What to do
The Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal (1301 Western) is located in a revamped Art Deco train station built in 1933. It includes the History Museum, Children's Museum, and Museum of Natural History and Science, as well as a Holocaust and Humanity Center (not to mention an Amtrak station).

The Cincinnati Art Museum is found in Eden Park (953 Eden Park Drive) in the Mt. Adams neighborhood, on one of city's seven hills. The museum just opened a new Georgia O'Keefe photography exhibit, the first ever to explore her little-known work as a photographer; it also includes several of her original paintings (https://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/art/exhibitions/upcoming-exhibitions/georgia-o-keeffe-photographer/). Enjoy lunch in the Terrace Café. The #1 Metro bus from downtown provides frequent service to the museum for just $2 (or $4 for a 24 hour pass).

Downtown you will find the National Underground Freedom Railroad Center (voted by USA Today as the #1 history museum in the country), which showcases Cincinnati's role in the underground railroad; in addition, the "From Slavery to Freedom" exhibit explores the American slave trade. You will find the museum downtown at 50 East Freedom Way near the Ohio River. Details at https://www.freedomcenter.org/.

Take the Southbank Shuttle trolley over the Ohio River to nearby Covington, Kentucky, for a $1. The old German city is very quaint. Check out the shops and restaurants at the historic Mainstrasse Village. While there, enjoy lunch or dinner at Mama's on Main (https://www.mamasonmain.com/).

Nightlife
I liked Bar 901 (at 901 Race, downtown), which has a friendly crowd of local hotties. Nearby is the Birdcage, which features drag shows (927 Race). Both are walkable from the Hyatt.

Across the Ohio River, in nearby Covington, Rosie's is a lot of fun (643 Bakewell). Across the street (and connected by a painted rainbow crosswalk), you will find Bar 32, which is also fun but allows smoking inside.

There are also at least two LGBTQ-friendly dive bars on Cincinnati's Northside district, the unofficial gayborhood.

Don't miss Pride month, which includes the weeklong Cincinnati Pride as well as Cincinnati Black Pride, NKY Pride (Y'all Means All) held in Covington, and Sunday Funday Tea Dances.

Eats
Spicy if not hot, Cincinnati-style chili is celebrating its 100th year. It's a Greek dish that is more like Coney sauce (no beans, no meat) than traditional chili. The dish contains 16—18 spices and is often served with spaghetti and topped with shredded cheddar cheese (called 3-way).

At the Gold Star Chili (various locations), I had the chili burger with Fritos and shredded cheese. Over at the other chili chain, Skyline Chili (643 Vine; also other locations), I tried the walking tacos (with chili and shredded cheese), although it too has a 3-way as well as a 4-way (which comes with onions) and a 5-way (with beans). Who doesn't love a three-way?

Take the new free streetcar, the Connector, from downtown to Findlay Market, the city's public market, operating since 1852, which feature lots of food choices. It is in the historic Over the Rhine (OTR) neighborhood, which includes Washington Park.

For dessert, try the local Graeters Ice Cream chain (511 Walnut and other locations). I liked the peach flavor.

Around the corner from the Hyatt Regency, the new Paris Baguette Bakery Café (100 West Fourth) features a great pesto sandwich. Wash it down with an Americano. The croissants and other French bakery treats are excellent.

Where to stay
I stayed at the Hyatt Regency at 151 West Fifth, which had professional, friendly staff and nice rooms. It was perfect, including an indoor pool and a full gym, as well as a 24-hour grab-and-go market with delicious salads, locally roasted coffee, and gourmet sandwiches, not to mention local favorites like Hen of the Woods gourmet potato chips.

Have the New Riff straight Kentucky bourbon at the Red Roost Tavern (the hotel bar), since Cincinnati is the northern outpost of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

Across the street is the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza (35 West Fifth), an Art Deco treasure, and its Bar at Palm Court.

Getting there
Cincinnati's airport is in Covington, Kentucky (hence the airport code CVG) and has flights to/from everywhere, including many nonstops on Delta. Cincinnati is also not that far from most Midwest and mid-Atlantic cities, if you choose to drive. Or you can take Amtrak three days a week.

For more information
The alternative weekly, CityBeat, has lots of entertainment ideas. The destination marketing organization Visit Cincy (https://www.VisitCincy.com/) is your source for where to go and what to do in the region and can help you plan your trip. I thank them for their travel tips.

You will be surprised by a visit to the Queen City of the West. Without the attitude of larger cities or even nearby Columbus, the scene is a lot of fun.