Here for an event? Your money goes further when you visit Cincinnati

Last year, nearly 300,000 visitors made their way to the Queen City for the Cincinnati Open, with tickets purchased in all 50 states and from 65 countries!

In honor of this year’s event, which ran Aug. 8-23 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, this installment of Jet with Jay showcases some of the reasons I love to call Cincinnati home and highlights affordable fun for our visitors. And if you’re reading this in Ohio, Kentucky, or Indiana, it might give you a chance to become a tourist in your own backyard.

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Last year, our world-famous Cincinnati Zoo celebrated its 150th anniversary and welcomed over 1.8 million visitors. It consistently ranks among one of the top zoos in the country, and over 90 endangered species call it home. If conservation is important to your family, you’ll feel right at home at the greenest zoo in America. Check out the massive solar panels in the parking lots! Be sure to stop by and say hello to Fiona, the most famous hippo in the world.

Book your tickets online at the Cincinnati Zoo website to save on admission. Oh, and make sure to ride the beautiful carousel (my son usually makes me ride it no less than five times per visit)!

Cincinnati Art Museum

One of our favorite activities as a family is visiting the Cincinnati Art Museum. The building is incredible and the grounds are scenic. We even had our first-look pictures for our wedding in the courtyard! Inside, you’ll find works by world-renowned artists including Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, O’Keeffe, Matisse and more.

For a delicious lunch or dinner, visit the Terrace Cafe. Make sure to try the tomato soup; it’s my favorite!. Young children will love the Rosenthal Education Center, with ever-changing craft projects and activities. The best part? Admission is exactly $0! Find out more on the Cincinnati Art Museum website.

Cincinnati: A Foodie Paradise

I’m proud to have called Cincinnati home for nearly two decades. In that time, I’ve watched our food scene flourish. We have incredible, creative culinary experiences that rival any major city and are served with a heaping portion of midwest hospitality. A few ideas for every budget:

Delicious eats on a budget

• Skyline Chili - Cincinnati chili is a flavor unlike any other. Locals love it and you will too. You can enjoy it in Concourse B at CVG as well!
• CCS Empanadas - Tasty Venezuelan empanadas. Grab a picnic table and chow down.
• The Pretzel Place - Delicious pretzel sandwiches in charming Bellevue, KY.
• Milya Cafe - Authentic Mediterranean wraps, platters, and more in Blue Ash.

Solid mid-range cuisine

• JOT India - Delicious Indian cuisine, friendly-service, and multiple locations
• Kung Food AmerAsia - Funky, fun, and full of flavor in Covington
• Onolicious - Classic Hawaiian food in a convenient Court Street location
• Pho Lang Thang - Vietnamese Pho, Banh Mi, and bakery offerings in Findlay Market

A fancy night out

• Sotto - Excellent Italian food with exquisite vibes. Great for special occasions.
• Collette - Self-described “Mostly French” menu with top-notch service and “butter flights.”
• Jeff Ruby’s - One of Cincinnati’s longest-running, legendary steak houses.
• Mita’s - Terrific tapas in an open, airy setting just a short walk from Fountain Square.

And a must-visit because it’s just so different... Jungle Jim’s - A grocery experience unlike any other. If it’s a food available on Earth, chances are they’ll have it!

Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum

This National Historic Landmark is the third-largest cemetery in the United States, and all 733 acres are absolutely breathtaking. Featuring tranquil ponds, historic architecture, fragrant flowers, giant old oak trees, rolling hills, and beautiful scenery, many locals use this as a place to walk on sunny days. You’ll even see photographers taking family and graduation photos.

Find out more on the Spring Grove Cemetery website.

Fossil hunting at Trammel Fossil Park

Long before there were tennis tournaments, famous chili, and WKRP, this entire region was an ocean floor. Four hundred and fifty million years later, you can still see artifacts from that time (and even take home a souvenir). Our family loves visiting Trammel Fossil Park in Sharonville. Not only does it offer a scenic, hilltop view as you dig, but adults and kids can hunt for fossils and keep what they find. And there is no admission fee. So bring a bucket (or just fill your pocket)!

More details on the Trammel Fossil Park website.

Get to and from the airport for just $2

If you’re staying at a hotel in downtown Cincinnati, you should definitely know about the TANK (Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky) 2X “Airporter” bus service. Departing from Ground Transport East (just a short walk from baggage claim), buses arrive every half hour, nearly around the clock, seven days a week. You can see when the next bus is arriving and purchase tickets using the convenient Transit app. Then just scan the QR code from your phone when boarding.

Relax and enjoy the short trip down I-275 to I-75 (don’t forget to look out the window and take in the beautiful scenery of our city as you descend the “Cut in The Hill”).

Total cost: just $2 per person.

Got a great place to check out or a terrific money-saving tip in Cincinnati? You can reach me at @JayKruzOfficial on Facebook and Instagram. I’d love to hear all about it!

-Jay