Cincinnati: Business and Pleasure

Back in July Grady had a week of business in Cincinnati and the whole family tagged along. (Because a two bedroom, two bathroom suite for the win.) If Grady has to travel somewhere that is easily driveable, we make every effort to turn the business trip into a family adventure.

It had been almost 16 years since Grady and I have been back to Cincinnati - and by back I mean to walk past the hotel that hosted us for a formal dinner event our senior year of college! It was funny to be staying at a hotel that was just across the street from the hotel we enjoyed with friends a long time ago when we were young and in love. This time, we were anything but young and traipsing four kids along city streets, but still madly in love.

While Cincinnati hasn't usually been top of our list for tourist destinations, I admit, there was plenty to do and see for our week there. Our hotel was an easy walk to plenty of places to eat and parks to enjoy so not everything we explored required a car ride. (Speaking of places to eat - ever been to Tom and Chee? If you've watched Shark Tank it's a must-visit lunch or dinner option.)

Because Cincinnati is a short six hours from my parents house, they met us for a day and night and we visited the Ark Encounter together. We spent about five hours at the Ark and it was worth every penny we paid. If you have the chance, I highly recommend a visit to the Ark Encounter or to the Creation Museum - they are both extremely well done.

We also enjoyed a day at the Cincinnati Zoo. We've been to a lot  of zoos, but this one may be one of the best we've visited. After six hours of looking at and interacting with animals, and still not having seen it all, we called it a day. And, after watching a cheetah show, Grady Lee once again confirmed that if he can't play professional sports for a living it will be something with animals.

Grady has a custom of trying to watch a professional game of whatever team is in the city he's visiting, so it was no surprise when he enthusiastically announced we were going to see the Reds play. Aside from the air being a muggy 87 degrees with no hint of a breeze, it was a great game. The kids think it was especially great because Grady had an all-you-can-eat pass so we all enjoyed unlimited hot dogs, popcorn, chips, and peanuts.

We also spent a day visiting the Reds Museum and a Baseball Hall of Fame Museum - enthralling for my boys and air-conditioned for me with the firm expectation of ice cream afterward so it was a win for everyone.

Add on a day at a children's museum that was wonderfully geared for Jaxton and Annalyse, swimming at the hotel pool, and one too many trips to get ice cream and play in the park fountains, and you have a glimpse of our week.

Dad worked hard all week so that we could play hard all week. He is a servant to our family and we are grateful for the tag-along opportunities to see and enjoy new places.