Mason

Nowhere is the boom and excitement of suburban Cincinnati's fast-paced growth more evident than in Mason; its population has exploded since the early ‘90s - nearly tripling to 30,000 today - and is still growing. In turn, business and educational opportunities, government, housing and recreation have progressed at a dizzying place to keep up with this once largely rural farming area. New shopping centers, restaurants, upscale boutiques, salons, dozens of new subdivisions - and some rush hour and weekend traffic jams - have sprung up on the Northeast edge of Cincinnati in nearby Warren County.

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According to CNN Money, the City of Mason is one of the top 100 places to live in the United States. Large and expansive, Mason is quickly developing a reputation for offering healthy commerce, good schools, new homes and a modern lifestyle. Located off I-71, Mason lies between Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati International Airport and Dayton International Airport.

Business is big in Mason, supporting many professional and management jobs, as well as a manufacturing base. Mason is home to 17 commerce parks and several more planned or under development, as well as three of Warren County's largest employers - Cintas, Luxottica Retail and the Procter & Gamble Health Research Center. Warren County is Ohio's second fastest growing county (only behind Delaware County, near Columbus), and Mason is the county's fastest growing city.

In the trail of the economic boom a host of new residences and subdivisions are taking root. Among the most fantastic is the Long Cove development, which is minutes from I-71 and within walking distance of the new Deerfield Shopping Center and Regal Cinema development. Long Cove features multi-million dollar homes, a walking trail and small lake, and has repeatedly served as the site for the annual Homearama home show event. Mason also offers more affordable modern subdivisions in other areas, as well as a smaller selection of apartments and condos. Older, smaller homes can also be found clustered around the historic downtown area in the northern part of the city.

Mason is a wonderful place for families and belongs to the highly rated Mason City, Kings Local and Lebanon City school districts. It's also known as a place to have fun; Mason boasts the region's best known theme park, Kings Island, as well as the newer Beach Water Park and Great Wolf Lodge and Conference Center. Recreation is also a top priority in Mason; the Tennis Masters Series draws world class men's and women's professional tennis every summer, bringing reputable players such as Andre Agassi, Serena Williams and Roger Federer. Mason also provides one of the region's largest community centers, which includes a fitness center, several gyms, indoor pools and place to eat, as well as an outdoor municipal pool and water park. Unlike many municipal community centers, these facilities are open to residents and non-residents alike.

For entertainment, there's plenty to do, especially in and around the Deerfield Towne Center, which houses the 16-screen Regal Cinemas, a wide variety of restaurants and fun shops, such as Border's Books, Whole Foods Market and more. A car is a necessity to get around, as Mason is large and also home to some of the region's busiest thouroughfares - but many retail areas and eateries now are linked by sidewalks, so one can park and go.

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Dining

The Claddagh Irish Pub & Restaurant

In Mason, dining is pretty much whatever you're in the mood for - there's a gigantic selection of casual to upscale eateries. The Claddagh Irish Pub & Restaurant offers both dining and a touch of celtic nightlife. For a little of this and a little of that, Relish Modern Tapas Restaurant serves small plate sizes of soups, sandwiches and sides - great for sharing among a group. For something different, Masala Club is the only restaurant in the region to offer Nepalese cuisine (and serves standard Indian dishes as well). Houston Inn offers home-cooked food and a little extra - they are known for their giant salad bar, for fried chicken and also for their frog's legs! Arloi Dee features delicious authentic Thai food, while Brazenhead Pub serves traditional Irish fare and pub grub. For something quick and inexpensive, one can enjoy a stack of blueberry flapjacks at the International House of Pancakes, Chinese delights at Chan's Asian diner or simply have a beer and some wings and the Fox and Hound English Pub and Grille. For a summer treat, Tucker's Whippy Dip, an old fashioned ice cream shop, is the local favorite.
Nightlife

The Polo Grille

Mason provides diversion for all ages, from family-friendly venues like King's Island and Great Wolf Lodge to popular pubs and clubs. At Deerfield Towne Center, one can also catch dinner at a nice restaurant and a movie at Regal Cinema. For those in the mood for a drink, The Polo Grille offers food and drinks in a casual but classy environment - and hosts live Jazz on Wednesdays and Sundays. Sports lovers can enjoy the game at Willies Sports Café or Buffalo Wild Wings, where wings are the specialty of the house (offered in 18 different sauces!). For a classic pub feel, there's also Claddaugh Irish Pub and Fox and Hound English Pub and Grille - both of which can pour a hearty pint of beer.
Arts & Entertainment

The Mason arts community is heavily geared toward families and children – kids can enjoy taking classes at the Children’s Theatre of Mason or Just for Kicks Dance Academy. However, adults can also explore their creative sides, at Crooked Tree Studios Sculpture and Fine Pottery or the Mad Potter. Theatre buffs will want to check out the Mason Community Players, the oldest continually operating community theatre in Warren County (established in 1973), while those who are more visually inclined can view shows at the Mason Fine Arts Center. Anyone who would like to get involved in Mason’s art scene can contact the Mason Area Arts Council, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the arts in Mason, which hosts a number of fine arts events each year.
Recreation

Kings Island

Mason is like the neighborhood kid with the huge pool in his backyard. In addition to Kings Island's big water park, Mason is also home to Beach Waterpark and Great Wolf Lodge, a giant indoor waterpark. The city also operates one of the largest Community Centers in the region with indoor lap pools, a "lazy river" and an indoor water park, as well as a modern, outdoor municipal pool open during the summer to residents and non-residents alike. Those who enjoy golfing are also in luck, with options at The Golf Center at Kings Island and Crooked Tree Golf Course. Fitness, sports and dance facilities (and activities) are available at the Mason Community Center, which provides classes and recreational/leisure facilities to all ages.
Special Interest

In Mason, the most common pastimes revolve around family recreation and dining. However, there are a few hobby shops. Wild Bird Center at Deerfield Towne Center is a great spot for wildlife enthusiasts - it's both a shop for birdseed and other animal-friendly accoutrements, as well as a venue for educational programs. Their staff is dedicated to nature, conversation and education, and includes a naturalist, zoologist, biologist and environmental scientist, who are all available to answer questions about nature. Those who enjoy jewelry making will love Ohio Beads and Gems, which offers a vast selection of bulk-rate jewelry findings, beads, chains and stones. Video game aficionados will want to visit Game Stop, which specializes in new and used games and game systems of all kinds.
Shopping

Shopping is bountiful inside and around Mason, one of the region's most prominent retail hubs. One of Mason's nicest places to browse is in the newly redeveloped downtown area, which features many small, independent shops, such as New 2 You Thrift Store, Baysore's Flower Shop and Yost's Pharmacy. Mason also features many mall and boutique favorites, including White House/Black Market, Talbots, Skeffington's Formal Wear and Lane Bryant. Half-Priced Books is a great place to find a bargain on books, movies and CDs, and healthy, fresh groceries are available at Whole Foods Market. Deerfield Towne Center is the main shopping area, offering close to 60 stores to choose from.
Personal Care

Staying sharp is easy in Mason, which features both small, locally-owned hair dressers and barber shops (like Gary's Barbershop and Kim Harper Salon and Spa) and elegant modern beauty salons (such as Merle Norman and Pure Concept Salon/Aveda). One of the most unique salons in the area is Becoming Mom, a business centered around moms and moms-to-be. To stay in shape, many Mason residents join Lifetime Fitness, which operates 24-hours a day, and offers indoor and outdoor pools as well as a café. The Mason Community Center also offers a wide range of fitness classes (cardio, strength training, aerobic and more) and also sports an indoor pool.

The Claddagh Irish Pub & Restaurant

In Mason, dining is pretty much whatever you're in the mood for - there's a gigantic selection of casual to upscale eateries. The Claddagh Irish Pub & Restaurant offers both dining and a touch of celtic nightlife. For a little of this and a little of that, Relish Modern Tapas Restaurant serves small plate sizes of soups, sandwiches and sides - great for sharing among a group. For something different, Masala Club is the only restaurant in the region to offer Nepalese cuisine (and serves standard Indian dishes as well). Houston Inn offers home-cooked food and a little extra - they are known for their giant salad bar, for fried chicken and also for their frog's legs! Arloi Dee features delicious authentic Thai food, while Brazenhead Pub serves traditional Irish fare and pub grub. For something quick and inexpensive, one can enjoy a stack of blueberry flapjacks at the International House of Pancakes, Chinese delights at Chan's Asian diner or simply have a beer and some wings and the Fox and Hound English Pub and Grille. For a summer treat, Tucker's Whippy Dip, an old fashioned ice cream shop, is the local favorite.

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Newcomers to Mason are surprised to find an older downtown with architecture from the 1950s. The spotless downtown represents the old Mason... [it] has become the second-fastest-growing locale in Ohio.

Mason

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