Carew Tower is a great example of the Art Deco–style architecture around Cincinnati but one of its best features can’t be seen from the street or the lobby. Head up 49 floors to the observation deck for magnificent views of the city. $4 for adults, less for children. After you descend, head a block over to the central Fountain Square. Many days of the week it hosts midday food fares. Overseeing citizens and revelers is the beautiful and imposing Tyler Davidson Fountain by sculptor August von Kreling. The bottom four figures are actually drinking fountains!

Follow the robot into the visual playground that is the Contemporary Arts Center. The media are mixed and the artists are from far and wide. Featuring only temporary exhibitions, each visit to this cool downtown gallery is a new one. Have a blast with the interactive UnMuseum for kids (or curious adults). Admission is free, leaving those Washingtons in your wallet for lunch at the resident Eclectic Café or one of the food trucks just around the corner on Fountain Square most days. Free scheduled tours include the exhibits at the 21C Museum Hotel next door.

Want to honor Cincinnati’s Porkopolis roots? Pop into Eli’s at Findlay Market. Like the restaurant itself, this barbecue joint’s menu is small and straightforward. The pulled-pork sandwich won’t set you back much, is perfectly seasoned and straight-up delicious when topped with Eli’s pleasantly tangy sauce and coleslaw. Counter service and limited seating with vinyl spinning inside; additional seating outside at the Market, with live music at the Biergarten on some Fridays and Sundays.

On Sundays the Cincinnati treasure that is the Taft Museum of Art opens its doors to the public for free. Its wonderful collection includes American and European master paintings (see works by Whistler and Rembrandt, among numerous others), as well as decorative arts, sculpture and furniture. The free “highlights” tour at 1:30pm is highly recommended.