While many loyal Cincinnatians would make the argument that Cincinnati has always been a cool place to live, even they would have to admit that our city has upped the cool factor quite a bit over the past several years. It seems that overnight, Cincinnati went from a place that many said was stuck in the past to a city on the cutting edge of the food, entertainment, and arts industries. And thanks to the passion of our city and it's ability to grow and adapt, while still maintaining its charm, Cincinnati quietly became the coolest city in the Midwest.

1. Over-the-Rhine became one of the coolest neighborhoods in the country.

Some would argue that Over-the-Rhine has always had a certain charm and appeal, and they'd be right. But it's hard to argue that one of Cincinnati's most historic neighborhoods hasn't made a complete turn around and is now one of the most vibrant areas of our community. With new shops, restaurants, and attractions opening almost weekly, and real estate prices going through the roof, it seems everyone wants to be in this risen star of the Queen City. And in addition to OTR, other neighborhoods are right on its heels and making their own strides to build a thriving community and neighborhood feel. Spots like Walnut Hills, Northside, and the historic East End are all places to watch as they are already filled with several cool restaurants, shops, and residents.

2. Our food scene just keeps getting better.

Cincinnati has always had unbelievable choices when it comes to restaurants, but it seems that with the growth and revitalization of many neighborhoods came countless incredible additions to the food scene. From the ambiance and authenticity at Sotto, to the unique creations at Senate and everything in between, there is no shortage of delicious spots to get an unforgettable meal.

3. We celebrate the arts in the best ways possible.

Cincinnati has become quite the artistic town in the past several years as it seems the city itself is slowly becoming a piece of art. With stunning murals popping up on walls throughout the city, the popularity of Lumenocity, and the upcoming BLINK festival, the arts are coming to life right on our streets. Cincinnati has also welcomed the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and the Warsaw Federal Incline Theater to its already impressive performance arts scene.

4. We continue to rock the craft brewery scene.

Cincinnatians know beer, love beer, and now we brew quite a bit of it right here in the Queen City. It's not just about the great-tasting, high quality beverages that are created by these local business- it's also about the atmosphere and laid-back vibe they provide the thirsty Cincinnati crowd.

5. We are working hard to preserve our landmarks.

Cincinnati cares a great deal about our history and we work to preserve it. Two of our most recognizable landmarks - Union Terminal and Music Hall - are both undergoing restoration, and will remain beautiful pieces of our history for generations to come.

6. Our riverfront is unbelievable.

Do you remember the time when our riverfront was pretty much a big parking lot? We had Sawyer Point (and still do!), but that was about it. If you head down to the river on a nice day now, you'll be one of many strolling through Smale Park, grabbing a meal at The Banks, or catching a Reds or Bengals game. With downtown on one side and the river and picturesque bridges on the other, it's now a little slice of Cincinnati heaven.

7. There's no shortage of cool parks to hang out at in Cincinnati.

With a number of park systems within Hamilton County, there are plenty of outdoor spaces in which to relax and get some fresh air. More recently, the reinvention of Washington Park, as well as the creation of Summit Park have both added even more beauty and cool factor to our already outdoor-friendly city.

8. Even our animals are cool.

If the cutest baby hippo ever doesn't make our city cooler, then I don't know what would. Fiona has captured the hearts of the world, and our zoo- which already added plenty of appeal to our city- is now attracting even more positive attention and love.

9. We know how to throw a party.

Cincinnati has always been a party town with celebrations like our Labor Day fireworks show, Oktoberfest, and the Taste of Cincinnati. And new festivals and gatherings are being added to our city's social calendar each year, which continue to make Cincinnati one of the coolest places in the Midwest.

Cincinnati is a great place to live... in fact, it's one of the coolest! What is your opinion on calling our city "the coolest?" Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

And for reasons why Cincinnati is one of the best vacation spots in the country, check out our previous article here.