The Retreat Guidebook
Favorite restaurants
Just up the street at the four-way stop in Burlington, you will find a couple of delicious local restaurants (Tousey House & Washington Square), with many more just a few minutes away in Florence and Hebron.
Maybe you’d like to have some Chinese takeout…our favorite for a number of years has been the Golden Wok in the plaza by Kroger.
Golden Wok
1781 Patrick DrMaybe you’d like to have some Chinese takeout…our favorite for a number of years has been the Golden Wok in the plaza by Kroger.
One of our favorites for Thai food is Mai Thai on US 42 in Florence. Search for them on Yelp as their website isn’t working.
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Mai Thai Restaurant Thai Restaurant & Sushi Bar
7710 US-42One of our favorites for Thai food is Mai Thai on US 42 in Florence. Search for them on Yelp as their website isn’t working.
A Cincinnati classic! Locations throughout the region but there is a close on up in Florence at 5880 Merchant St. larosas.com
LaRosa's Pizza Florence
5880 Merchants StA Cincinnati classic! Locations throughout the region but there is a close on up in Florence at 5880 Merchant St. larosas.com
Casual fare, with a fun outdoor covered (and heated!) patio. Delicious homemade desserts!
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Washington Square Cafe & Catering
5981 N Jefferson StCasual fare, with a fun outdoor covered (and heated!) patio. Delicious homemade desserts!
Delicious family-friendly atmosphere to grab some good BBQ and sides! Great for takeout!
City Barbeque and Catering
8026 Burlington PikeDelicious family-friendly atmosphere to grab some good BBQ and sides! Great for takeout!
Delicious BBQ and other meals. Good sit-down restaurant in the convenient Mall Road area.
Smokey Bones
7848 Mall RdDelicious BBQ and other meals. Good sit-down restaurant in the convenient Mall Road area.
Amazing pizza with an incredible brick fired crust in nearby Hebron.
Strong's Brick Oven Pizzeria; Hebron
1990 N Bend RdAmazing pizza with an incredible brick fired crust in nearby Hebron.
A little more upscale Asian restaurant in the Mall Road area. Especially good for a sit-down dinner. Their Pad Thai is also delicious!
Cathay Kitchen
8049 Connector DrA little more upscale Asian restaurant in the Mall Road area. Especially good for a sit-down dinner. Their Pad Thai is also delicious!
For an upscale, yet historic experience. Some of the best fried chicken and fried green tomatoes! Their outdoor patio is a relaxing place in the summer.
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Tousey House Tavern
5963 N Jefferson StFor an upscale, yet historic experience. Some of the best fried chicken and fried green tomatoes! Their outdoor patio is a relaxing place in the summer.
Yes, you could go to the local Starbucks, Bigby, or Panera for your coffee fix. Or you could enjoy some amazing craft coffee by some local roasters (Carabello Coffee). Its a small place but certainly delicious if you want some Carabello Coffee without heading down to Newport, KY.
Velocity Bike & Bean
7560 Burlington PikeYes, you could go to the local Starbucks, Bigby, or Panera for your coffee fix. Or you could enjoy some amazing craft coffee by some local roasters (Carabello Coffee). Its a small place but certainly delicious if you want some Carabello Coffee without heading down to Newport, KY.
Some of the best coffee in the area roasted by some of the best people! This is a local craft roasting company run by some friends of ours that care about the coffee farmers and giving back to the community. Great place for some coffee and a pit stop as you explore the cities near the river (Newport, Bellevue, Covington, Cincinnati).
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Carabello Coffee Company
107 E 9th StSome of the best coffee in the area roasted by some of the best people! This is a local craft roasting company run by some friends of ours that care about the coffee farmers and giving back to the community. Great place for some coffee and a pit stop as you explore the cities near the river (Newport, Bellevue, Covington, Cincinnati).
A visit to Cincinnati wouldn't be complete without sampling Cincinnati style chili! Skyline is our favorite, but others also like Gold Star Chili. Sample it for yourself and you decide who best represents the city.
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Skyline Chili
290 Ludlow AveA visit to Cincinnati wouldn't be complete without sampling Cincinnati style chili! Skyline is our favorite, but others also like Gold Star Chili. Sample it for yourself and you decide who best represents the city.
It may be a chain, but its one of our favorite Mexican restaurants. Can't beat the Jalapeno Ranch dip for the chips!
Chuy's
6825 Houston RdIt may be a chain, but its one of our favorite Mexican restaurants. Can't beat the Jalapeno Ranch dip for the chips!
The Gruff sits down by the river in Covington, just next to the Suspension Bridge. Its a great place to grab a delicious pizza, local craft beer, and then take a leisurely walk across the Suspension Bridge to the Banks riverfront park.
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The Gruff
129 E 2nd StThe Gruff sits down by the river in Covington, just next to the Suspension Bridge. Its a great place to grab a delicious pizza, local craft beer, and then take a leisurely walk across the Suspension Bridge to the Banks riverfront park.
The best small batch ice cream around! Come taste a local favorite that has been around since 1870. Anything with chocolate chips in it is amazing....we are talking chunks of chocolate here!
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Graeter's Ice Cream
1401 Vine StThe best small batch ice cream around! Come taste a local favorite that has been around since 1870. Anything with chocolate chips in it is amazing....we are talking chunks of chocolate here!
A delicious and fun small batch ice cream and candy shop that has been around since 1908.
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Aglamesis Bro's
3046 Madison RdA delicious and fun small batch ice cream and candy shop that has been around since 1908.
Delicious ice cream and candies right in the heart of Bellevue by the river. Take a stroll down the main street here and also check out the Bellevue Beach Park while enjoying your ice cream.
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Schneider's Homemade Candies
420 Fairfield AveDelicious ice cream and candies right in the heart of Bellevue by the river. Take a stroll down the main street here and also check out the Bellevue Beach Park while enjoying your ice cream.
Amazing desserts here! Come visit during the day to grab some little desserts to enjoy later.
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The BonBonerie
2030 Madison RdAmazing desserts here! Come visit during the day to grab some little desserts to enjoy later.
Another taste of Cincinnati is our famous Montgomery Inn Ribs. The location here at the boathouse is spectacular for viewing the river and enjoying the delicious food.
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Montgomery Inn The Boathouse
925 Riverside DrAnother taste of Cincinnati is our famous Montgomery Inn Ribs. The location here at the boathouse is spectacular for viewing the river and enjoying the delicious food.
Brand new foodtruck now converted into storefront space right in the heart of Burlington just a few minutes from our house. Delicious flavors of soft serve and shakes/floats. Perfect place to grab some ice cream and walk across the street to the newly built public plaza, Burlington Commons.
Dreamy Whip
3020 Washington StBrand new foodtruck now converted into storefront space right in the heart of Burlington just a few minutes from our house. Delicious flavors of soft serve and shakes/floats. Perfect place to grab some ice cream and walk across the street to the newly built public plaza, Burlington Commons.
We love this local pizza place! Its also in the same plaza as the OakBrook Bakery. Great to eat in or take it to go!
Bourbon House Pizza
7500 Oakbrook DrWe love this local pizza place! Its also in the same plaza as the OakBrook Bakery. Great to eat in or take it to go!
Great little bakery and cafe for delicious donuts and coffee as well as other pastries. And not just pastries, but breakfast sandwiches and lunch sandwiches as well! This is their second location with the other in Dry Ridge, just off the interstate, near the Ark Encounter. Be sure to check their website or call first as the Hebron location has limited hours.
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Beans
21 Taft HwyGreat little bakery and cafe for delicious donuts and coffee as well as other pastries. And not just pastries, but breakfast sandwiches and lunch sandwiches as well! This is their second location with the other in Dry Ridge, just off the interstate, near the Ark Encounter. Be sure to check their website or call first as the Hebron location has limited hours.
Swimming/Pools
Here are a few local places to cool over over the summertime!
This is a wonderful place to go for a swim on those hot summer days! Wonderful zero-depth entry area for the littles.
R.C. Durr YMCA
5874 Veterans WayThis is a wonderful place to go for a swim on those hot summer days! Wonderful zero-depth entry area for the littles.
Great swimming pool and water park, along with a fun rides area for all ages.
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פארק קוני איילנד
6201 Kellogg AveGreat swimming pool and water park, along with a fun rides area for all ages.
Outdoors/Hiking
There are some nice places in the area to go hike and enjoy the outdoors.
Boone County Cliffs State Nature Preserve
4700 Middle Creek RdGreat hiking nearby!
A bit of a drive from Burlington, but a favorite for the entire Greater Cincinnati area when it comes to hiking...there's a trail for everyone!
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Cincinnati Nature Center
4949 Tealtown RdA bit of a drive from Burlington, but a favorite for the entire Greater Cincinnati area when it comes to hiking...there's a trail for everyone!
Great park for lots of different activities. Large open green space areas for drone flying and kite flying. Great trails all around park. Wonderful mountain bike trails and dirt pump track that is fun for families. Also has a couple of small ponds for some catch & release fishing.
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England Idlewild Park
5550 Idlewild RdGreat park for lots of different activities. Large open green space areas for drone flying and kite flying. Great trails all around park. Wonderful mountain bike trails and dirt pump track that is fun for families. Also has a couple of small ponds for some catch & release fishing.
Gunpowder Creek Nature Park
6750 Sperti LnNice local trail along the creek.
Lovely park on top of one of the hills in Cincinnati by downtown. Here you will find Krohn Conservatory and the Art Museum, as well as Playhouse in the Park.
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פארק עדן
950 Eden Park DrLovely park on top of one of the hills in Cincinnati by downtown. Here you will find Krohn Conservatory and the Art Museum, as well as Playhouse in the Park.
Lovely urban park in the heart of Cincinnati, across from historic Music Hall (where the symphony performs), in Over the Rhine.
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פארק וושינגטון
1230 Elm StLovely urban park in the heart of Cincinnati, across from historic Music Hall (where the symphony performs), in Over the Rhine.
Great park that offers fun playgrounds and a beautiful view of Lunken Airport from a higher vantage point. Fun to watch planes come and go.
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פארק אולט
5090 Observatory AveGreat park that offers fun playgrounds and a beautiful view of Lunken Airport from a higher vantage point. Fun to watch planes come and go.
Area Fishing
Bring your fishing gear and enjoy some local fishing holes. Local fishing regulations do apply, so be sure to check the KY Department of Fish & Wildlife website for details.
Camp Ernst Lake Park
7615 Camp Ernst RdLarge catch & release fishing lake.
England Idlewild Park
5550 Idlewild RdGood fishing in two small ponds.
Fun with Kids
Family friendly destinations during your stay!
It is in a wonderful location in the heart of Cincinnati and full of so many wonderful animals. Perfect day outing with the family and kids! Our zoo is well-known throughout the country. Voted one of the top zoos in the nation in 2019. If you have a zoo membership to another zoo, check to see if you have reciprocity here.
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Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
3400 Vine StIt is in a wonderful location in the heart of Cincinnati and full of so many wonderful animals. Perfect day outing with the family and kids! Our zoo is well-known throughout the country. Voted one of the top zoos in the nation in 2019. If you have a zoo membership to another zoo, check to see if you have reciprocity here.
Beautiful historic building (old train station) that houses three distinct museums: Childrens' Museum, Natural History Museum, and the Cincinnati History Museum. Fun galore with kids at the Children's Museum. The cave inside the Natural History Museum is fun to explore. And awesome IMAX films are shown here as well. If you have a museum membership to another museum, check to see if you have reciprocity with this museum.
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מרכז מוזיאון סינסינטי בטרמינל האיחוד
1301 Western AveBeautiful historic building (old train station) that houses three distinct museums: Childrens' Museum, Natural History Museum, and the Cincinnati History Museum. Fun galore with kids at the Children's Museum. The cave inside the Natural History Museum is fun to explore. And awesome IMAX films are shown here as well. If you have a museum membership to another museum, check to see if you have reciprocity with this museum.
EnterTRAINment Junction
7379 Squire CtFor kids that love trains, this is a fun place!
Looking for a day at a top rated amusement park? Look no further than Kings Island up in nearby Mason, OH. Well worth the trip to enjoy a fun day of rides and entertainment. The evening fireworks and fountain show is beautiful as well! If its a hot day, enjoy their waterpark while you are there.
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קינגס איילנד
6300 Kings Island DrLooking for a day at a top rated amusement park? Look no further than Kings Island up in nearby Mason, OH. Well worth the trip to enjoy a fun day of rides and entertainment. The evening fireworks and fountain show is beautiful as well! If its a hot day, enjoy their waterpark while you are there.
Amazing aquarium with so many varieties of sea life. Favorite part is the tunnel section where it feels like you are among the sea creatures. Great location at Newport on the Levee where there are many dining options, a movie theater, and a bookstore.
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אקווריום ניופורט
1 Levee WayAmazing aquarium with so many varieties of sea life. Favorite part is the tunnel section where it feels like you are among the sea creatures. Great location at Newport on the Levee where there are many dining options, a movie theater, and a bookstore.
Fun and unique riverfront park with plenty of places to play and explore.
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סמייל ריברפרונט פארק
West Mehring WayFun and unique riverfront park with plenty of places to play and explore.
This quaint airport on the east side of Cincinnati offers a wonderful park (Land of Make Believe park) for kids and also some great viewing of small airplane take offs and landings. There is a wonderful bike trail that also is in this area.
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Cincinnati Lunken Municipal Airport
262 Wilmer AveThis quaint airport on the east side of Cincinnati offers a wonderful park (Land of Make Believe park) for kids and also some great viewing of small airplane take offs and landings. There is a wonderful bike trail that also is in this area.
This bookstore is in a fun area of Cincinnati called Oakley. Oakley has so many quaint shops that are fun to peruse but this one is especially fun for the kids.
Blue Manatee Literacy Project Bookstore
3094 Madison RdThis bookstore is in a fun area of Cincinnati called Oakley. Oakley has so many quaint shops that are fun to peruse but this one is especially fun for the kids.
This is such a welcome place to see some fun and unique toys (and try many of them out) in a world of big-box stores. This independent toy store has been around for many, many years and we enjoyed going there as children and now enjoy it with our own. Head over to Aglamesis for an ice cream afterwards!
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King Arthurs Court Toys
3040 Madison RdThis is such a welcome place to see some fun and unique toys (and try many of them out) in a world of big-box stores. This independent toy store has been around for many, many years and we enjoyed going there as children and now enjoy it with our own. Head over to Aglamesis for an ice cream afterwards!
Wonderful riverfront park on the Kentucky side in the quaint town of Bellevue. Lovely shops and restaurants along the main road in this small town. Such a fun park to watch boats go by and play with the kids in the park. Stop by Schneider's Sweet Shop for some delicious ice cream or try one of their famous ice balls.
Bellevue Beach Park
643-665 Frank Benke WayWonderful riverfront park on the Kentucky side in the quaint town of Bellevue. Lovely shops and restaurants along the main road in this small town. Such a fun park to watch boats go by and play with the kids in the park. Stop by Schneider's Sweet Shop for some delicious ice cream or try one of their famous ice balls.
Great way to burn off some energy on a cold or rainy day. Giant inflatables to enjoy with the kids!
Jump!Zone Party Play Center Inflatables for Kids 2-12yrs old. Toddler Time Tuesday's 6yrs & under
5765 Constitution DrGreat way to burn off some energy on a cold or rainy day. Giant inflatables to enjoy with the kids!
Indoor trampoline park to get out some energy on a cold or rainy day for the kiddos.
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Defy Florence Ky
4999 Houston RdIndoor trampoline park to get out some energy on a cold or rainy day for the kiddos.
World of Golf
7400 Woodspoint DrGreat miniature golf course for the entire group or family!
Great local golf course but also a new miniature golf course that recently opened.
Boone Links Golf Course
19 Clubhouse DrGreat local golf course but also a new miniature golf course that recently opened.
Beautiful indoor greenhouse full of lush botanicals and tropical flowers/plants. In the Eden Park area - close to Art Museum, Mirror Lake.
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המשמר הצמחי של קרוהן
1501 Eden Park DrBeautiful indoor greenhouse full of lush botanicals and tropical flowers/plants. In the Eden Park area - close to Art Museum, Mirror Lake.
A pedestrian only bridge that connects Newport on the Levee entertainment/dining district to Sawyer Point Park in Cincinnati.
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Purple People Bridge
A pedestrian only bridge that connects Newport on the Levee entertainment/dining district to Sawyer Point Park in Cincinnati.
Wonderful riverfront park connected by the Purple People Bridge to Newport. Visit the Newport Aquarium then head across the Purple People Bridge to Sawyer Point. Lovely walking paths along the river.
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פארק סויר פוינט
705 E Pete Rose WayWonderful riverfront park connected by the Purple People Bridge to Newport. Visit the Newport Aquarium then head across the Purple People Bridge to Sawyer Point. Lovely walking paths along the river.
Sightseeing
The Observation Deck at the top of the Carew Tower is a beautiful vantage point to view the gorgeous city of Cincinnati and the surrounding cities around its "seven hills". Walking through the historic art deco building and on up the elevator to the top floor where you will board a second smaller elevator to get to the top is worth it.
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Carew Tower
35 W 5th StThe Observation Deck at the top of the Carew Tower is a beautiful vantage point to view the gorgeous city of Cincinnati and the surrounding cities around its "seven hills". Walking through the historic art deco building and on up the elevator to the top floor where you will board a second smaller elevator to get to the top is worth it.
Step back in history to what life would have been like in this area in the mid 1800s. Enjoy a tour of the property and learn some of the area's history.
Dinsmore Homestead
5656 Burlington PikeStep back in history to what life would have been like in this area in the mid 1800s. Enjoy a tour of the property and learn some of the area's history.
Amazing replica of the ark with so much information to take in, along with a beautiful outdoor animal area and playground. Zipline courses are also available for purchase. To save some money as a family/group, visit the outdoor pizza restaurant and order pizza and breadsticks to share.
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Ark Encounter
1 Ark Encounter DrAmazing replica of the ark with so much information to take in, along with a beautiful outdoor animal area and playground. Zipline courses are also available for purchase. To save some money as a family/group, visit the outdoor pizza restaurant and order pizza and breadsticks to share.
Beautifully well done museum documenting the creation story in the Bible. Lovely botanical gardens and animal areas surround the property. The planetarium show is not to be missed!
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מוזיאון הבריאה
2800 Bullittsburg Church RdBeautifully well done museum documenting the creation story in the Bible. Lovely botanical gardens and animal areas surround the property. The planetarium show is not to be missed!
The American Sign Museum in Newport, KY is a unique place that holds the record as the largest public museum dedicated to signs in the United States! Covering more than 100 years of American sign history in 20,000 square feet of indoor space. Visit Carabello Coffee in Newport after your visit!
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מוזיאון הסימנים האמריקני
1330 Monmouth AveThe American Sign Museum in Newport, KY is a unique place that holds the record as the largest public museum dedicated to signs in the United States! Covering more than 100 years of American sign history in 20,000 square feet of indoor space. Visit Carabello Coffee in Newport after your visit!
In the heart of downtown, visit a Cincinnati landmark. Its a beautiful place to hang out and take pictures on a sunny day. On the square, head over to Graeter's to get some of that delicious ice cream we are known for.
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Fountain Square
520 Vine StIn the heart of downtown, visit a Cincinnati landmark. Its a beautiful place to hang out and take pictures on a sunny day. On the square, head over to Graeter's to get some of that delicious ice cream we are known for.
Great way to get a view of the city and surrounding area. Try to grab a coupon on Groupon if you can.
The SkyStar Wheel Cincy
Great way to get a view of the city and surrounding area. Try to grab a coupon on Groupon if you can.
Fun team building activity for families/groups looking to enjoy the latest fun of escape rooms!
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חדרי בריחה של שרלוק
7916 Connector DrFun team building activity for families/groups looking to enjoy the latest fun of escape rooms!
Beautiful art museum in Eden Park that is also a hit with kids. They have a great kids art area where kids can sit at different stations and design different things. Admission is free to the museum! Explore Eden Park when you are finished!
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מוזיאון אמנות סינסינאטי
953 Eden Park DrBeautiful art museum in Eden Park that is also a hit with kids. They have a great kids art area where kids can sit at different stations and design different things. Admission is free to the museum! Explore Eden Park when you are finished!
Bourbon Trail
A wonderful local distillery for bourbon lovers. Tucked away in an industrial park, step into a small craft distillery with fun tastings!
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Boone County Distilling Company
10601 Toebben DrA wonderful local distillery for bourbon lovers. Tucked away in an industrial park, step into a small craft distillery with fun tastings!
Wonderful local bourbon distillery that sits right on the river. Top notch craft bourbon.
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New Riff Distillery
24 Distillery WayWonderful local bourbon distillery that sits right on the river. Top notch craft bourbon.