In 1918, on November 11th, began the first official Veterans Day. Veterans Day is the day we take to thank and honor all those who have served in the United States military. Veterans Day coincides with holidays like Armistice Day, which are celebrated in other countries that mark the yearly anniversary of the end of World War I. Live around the Cincinnati area? Check out some activities you can do with loved ones who have served our country that are great for Veterans Day!

Check out a Historical Site

Veterans Day is the perfect day to visit a memorial that honors those who have served for our country, or getting to know some new and interesting history. Check out a couple of Cincinnati's hot spots when it comes to historical sites!

Harrison Tomb State Memorial

William Henry Harrison, 9th president of the United States, spent the majority of his life in the midwest where he became a top military leader. The Battle of Tippecanoe was where Harrison had earned his first victory, and won many more accolades during the war of 1812. Harrison eventually founded himself as the president of the United States in 1841, but sadly passed away only a month into office after he had caught pneumonia. His tomb has become a state memorial, where you can visit on Mt. Nebo in North Bend. 

Waldschmidt Homestead Historical Site 

This next historical hotspot was created in 1804 by Christian Waldschmidt, a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Waldschidt was an active member in the community, funding paper mills to saw mills to blacksmith shops. This site also served as the headquarters for General Josh Bates. In 1953, the home was restored to the public as what it is today.

William Howard Taft National Historic Site 

Check out the home of the 27th president of the United States, William Howard Taft! The home is a beautiful Greek revival architecture that became restored as a historical site to represent the home where Taft had once lived. 

The Betts House

The Betts House is the oldest brick home in Ohio and currently the oldest residential building in the entire city of Cincinnati. The original two-room colonial-style home was built by William and Phebe Betts in 1804, who then passed down the home through their relatives for decades. The historic home was taken by the National Society of Colonial Dames of America in 1994, where it now operates guided tours and presentations about the home owners, its history, and early 19th century architecture.

St. Peter in Chains Cathedral

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Peter in Chains is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The basilica is a Greek revival structure located at 8th and Plum streets in downtown Cincinnati. The cathedral has been dedicated to Saint Peter’s imprisonment and liberation over the years, and the church’s cornerstone was laid in 1841. The church became formally dedicated in November of 1845, and became known as the first large church west of the Allegheny Mountains. On June 29, 2020 Pope Francis conferred the title of Minor Basilica on St. Peter in Chains.

St. Peter in Chains' has existed as one of the tallest man-made structures in the city for decades. The columns are over 30 feet high, which ultimately symbolizes the number of years in Jesus’ life.  

The interior of St. Peter in Chains is distinctly unique among Roman Catholic cathedrals in America. Features include:

• Greek-themed mosaics depicting the Stations of the Cross
• Ornate Corinthian columns
• Massive bronze doors

The crucifix is by Benvenuto Cellini, the murals are by Carl Zimmerman and the mosaic in the apse is the work of Anton Wendling. 

Check out Museums

Along with historical sites, Cincinnati is home to several great museums. Check out the top museums where you enjoy some exciting quality time with your loved ones!

Cincinnati History Museum

First opened in 1990 at the Cincinnati Museum Center, The Cincinnati History Museum is an urban history museum that features the Cincinnati Public Landing from the mid 1860s, as well as an exhibit that covers Cincinnati's role in World War II. Cincinnati In Motion is a scale model representation of Downtown Cincinnati in the 1940s that features actual working streetcars.

Heritage Village Museum

This next museum will give you a look at what life was like in Heritage Village, Ohio throughout the 19th century. Homes, equipment, and other types of buildings were moved to this museum to be preserved and tell a story of the people in the past! Visit the museum and learn more about the facts and stories that bring the village that once thrived to life. Special events at the museum include learning about historic tasks and crafts of the 19th century which can include:

• Spinning
• Weaving
• Candle-dipping
• Soap making
• Heart cooking
• Carpentry work
• Herb lore
• Gardening
• Printing
• Trade and bartering
• Communication

German Heritage Museum

This museum serves as the main point in showing off the contributions of the many German immigrants and their descendants, in the Ohio River Valley and America. The museum focuses mostly on representing the long history of German-Americans in the Greater Cincinnati area, which remains one of the major German-American centers in the United States. The museum showcases the activities of the twenty organizations currently under the umbrella of the German-American Citizens League of Greater Cincinnati, which was founded in Cincinnati in 1895.

Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame Museum

This next museum is an entity established by the major league baseball team, the Cincinnati Reds. The museum pays homage to the team’s past through displays, photographs, and videos. The museum is adjacent to the banks of the Ohio river, and the hall of fame is currently home to 81 inductees. These inductees include players, managers, and executives that have all been directly involved with the team’s history.

Cincinnati Aviation Heritage Museum

Cincinnati Aviation Heritage Society & Museum is a 501c3 organization that focuses on the history of General Aviation and Air Transport. 

 Visitors to the museum will learn about the history of Lunken Airport and other airports in the area that go all the way back to the 1920’s. Visitors will also get the chance to learn about aircraft built in Cincinnati such as Aeronca Airplanes and the Metal Aircraft Flamingo. The CAHS Museum has displays of:

• Photographs
• Uniforms
• Trophies
• Memorabilia
• Scale model aircraft

Local aviators of distinction have some pieces of memorabilia in the museum including the third place Bendix trophy won by Edmund P. Lunken in the 1947 Bendix Race. Visitors will  learn how the Aviation Corporation (AVCO) created the Embry Riddle Aeronautical Institute and American Airlines. 

American Sign Museum

Sign creating has a vast history, which is completely explored at the American Sign Museum of Cincinnati! The American Sign Museum is dedicated to the art and history of commercial signs and sign making. The American Sign Museum is also currently the number one 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, the museum allows you to walk through the ages of technology and design.

The storefront signs on Main Street display recreate a typical "Main Street USA," with shop windows full of sign-related objects and curiosities. 

Grab a Bite to Eat

After a long day of traveling around the city and checking out some great historical sites and museums, a good idea would be to settle down and grab a bite to eat after. Check out some of the best restaurants that are in the area.

Catch-a-Fire Pizza

Pizza is a common food option that is loved by many, and you can find the perfect pizza place in Cincinnati when you stop at Catch-a-Fire Pizza. Catch-a-Fire Pizza started as a food truck, set up a location inside Oakley’s MadTree Brewing, and eventually turned into a standalone brick-and-mortar pizzeria in the suburb of Blue Ash.The restaurant is best known for its wood-fired pizzas, in both traditional varieties and creative American styles like Buffalo chicken or five-cheese barbecue ranch. The restaurant also has delicious appetizers including wings, potato skins, and peppadew peppers. (The peppers are filled with basil and goat cheese, YUM.)

Tickle Pickle Restaurant

Interesting name, right? The Tickle Pickle Restaurant is a burger shop, with a very unique twist. Burgers on the menu have interesting names, that include:

• Breadzeppelin
• Meatallica
• Slaytar
• Buns N Roses

Along with some pretty humorous names, the burgers at Tickle Pickle are made with 100% angus beef. Toppings vary from eggs, to jalapenos, to even vegan burger options such as the black bean burger and the impossible burger. 

Cafe Mochiko

If you’re looking for more of a cafe style atmosphere you should check out Cafe Mochiko! This cafe opened in 2019 to supply pastries to fellow food businesses and serve customers a menu of pastries and ramen inspired by yoshoku, which is technically Western-influenced Japanese cuisine. Early in 2021, the pop-up evolved into a brick-and-mortar location in East Walnut Hills. Part bakery, part “izakaya,” the restaurant offers dishes like:

• Omurice
• Curry tonkatsu
• Hamburger served on a fluffy bao bun
• Dalgona coffee pie

Pepp & Dolores

Looking for  traditional Italian cuisine? Check out Pepp & Dolores! Every entree on the menu is pretty pasta-centric and even made fresh daily. Options include mascarpone-filled butternut squash agnolotti or the bigoli, which comes topped with ”nonna’s red sauce,” veal and pork meatballs, and braised pork shoulder. Another dinner favorite, the Dunk, consists of olive oil, vinegar, and herbs served with bread to dunk. There is also a ski-lodge-inspired outdoor dining area to enjoy your meal!

Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey

Just as the name says, how much better can you get then some good old fashioned biscuits and gravy! Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey offers up each guest with cast-iron classics like buttermilk biscuits and fried chicken, including different takes on homestyle dishes. Chicken and dumplings come with fried garlic gravy, and there is also an interesting Thai-inspired dish of shrimp and cheddar grits, that is coated in a special coconut chile gravy sauce!

Mazunte Taqueria 

You can find some of the best classic Mexican food in Cincinnati when you stop by the Mazunte Taqueria! The owner of the restaurant, Josh Wamsley, had a career of teaching English around the world, and wanted to learn how to improve his passion of cooking dishes from around the world. Wamsley moved to Mexico for a brief time, then came back to Cincinnati to open up this popular taqueria, which features some divine street food including tacos with chorizo, fish, chicken, pork, steak, or veggies. All tacos are served with avocado salsa, onions, and smoked red salsa, all prepared on homemade corn tortillas. The taqueria also serves prepared dishes over rice, which can include memelas, tostadas, and chiles rellenos.

If you have any relatives who are veterans, what do you plan on doing with them this veteran’s day? Any of these activities? Let us know in the comments!