When you think of sports in Cincinnati, you think the Reds, the Bengals, even the UC Bearcats.  But did you know we have a hockey team too?  Our Cincinnati Cyclones are a top-notch team and a game is the perfect evening out for the whole family!

Since 1990, the Cincinnati Cyclones have been playing hockey all over the country and in Canada; they are the AA team of the National Predators. Eighteen of their players have gone on to play for the NHL, which makes our Cyclones a hotbed of talent that’s exciting to watch.

Coming to a game at the US Bank Arena is more than just a hockey experience: it’s the complete package of great fun, great food and great times.  There’s music, promotions and fun half-time activities (think hamster balls and sumo suits!), so even if you aren’t a hockey fan, there’s plenty to enjoy.  Games always have a fun theme, such as Superheroes, Star Wars and Video Games, and promotions include $1 beer night, $1 hot dog night, kids eat free and more.  Special fundraising nights are featured as well: for example, “The Cure Starts Now Night” raises money for pediatric cancer and there also are breast cancer awareness nights that mix philanthropy and fun. The atmosphere at a Cyclones game is always charged up with excitement and exuberance.

In February, the Cyclones will hold the Frozen 5K/10K, a unique winter race that takes you on a course along the Banks of the Ohio River and through Cincinnati’s Transit Center underneath Second Street; funds raise go to the Cincinnati Cyclones Foundation, an organization that helps defray the costs so that children can play youth hockey.

A Cyclones game is also a great place to celebrate birthdays!  Check out their package options at www.cycloneshockey.com.

When you want more than just a sports experience on a night out – when you’re looking for sports, fun, music, food and an atmosphere of excitement – come to a Cincinnati Cyclones game at the US Bank Arena.

Downtown Cincinnati is great for shopping, entertainment, culture and of course, food!  And Palomino Restaurant and Bar is one of downtown Cincinnati’s most popular destinations.  They serve fabulous rustic Italian food in a stylish and eclectic setting, all while taking your taste buds to new heights of deliciousness.  With a wide variety of specials, as well as unique dishes and drinks, there is something for everyone on their menu.

One of the best drinks to start your meal with is the Chef-inspired Bloody Mary.  Made with Stoli Pepper Vodka, rimmed with herbed salt and adorned with house-made mozzarella and Kalamata olives, this drink is a sure-fire reason to leave work early or kick off a Sunday brunch.  Palomino is also known for their signature Paella dish; featuring clams, mussels, fish, chicken, chorizo and saffron rice, this Italian specialty is sure to satisfy.  You can even add prawns, scallops or Dungeness crab for a slight extra charge.

Palomino also has a special for almost every day of the week!  Every Wednesday Palomino has “Wine Down Wednesday,” featuring 1/2 price bottles of wine, all day long.  You can savor half-price martinis on ‘Tini Tuesday, and Mondays offer $5 wine flights.  For those who enjoy dining a little on the earlier side, Palomino has a “First Seating” menu for two; this delicious menu is served daily from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and includes: one choice of antipasto (such as bruschetta, hummus and tzatziki or french onion dip); two choices from the Primo offerings (soup or one of three salads); two selections from the Secondo Y Contorno items (main course dishes); and of course, a dessert.  This menu is available for just $25 per person.  On Sundays, come in for the “3 for $25” dinner menu; a great way to enjoy a delicious meal without having to do all the cooking!

For Happy Hour, a leisurely meal, or drinks and dessert after the theater, Palomino is the place to be.

Art Beyond Boundaries Gallery invites you to attend our upcoming anniversary exhibit, ‘CHAPTER 11’, on Friday January 26, 2018 from 6 to 9 p.m. This exhibition will be in the historic Over-the-Rhine arts district on Main Street. The exhibition will run until March 9, 2018.

Join us at Art Beyond Boundaries Gallery to celebrate the 11th showcasing of the artistic talents of artists with disabilities. Experience the original art and meet the featured artists. Art Beyond Boundaries will exhibit a variety of paintings, sculptures, photography, and other media by talented, local and regional artists. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Admission is free.

Art Beyond Boundaries provides a professional, mainstream fine arts exhibition venue for artists with disabilities, located at 1410 Main Street in the historic Over-the-Rhine arts district. With your support, we can continue providing a gallery, workshops, programs, and services for our artists and people with disabilities. For more information, “friend” or “follow” the gallery on FaceBook and Twitter, and/or contact the gallery.

Cincinnati is lucky to be surrounded by the best nature has to offer; from hiking and water sports to skiing and camping, you have a wealth of activities to choose from.  The Benchmark Outdoor Outfitters have everything you need to make the most of whatever experience you embark on.

The Benchmark has been around since 1974, and as the outdoor industry has grown and developed, so have their offerings of outdoor gear and apparel.  With a focused and pressure-free sales environment, their staff focuses on what you need to get out and enjoy the outdoors as much as they do!  Their staff doesn’t just sell what they carry, they share their experiences with you so you know you’re not just getting the best gear, but incredible advice and opinions too.

The Benchmark has four core values: Adventure, Compassion and Service, Social and Environmental Responsibility and Learning Through Experience.  With these in mind, the dedicated staff at The Benchmark will help you create the perfect experience, from gear to clothes to guidance – there’s no trip they can’t help you get fully locked and loaded for!

Whether you need hiking gear, camping equipment, footwear and clothes, or just a chat about the best places around to backpacking, paddle or hike, The Benchmark Outdoor Outfitters should be your only stop.

There’s a new place in town to get the best steaks and seafood, and that place is Trotta’s Steak and Seafood in Dayton, KY.  Located just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, Trotta’s has made quite the impact on the local dining scene.

Proud to offer hand-cut steaks and fresh, never frozen seafood, Trotta’s is owned by Kathleen Trotta, a fine-dining expert who decided it was time to open her own place and show Cincinnati how quality is done.  Kathleen is all about keeping her menu fresh and different; new items are always appearing on the menu, which they print in-house, so that diners never get bored and always have something different to try.  She loves to create new recipes that keep her diners’ taste buds hopping!

Trotta’s will remind you of an old-school supper club, with a grand piano in the lobby and vintage décor.  More live music is coming, in addition to the pianist who plays, and they have a beautiful patio for al fresco dining.  They also have firepits you can dine around, lit up with candles and surrounded by umbrella tables; it’s romantic and comfortable and perfect for a date night adventure.

In addition to offering outside dining, Trotta’s also has VIP dining available.  Their private dining area boasts its own side door entrance, so the more famous among us can slip in unnoticed, and it has every amenity you need for a quiet – or not so quiet – private experience.

“I’ve got a great team, wonderful servers.  We work like family here,” says Kathleen.  “And we’ve got great reviews online.  Check out Yelp or TripAdvisor: we’re five stars!”

Trotta’s is jampacked on the weekends, and not just with Cincinnatians and Dayton, KY patrons; people from Dayton (Ohio), Louisville, Indianapolis and more have embraced this restaurant and welcomed them to the community with open arms.

This holiday season, treat your family and friends to the newest dining experience in town: Trotta’s Steak and Seafood.

Cincinnati definitely has a ton of things to do, see and eat, but sometimes, it’s fun to see what’s happening in other Tri-State cities. Indianapolis is less than 2 hours away and is jam-packed with activities for the whole family this winter!

If you love beautiful light displays, Winterlights at Newfields is the perfect spot to start. Featured on the campus of Newfields (the new name for the campus at the Indianapolis Museum of Art), this brand new exhibit is an ideal date night, family getaway or solo adventure. The gardens are completely blanketed in lights as the campus both shines and entertains with a synchronized light show, hovering Christmas trees, larger than life sculptures, warm cocktails, snacks and soft music. This is one of the Midwest’s must-see holiday exhibits of 2017, so don’t miss the chance to see for yourself.

Ever dreamt of driving your car across the Yard of Bricks at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?  Back and better than ever this holiday season is Lights at the Brickyard at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This event features more than 2.5 million bright lights and hundreds of shining displays spread along a stretch of the IMS road course and a portion of the oval. For race fans and bucket-listers alike, this is one you don’t want to miss.

While in Indy, drop by Monument Circle to see more gorgeous lights! The day after Thanksgiving more than 100,000 people gathered to celebrate the lighting of Indy’s beloved 242-foot tall Soldiers and Sailors Monument at the epicenter of Indy. Travelocity named this one of the top five must-see Christmas trees in the nation and they are spot on with that designation.

Did you know the Indianapolis Zoo was the first zoo in the United States to hold a holiday lights show? Christmas at the Zoo is a fan favorite for both Indy residents and visitors alike. Enjoy a hot beverage while you stroll the zoo, see the lights, take time to see the animals and listen to some carolers by the campfire.

Of course, nothing beats a holiday train ride. Jingle Rails at the Eiteljorg Museum is a locomotive wonderland that will take you on a journey through the American West via nine working model trains. The trains will wind past local Indy treasures before heading west to check out Mt. Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, Hollywood and much more.  Perfect for kids and adults alike!

Now is also the perfect time to visit Indy’s premier family-friendly holiday destination, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. They celebrate the holidays with Jolly Days, where you can take part in wintertime traditions including games, “baking,” exploring the frozen Ice Castle, sock-skating on the “ice pond,” and trying your hand at “ice fishing.” If you’ve never been to the world’s largest children’s museum before, you have to check it out. And come back in the spring when the 7.5 acre indoor/outdoor Sports Legends Experience opens!

And last but not least, if you’re looking for a show, check out IPL’s Yuletide at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra or A Christmas Carol at the Indiana Repertory Theatre. Whatever you’re searching for, you’ll find it in Indy, the perfect day-trip destination from Cincinnati. For more information about Indy and all it has to offer, visit www.visitindy.com.