Cincinnati: Education, Culture and Recreation
The livability, charm, and diversity of this riverfront city and the pride of its 1.4 million inhabitants make it easy to understand why Cincinnati has been called "one of the best-kept secrets in America."
Cincinnati is a major center of learning. The University of Cincinnati, of which the Medical Center is part, dates back to 1819. The first municipal university in the United States, it has been a full state university since 1977. It now comprises 18 colleges and divisions and has an enrollment of nearly 35,000 undergraduate and graduate students in its day, night, part-time and other programs. Close to the main campus in Clifton, another of the city's lively hilltop neighborhoods, is Hebrew Union College, the oldest Jewish theological school in America. Xavier University, the third major university in the city, is nearby. In addition, Cincinnati has one of the largest public libraries in the country.
The Cincinnati public school system offers high schools specializing in the performing arts, vocational training, college preparation, and other "open" or "alternative" curricula. Bilingual education in elementary schools is also available in some areas. The public school system is augmented by a substantial number of high-quality private and parochial schools.
Cincinnati has fine recreational facilities. As well as being a working waterway, the Ohio River is also a playground for people in boats of all kinds. The city and surrounding Hamilton County have parks, woods, and lakes aplenty. The Cincinnati Recreation Commission has 25 municipal tennis courts and seven golf courses. There are also many private tennis and golf clubs and the city is the venue of several professional tournaments. Just north of the city is Paramount's King's Island, one of the nation's largest amusement parks. The pride of Cincinnati sports fans in the city's two major-league teams, the Cincinnati Reds and the Cincinnati Bengals. Other leisure-time assets are the Cincinnati Zoo, a world leader in breeding animals in captivity, and the Krohn Conservatory, which attracts visitors throughout the year to its displays o exotic plants and flowers. It is easy to agree with The Christian Science Monitor, which, in ranking Cincinnati as one of the top ten most livable cities in America, commented that it combines "aesthetic appeal, attractive and comfortable downtown areas, good government, easy commuting, pleasant suburbs, and wide access to cultural and recreational activities.
Today, few cities can match what Cincinnati has to offer musically: the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the May Festival, the world-traveled Cincinnati Opera, the Cincinnati Ballet Company, and many varied performances by the students at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. In the summer, one can attend outdoor concerts and entertainments at Riverbend Music Center.
Cincinnati also boasts of an excellent mix of art, historical, and nature museums. The Cincinnati Art Museum, acclaimed as one of the finest, is located in a park atop Mt. Adams, which is also the home of the Playhouse in the Park repertory theatre. The recently renovated Union Terminal highlights nationally recognized Art Deco architecture and is home to the Cincinnati Museum Center, including the Cinergy Children's Museum, Cincinnati History Museum, Museum of Natural History and Science, and the Omnimax Theatre. This complex features a variety of unique and fascinating displays and exhibits, educational programs for adults and children, complete background history on this region, and a high-tech, 180°, widescreen motion picture theatre.
The Aronoff Center, which opened in the fall of 1995, features three separate stages and an art gallery. Its advanced design and theater technology assures the best live performances in the area. Also, the Greater Cincinnati region has a wide variety of the finest restaurants. Visit the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce for more information and photos of Cincinnati. Come visit us - we think you'll like us!
Photo Credits:
Cincinnati skyline by Aaron Davidson
Delta Queen riverboat by George Soister
Great American Ballpark courtesy of the Cincinnati Reds
