How to Pack for a Trip to Cincinnati, Ohio

Planning for the unexpected should be a part of any packing you do, but it is especially true when visiting Cincinnati. In the Queen City, everyone knows "if you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes and it will change."

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Comfortable clothes
• Swimsuits
• Swimsuits
• Cameras
• Cameras

1. Check The Weather Channel for seasonal forecasts before your trip. Cincinnati is well known for especially hot, humid summers and winter wind chills are no picnic either and keep in mind you can expect the most rain in July and the most snow in January.

2. Comfortable and casual should be key wardrobe words for taking in sites like the Cincinnati Zoo, Cincinnati Museum Center, Paramount's King's Island and seasonally, Reds and Bengals games.

3. Plan to take along more formal attire if you have a taste for the theater and fine food. An evening of dining at The Precinct restaurant and taking in a play at the Aronoff Center will require suit and tie for gents and nice dresses or suits for the ladies.

4. Pack your essentials, a change of clothes, medicines, cosmetics, toiletries and important documents, in a carry-on bag to avoid any inconveniences if your luggage is lost.

5. Include a swimsuit if you plan on hitting The Beach, Surf Cincinnati, WaterWorks at King's Island or even your hotel pool. Swimming is a great way to beat the Cincinnati heat in the summertime.

6. Choose wool for winter, as wind chills can be fierce. Gloves, coat, hat, scarf, and especially warm socks should definitely be included for trips from the end of November through February.

7. Remember your most comfortable walking shoes. The best attractions are not located next to public parking lots.

8. Throw your camera and film in for the trip. Cincinnati has lots of art, architecture, spectacular river views and family photo opportunities.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring along family membership cards to museums, zoos and the like. The Cincinnati Zoo and Museum Center are two of many places in town that participate in reciprocity programs with other institutions around the country.
• Try to take only the items you need and utilize wardrobe pieces in meutral colors to coordinate with many outfits. This will cut down on the heavy luggage you would be carting around.

on 7/14/2006 I'm a Cincinnati Bengals fan, and I'm warning fans of opposing teams: now that the Bengals are good, you are no longer welcome to the Jungle (aka Paul Brown Stadium). For years, the Bengals games were a joke; they would have more fans from other teams than the actual Bengals! Now that the Bengals are good, the fans are out in droves and they are now quite aggressive to opposing fans, even the ones who are simply minding their own business. I was at a game, and the fights breaking out reminded me of the Philadelphia Eagles' games.

Simply put, Bengals' games are no longer safe havens for those donning apparel of opposing teams.

on 6/30/2006 I live in Cincinnati, and my car usually has extra clothes in it. It can sleet, rain, and be sunny within an hour. If it's hot, bring a jacket in the car. If it's cold, dress in layers so if it warms up, you are prepared. Nothing is worse than walking around in jeans and a long shirt in the humidity, or being in a T-shirt while it snows out of the blue.

on 11/22/2005 For a casual meal, try the famous 3-Way at Skyline Chili. For an elegant meal, go to the world-renowned Montgomery Inn Ribs (on the River).