Great — for a cultural weekend in Cincinnati you’ll want to stay where museums, theaters, historic neighborhoods, restaurants and easy walking/transit access are concentrated. Here are the best neighborhoods to consider, why they’re good for culture, specific hotel picks (different budgets / experiences), and a short sample plan.

Top neighborhoods (what they offer)

• Over-the-Rhine (OTR) — Best overall for food, architecture, galleries and markets. Home to Findlay Market (Ohio’s oldest continuously operated public market), lots of independent restaurants, breweries and the Contemporary Arts Center; very walkable. (VisitCincy.com)
• Downtown / Fountain Square / Arts District — Best for performing arts and central access. You’ll be steps from the Aronoff Center for the Arts, theaters, Fountain Square and riverfront parks — a convenient base for shows and museums. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Mount Adams / Eden Park — Quieter, more residential hilltop with great views, walkable to Eden Park (Cincinnati Art Museum, Krohn Conservatory) and a handful of intimate restaurants/bars. Good if you want scenic evenings after museum days. (en.wikipedia.org)
• The Banks / Riverfront (and Covington, KY across the river) — Good if you want easy riverfront walks, stadiums/large concert venues and modern riverfront dining; often convenient if you’re attending a big performance or game. (marriott.com)

Hotel recommendations by vibe

• Art-forward / boutique (immersive cultural experience)
  • 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati — a contemporary art museum integrated into the hotel; steps from the Contemporary Arts Center and close to OTR and Fountain Square. Excellent if you want art on-site and a boutique stay. (21cmuseumhotels.com)
• Central / convenient for theaters & shows
  • The Westin Cincinnati (Fountain Square) — large downtown hotel overlooking Fountain Square, near Aronoff Center and within easy walking distance of many museums and nightlife. Good for easy access to performing arts venues. (marriott.com)
• Riverfront / event-focus
  • Cincinnati Marriott at RiverCenter (Covington, KY) or hotels at The Banks — good if you want riverfront walks and proximity to large venues (and often good views of the city). (marriott.com)
• Neighborhood / boutique alternatives
  • Small B&Bs or Airbnbs in Mount Adams or OTR — choose these if you want a cozier, local vibe and easy walking to parks or the market. (Findlay Market and OTR are very walkable and full of local shops and eateries.) (findlaymarket.org)

Quick 48-hour cultural weekend sample

• Day 1 (afternoon/evening): Check into a downtown or OTR hotel → stroll OTR and have dinner near Findlay Market → catch a performance at Aronoff Center or a show at Music Hall / a live-music venue. (findlaymarket.org)
• Day 2 (day): Morning at Findlay Market and cafés in OTR → visit Cincinnati Art Museum and Krohn Conservatory in Eden Park (or Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal if you prefer history/science) → evening rooftop or riverfront dinner and a walk across the Roebling Bridge. (findlaymarket.org)

Practical tips

• Walkable core: Downtown + OTR are very walkable; many cultural sites sit within a few blocks of each other. There’s also a free/low-cost streetcar and ride-share options if you want to hop around. (VisitCincy.com)
• If you want art on-site: pick 21c Museum Hotel for the novelty of a free, 24/7 contemporary art museum inside your hotel. (21cmuseumhotels.com)
• Book early for weekend performances and theater runs — hotels near Fountain Square and OTR fill up when there are big shows or festivals. (en.wikipedia.org)

If you tell me your priorities (closest to performances, best food scene, boutique/romantic, or budget), I can suggest 2–3 specific hotels with price ranges and how to get from each to the main museums and theaters.