A simple but eye catching mural of a boy holding a baseball bat. It's clean, bold, and easy to…read moreappreciate at a glance without needing a lot of explanation. Not overly complex or flashy, but it works well as a quick photo stop and adds a nice bit of character to the area.

Absolutely beautiful mural on the corner of Walnut and 5th St. depicting Niel Armstrong taking a…read morephotograph of Earth with the famous silhouette of Elliot from the movie E.T. on his bike flying across it. Neil Armstrong and his camera are painted in black and white but the rest of it is an explosion of color. It certainly catches your attention while you're walking or driving down the street and I love it. A few fun facts... Niel Armstrong is from Ohio and he was also a professor of aeronautics at the University of Cincinnati. The mural was created by a Brazilian street artist named Eduardo Kobra who painted it right after doing a huge mural in Rio for the 2016 Olympics. It's located on the giant Fifth Third Bank headquarters building, which is who funded it. Cincinnati is known for its many murals and this one definitely stands out for its vibrant colors and downtown location. If you ever get the chance to explore, I highly suggest doing a mural tour and checking this one out.

I love this mural. It is an explosion of color.This mural was funded by Fifth Third Bank, with the…read moremural being painted on the side of its headquarters. This mural is the work of Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra, who is know for his larger than life colorful murals. He painted it in 2016. The mural takes up the entire side of the building, covering 7,600 square feet. The mural depicts Armstrong, an Ohio native, behind a camera. Armstrong's face is in black and white, while everything else is rainbow. I love the contrast they make. You will see a small 3D image of Earth in the upper right corner. Nice touch! If you look closely, you will see, a silhouette of Elliot and his floating bike from the Steven Spielberg hit movie, E.T. Spielberg happens to also be an Ohio native. Construction in the area has really limited metered street parking to get a closer look of this mural. There is still some in a reasonable waking distance. I parked about a quarter mile away. There are also commercial garages and lots you can park in, but they are pretty pricy. I love this mural and Kobra is one of my favorite artists. It is definitely worth a peak and will surely grab your attention. Anyway, as with most murals that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a very long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. You may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other murals in the area or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip. I just did a mural tour. There are a ton within about a half mile of each other.

Taking time to explore my new area, yesterday it was Bellevue's turn. It's like going back 50 years…read morein time when "downtown" was the place to be...you know, when you're alone is life is making you lonely... Very walkable and plenty of parking. Lots of cute little restaurants and bars. But Monday isn't the best time to go because many little places were closed. I'll go back on First Friday, which is supposed to be a blast. I walked all the way to Dayton...Kentucky that is. That's a story for another day. People are friendly in this town - at least in the stores that are open on Monday. I did kinda laugh when I saw the sign for the Beach Park. Just the thought of a beach on this river. Don't get me wrong...I love the river and the river traffic. But I wouldn't put my little toe in that water. Next time I head down think I'll take the levy...love walking on the levy. At least the Newport levy. I'll report back on Bellevue levy.

FACT: Bellevue is super underrated. There are so many great charming NKY neighborhoods and Bellevue…read moreis definitely towards the top of that list. There are so many small businesses that make this part of town such a great place to visit. Among the coffee shops and restaurants, visiting Bellevue Beach park is also a great time to be had. It's peaceful and serene with lots of great river views. If you're looking for a spot to grab coffee or lunch, make it a point to start checking out some of these businesses. Besides, who can pass up a chance to stop by The Party Source (enormous booze outlet) while you're in this neck of the woods. If you haven't taken the time to visit and explore Bellevue, make sure you do - it's such a charming part of greater Cincy.

Milford is definately a family oriented community. The area is growing fast in retail stores and…read moreparks. My favorite is Old Milford. I would not like to live here since it is overcrowded, under construction all the time, and traffic is bad.

I love visiting Milford. I do so at least once a week now. Its not just a city, but truly a…read morecommunity. It is absolutely filled with locally owned businesses that have pride in where they operate. The residents have pride in their city too. I've seen them line the streets near 275 to cheer on a highschool team as they leave for a playoff game. Recently tornados/winds affected the Day Heights area and everyone came out to help each other clean up. There is great dining, shopping, and parks. My favorite area is the downtown Old Milford section. It has everything youd expect from a small village with tree lined streets, lamp posts, shops and restaurants. Even with all this it is peaceful and outdoorsy as it's right near the river. You can park your car for free and just wander up and down the street enjoying all it has to offer. They are also offering DORA in this area... which is a designated outdoor drinking space. Grab a cocktail or beer to enjoy as you stroll. Many of the food businesses have outside dining too. The businesses not only support those in the community, but each other as well. One local business provided free lunches to students during the pandemic when schools closed. There really is something for everyone, in every price range. In addition, it's an area that is always growing! If youd like to enjoy something different, with a great small town feel, head east to Milford, Ohio!

No, no, no... it's not cannibalism of football players. Taste of the NFL is an annual event that…read moretakes place in hometown football stadiums across the country as a fundraiser for homelessness and hunger. The Cincinnati Bengals' Taste benefits one of my favorite charities: Freestore Foodbank. The event features 45 of the city's finest chefs and restaurants serving one or two delectable samples at each booth. The entire Bengals team and Ben-Gal Cheerleaders are in attendance at the event for guests to snap photos with and get autographs. There is also a gigantic silent auction, a live auction of event packages going for $2,000+, and of course, an open bar. There was more than enough food samples here to fill me up. Everything looked incredible; I wish I had room for more! Some of my favorites included: - Burnell's Restaurant: White bean hummus, shamander mutabal, and crispy flat bread. - Cincinnati Cooks! Catering: Cubano chicken, greens, bacon with fried cornbread. Spicy chicken cutlet on a sweet Hawaiian bun with paprika sauce. Key lime pie. - Sugar Cupcakery: Sweet corn cupcake with raspberry frosting. - Second Course: Seared shrimp & steak with lemon, cilantro and garlic. Gazpacho shots. - J. P. Chocolatier: Chocolate bacon truffle. - La Petite Pierre: Lobster ravioli with a saffron tomato sauce. - Aramark: Roasted garlic Dijon lamb with orange pepper risotto. - Jean Robert's Table: Spicy chicken confit salad with Mediterranean couscous. - Eat Well: Devils food whoopie pie. Pretty much everything was delicious. The only thing I didn't like was the martini from SkinnyGirl. The drink tasted watered down because they put ice in the mix to keep it cool. Bartending Basics 101: NEVER put ice in a martini! Price per person: $150.00 (Keep in mind, this is a fundraising event for charity. Every $150.00 provides 600 meals to those in need. And you definitely get your monies worth in unlimited fine food and free alcohol.)

I've had the pleasure of attending this event for the past 3 years in a row as a former Freestore…read moreFoodbank (FSFB) employee and loyal volunteer to the organization. Let me tell you this event does not disappoint. This event is one of the FSFB's most popular fundraisers for Cincy area foodies and football fanatics alike. The event is a great opportunity to get those Bengals autographs you've always wanted and the opportunity to eat and drink yourself into a food coma. At almost $200 for a ticket, you better believe that some of Cincy's best restaurants are showcasing what they've got. There are restaurants that I've seen represented every year, like my personal favorites Tom + Chee and Holtmans and of course Cincinnati classic Jeff Rubys. There are always new showings (or new to me showings) too. Some of the standouts to me this year: Taste of Belgium- They had a pulled pork and mango chutney topped waffle. Hello delicious. Alfio's Buon Cibo- The ravioli was spot on Nashville Hot- This was a new to me restaurant. It wasn't fancy or extravagent, just a tasty waffle with some tasty hot chicken. Jag's- I've sampled their food previous years and it's always tasty. Loved their creative smores dessert this year. Holtmans- You redeemed yourself from last year by not running out of donuts and from the previous years I've attended by providing FULL SIZED donuts (instead of donut holes) to us Tom + Chee- You'll have to wait in line for their delicious sandwiches but the owner is down to earth and keeps you entertained while you wait for your fresh and delicious DONUT GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH There were a bazillion other tasty bites but these are the ones I remember as standouts. PRO TIP if you come to this event- to make the most out of your ticket, definitely definitely have a "sharing buddy." This way you can try one of everything without having to toss half your tasting plate. Word of advice for the restaurants- While I love the larger portions this year, I felt like a lot of my bites got wasted because I only wanted a taste with over 20-30 other bites I needed to taste. It just seemed a bit silly to be wasting food at an event where the benefiting charity was a hunger relief organization. Can't wait to volunteer next year and all the years to come!

Nowhere to park as a resident, inconsiderate millennials loud and drunk until early hours, garbage…read moreall over, vomit and urine on sidewalks and even by Immaculata Church. Pretty view of the river, but, that's about it. Towne Properties does not provide assistance readily when needed for major repairs or wild animals ie - raccoons and snakes

What an adorable little area of Cincinnati! I was in town visiting a friend for a few days and…read morewhile I was there, we spent an hour or so cruising around town so he could show me all the things he loves about the place he calls home. While he doesn't live in the City of Mount Adams, he knew I would really like the area so we made a point to check it out. I kept saying, "are we really in Ohio right now?!" I seriously felt like I was in another city or hell, even another country at some points. The staggering of the homes along the hillside, the beautiful, luscious green park, the fun art and small businesses hidden on tiny corners... Gah I loved it all. Sure, it was a bit of a maze trying to make our way through the streets. However, that just added to the appeal. Pro tip - Check out the view up at the very top! Whether you climb the stairs or drive up, it's surely a sight to see.

I absolutely love Mason. I lived here for over 4 years in the Landen section, and wish I hadn't…read moreleft. It is a great place to live, work, and has so many great activities! It is a safe city comparatively. The schools are excellent. In 2020 it was even awarded 21st best place to live in the USA taking in to account many factors! The cost of housing here is a bit higher than other places in greater Cincy but it is well worth it. Taxes are comparable and your car/home insurance will be less. There are plenty of parks for outdoor activities, easy access to highways, ample restaurants and shopping, and a really great community center! The community center offers so much for residents year round! There are classes, a work out facility and more! Police and fire do a nice job and are very reliable. It has a great sense of community and pride in it. I really cant say anything bad about Mason, Ohio!

The events keep getting better and better! This was held at the Essencha Tea House. This hidden…read moregem is located in Oakley near Red Tree Gallery. I walked in and smelled the aroma of the teas as they were brewing. Before the tasting, I was able to mingle with new faces. We started off with a 101 from the owner Tracy. She gave us some useful tips and info on teas. Some I knew because I have been going to Essencha for years. But for the most part, I learned alot. After the lecture, we were able walk around taste the different kinds/types of teas, enjoy the small bites (Mochi (Japanese Rice Dessert), Brownies, Rollups, etc), and mingled. You were able to try different types of teas: Black, Oolong, Green, White, Roobibos. My favorites were the Tumeric Ginger, Walnut, Apricot, Lapsang Souchong, and Hot Mama (Cinnamon with a kick). After the tasting, we played a game that Cindy set up. We were paired with someone we didn't know which I thought was really cool. Overall, another successful and awesome event. Cindy, you did such a great job! I am always grateful when invited to these small intimate elite events! Thank you.

Sampling delicious teas was a great way to spend a bitter cold winter evening. The last time I…read morewent to a tea tasting (in another city), I was given tiny sips from medicine cups and also had to taste some teas with a plastic spoon while sharing germs with 20 strangers! eww gross! This tasting at Essencha was nothing like that previous experience. We were given our own individual glassware to sample the 5+ teas. Before the tasting, the owner Tracy gave us a quick history of how the tea shop came to be and also educated us on the basics of tea. I really appreciated how she presented tea as a very obtainable luxury and wasn't pretentious about it all. She seemed like a cool down to earth business owner with good knowledge about her products. My favorite tea of the evening was the walnut green tea. My favorite munch was the green tea mochibars. I couldn't get enough of the chewiness. I bought some of the walnut green tea and mochibars. The girl who rang me out was super friendly had very helpful with recommending teas in the future. I unfortunately had to skip out after an hour and missed the "Punny" portion of the evening. Thanks Cindy, Tracy, Yelp and Essencha team for a fun evening!