Our football team made the playoffs. Our baseball team was picked to win the World Series. Our city was named a top weekend travel destination. Even the Travel Channel’s Man Vs. Food was here. Where are we? Did someone move our beds in the middle of the night like some summer camp prank from a bad 80s movie?

Nope. My allergies are still kicking, so we must still be in Cincy…

Over the last year, our little river community has sprinted through Twain’s ten years and quietly become a major player on many fields. Change is good for a city. Change is especially good when you’re an inhabitant. There’s a lot to be excited about this year and here are some notable openings that are going to make this an even Greater Cincinnati.

21c Hotel

If you’ve not been to the Louisville 21c, then you probably don’t understand the hype. This Fall, you can start drinking the Kool-Aid. With its chic, modern rooms, upscale restaurant and bar and 8,000 square feet of contemporary art exhibition space, the 21c is going to be the perfect spot for a weekend stroll, dinner or drinks or even a last-minute “staycation.”

Washington Park

My first job out of college plopped me right into the heart of OTR, at my office on the 1200 block of Elm – across from Washington Park. I was there during the riots and could see the every day (and every hour) activity of that little not-so-green space during the late 90s. It wasn’t good. And it continued up until the construction trucks moved in. So despite the number of voices screaming that 3CDC has again unveiled their pitchfork and devil horns to the trumpets of gentrification, I really like this park renovation. Transforming a space that was downright scary to something beautiful and useful is something I can easily support. Fountain Square is dear to our hearts and I have a feeling we’ll be making a little room in there for Washington Park soon.

The Reds

World Series Champs! Need I say more?

Northern Kentucky University

I grew up around NKU, went to college there for a bit and have been keeping my eye on what they’ve been up to for quite some time. Unless you live in the area, you may not have noticed that for over a decade, NKU has been buying up and developing land all around campus. I drove through campus last week to catch up and was shocked that it’s unrecognizable to me now. The “concrete college” is now a vast city with Division One status. The newest member of the Atlantic Sun Conference will not be eligible to win championships for a few years, but they’ve repeatedly proven that they’re exciting to watch both on and off the court.

Moerlein Lager House

Okay. Okay. Given my job, this may be a bit selfish… but it’s also very exciting.

The Moerlein Lager House is opening at the end of this month to put an exclamation point on the entire riverfront development – and the direction in which our city is headed. I can tell you first hand that the Moerlein Lager House is something this city  (and everyone looking in) has never seen the likes of before. Combine Cincinnati’s brewing history with great craft beer, meticulously planned food, and an incredible building in a stunning location – with a 364 day a year beer garden – and you have a destination landmark that draws attention from the country and beyond.

Take that, Milwaukee and St. Louis!