Cincinnati

The hilliest city in the Midwest, Cincinnati is located on the Ohio River across from Kentucky. In the early years of the United States, its location afforded easy access from the east so it was settled early, and its architecture is older than any other Midwestern city. Federal Style houses and narrow streets give many areas, especially Mount Adams, the feel of the Eastern United States.

The skyline is by and large modern, but the tallest building - the art deco Carew Tower - dates back to 1931, making this the second-largest city (after New York) in the U.S. whose tallest building is pre-war. Carew is set to be eclipsed in 2010 by the Great American Tower. Other major landmarks include the John A. Roebling Bridge and the massive art deco Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal. The University of Cincinnati, a few miles north of downtown, is the site of innovative works by several major architects.

Greater Cincinnati's attractions also include the beautiful Eden Park on the east slope of Mt. Adams, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and the Newport Aquarium across the river. The infamous wooden roller coaster "The Beast" at nearby Kings Island in Kings Mills makes the city a mecca for thrillseekers.

Cincinnati maintains active sister city relationships with Gifu, Japan, Harare, Zimbabwe, Kharkiv, Ukraine, Liuzhou, China, Munich, Germany, Nancy, France, Netanya, Israel, Rome, Italy, and Taipei, Taiwan.