"Surprising" a Cincinnati Travel Page by kbsunnyside

The city center is surprisingly welcoming even in the frigid winter. I'm told that spring and summer bring great outdoor activity. For now there was a small constructed ice rink on Fountain Square-- a beautiful piazza surrounded by hotels, office buildings and a shopping mall.

Four blocks out either way the setting becomes much colder, but the architecture was a treat with many art deco decorated buildings. I would especially recommend taking a look inside the Hilton hotel for a restoration treat. Also the wall of windows of the Hyatt is one of the most stunning modern buildings that drew my eye every time I passed.

My impression of the midwestern character was they were somewhat lacking in humor, but maybe it was the season. I was there for business and can't recommend any type of enjoyable interaction with Delta airlines employees/service.

I met many people, especially restaurant staff, who were students from Senegal, NYC, Ghana, and Ecuador for example. This certainly gave a nice feeling to things.

Race tensions are present as I witnessed at the anti-menorah demonstration in Fountain Square and as reported in the local paper, The Enquirer. And there are definite neighborhood lines that many people don't cross. There were some long time city business tenants were closing their doors as I was there.

The setting on the river with an area called the Levee is lovely, but these attractions hide a still present unrest. For example, there are strong feelings about the money being used for stadiums instead of other services.