnake classic and then sit back with your double handful of burger goodness and laugh to yourself as you hear “Did YOU pick this??” all around you all night long.

Rhinegeist is Cincy’s newest craft brewery and brewpub! Housed in a cavernous, classic industrial space in the historic Over the Rhine (OTR) district, they serve up some great craft brews. Derived from the German word “geist” meaning ghost, Rhinegeist is a new reflection on the many ghosts of the area’s long and storied brewing history. Rhinegeist breathes dynamic new life into this classically-detailed historic space. Originally built in the late 1800s as a bottling plant for Morlein brewery, it served as a factory for many years until lying dormant for the past decade. The spot is another positive island of commerce, energy, and life in the redevelopment of OTR. Often local bands play there, setting up right on the brewing platform, and you can play a game of corn-hole, ping pong, or just sit at the Octoberfest-style picnic tables and get to know other craft beer aficionados. The beers are all nicely flavored, without ever being overbearing. A great example is their IPA. Now, I’m a dark beer guy and generally despise IPAs however, their IPA was smooth, fruity, complex, and without the bitter finish of most IPAs. I’d absolutely buy it again. Fun, funky, fresh food is provided by various gourmet food trucks that drop by.