Cincinnati
Cincinnati Overview
Cincinnati is a city you don’t really appreciate until you spend some time there. Bordering the Ohio River, this picturesque city blends a southern flavor from neighboring Kentucky along with a big city Ohio pulse. Built on seven hills, half the fun of Cincinnati is exploring the unique neighborhoods, like Mt. Adams near downtown or Newport Landing, across the river in Newport, Kentucky.
Cincinnati is easy to get to, and pretty much a half day’s drive from most east-central cities. We’ve been coming here every other year or so for the last twenty, and have seen Cincinnati struggle and now rebound. For baseball fans, there are the Cincinnati Reds, one of the National League’s founding teams and a big part of the summer scene here. For food lovers, there are uniquely Cincinnati specialties, like Skyline, Gold Star, and Camp Washington chili and Graeter’s ice cream.
For beer lovers, Cincinnati used to mean Little Kings Cream Ale and Hupepohl. Those days are gone, although you can still find the packaged brands in a few of the larger liquor stores. The old Schoenling Brewery on Central Parkway is now the largest producing Sam Adams Brewery, and Sam Adams is considered as much a local brew as anything else. Fortunately, Cincinnati has one of the country’s liveliest brewpubs, a few historic taverns, and popular local restaurants for those looking to get their good beer fix.
Hotels and motels are ample in both downtown Cincinnati and just across the river in Kentucky. We actually prefer staying on the Kentucky side and walking across the purple pedestrian bridge leading right up to the Reds new home, The Great American Ballpark.
The Neighborhood – Great American Ballpark
Ever since the era of the now demolished Riverfront Stadium in 1970, the Reds have played baseball along the banks of the Ohio River. The ballpark and football stadium were both built in the last few years, and reaching them is easy by car or by foot. Downtown Cincinnati is just a five minute walk away, as is the Kentucky side with the entertainment districts of Covington and Newport beckoning.
The area around the ballpark is efficiently designed for pedestrian traffic and it’s as safe as any ballpark area we’ve experienced. If you’re driving, there are numerous parking lots within a five to ten minute walk. Nearby bars and restaurants on both the Ohio and Kentucky side of the river make for ideal pre or post game hangouts.
The Ballpark
Opened in 2003, the Great American Ballpark is the pride of Cincinnati’s riverfront. Fans have a panoramic view of the Cincinnati skyline and the Ohio River just behind right field. The ballpark incorporates a few design elements of Cincinnati’s baseball past, including a right field sun deck that harkens back to Crosley Field.
This is a very enjoyable place to watch a game. Amenities are plentiful and it’s easy to navigate the entire park. Concessions are very good and you’ll find local Cincinnati food specialties like mettwurst sausages as well as Cincinnati style chili dogs.
Ballpark Tours
Great American Ballpark offers 90 minute tours of the ballpark and Reds Hall of Fame every day except Sunday. Cost is $15 and you can simply walk up and buy tickets.
Historic Baseball Sites
The former site of Riverfront Stadium is immediately adjacent to the Great American Ballpark. Part of the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum occupies the site, and you’ll learn all about Cincinnati’s rich baseball history inside. There are mementos and artifacts from both Crosley Field and Riverfront Stadium in the museum.
Fifteen minutes away on Cincinnati’s near west side is the intersection of Findlay and Western Avenues. Now occupied by a small industrial park, it’s the former site of Crosley Field, home of the Reds until 1970. Crosley Field’s memory is revered by long time Cincinnatians, who recall all the Reds greats and quirky charms of the park. A granite marker provides an historic overview, and the location of old home plate is marked with a brass plaque. Just inside the building adjacent to the home plate marker is a series of photos depicting demolition of Crosley Field in 1972.
Cincinnati Reds Tickets
Baseball is popular in Cincinnati but tickets are usually available. Some weekend games with special promotions sell out, but in most cases seats are available day of game.
Public Transportation
Cincinnati has a bus system, but there’s really no prevailing reason to use it to get around. Traffic isn’t too difficult and taxis are available if you’re not inclined to drive. If you’re staying in Newport on the Kentucky side, you can walk to the ballpark or take one of the many shuttles from area establishments.
Bars, Restaurants, and Taverns
Cincinnati is one of our favorite cities to enjoy an inexpensive local meal and an adult beverage. The city’s brewing history is rich, and as such, you’ll notice a real appreciation for good beer.
Be sure to stop at one of the local chili parlors like Gold Star, Skyline, or our favorite, Camp Washington at the intersection of Colerain and Hopper Avenues. The chili is unlike any other, a slightly sweet and spicy concoction that’s served either on steamed hot dogs or as a 5-way. 5 Way Chili means meat, beans, cheese, onions, all served over a plate of spaghetti.
And don’t forget about Graeter’s Ice Cream. There’s an outpost of this creamy local delicacy near Fountain Square. Lastly, enjoy a mettwurst, a mildly spicy German style sausage. You’ll find them at the ballpark, or at one of many hot dog carts in downtown Cincinnati.
Here’s a sampling of just a few of our Cincinnati favorites …
Arnold’s Bar and Grill: Cincinnati’s oldest tavern, dating back to 1861. Located on 8th Street downtown, Arnold’s hasn’t changed much over the years, with wood plank floors and an old saloon atmosphere. Try any of the lunch specials, made fresh daily, and enjoy a cold one out in the beer garden in back. 210 E. 8th St., Cincinnati. Phone: 513-421-6274.
Hofbrauhaus: Quite possibly the most fun brewpub in the country. Modeled after the famous German beer hall in Munich, Hofbrauhaus is a popular spot in the lively Newport Landing section on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River. The beers are fantastic (try the hefeweizen) and the food equally satisfying. The spacious patio really livens up later in the evening, making Hofbrauhaus the perfect post game gathering place. 200 E. 3rd St., Newport, KY. Phone: 859-491-7200.
City View Tavern: We learned about this small local tavern in the Mt. Adams area in 1991 and have returned countless times since. The small outdoor deck houses about 8 tables and offers a panoramic view of the city below. There’s always a local beer on tap, along with a small grill serving up cheeseburgers and mettwurst. It’s not easy to find, but City View is hard to forget. 403 Oregon St., Cincinnati. Phone: 513-241-8439.
Beer Sellar: Our choice for casual pub fare and great beer selection on the Ohio riverfront. Located almost directly across the river from the ballpark, the Beer Sellar has 60 taps and a great view of the river traffic meandering by. When you’re ready to go to the game, just hop on their water taxi. This is a great place for happy hour, Monday through Friday 2-7 p.m. 301 Riverboat Row, Newport, KY. Phone: 859-431-8969.
Hyde Park Tavern: Billed as Cincinnati’s original gastropub, Hyde Park Tavern is one of two beer spots we really like in the Hyde Park Square area, about 10 minutes east of downtown. The food is imaginative and fresh, there’s a stylish outdoor patio, and 20 taps including a few Christian Morlein specialties. 3384 Erie Ave., Cincinnati. Phone: 513-321-3869.
Teller’s Hyde Park: The second of our Hyde Park area stops, Teller’s is a popular place with the young professional set. Housed in an old bank building, Teller’s offers great food, 30 beers on draft, and 50 more in bottles. 2710 Erie Ave., Cincinnati. Phone: 513-321-4721.
Fries Cafe: Not a cafe at all, nor a restaurant. Fries is a Cincinnati local bar turned great beer hangout, and it’s been a staple of the University of Cincinnati area since the 1930′s. Open at 4 p.m. There’s 8 rotating taps and 30 in bottles. 3247 Jefferson Ave., Cincinnati. Phone: 513-281-9002.
Mecklenburg Gardens: This is our favorite German restaurant in Cincinnati. Since 1865, this place has been dishing out traditional German fare. We like stopping in for lunch and sitting in the grapevine covered beer garden. Mecklenburg Gardens has 15 beers on tap and 80 in bottles. The German sausages here are fantastic! 302 E. University Ave., Cincinnati. Phone: 513-221-5353.
