Anyone have info on these brew places?

~Barley’s Brewing Company (do they brew onsite?)
~Barley’s Smokehouse & Brewpub (do they brew onsite?)
~Elevator Brewing & Draught Haus (do they brew onsite?)
~The L. Hoster Brewing Co. (are they open?)
~The Grand Republic Brewing (are they open?)
~Madcap Craftbrew (are they open? and are they a brewery or pub?)

Might try this -- right across the river from Cincinnati in Newport.

http://www.hofbrauhausnewport.com/

Long standing argument on what is the best chili in Cincinnati. My preference is definitely Skyline. Might try some goetta also (along with Graeter's, Montgomery Ribs).

maj is right about long-standing chili arguments. Skyline is arguably the best of the Cincinnati Chili chains and I'll second maj on this, though Gold Star also does a decent version. I've seen several enthusiastic Chowhound folks recommend two non-chain places for this, Camp Washington Chili and Blue Ash Chili. Both are located in the northern reaches of the city area, and I've never been to either.

Should maybe mention here that while it's possible to get Cincinnati chili by itself in a bowl, it's traditional to get the chili served over spaghetti (chili-spaghetti) and usually folks add shredded cheese (a 3-way), minced onions (a 4-way), and kidney beans (a 5-way) into the dish. Chili cheese coneys are little hot dogs in white split-top buns with yellow mustard, chili, and shredded cheese topping it. The flavor of this chili is unusual but excellent, usually with sweet spices and chocolate added to the recipe.

Totally forgot about goetta, which is also pretty much a Cincinnati only food. It's essentially the local version of scrapple with oats added to the mystery meat. It's pretty much a breakfast thing in Cincinnati, normally as a substitute for sausage or bacon or ham (goetta and eggs, for example). It's well worth a try if you like things like this.

Will also second aliska's recommendation of Jeni's ice cream in Columbus, which has a location in the North Market complex. Very good.

Agree with the GV Bookstore recommendation. Did enjoy the Longaberger Basket place, I actually made my own basket and it is a nice little conversation piece. Might as well drive around OSU in Columbus, see the Shoe (stadium).

Does anyone know if Mutt's Brewery & Lounge brews beer onsite?

We want to go see the Longaberger Basket building but we are not basket fanatics. Is a tour of the place worth it (if they give one)?

The Air Force Museum is excellent, and their theater has the same films as Washington's Air+Space Museum. but with NO LINES!

Is there a certain Skyline location that is the original or the best to go to?

Do locals prefer Skyline, Camp Washington Chili, or Blue Ash Chili?

As a longtime Cincinnatian - Skyline is the best and most popular. Doesn't matter which one you go to - they are all great and there is one on every corner. Though I do like the older locations for character. Definitely Graeters for Ice Cream - you HAVE to get a flavor w/chips - trust me. Someone mentioned Union Station - this is actually called Union Terminal - it is an old historic train station w/an Omnimax, Cincinnati History Museum, Natural History Museum and Children's Museum.

If you are looking for good hiking, I agree with all of the rec's for Hocking Hills.

Which skyline's are the older ones?

The (first)original was in Price Hill but they have remodeled and moved it down the street.

To answer your question on:

Field of giant corn - this is something you can just drive by and see... nothing more than a few acres of "giant corn." It is right on the main drag in Dublin.

World's largest crab...IMO out of the way from Columbus and Cincinnati. It is in the town of Blanchester which is about 30-40 minutes from the interstate. Again, this is something that you would drive by and see. No tours or anyone to give you information. Just a giant crab sitting in a parking lot.

If time allows, as mentioned above the Airforce Museum is great. If your plans do allow you to visit, go to their website and check into some of the background tours. They offer a few different ones and you must have a reservation, they do fill up quickly.

Re: Longaberger. They are closed till March 18. Their website has tour information.

And definately be sure to visit Graeter's at least once!

Longaberger - be aware that the "basket" is actually an office building for Longaberger employees. I don't believe you can actually tour it. They do have a Homestead about 30 min east of Newark (where the basket building is) where you can create a basket ($$), eat, buy lots of touristy stuff, view the baskets being made, etc.

We just want to see the big basket building. Not really interested in making my own basket or touring the production unless it is not that expensive.

http://www.longaberger.com/ourCompany.aspx Here you go

Back from Ohio....trip report coming.