The greater Cincinnati area is steeped in history, culture and great food, but perhaps the best time to experience all three in one place is during the annual Oktoberfests held each year in September. Downtown Cincinnati and MainStrasse Village in Covington, Kentucky, both have large celebrations with lots of entertainment.

This year, MainStrasse Village will hold its 32nd annual Oktoberfest Sept. 10–12, with live entertainment, food (including traditional German food, of course), drinks and artisans and crafters from all over the country. Adults will enjoy the variety of music, from blues and classic rock to country and German, and kids will love Kinderplatz, a play area with rides and games.

The following weekend, downtown Cincinnati hosts its annual Oktoberfest Zinzinnati celebration, Sept. 18–19, but events take place all week long leading up to the festival. Known as the Gemuetlichkeit Games, these activities are designed to build excitement for the festival and include everything from beer stein races across Fountain Square to the running of the wiener dogs, where dachshunds dressed like hot dogs race for first place.