(Photo) Stadium Court at the Western & Southern Open.

Piece 1: Western & Southern Open Tennis Tournament. The Western & Southern Open has a rich history dating back to 1899 when it was first played as an amateur event. Since then, it has become one of the most prestigious events on the tennis calendar.

Also known as the Cincinnati Masters, the Western & Southern is a hard court combined men’s and women’s tennis tournament that takes place over nine days in August at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, located in the Cincinnati suburb of Mason OH.

The Western & Southern Open is considered one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world, and attracts some of the top players in the game. The 2023 field included Venus Williams, Coco Gauff, Novak Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz.

We attended the first weekend of the 2023 Western & Southern. Our tickets gave us reserved seating in the large 11,400-seat Center Court Arena and access to all the other courts on property. The tournament venue was easy to navigate and beautifully decorated with trees, flowering plans, and other amenities.

Watching tennis played live at such a high level was a remarkable experience. Further, modern professional tennis features players from many different countries; we really liked seeing the variety of international athletes at the Western & Southern.

The August heat can be oppressive during parts of the day, but the tournament complex offered many shady places to sit, rehydrate, and enjoy a snack (or meal) from the food court. We particularly enjoyed the lemonade, fruit smoothies, salmon salad, and falafel wrap.

Lastly, there is a large fan store on site that features a wide range of event branded apparel and souvenirs. We visited the store during a brief suspension in play due to rain, and everyone else there had the same idea. Pretty crowded!

The Western & Southern Open was a great fun for us; entertaining athletic performances, decorative surroundings, and delicious food!

Howard Johnson’s Sign-American Sign Museum

Piece 2: American Sign Museum. The American Sign Museum in Cincinnati OH is a one-of-a-kind attraction that celebrates the history and artistry of sign creations in the United States.

Located at 1330 Monmouth Avenue in a restored factory building, the museum features over 20,000 square feet of vintage electric illumination and neon signs, hand-painted advertisements, shaped plastics, and other types of signage from the late 19th century to present day.

Visitors can explore exhibits that highlight the evolution of sign-making techniques and styles, as well as learn about the cultural significance of iconic pieces of Americana.

Perhaps the most interesting display in the museum is “Main Street USA” which features storefront facades from different eras in American history. The shop windows are full of sign-related objects and curiosities. We particularly enjoyed the large free-standing Howard Johnson’s and McDonald’s illuminated signs positioned in the middle of the “street”.

Another of the museum’s highlights is its neon sign restoration shop, where visitors can witness craftsmen restoring vintage signs to their former glory.

Lastly, there is a theater space that constantly shows a brief film giving some interesting details about selected signs in the museum collection. After watching this, we had to walk back through the exhibit space to more fully appreciate some of the items on display.

Skyline Chili Location-Cincinnati

Piece 3: Skyline Chili. Skyline Chili is a Cincinnati, OH institution that has been serving up its unique take on chili since 1949.

Founder Nicholas Lambrinides developed his recipe based on the Greek-style chili he grew up eating. Skyline Chili is made with a blend of spices that include cinnamon, allspice, and chocolate, which give it a sweet and savory flavor. Local lore says the name of the business (and the logo) was inspired by the view of the Cincinnati skyline as seen from the original restaurant.

Skyline is known for its “ways” – dishes that feature the signature chili served over spaghetti or hot dogs with toppings like shredded cheese and chopped onions. These include cheese coneys (a hot dog topped with Skyline Chili, mustard, onions, and cheese), the 3-way (spaghetti topped with Skyline Chili and cheese), the 4-way (choice of beans or onions added), and the 5-way (beans and onions both added).

We ate at Skyline twice during our trip to Cincinnati (visiting two different locations). I ordered the 4-way chili spaghetti with onions, and Becky had the 5-way chili spaghetti with beans and onions. Both “ways” were great, although we decided a slightly smaller mound of shredded cheese on top is a better way to enjoy these dishes. You can customize the amount of cheese when you order. The iced tea we got at Skyline was also quite good; freshly brewed.

If you’re in Cincinnati and are looking for a taste of the famous chili, there are plenty of Skyline restaurants throughout the city where you can get your fix. One popular spot is the original location on Glenway Avenue in the Price Hill neighborhood.

Over the years, Skyline has expanded to over 130 locations in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Florida. The famous chili is also available in some grocery stores.

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