1. The Only Correct Response To “Who Dey!” Is “Who Dey!”
Locals practically come out of the womb knowing this call. Just don’t ever respond with “Who dat?” unless you want to see some seriously angry Bengals fans.
2. You'll Have To Choose: Bearcats Or Musketeers
No college sports team is without its rivals, but when it comes to basketball the rivalry between the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University is one for the ages. Don’t expect fans to be friendly to each other on Crosstown Shootout day.
3. Cincinnati Has World-Class Chili
Source: Instagram user Melissa Rupp
It might be a little weird to be so known for chili, but Cincinnatians don’t mind. Skyline Chili might be the most well-known, but locals are also partial to Gold Star Chili. Just put it on spaghetti or a hot dog and you’re good to go.
4. Red, White And Black Are The Only Acceptable Baseball Colors
The Cincinnati Reds were first, so it only makes sense that their stadium is the Great American Ball Park. Fans who remember or even hear stories of The Big Red Machine will forever be unable to cheer for another baseball team.
5. It's Official: Cincy Is A Cool City
What, you’re surprised? New York Magazine christened Cincinnati a cool city, thanks to new breweries with cold brews and recent restaurants with unique food. So there.
6. That Actually Has A Bunch Of Nicknames
Whether it’s The Queen City, Cincy, ‘Nati or Porkopolis, the best thing to call it is simply “home.”
7. Oktoberfest Will Make You Believe You’re German
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is the largest Oktoberfest in the U.S. Period. Around 80,000 bratwurst, 64, 000 sauerkraut balls and 400 pickled pigs’ feet all get nommed by hungry Cincinnatians every year.
8. Remember, Saying “Please” Doesn’t Mean Someone Is Polite
“Please” in this city is the same as when other people would say “excuse me,” so don’t be confused when a local mishears you and seems to be extra polite.
9. Every Cincinnatian Has Been To NKY
NYC? Nah, they prefer NKY. Northern Kentucky is literally just across the Ohio River, so it’s pretty common for locals to live in Cincinnati and work in NKY, or the other way around.
10. Goetta Is Way Better Than Regular Old Sausage
Every Cincinnatian has tried goetta at least once, and it’s a staple for more than a few. It’s best served at breakfast.
11. But If You Haven’t Been To Arnold’s You’re Not A True Local
Even if you’ve lived in Cincy for five years, if you’ve never been to Arnold’s Bar and Grill you might as well have just moved yesterday. It opened in 1861, so everyone has literally grown up with it being a city fixture.
12. You Have To Make Time For At Least One Music Festival
Can’t make Bunbury Music Festival, Buckle Up Music Festival or Cincinnati Music Festival in July? That’s OK, the MidPoint Music Festival is coming up in September? Still can’t make that one? Well, there’s always the MusicNOW Festival in March. Cincinnatians love their music.
13. Sorry Everyone, Jerry’s Not The Mayor Anymore
Sure, it was back in the 1970s, but Cincinnatians will never let it go. And they’ll always miss him.
14. Cincinnatians Know Christmas At The Cincinnati Zoo Is Magic
You ain’t never seen a zoo do something like this. Santa’s a given, of course, but what really rocks is the stunning light displays, freshly-baked cookies and fun-for-all-ages puppet show.
15. Be On The Lookout For Surprise Snow
Usually Cincinnatians see about 25.2 inches of snow. But this last year the area got a whopping 44 inches. Be on the lookout, you never know when you’ll need that shovel.
16. You’ll Feel Transported To Another Time In OTR
The Over-the-Rhine neighborhood’s architecture is chock-full of classical details. Large, ornate homes and buildings make walking in this neighborhood an eye-opening, shutter-clicking experience.
17. Cincinnatians Know Their Bridge Will Blow Your Bridge Away
Even though the Roebling Bridge looks suspiciously like the Brooklyn Bridge it’s NOT a copycat. It came first. 19 years before the other one. So don’t go pointing fingers.
18. Findlay Market Has The Best Fresh Food In The City
As the oldest public market in Ohio, Findlay Market has a pretty big rep to uphold. But it never fails. The seasonal farmers market offers only locally-grown produce and the year-round vendors sell everything from meat to beans.
19. Don’t Be Thrown Off By The Rubber Ducks In The River
The Rubber Duck Regatta benefits a local food bank, but what’s really astounding is the sheer number of ducks that make it in. In 2014 150,000 ducks took to the river by hopefuls trying to win the car and other cash prizes.
20. Fountain Square Is Where All The Cool Kids Hang
Okay so in this instance “cool kids” actually refers to everyone. Events like Rocktober on the Square and the Cincinnati Beer Festival take place all year, and everyone flocks to the bars and restaurants.
21. Cincinnatians Are Crazy About Running
Thanks to the Flying Pig Marathon, Run Like Hell, the Cincinnati Half Marathon, the Cheetah Run and the dozens of other marathons and 5Ks in the city, it’s clear that Cincinnati is one fit city. And they could outrun you any day.
22. It’s Hard To Pick One Neighborhood To Love
Cincinnatians know the truth: there’s something unique in every corner of the city. Neighborhoods such as Pleasant Ridge, Over-the-Rhine, Oakley and Hyde Park all have their share of fans.
23. The Best Water Tower In The U.S.? Check.
It’s still hard to accept that this Eden Park structure was originally built to store water. All Cincinnatians see nowadays is the communication tower and an awesome pretty photo opp.
24. Cincinnati Culture Is Three For The Price Of One
Some cities make you go all over town to get your fill of culture. Not Cincy. All the awesome of the Cincinnati History Museum, the Duke Energy Children’s Museum and the Museum of Natural History and Science are under one roof.
25. Summer In Cincy Means Graeter’s Ice Cream 24/7
When ice cream is created in small batches in two-gallon pots and hand-packed into cartons, you know it has to be delectable. It doesn’t matter whether you try Graeter’s black raspberry chocolate chip, the chocolate coconut almond chip or a seasonal favorite like pumpkin, there’s only one guarantee – you’ll be hooked.
26. Cincinnati Is A Tasty City On Memorial Day Weekend
The Taste of Cincinnati isn’t just the longest-running food festival in the U.S., it’s also one of the largest, with half a million attendees each year. And no wonder considering the delicious food that shows up from restaurants around the city.
27. If You’ve Never Thought A Cemetery Could Be Beautiful, You’ve Never Been To Spring Grove Cemetery
OK, so this is technically a cemetery AND an arboretum, so that might be why it’s so beautiful, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that it is indeed a pretty sight.
28. Midwest Friendliness Is Alive And Well In Cincinnati
It’s hard to walk down the street in Cincinnati without a stranger saying hello. They might actually hold the door for you. Just remember to answer them if they say “please?”
What have you had to explain to out-of-towners about Cincinnati? Tell us in the comments below!
