COVER

Summer in Cincinnati can be sweltering, but there’s no lack of cool ways to spend your days — both literally and guratively. Whether you’re looking to relax poolside, stu yourself with fried festival food or catch an outdoor concert, there’s an activity for every vibe as the temperatures rise. is list of 25 things to do when it’s hot AF outside will help you navigate the season, taking you from creamy whips and Kings Island to air-conditioned attractions and everything in between.*

1. TAKE A DIP IN A PUBLIC POOL

e good news is that many public pools will be opening in Greater Cincinnati this summer. e bad news is that because of sta ng shortages, not all of them can. e Cincinnati Recreation Commission (cincinnati-oh.gov/recreation) is opening eight of its 24 pools, with the goal of hiring additional lifeguards to open more. e pools at Dunham, McKie and Oakley are currently operational and Dempsey, Evanston, Hirsch, Lincoln and Pleasant Ridge open June 6. Daily and season passes are available. Covington’s (covingtonky.gov) Goebel Park Pool, Randolph Park Pool and the Latonia Water Park/Splash Pad open June 8 and entry is free for residents (with registration). In Newport (newportky.gov), the pool at Veteran’s Memorial Park is open with a $3 entry fee (free for seniors, military and those under age 4). Over-the-Rhine hotspot Ziegler Pool (zieglerpark.org) is also open for the season and only requires reservations for early-morning lap swimmers. Entry is $4 per day. Check each pool’s website for amenities — slides, climbing walls, concessions, etc. — and full details.

2. SPLASH THROUGH A SPRAYGROUND

You don’t have to be a kid to revel in the fun of a sprayground. Similar to running through a giant sprinkler, these centrally located public splash pads feature fountains, jets and other water elements to cool you down on a hot day. Bonus? ey’re free to enjoy and open daily. e Cincinnati Recreation Commission (cincinnati-oh.gov/recreation) operates nine spraygrounds — Caldwell, College Hill, Dyer, McKie, North Fairmount, Oakley, Oyler, Pleasant Ridge and South Fairmount — featuring fun and colorful sculptural elements. In the heart of the city, there are also spraygrounds at Washington Park (washingtonpark.org), Smale Riverfront Park (facebook.com/smaleriverfrontpark) and Ziegler Park (zieglerpark.org); the Otto Armleder Memorial Aquatic Spray Ground at Sawyer Point is closed this summer for maintenance.

3. RIDE THE 11 ORIGINAL ATTRACTIONS AT KINGS ISLAND

is summer marks Kings Island’s 50th anniversary. e amusement park staked its claim in Mason in 1972 as a replacement for the longtime — and frequently ooded — favorite Coney Island. While Coney only closed from 1971-1973 before reopening its attractions along the banks of the Ohio River, many of its classic rides (and employees) made their way to Kings Island. According to King Island’s area manager, digital marketer and roller coaster-enthusiast Don Helbig, there were only 60 attractions when the new theme park opened; today, there are more than 100. While we have loved and lost many favorites to retirement

Over-the-Rhine hotspot Ziegler Pool is open for the season.

PHOTO: HAILEY BOLLINGER

Kings Island’s Grand Carousel was built in 1926 and is the oldest ride in the park.

PHOTO: HAILEY BOLLINGER

(RIP Phantom eater), these 11 attractions have been around since the park opened in 1972, though several have been renamed, multiple times: Ei el Tower, Dodgem, Grand Carousel, e Racer, K.I. & Miami Valley Railroad, Monster, e Scrambler, Peanuts’ O -Road Rally (fka Pee Wee Raceway), Linus’ Beetle Bugs (fka Funky Phantom), Race for Your Life Charlie Brown (fka the Kings Mills Log Flume) and Woodstock Express (fka e Beastie). visitkingsisland.com.

4. WATCH THE SUNSET WHILE SIPPING A DRINK AT A ROOFTOP BAR

During summertime, it doesn’t get dark until late in the evening, which provides a perfect excuse to watch the sun go down and the city lights come up with a cocktail in hand. ese are the city’s top 10 rooftop bars, as voted by CityBeat readers in the 2022 Best Of Cincinnati issue.

Rhinegeist (1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, rhinegeist. com)

Braxton Brewing Company (27 W. Seventh St., Covington, braxtonbrewing.com) 21c Cocktail Terrace (609 Walnut St., Downtown, 21cmuseumhotels.com/cincinnati. Still closed for the season; check instagram.com/cocktailterrace/ for updates).

Top of the Park (506 E. Fourth St., Downtown, topoftheparkcincinnati.com)

City View Tavern (403 Oregon St., Mount Adams, facebook.com/cityviewtavern) e View at Shires’ Garden (309 Vine St., Downtown, theviewatshiresgarden.com)

AC Upper Deck (135 Joe Nuxhall Way, e Banks, acupperdeck.com)

Pins Mechanical Company (1124 Main St., Over-theRhine, pinsbar.com)

Bishop’s Quarter (212 W. Loveland Ave., Loveland, bishopsquarterbar.com) e Blind Pig (24 W. ird St., Downtown, blindpigcincy.com)

5. STUFF YOURSELF AT A FOOD FESTIVAL

Go Greek for the day or gorge on goetta at these seven favorite food festivals.

Newport Italianfest: Celebrate local Italian heritage with authentic eats, live music and history displays. June 9-12 at Newport’s Riverboat Row. Free. italianfestnewport.com.

Panegyri Greek Festival: Dance, drink and dine like you’re in Santorini. June 24-26 at Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Admission is $3. panegyri. com.

Rockin’ Taco Festival: is fest promises “a splash of Latino culture on the banks of the Ohio River” and lots of tacos. June 24-26 at Covington Plaza. Free. cincinnatifestivalsandevents.com.

Bacon, Bourbon and Brew: Hosted by Braxton Brewing, every menu item has to incorporate bacon, bourbon or beer. July 14-17 at Newport’s Festival Park. Free. cincinnatifestivalsandevents.com.

Cincy Soul: e Black Taste: Musicians, vendors and local Black-owned eateries celebrate African American heritage. July 22-24 at Sawyer Point. No admission details as of press time. cincysoulblacktaste.com.

Glier’s Goettafest: Enjoy everything from goettawurst and goetta nachos to goetta fudge, plus the world’s only goetta vending machine. July 28-31 and Aug. 4-7 at Newport’s Festival Park. Free. goetta.com/ goettafest.

Great Inland Seafood Festival: Get whole Maine lobsters and tons of other tasty crustaceans and sh. Aug. 11-14 at Newport’s Festival Park. Free. cincinnatifestivalsandevents.com.

6. PLAY SOME PICKLEBALL

Invented in the 1960s by the family of a congressman who used ping-pong paddles and wi e balls on a badminton court when they couldn’t nd their shuttlecock, pickleball seems to be Cincinnati’s new favorite sport. It can be played on tennis courts or regulation pickleball ones. Sawyer Point is in the process of resurfacing its popular pickleball courts through mid-summer, so players will have to nd elsewhere to enjoy some friendly competition until then. Locally, the Cincinnati Pickleball Club connects players, has a comprehensive list of places to play, and explains how to sign up to reserve a court. cincinnatipickleballclub.com.

7. SHOP AN OUTDOOR POP-UP

Warm weather means open-air markets, from makerfriendly pop-ups to outdoor antique fairs. Here are some upcoming summer shopping dates:

Art on Vine: Shop the work of local ne artists and crafters. Noon-6 p.m. June 5 and July 3 at Fountain Square. artonvinecincy.com.

Burlington Antique Show: Features more than 200 antique and vintage vendors. Admission fee. 6 a.m.-3 p.m. June 19, July 17 and Aug. 21 at the Boone County

Enjoy a sun- lled boozy afternoon at Rhinegeist’s rooftop bar.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY RHINEGEIST

Spot the world’s only goetta vending machine at Glier’s Goettafest.

PHOTO: HAILEY BOLLINGER

Fairgrounds. burlingtonantiqueshow.com.

Charm at the Farm: A shabby-chic vintage and maker market. Admission fee. June 10-12 and Aug. 19-21 on a former Lebanon horse farm. charmatthefarm.com. e City Flea: A “curated urban ea market.” Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 11, July 16 and Aug. 20 (includes a kid market) at Washington Park. thecity ea.com.

O.F.F. Market: A monthly market featuring local makers, vendors and food artisans. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 11, July 9 and Aug. 13 at Summit Park. theo market.org.

Second Sunday on Main: An Over-the-Rhine street festival with shopping, food, music and a monthly theme. Free. Noon-5 p.m. June 12, July 10 and Aug. 14 on Main Street. secondsundayonmain.org.

Tri-State Antique Market: Features items guaranteed to be at least 30 years old and/or out of production. Admission fee. 7 a.m.-3 p.m. June 5, July 3 and Aug. 7 at Lawrenceburg Fairgrounds. lawrenceburgantiqueshow.com.

WestSide Market: Features more than 100 local vendors, food trucks and activities. Free. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 4, July 2 and Aug. 6 at Westwood Town Hall. westsidemarketcincy.com.

8. CATCH A MOVIE AT A PUBLIC PARK

While Cincinnati has two great drive-in theaters nearby for some outdoor cinema — Starlite Drive-In and Holiday Auto eatre — plenty of parks in Greater Cincinnati also o er screenings of family-friendly (and not-so-family-friendly) movies throughout the summer.

Putz’s Creamy Whip has become an iconic beacon of summertime in Cincinnati.

PHOTO: SAMI STEWART

Mr Gene’s Doghouse in South Cumminsville has been serving up delicious hot dogs for 60 years.

PHOTO: SAMI STEWART

Here are three:

NightLight 513: is is a new 21+ movie pop-up and party coming to Sawyer Point this summer. e season kicks o with a screening of e Breakfast Club on June 16 and will feature a pre-show DJ, local food trucks and craft beer. Films begin at dusk, but general admission is at 7:30 p.m. Events are ticketed. nightlight513.com.

Summer Cinema at Washington Park: Free lms will be screened every Wednesday at the park’s bandstand beginning at 8 p.m. Parent Trap kicks o the season on June 8. Food trucks will be parked onsite and concessions — aka the bar — will be open. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket to claim your spot. washingtonpark. org.

Float-In Movie Nights at Great Parks: Swap your car for a rowboat to enjoy a movie at various lakes in Great Parks of Hamilton County this summer. ere are three screenings left — Jungle Cruise (June 3), Hairspray (July 8) and Ghostbusters: Afterlife (Aug. 19). Films begin at 9:30 p.m. Register online in advance; boat rental is $40. greatparks.org.

9. GO BERRY PICKING

Summertime means berry time and several local farms o er the public u-pick opportunities throughout the season. Crops can ripen at di erent rates based on weather, so check with each farm before heading out with your basket in tow. Blooms & Berries Farm Market (bloomsandberries.com) in Loveland o ers the chance to pick blueberries by the pound, typically in June and July. Indian Springs Berry Farm (indianspringsberryfarm.com) in Fair eld Township lets you harvest your own USDA-certi ed organic blackberries, generally starting in July. Alpine Berry Farm (alpineberryfarm.weebly.com) in Batesville, Indiana, opens around Father’s Day for blueberry picking. And Hidden Valley Orchard (hiddenvalleyorchards.com) in Lebanon o ers multiple u-pick options throughout the summer, including strawberries, blueberries, peaches, grapes and apples. Bright Star Acres (brightstaracres. com) blueberry farm in Kenton County, Kentucky has yet to list its 2022 dates.

10. TAKE A TOUR OF CREAMY WHIPS

Is it even summer without a visit to a neighborhood creamy whip? ese walk-up ice cream joints sling soft serve, chili dogs and nostalgia with a smile.

Putz’s Creamy Whip: e still-family-run Putz’s Creamy Whip rst opened in a trolley car in 1938 before relocating to its current concrete structure just down the hill from Mt. Airy Forest in the 1950s. A cult favorite, not much about this place has changed over the past several decades: they still use the same Electro-Freeze machine and it’s still cash only. putzscreamywhip.com.

Zip Dip: Westwood’s Zip Dip literally shines like a beacon of light through the dark — the iconic neon lightning bolt adorning the roof is unmistakable. It was added to the building in the 1950s and has been guiding customers through summer heat waves to ice cream salvation ever since. Try an orange and vanilla twist. zip-dip.com.

Mt. Healthy Dairy Bar: Mt. Healthy Dairy Bar has been serving leaning towers of soft serve for more than 65 years. If you’ve got a giant appetite and love a good challenge, they also have a monster sundae that jams three servings of ice cream and sundae toppings, four brownies and a banana into a ginormous bowl. facebook.com/MHDB98.

Norwood Delite Creamy Whip: is no-frills whip has been in Norwood for more than 65 years, serving everything from footlongs and barbecue to burgers and Cincinnati’s famed blueberry soft serve. facebook.com/ norwooddelitecreamywhip.

Silver Grove Dari Bar: Open since 1952, the Blitz — their take on a Dairy Queen Blizzard — is a favorite menu item at this little walk-up creamy whip in Northern Kentucky. facebook.com/silvergrovedaribar.

Bonus: Surprisingly, the AmeriStop gas station in Bellevue is a favorite creamy whip destination. Owner Meghal Patel is the brains behind the store’s dessert o erings, which draw patrons from across the Tri-State. He has two machines and rotates avors each week. facebook.com/ameribellevue.

11. HAVE A HOT DOG

Just like with creamy whips, Cincinnati is home to seasonally open walk-up hot dog stands that harken back to the nostalgia of summers’ past. Sharonville’s cult-favorite Root Beer Stand (therootbeerstand.com) originally opened as an A&W Root Beer Stand in 1957 and still makes its root beer using well water from the property. e eatery is famous for its foot-long Timmy Dog, topped with secret-recipe chili, cheese, onion, mustard, hot sauce, ketchup, relish, slaw and sauerkraut. Mr. Gene’s Doghouse (mrgenesdoghouse.com) in South Cumminsville has been slinging dogs for 60 years. Signature menu items include a classic Chicago Dog, a Rueben Dog and a popular Slaw Dog loaded with chili and coleslaw.

Spend a Sunday oating down one of Greater Cincinnati’s rivers in a canoe or kayak. Loveland Canoe & Kayak (lovelandcanoe.com) o ers a 2-4 hour paddling party down the Little Miami River and past Historic Loveland Castle. Morgan’s Outdoor Adventures (morganscanoe.com) has spots in Ft. Ancient on the Little Miami River, in Brookville on the Whitewater River and even in Costa Rica, with trips 3-7 miles long. Green Acres Kayak (greenacrescanoe.com) in Harrison is located on the Whitewater River and o ers 3-, 5- or 8-mile trips. Check with each business about reservations, boat rental fees and what you can — and can’t — bring with you. (We’re looking at you, ca-brewers). Use your new watercraft skills during Ohio River Paddlefest (ohioriverpaddlefest.org) on Aug. 6. ousands will take to the Ohio River in canoes and kayaks in the nation’s largest paddling party.

13. SUNBATHE ON LOCAL BEACHES

We may not have a coastline here in the Midwest, but several nearby state parks are home to lakeside public beaches. About an hour away, Caesar Creek State Park (ohiodnr.gov) in Waynesville o ers a 1,300foot beach that is open to the public 6 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. After a day of hiking, mountain biking, shing or boating, hang out on the beach or take a dip in the lake. East Fork State Park (ohiodnr.gov) in Clermont County is one of Ohio’s largest state parks, o ering trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking, as well as access to shing and boating. e 1,200-foot beach is open dawn to dusk and has amenities like changing booths, showers and restrooms.

14. SNACK YOUR WAY THROUGH CINCINNATI STADIUMS

e Cincinnati Reds (reds.com) may be having one of their worst seasons in recent memory, but they aren’t the only sports team in town. MLS soccer team FC Cincinnati (fccincinnati.com) and Frontier League baseball team the Florence Y’alls ( orenceyalls.com) are both heating up their respective stadiums. And regardless of whether any of the teams’ performances can entice you, their stadium eats surely can. Great American Ball Park revealed several new menu items this season, from loaded vegetarian hot dogs and a cone stu ed with barbecued meat to the Rookie Cookie Fry Box: french fries smothered in chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, crumbled Oreos, bits of chocolate-chip cookies and miniature marshmallows. TQL Stadium welcomed a new executive chef this season and a bevy of new dining options, including dishes from locals Lucius Q and Fusian. ose with Cincinnatus Club seats can indulge in a Lucho Burger from Blue Ash burger joint Sammy’s. Named for player Lucho Acosta, the sandwich features a special burger grind, cheese, peppers and chimichurri aioli. e Y’alls omas More Stadium o ers classic ballpark eats and a few fun drinks. e bourbon peach slushie is a popular option.

15. RIDE A WATERSLIDE

is summer, Coney Island hopes to make history. Between noon on June 17 and noon on June 18, Coney Island will attempt to set a world record for the most people down a water slide in 24 hours. e attempt will take place on e Twister, a 45-foot-high water slide that features four separate chutes twisting and turning over a quarter mile in length before dropping riders into the pool. If you can’t take part in this feat, you can still hit the park’s waterslides anytime this summer, bounce across a oating obstacle course or lounge in the world’s largest recirculating pool, aka Sunlite Pool. coneyislandpark.com.

Embark upon an unforgettable outdoor adventure courtesy of Loveland Canoe & Kayak.

PHOTO: SAVANA WILLHOITE

The indulgent Rookie Cookie Fry Box is one of the newest additions to the Great American Ball Park’s new menu.

PHOTO: ALLISON BABKA

16. HIT A LOCAL BIKE TRAIL

Looking for the best trails to bike this summer? We asked Wade Johnston, director of area bikeway advocacy group Tri-State Trails, for his recommendations. Plan your ride with their “Low-Stress Bike Map” feature. tristatetrails.org.

Whitewater Canal Trail: “What used to be three noncontiguous trail segments has now connected into a cohesive 11-mile trail spanning from the Laurel Fedder Dam almost all the way to downtown Brookville. is scenic corridor traverses through historic downtown Metamora and features memorable locks from the former Whitewater Canal.”

Wasson Way: “ e recent extension of Wasson Way through the treetops of Ault Park is a must see. is east-west corridor of the planned CROWN 34-mile urban trail loop now spans roughly 6 miles and connects to downtown Mariemont via the Murray Path.”

Great Miami River Trail: “Last year, a key gap between Middletown and Franklin was closed, after nearly a decade of e ort. You can now ride roughly 65 miles from Middletown through Dayton to Piqua, which is a big deal!”

‘Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience’ opens June 1 in the former Gidding-Jenny department store.

PHOTO: DAN SWARTZ FOR EXHIBITION HUB & FEVER

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is set to host its free Shakespeare in the Park series this summer.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY CINCINNATI SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

Riverfront Commons: “Covington’s riverfront got a makeover last year with a new amphitheater and improved trail alignment west of the Roebling Bridge. On top of that, Covington recently extended the trail’s western terminus to Swain Court, which drastically improves biking to West Covington and Ludlow, as well as featuring a spectacular riverfront view of Cincinnati.”

Ohio River Trail: “Cincinnati is doing its part to advance the regional vision for the Ohio River Way between Portsmouth and Louisville by building out new connections in the Ohio River Trail. Last year, a critical link between Lunken Airport and Coney Island was completed. is eastern leg of the CROWN extends roughly 7 miles from Schmidt Field in the East End to Kellogg Park in Anderson Township.”

Little Miami Scenic Trail: “I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Little Miami Scenic Trail, also lovingly referred to as the Loveland Bike Trail. Unfortunately, a key stretch of this trail will be closed through December for the construction of a new bridge at King Ave./Grandin Road near Cartridge Brewing. When complete, the trail will feature an improved trailhead, parking lot and tunnel to bypass the road intersection.”

17. TAKE A HIKE

Both Great Parks of Hamilton County and Cincinnati Parks — recently named the fourth best parks system in the nation — have excellent hiking trails. But the Cincinnati Nature Center in Milford o ers a fun “Hike for Your Health Challenge” that comes with its own passport. e center’s Rowe Woods spans more than 1,000 acres and features over 14 miles of trails, rated from easy to di cult. Hike all 17 (including those at the

18. GO TO AN OUTDOOR CONCERT

With the addition of the festival stage at downtown’s newish Andrew J Brady Music Center (bradymusiccenter.com) and Newport’s indoor/outdoor PromoWest Pavilion at OVATION (promowestlive.com) to the existing Riverbend Music Center (riverbend.org), Cincinnati is now a prime spot to catch a concert under the stars. Some big-name acts heading through town this summer include Maren Morris (June 25) and Glass Animals (Aug. 3) at the Brady; Bon Iver (June 21), Death Cab for Cutie (July 7) and Wilco (Aug. 16) at OVATION; and Dead & Company (June 22), Rod Stewart (July 12), Jimmy Bu ett (July 21), Backstreet Boys (July 26), Alica Keys (Aug. 18) and Wiz Khalifa (Aug. 27) at Riverbend.

19. WATCH SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK

e Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is bringing its super popular, free Shakespeare in the Park series to public spots across the Tri-State, with productions from Over-the-Rhine to West Chester and beyond. is summer’s show is Twelfth Night, which CSC describes as a “lively rom-com on an island where everyone is in love with someone — and the wrong person loves them back.” e season kicks o July 15 at Seasongood Pavilion in Eden Park. cincyshakes.com.

20. COOL OFF IN AIR-CONDITIONED ATTRACTIONS

Need to beat the heat? Take a break in the air conditioning. Local museums are a great option for a cool retreat, and the Taft Museum of Art (taftmuseum. org) reopens to the public with Jane Austen: Fashion & Sensibility on June 11, featuring costumes from famous Austen lm and TV adaptations. Another big indoor attraction opening this summer is Van Gogh: e Immersive Experience (vangoghexpo.com), a largescale digital art and virtual reality experience at the former Gidding-Jenny department store downtown. It opens June 1 and there is an entry fee. Escape under the sea at the Newport Aquarium (newportaquarium. com), which features everything from shark bridges and touch tanks to glowing jelly sh and a new 60,000-gallon coral reef tunnel.

21. VISIT THE MIDWAY AT A CHURCH FESTIVAL OR COUNTY FAIR

As sh frys are synonymous with the Lenten season in Cincinnati, so too are church fairs with summer. e Catholic Telegraph (thecatholictelegraph.com/ festivals) has a full list of Cincinnati-area fests, full of carnival rides, games, live music, funnel cake, beer and even light gambling. One of the rst of the season — All Saints Catholic Church Festival in Kenwood (June 3-5) — has it all, from local craft beer and food trucks to blackjack and bourbon tastings. For a similar vibe, the Hamilton County Fair (hamiltoncountyfair.com) is back Aug. 11-14 with a midway full of rides and games, livestock displays, demolition derbies, arts and crafts exhibits, tons of fried food, giant tomatoes and all the

22. GET NOSTALGIC AT A POP-UP ROLLER RINK

Get ready to lace up those skates: Frisch’s and 3CDC have partnered to host a special pop-up roller skating rink at Court Street Plaza downtown this summer. e retro experience launched during Memorial Day weekend and has additional dates July 1-4 and Aug. 5-7, with events into October. e rink spans 10,000 square feet and o ers rentable skates. ere is an admission fee and skate rental fee; guests also can bring their own skates. Event details are searchable on Facebook.

23. STOCK UP AT THE FARMERS MARKET

In need of farm-fresh, seasonal produce? Farmers markets abound in Cincinnati, with one happening most days of the week. Here are three favorites, as voted by CityBeat readers in the 2022 Best Of Cincinnati issue.

Findlay Market: Ohio’s continuously-operated public market is full of independent vendors and a markethouse stocked with meat, veggies, homemade bread and sweets. On weekends, the shed plays host to area farmers selling their fresh-picked goods, including wild owers. ndlaymarket.org.

Hyde Park Farmers’ Market: Held 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays through October on Hyde Park Square, the market features more than 35 food artisans and produce from sustainable farmers. Check the website to see what’s fresh that week. hydeparkfarmersmarket.com.

Northside Farmers Market: is year-round market is held 4-7 p.m. on Wednesdays during the summer at North Church. Browse everything from baked goods and farm-fresh eggs to apothecary items and seasonal produce. Pre-ordering is available online. northsidefm. org.

24. DORA DISTRICTS

DORA districts — or Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas — are popping up in neighborhoods across Greater Cincinnati. In these speci c spaces, you can grab a beer, wine or cocktail to sip while you stroll, either from shop to shop or in the great outdoors. Westwood (westwoodcivic.org) recently hosted the grand opening of its 14-acre DORA along Harrison Avenue and e Banks (thebankscincy.com) opened its 85-acre DORA last year. Other neighborhoods including Loveland (lovelandoh.gov), Bellevue (bellevueky.org), Milford (downtownmilford.com), Hamilton (hamilton-oh.gov) and Summit Park (summitparkblueash. com) in Blue Ash have their very own designated areas where visitors can have an open beer or cocktail, as long as they follow some simple rules: beverages must be in branded DORA cups, alcohol must remain in the boundaries of the district and drinkers must be 21+. Each neighborhood’s DORA hours and regulations are slightly di erent, so it’s best to check with each before imbibing.

25. WATCH A PARADE OR FIND SOME FIREWORKS

Two of the most colorful annual parades take place during summer in Cincinnati. After being limited for two years due to COVID, the Cincinnati Pride (cincinnatipride.org) parade and main celebration takes place on June 25, with oats, dance troupes, drag queens and LGBTQIA+ supporters of all stripes proceeding through downtown and into Sawyer Point. Fest headliners this year are singer/songwriter and transgender rights activist Shea Diamond, pop singer Jordy, Glee’s Alex Newell and Grammy-winner Daya. After a canceled event in 2020 and a house oat tour in 2021, the eccentric Northside Fourth of July Parade (northsidejuly4.com) will be back in full swing this year. ousands line the streets to see creative handmade oats from vintage stores, bars and community organizations; local marching bands; drill teams; every local politician you’ve ever heard of; ladies dancing with lawn chairs; guys dancing with power tools; and other unexpected and delightful displays of pride and spirit. e event is the centerpiece of a weekend of events down at the Northside Rock N’ Roll Carnival (northsiderocks.com). Blue Ash is bringing live music back to its big Fourth of July party. is year’s Red, White & Blue Ash (blueashevents.com) will be headlined by Pop artist Gavin DeGraw, and Cincinnati’s own Blessid Union of Souls will open the show. e day will also be full of rides, wandering entertainment and food and drink vendors, with an Arthur Rozzi Pyrotechnics reworks show to close out the night. While details are still being determined for Riverfest (webn.iheart.com), it is the best way to say goodbye to summer in Cincinnati. Launched more than four decades ago to celebrate the 10th anniversary of radio station WEBN, the Labor Day weekend bash features food, music, major tra c jams and one of the largest rework displays in the Midwest.

The Northside Fourth of July Parade returns to its full glory this year.

PHOTO: HAILEY BOLLINGER

Sip and stroll through various DORA districts.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE CITY OF HAMILTON

*Note: is is not a comprehensive list of everything you can do or attend this summer.

SUMMERSCHOOL

Class is in session! Education doesn’t have to stop with graduation, and learning new skills isn’t just for kids. e fun of being a grown-up is being able to only go to the classes you actually want to attend. is summer, expand your horizons and get schooled on everything from how to make an excellent risotto, plant a pollinator garden, use a pottery wheel or even learn how to speak beginner’s French. e opportunities are endless.*

* is is not a full list of all classes, topics or locations at which to take classes in Greater Cincinnati.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Xavier University Accelerated Bachelor of Science Program

is 16-month ABSN program for those with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree has three start dates per year, with rolling admission. Programs start in January, May and August. Get more info at acceleratednursing. xavier.edu.

MISCELLANEOUS

Campbell County Public Library

is Northern Kentucky library chain hosts educational events for adults, as well as crafting events, lectures and book clubs. Get more info, cost and register at cc-pl.org. Upcoming examples include:

Sea Salt & Watercolor Bookmarks: June 7

Co ee Tips and Tricks with Mercede: June 22

Harness the Power of Storm Water Runo : July 7

Cincinnati Public Library

e Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County o ers a plethora of programs and classes for all ages. Topics range from reading assistance and ESOL to crafting and conversation. Get more info, cost and register at cincinnatilibrary.org. Upcoming examples include:

Breaking the Silence: A Class of Conversation: June 9

Virtual Explore 101: So, You Want to Try Stand-Up Comedy: June 14

Virtual Explore 101: Paint Like the Masters: June 23

Clifton Cultural Arts Center

e Clifton Cultural Arts Center is a nonpro t arts organization that hosts events, exhibits and classes. Classes are divided by age group and interest, with topics ranging from writing and dance to theater and art. Get more info, cost and register at cliftonculturalarts.org. Upcoming examples include:

On Becoming an Author: June 18-July 23

Absolute Beginner Tap Dance: June 20-Aug. 29

Comedy Boot-Camp: July 12-Aug. 2

Kenton County Public Library

is Northern Kentucky public library chain hosts events for all ages, including adults. Topics range from cooking and community to health and wellness and career help. Get more info, cost and register at kentonlibrary.org. Upcoming examples include:

Needle Felting: June 7

Basic Excel: June 14

Virtual History Tour: Southern Kenton County: June 15

University of Cincinnati Communiversity

is non-credited program at UC is focused on adult learners with a passion for new things. Experts, artisans and UC educators lead these weekday or weekend programs, either in-person or online. Get more info, cost and register at uc.edu/about/ continuing-ed/communiversity.html. Upcoming examples include:

Beginning Conversational French: June 15; lasts six weeks

Travel in Italy: June 16

Beginning Stained Glass: June 25

Summer Winemaking Workshop: June 30

Photoshop for Hobbyists: July 12-19

Wedding Ballroom Dance Workshop: July 13-Aug. 10

ARTS & CRAFTS

Art Academy of Cincinnati

e Art Academy o ers a slew of artistic courses for adults, with both one-time and ongoing classes. Get more info, cost and register at artacademy.edu/com-ed/com-ed. php.

Upcoming examples include:

Intro to Woodworking: June 6-Aug. 8

Portrait Techniques of the Masters: June 8-July 27

Make It Workshop: Ceramic Jewelry: July 30

Art at the Barn

is Ohio Cultural Center is home to the Women’s Art Club of Cincinnati, o ering a plethora of one-day or ongoing classes. Get more info, cost and register at artatthebarn.org. Upcoming examples include:

Paint the Bob Ross Way: June 12 and July 10

Ikebana (Japanese Flower Arrangement): Fourth Friday of the month

Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting: Aug. 4-25

Brazee Street Studios’ Glassroom

Brazee Street Studios in Oakley hosts in-person glassmaking classes and also o ers kits for purchase for all levels of artists. Get more info, cost and register at glassroomart.com. Upcoming examples include:

Torch to Kiln: Florals: June 17

Introduction to Glass Beadmaking: Part 1: July 21 and July 22

Core Clay

Learn to hand-build or wheel-turn your own pottery. Get more info, cost and register at coreclay.com.

Beginner Classes: is six-week program is available on Monday, Wednesday and ursday evenings as well as Tuesday mornings and Saturday afternoons.

Bootcamps: Core Clay hosts twoday bootcamps on June 11 and 12 and July 16 and 17 to learn how to throw on a wheel.

Greg Storer Art

Artist Greg Storer hosts a series of classes for youths and adults. Start dates begin within 30 days of registration and include one or two classes per week focused on exercises and projects to learn the fundamentals of drawing or painting. Get more info, cost and register at artclassescincinnati.com.

Hank, A Yarn Boutique

is yarn store hosts ongoing knit nights and workshops for all types of knitters. ere’s a Rookie Sweater School on Monday and Wednesday and Knitting with Hank for smaller projects on Tuesday and Friday. Get more info, cost and register at hankyarn.com.

Manifest

Manifest is a gallery and creative education center which provides quality and accessible art-based learning to the public. Get more info, cost and register at manifestgallery. org.

Open Sessions: ese weekly programs are open to all and include no instruction. Learn how to draw gures from life or from casts. Open photo lab sessions are available to those who have completed and orientation.

Instructed Courses: e upcoming four-week program focuses on Expressive and Symbolic Color, with a registration deadline of July 4. Drawing as Mindfulness is another guided, eight-week program with session start dates on Jun 6, June 13, June 20 and June 27.

Queen City Clay

is pottery spot o ers both one-day and multi-week hands-on learning opportunities, as well as workshops. Get more info, cost and register at queencityclay.com.

Adult Class: e multi-week adult summer class session for everyone from beginners to advanced students starts on June 13 or July 11, with class topics ranging from mugs and wall pockets to ramen and rice bowls.

One-Night: Hand-building and open wheel classes take place frequently.

Sew Valley

is nonpro t has a mission of focusing on “sustainable, apparel focused, small batch manufacturing, education and membership for small designers.” Hands-on sewing and textile classes are open to the public. Get more info, cost and register at sewvalley.org. Upcoming examples include:

Summer Sandal Workshop: June 11

Silk Road Textiles

is College Hill fabric, ber and textile shop sells ethically produced items from across the globe. Textilefocused classes are for crafters of all skillsets. Get more info, cost and register at silkroadcincinnati.com. Upcoming examples include:

Intro to Rigid Heddle Weaving on a Cricket Loom: June 5 and June 19

Getting to Know Your Sewing Machine: June 11

Beginner Mini Quilt: June 16 and June 23

Taft Museum of Art

e Taft Museum of Art brings in local creatives to lead themed classes. Get more info, cost and register at taftmuseum.org. Upcoming examples include:

Jane Austen Embroidery: July 16

Beginner’s Bookbinding: Aug. 6

Wave Pool Wood Shop

is Camp Washington art gallery and creative studio has an in-house wood shop. Experienced woodworkers can join a co-op for access to the shop, and Wave Pool o ers classes for beginners or intermediate woodworkers. Upcoming schedule not listed as of press time. Get more info, cost and register at wavepoolgallery. org.

COOKING CLASSES

e Cooking School at Jungle Jim’s

is cooking school located within Jungle Jim’s features both hands-on and demo cooking classes. No matter the type of class, students get recipe packs and to taste each dish, served with wine. Get more info, cost and reserve at junglejims.com. Upcoming examples include:

Handmade Ricotta Gnocchi: June 16

Lobster Pasta Date Night: June 21

Weeknight Summer Chicken: June 28

Restaurant-Style Dining at Home Date Night: June 30

e Learning Kitchen

Learn to make each recipe at your own cooktop. Get more info, cost and reserve at thelearningkitchen.com. Upcoming examples include:

Date Night: KY Bourbon Steak: June 10

Philly Cheesesteak & Perfect Fries: June 13

Parent-Child Date Night: DetroitStyle Pizza from Scratch: June 22

Light Summer Pasta: June 29

Out of yme

O ers hands-on cooking classes for all levels of expertise, working in groups of two. Classes include recipes and dinner. Current class o erings are sold-out through June. Get more info, cost and reserve at outofthymechef.com.

Tablespoon Cooking Co.

is cooking school in Findlay Market o ers hands-on options that frequently sell out. June classes have not been announced as of press time. Get more info, cost and reserve at tablespooncookingco.com.

Turner Farm

e Teaching Kitchen at Turner Farm — an organic farm and education center in Indian Hill — features cooking classes focused on seasonal, local food as well as health and wellness. June classes have not been announced as of press time. Get more info, cost and reserve at turnerfarm.org

DANCE & THEATER CLASSES

Cincinnati Ballet

Cincinnati Ballet faculty teach dance and dance-inspired classes for all levels of adult dancers with ongoing programs. Topics include ballet basics, street dance, modern dance and more tness-focused classes like barre. Get more info, cost and register at cballet.org/adult-dance-schedule.

Mutual Dance eatre

Mutual Dance eatre hosts ongoing Mutual Arts Education programs for all levels of adults. Class topics include ballet, modern dance, musical theater, hip hop and improvisational. Get more info, cost and register at mutualdance.org.

Salsannati

Learn Salsa and Bachata dance with programs for beginners to level 2 and level 3 dancers. Classes are o ered two separate nights per week. Start date has not been announced for the next session. Get more info, cost and register at salsannati.com.

Improv Cincinnati

is improv theater in Clifton hosts workshops, classes, team building exercise and also performs. Improv 101 classes teach the basics of the genre “through games and exercises focusing on spontaneity, listening and creative collaboration.” Multi-week 101 classes begin June 28 and July 9. Get more info, cost and register at improvcincinnati.com.

GARDENING & OUTDOORS

Civic Garden Center

e nonpro t Civic Garden Center “has been teaching people how to grow food and care for the environment” since 1942. e organization hosts a series of classes and workshops focused on everything from sustainability and homesteading to gardening. Get more info, cost and register at civicgardencenter.org.

Eve Floral Co.

is local orist o ers a Flower Design + Wine Workshop where attendees can learn the basics of how to craft a seasonal and “textural” oral centerpiece while sipping on wine from Oakley Wines from female winemakers. Light snacks, wine and supplies provided. Upcoming dates Aug. 5 and Sept. 9. Get more info, cost and register at eve oralco.com.

Great Parks of Hamilton County

Hamilton County’s parks hosts a series of outdoor-focused classes for adults ranging from archery and biking to kayaking, including Women in the Outdoors Series: Kayak Basics: Flatwater on June 4. Get more info, cost and reserve at greatparks.org/discovery/ adults.

Lloyd Library & Museum

Downtown’s Lloyd Library is home to a vast collection of plant-based art, history and ephemera relating to medicine and science. Events and classes typically revolve around the current exhibit on display. Get more info, cost and reserve at lloydlibrary. org. Upcoming examples include: e Power of Nature Photograph for Bird Conservation: June 8 e Secret Lives of Fungi: July 20

LANGUAGE CLASSES

Alliance Française de Cincinnati

Learn to speak French in small groups. Alliance Française says it o ers “regular and thematic adult classes” on a 10-week cycle, ranging from beginner to expert with quicker courses on French culture. e last cycle started on April 11. Get more info, cost and register at afcincinnati. com.

Cincinnati Spanish School

is Spanish language schools o ers classes for adults of all skill levels. e immersive and conversational classes are conducted in small groups. e current rotation of classes started on June 1 and lasts nine weeks. Get more info, cost and register at cincinnatispanishschool. com.

Women Writing for (a) Change

Per its description, this nonpro t’s classes encourage self-expression through the art of writing and other creative processes. Topics include genres ranging from poetry and personal essay to ction and even song-writing. e eight-week Core Classes are o ered for women only or all genders and start in June or July (as well as August-December and January-May). e Core classes focus less on instruction and more on writing, while programs like Craft of Writing includes instruction and exercises. Women Writing for (a) Change also o ers specialty classes. Get more info, cost and register at womenwriting.org. Upcoming examples include:

Let’s Be Perfectly Queer: June 14-Aug. 2

Free Core Class Sampler: June 18

Free Craft of Writing Sampler: June 12