We warmly welcome visitors into Cincinnati and revel in sharing our love for our hometown. But just like everywhere else, there are things that out-of-towners just don’t understand while visiting the Queen City. If you’ve lived here your entire life, these 9 things are probably second nature to you, but we have to keep in mind that visitors may need us to explain what makes Cincinnati unique and special.
- Our chili.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson DVM Chili is a little different here in Cincinnati, and we’re proud to take out-of-towners to one of our favorite local parlors. It has a unique flavor, is served over spaghetti, has a mound of the best cheese ever on top, and beans and onions if you like. And we always have to demonstrate the best way to eat it - by cutting it with the side of your fork.
- Our hilly landscape.
Flickr/Thomas Visitors are often surprised that Cincinnati is filled with hills that offer amazingly scenic views of our city. Cincinnati actually has “7 hills” that give it a unique landscape compared to other nearby cities. This view from Mt. Adams is one of the best.
- What WHO DEY means.
Flickr/Tony Alter We’re used to hearing these two words quite a bit during football season, but out-of-towners will likely turn for their phones and start Googling. “WHO DEY” is a truncated version of the chant we love to say at Bengals games: “Who dey, who dey, who dey think gonna beat dem Bengals?” And if you’re a tried and true fan of the orange and black, the phrase means even more to you than that.
- High School Football
Facebook/Elder High School Cincinnati is a sports-loving town and there is a special fondness for high school football. We have some pretty awesome teams, and some intense rivalries, which makes fall an exciting time in the Queen City.
- Why we still love Pete Rose.
Flickr/Wally Gobetz We have streets named after him, statues erected in his honor, and we still have no idea why he can’t just be let into the Hall of Fame. We’ve long since forgiven “Charlie Hustle” and will always love the energy and passion he brought to our city and the game of baseball.
- Goetta
Flickr/elycefeliz Most of us in Cincinnati still can’t really tell you exactly what is in goetta, but we do know that it’s delicious. It’s best alongside eggs and toast, and you know a restaurant is a Cincinnati classic if they include goetta on their breakfast menu.
- What’s the deal with the pigs?
Flickr/David Ohmer Flying pigs, Porkopolis, pig statues scattered around the city…visitors may be confused by our city’s affinity for the swine. Our city was once the world leader in the pork-packing industry, hence the nickname “Porkopolis.” Flying pigs became a symbol of our city in 1988 when they were included in the welcoming statue at Bicentennial Commons. So this would be the perfect spot to take out-of-towners and teach them all about our pig-loving history!
- Our extensive history of beer.
Flickr/5chw4r7z Cincinnati’s brewing industry has always been “hoppin.” In recent years, the city has gone back to its roots with the growth of countless local breweries, many of them in OTR which was the center of it all dating way back to prohibition.
- West Side vs. East Side
Facebook/Westwood Works
Facebook/Oakley 45209 It’s not a competition…or is it? Not really, but it is pretty rare for lifelong Cincinnati residents to move from one side of town to the other. Out-of-towners seem fascinated by this great divide, but there are really things to love about both the east and west side of Cincinnati. And every other side, as well.
While we may have to explain these Cincinnati oddities to visitors, they are also reasons that we love our city. What do you think of this list? What else have you had to explain to an out of town visitor?
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson DVM
Chili is a little different here in Cincinnati, and we’re proud to take out-of-towners to one of our favorite local parlors. It has a unique flavor, is served over spaghetti, has a mound of the best cheese ever on top, and beans and onions if you like. And we always have to demonstrate the best way to eat it - by cutting it with the side of your fork.
Flickr/Thomas
Visitors are often surprised that Cincinnati is filled with hills that offer amazingly scenic views of our city. Cincinnati actually has “7 hills” that give it a unique landscape compared to other nearby cities. This view from Mt. Adams is one of the best.
Flickr/Tony Alter
We’re used to hearing these two words quite a bit during football season, but out-of-towners will likely turn for their phones and start Googling. “WHO DEY” is a truncated version of the chant we love to say at Bengals games: “Who dey, who dey, who dey think gonna beat dem Bengals?” And if you’re a tried and true fan of the orange and black, the phrase means even more to you than that.
Facebook/Elder High School
Cincinnati is a sports-loving town and there is a special fondness for high school football. We have some pretty awesome teams, and some intense rivalries, which makes fall an exciting time in the Queen City.
Flickr/Wally Gobetz
We have streets named after him, statues erected in his honor, and we still have no idea why he can’t just be let into the Hall of Fame. We’ve long since forgiven “Charlie Hustle” and will always love the energy and passion he brought to our city and the game of baseball.
Flickr/elycefeliz
Most of us in Cincinnati still can’t really tell you exactly what is in goetta, but we do know that it’s delicious. It’s best alongside eggs and toast, and you know a restaurant is a Cincinnati classic if they include goetta on their breakfast menu.
Flickr/David Ohmer
Flying pigs, Porkopolis, pig statues scattered around the city…visitors may be confused by our city’s affinity for the swine. Our city was once the world leader in the pork-packing industry, hence the nickname “Porkopolis.” Flying pigs became a symbol of our city in 1988 when they were included in the welcoming statue at Bicentennial Commons. So this would be the perfect spot to take out-of-towners and teach them all about our pig-loving history!
Flickr/5chw4r7z
Cincinnati’s brewing industry has always been “hoppin.” In recent years, the city has gone back to its roots with the growth of countless local breweries, many of them in OTR which was the center of it all dating way back to prohibition.
Facebook/Westwood Works
Facebook/Oakley 45209
It’s not a competition…or is it? Not really, but it is pretty rare for lifelong Cincinnati residents to move from one side of town to the other. Out-of-towners seem fascinated by this great divide, but there are really things to love about both the east and west side of Cincinnati. And every other side, as well.
If you happen to have a visitor in town and need some unique ideas for things to do, check out our recent article here.
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