Blog > 2025 Cincinnati Rewind: Top Moments That Shaped the Queen City
2025 Cincinnati Rewind: The Year That Was
2025 was… something, right?
Honestly, there’s no single word that sums it all up. A few that come close: growth, excitement, connection—and maybe a little exhaustion.
Our business saw its share of changes too: humbling, challenging, sometimes extreme, but always worth it. And Cincinnati? Well, this city didn’t disappoint either!
We’re proud to be your go-to resource for everything that keeps Cincinnati real, so we hit rewind and pulled together the biggest moments, openings, and changes of 2025.
What stood out to you this year? What are you most excited for in 2026?
Cincinnati Weather in 2025: A Year of Extremes
❄️ January Snowapalooza: The year kicked off with record-breaking snow. Over two days, Cincinnati saw 10.6 inches, including 4.2 inches in a single day at CVG, the most since 1981. Streets were slick, snow boots got a workout, and everyone remembered why winter is “unpredictable.”
🌊 April Flooding: April went down as the 5th wettest April on record. The Ohio River crested at 60 feet, matching the major 2018 flood. Road closures and property damage hit low-lying areas, leaving plenty of flood stories to share.
☀️ June Heatwave: Late June brought triple-digit heat, with highs in the 90s and heat index values over 106°F. A scorcher, but kind of nice to dream about now.
🍂 False Fall?: August 27 felt like sweater weather with 49°F at CVG, breaking an 80-year-old record for that date. And we basically stayed cold since then… right?
🌟 Weather Oddities:
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Northern Lights made a rare November appearance across Greater Cincinnati.
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An EF-1 tornado touched down at CVG in March, winds hitting 105 mph.
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A magnitude 2.5 earthquake shook Springboro in August—mostly felt along I-75 toward Franklin.
Cincy Sports: Our Collective Heartbreak
Skip this section if you don’t want to relive it…
🏈 Cincinnati Bengals
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2025 record: 4‑10 (ouch)
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Injuries, including Joe Burrow’s long turf toe, tested the QB—but Joe says he plans to finish the season and can’t see himself anywhere else in 2026. Fans, however, were unhinged: billboards reading “Fire Zac, Save Joe” popped up across the city.
⚾ Cincinnati Reds
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Playoff appearance! Unfortunately, swept 2‑0 by the Dodgers in the Wild Card Series. But optimism remains: Opening Day 2026 is March 26 vs. the Boston Red Sox. Mark your calendars!
⚽ FC Cincinnati
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Monster season: 20‑5‑9 in MLS regular season, 24‑8‑13 overall.
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Knocked out in Eastern Conference Semifinals by Inter Miami.
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Sellout crowds at TQL Stadium proved Cincinnati is serious about soccer.
Side Quests in the Cincy Sports World:
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Cincinnati Open: $260M renovation completed.
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Rugby World Cup bid: Cincy reached the applicant phase for 2031—one of only ~15 U.S. cities.
Food & Drink: The Year Cincinnati Ate Really Well
🏆 James Beard Finalists:
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David Jackman | Wildweed
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Mike Stankovich | Longfellow
National Love:
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Wildweed named one of The New York Times’ Best Restaurants in America
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Carmelo's nominated for USA Today Best New Restaurant
OpenTable Top 100 (Ohio only):
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Jeff Ruby’s
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Pepp & Dolores
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The Precinct
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Sotto
🎬 New to the Scene:
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Marigold | Downtown
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Wayfarer Tavern | Dayton, KY
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MadTree Parks and Rec | Blue Ash
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Guardia Pizza | Mt. Lookout
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Alveo | Mariemont
🌀 Same Favorites, New Spaces:
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Kiki moved to Clifton
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Bruegger’s rebranded as Einstein Bros.
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Salazar and Nicola’s moving downtown
⛽ National Chains: Wawa, Dutch Bros, Sheetz, Shake Shack’s 3rd location
Development News: Big Plans, Big Debates
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Riverbend 2.0 / The Farmer Music Center: $160M, 20,000-capacity amphitheater under construction, expected 2027 completion.
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Hyde Park Square: $150M mixed-use plan reset after neighborhood pushback.
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The Banks: $800M next phase plan, including apartments, hotel, retail, and entertainment. Learn more on IG here!
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FC Cincinnati West End Development: $332M mixed-use proposal near TQL Stadium.
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Heritage Bank Center: $800M replacement conversation back on the table.
Home Base: Greater Cincinnati Edition
2025 reinforced that people are choosing Cincinnati—and sticking around.
📍 Cincinnati vs. The U.S.:
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U.S. average home value: $359,241 (up 0.1%)
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Hamilton County: $262,214 (up 2.2%)
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Homes pending: 12 days in Hamilton County vs. 29 nationally
🌟 Neighborhood Highlights:
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Blue Ash: Ohio’s best suburb (2nd year), #17 nationwide
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Five ZIP codes on the 2025 Wealthy 1000 list
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Local leader: 45208 | Hyde Park
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🚚 Movers:
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Into Cincinnati: Dayton, NYC, LA, Louisville, Chicago
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Out of Cincinnati: Cape Coral, Sarasota, Knoxville, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach
Does this make you curious what your home is worth? Find out here (Free and you don't have to talk to me if you don't want to 🫡)
Only in Cincinnati
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Skyline + Graeter’s ice cream collab 🍨
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Cincinnati Children’s among the nation’s best 🏥
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Parks ranked #4 in the U.S. 🌳
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Cincinnati Zoo celebrated 150th anniversary 🦍
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Big Mac Bridge reopened after 2024 fire 🔥
2025 was a year of growth, development, sports highs and lows, and plenty of reasons to call Cincinnati home.
Whether you’re buying, selling, or staying put, 2026 looks even brighter—and we’re here to help you make sense of it all.
Want to stay in the loop for Cincinnati real estate, new openings, and local happenings? Best place to start is HERE
Would love to connect!
Brad Acree | Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky Realtor
513-916-2363 | brad@mybetterwayhome.com | www.mybetterwayhome.com
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