The Newport Aquarium, on levee on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River, includes 70 exhibits and 14 galleries, including five seamless acrylic tunnels totaling over 200 feet in length, featuring an amazing variety of aquatic life from around the world.

Photo/Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau

Kathie Brookfield
Cincinnati Promotions Coordinator

For those planning to attend the 2009 Annual Conference & Stage Expo next March, knowing a bit about the area can add to the enjoyment. Greater Cincinnati or the Tri-State area is made up of Southwestern Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Southeastern Indiana all connected by the Ohio River. The 100-mile I-275 loop also connects and helps define the region.

Parks and nature preserves abound. The City of Cincinnati established Mount Airy Forest in 1911 as the first municipal forest in the United States claiming 1,466 acres of green space. It is the largest of over 100 area parks. The other most popular city parks are the Airport Playfield near Lunken Airport, Mount Echo Park in Price Hill, Ault Park in the Hyde Park area, Bicentennial Commons, Sawyer Point and Yeatman's Cove on the Ohio riverfront, Burnet Woods in Clifton across from the University of Cincinnati, and Eden Park in Mount Adams, home of Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Art Museum, Seasongood Pavilion, and Krohn Conservatory, one of America's largest public greenhouses.

Hamilton County Park District operates 19 parks that are open 365 days a year charging an annual fee of $5 or a one-time pass for $1 to any park visitor. Some have bike trails, walking trails, fitness trails, fishing, boating, horseback riding, and Frisbee and regular golf Courses. Check out www.greatparks.org for further information.

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park is an all outdoor exhibit area covering 265 acres with 35 sculptures. Visitors can choose to hike on one of the many walking trails or drive through the park. http://www.pyramidhill.org

There are over 100 golf courses in the Greater Cincinnati area. Some courses are private, but most are public. For Hamilton County Park District courses, reservations can be made up to two weeks in advance by calling 513-651-GOLF. The weather in this area allows for a long playing season.

For animal lovers, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is located up Vine Street not far from the University of Cincinnati. The Newport Aquarium is also located on the Levee. Thoroughbred racing can be found at Turfway Park in Kentucky. All are year-round attractions.

King's Island Theme Park, now owned by Cedar Point, is a seasonal attraction that draws people from all over the world for some of the best roller coaster rides anywhere. It has a water park and the best children's area in an amusement park with rides according to height and/or accompanied by a taller, responsible person. Some are only for the wee ones.

For visitors into indoor sports and mall walking, the most difficult course is Cincinnati Mills filled with outlet stores, a SuperSaver Cinema, food court, and WonderPark amusement arcade. Jungle Jim's, the amusement park for "foodies," is an international food market that includes fresh, frozen, canned, and packaged goods from all over the globe. There are even reservations for an hour and a half guided tour over the six- acre complex that includes food samples. Tri-County Mall was Southwest Ohio's first mall, built in 1960, with a recent remodeling that includes an indoor amusement park. Kenwood Town Center is considered the top mall in the area. Northern Kentucky has Florence Mall and Newport on the Levee. Shopping on the Levee is accessible by foot bridge across the Ohio River from the Duke Energy Convention Center, by car, or via the TANK bus system.

Other indoor sports can be found at the riverboat and riverfront casinos located in Indiana. The closest to Cincinnati is Argosy VI in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. It is the largest riverboat casino in the world being the length of a football field with three decks. The Belterra Casino Resort and the Grande Victoria II are about 45 minutes from Cincinnati. These vessels no longer have to leave the dock for gambling to take place due to the changes in Indiana's laws.

There is something for everyone to do in the Greater Cincinnati Area!

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