cincinnati is entrenched in a major river valley, and the roads reflect fact.  i grew up there, and now i live in columbus, and i have to say one of the things i miss most about cincy are the hills and terriain.  columbus is all boring squares except for a few subdivisions and watersheds.
You wouldn't know it, but parts of the Scioto River Valley are part of an ancient river valley. I don't believe that the pre-glacial Teay's River flowed through Columbus, but I know it did meander along the same valley the Scioto of today does.