Cincinnati for a first timer

Going there for a convention later in the summer (beginning of July). Anyone from there and want to give me some recommendations on food, cool things to see? Expect that I'm in a hotel downtown near the convention center. I know it's a long way off, but frankly I'm just kind of bored tonight.....

Well there are the Reds, there is a casino, the zoo, and if you have a car, there is a store called Jungle Jim's. Food suggestions Cincinnati chili.

The downtown area is in the beginning stages of being gentrified.....lots of people work downtown but it's not a popular place to live just yet...so it's a little more limited in restaurants. Suggestions?
"the Senate" is a gourmet hotdog place downtown and was featured on diners, drive ins, and dives.
The Reds have a nice ballpark. Skyline chili dogs are a must.
There are 2 casinos ....Horseshoe in Cinci, and Hollywood In Lawrenceberg. I prefer the latter.
You'll find a lot more restaurants and pubs immediately over the river in Covington, Ky

The airport is in Covington so I'm more familiar with that then downtown. I suppose you should try the chili, but I think it's an acquired taste, one I've yet to acquire.
I'd hit the ballpark if the Reds are in town.

Here's a good website to check out https://cincinnatiusa.com/ .

Since you are downtown if no transportation several places you might want to go to is the Banks down on the river by the Red's stadium. The Banks has the Christian Moerlein Brewery. We have been gone from Cincinnati for awhile, but there is a new street car that I think makes stops some places in downtown and will take you to the Over the Rhine area that has many eateries and bars and I think other shopping, It might also take you to Findlay Market (I'm not sure of the operating hours for this), but it is a wonderful open air market.
Short cab ride over across the river is the Newport on the Levee which has many different things: Hoffbrau House ( I think that besides Las Vegas this is the only Hoffbraus house in USA), there is also an Aquarium and many other places to eat, drink or shop.

Local Foods/restaurants to try:
Izzy's Deli
Frisch's- This is like Bob's Big Boy but sandwich has tartar sauce instead of thousand island
Skyline Chili
If you have a chance try Geotta instead of sausage at breakfast it is not served everywhere
If get to a Mom and Pop's diner try Cottage Ham and green beans.
LaRosa's Pizza -I recommend Baked Hoagy royal or Steak Hoagy
Graeter's Ice Cream is the best in the world - Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip is the best. This is also a bakery and their Double Butter Cake is to die for.

Ironically, there's apparently a beer joint called Tafts which is in a large remodeled church. And it's a churchy convention I'm going to. :-)

Try "Over the Rhine" entertainment area. Restaurants, bars, music. 1.5 miles north of the river on Vine st. The Banks entertainment district, right next to the baseball stadium. Mount Adams. Taxi there since it's hard to park (10 minute ride). As suggested, the Reds may be in town. Say hello to Tucker Barnhart who played ball growing up with my boy.

I would consider Jungle Jim's to be too far for what it's worth............unless there is a new one that I'm not familiar with. I lived there for 17 years, but have been gone for a long while. Still get back there, however.

PJ makes a good recommendation about going across the river into Kentucky. Hang in Newport. Don't walk off the beaten path in downtown Cinti at night without a side arm. Better yet, don't walk off the beaten path downtown.

Growing up in Dayton and skyline chili, I second (or third, or fourth, or whatever) the recommend that skyline chili is a must. Afterall there's about five or so recognized types of chili's and cincy chili is one of them. Personally I think chili over spaghetti is pretty weird.

All-star break while I'm in Cinci. DAMMIT that always seems to happen with this convention