Cincinnati, Ohio, I have some apologizing to do. For years, I have called you
"Cincinnappy" or "Cincinnasty" without checking to see if you have done anything
about your problems. Judging from my visits in the past few years, it looks like you
have; I'm more sorry than a bowl of Skyline Chili without the crackers. Cincinnati's
downtown and riverfront have come a long way. Between two new stadiums,
attractive, modern buildings and a total revamp of the frontage road on the Ohio,
Cinci looks fantastic. Its skyline, always impressive due to its valley location and
winding hills, makes the city look larger than it actually is. I recently got to check
out the Hyde Park neighborhood; a cute enclave with a bunch of boutique shops
and restaurants. The college-aged Clifton area is a nice (if not slightly grungy)
neighborhood also. Cincinnati's newer Underground Railroad Museum is intriguing.
Although efforts to redevelop the much-blighted Over-The-Rhine neighborhood
have been successful in ways, this is still a very scary part of town. Cinci, you've
come a long way, aesthetically. Now, about your political ideology...
Columbus, Ohio is something of an enigma. True, it is located squarely in the
center of a mostly conservative state. True, it is surrounded by corn and soybean
fields. True, only pancakes are more flat than Columbus' terrain. But Ohio's capital
city will astound you. Unlike other cities in its region, Columbus is very clean. A
visitor might get the impression that the city went through hell to get to this point,
and that it definitely intends on staying this way. Its Brewery District is remarkably
well-preserved and German Village makes one feel as though they've stepped back
into the Old World. The Short North is a thriving, energetic and entertaining halfway
point between Ohio State and Downtown. If nightlife and shopping don't impress
you, take a look at Columbus' almost-stunning variation in architecture. Its skyline
is a testimony to harmony between old and modern styles. Columbus' parks are
also noteworthy. The city is not only a cultural oasis in the middle of midwestern
farmland; it is a strong liberal base in Ohio. Columbus has been ranked as one of the
"most underrated gay-friendly cities in the U.S." If you've ever wondered why the
city is surprisingly stylish, now you know why.
