Downtown Cincinnati



Map of Downtown Cincinnati

Downtown Cincinnati, sometimes referred to as the "Central Business District", is the city's center. With many major attractions, it's the most interesting part of the city for most visitors.

Understand[edit]

Downtown's north-south streets can be easily remembered by the mnemonic:

Big Strong Men Will Very Rarely Eat Pork Chops

Going east to west this stands for:

Broadway Sycamore Main Walnut Vine Race Elm Plum Central.

The Cincinnati skyline is breathtaking—especially at night—when viewed from Devou Park in northern Kentucky, Mount Echo in Price Hill, or Eden Park and neighboring Mt. Adams.

Get in[edit]

Get around[edit]

See[edit]

Map
Map of Cincinnati/Downtown

Carew Tower, Cincinnati's 2nd tallest building.
  • 1 Carew Tower & Observation Deck, 441 Vine St, +1 513 579-9735. M-Sa 10AM-5:30PM, Su 11AM-5PM. The Carew Tower served as the basis for the design of the later Empire State Building. During the mid- to late-1980s, a giant inflatable gorilla was attached to the upper floors! Notice the Art Deco interior of the common areas as you follow the signs to find the elevators. You have to change elevators and then take the stairs up the final level to make it to the 49th floor. The 49th floor of Cincinnati's 2nd tallest building provides a breathtaking, inexpensive, and gorilla-less view of the city. Take a high-speed elevator to the 45th floor, then choose from walking up four flights of stairs or taking another elevator to the 48th floor and walking up one flight. The admission is collected once you reach the top. Adults $2, children $1. Carew Tower (Q152129) on Wikidata Carew Tower on Wikipedia
  • 2 Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine Streets (sandwiched between the Westin Hotel, Macy's, Carew Tower, and the Fifth Third building). The renovated Fountain Square holds the Tyler Davidson Fountain, restaurants, an ice skating rink, a big screen video board, free Wi-Fi, and a hands-on water wall! Fountain Square, Cincinnati (Q5474767) on Wikidata Fountain Square, Cincinnati on Wikipedia
    Roebling Suspension Bridge from Smale Park
  • 3 John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge (Riverfront). The John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world at 1,057 feet (322 m) when the first pedestrians crossed on December 1, 1866 — a status it maintained until 1883. You can still walk across it today and tour the Riverside Drive historic district - one of the oldest neighborhoods in the region in Covington It served as the prototype for Roebling's design of the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. This bridge was featured in the movie Rain Man. John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge (Q153672) on Wikidata John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge on Wikipedia
  • 4 Merchantile Library, 414 Walnut Street, 11th Floor (Merchantile Center; Ask the concierge downstairs how to get to the 11th floor.), +1-513-621-0717. M-F 9AM-5:30PM; Sa 10AM-3PM. Non-members can browse but not check out books during business hours and it's open to the public. Old-school private library complete with busts of famous literary figures, artwork, globes, dusty stacks of books and spiral staircases. Also hosted here are frequently literary events, lectures and local public affairs talks. Its worth a look to see a unique library space. Mercantile Library of Cincinnati (Q6818027) on Wikidata Mercantile Library of Cincinnati on Wikipedia

Religious buildings[edit]

Plum Street Temple, also known as Wise Temple
  • 5 Isaac M. Wise Temple (Plum Street Temple), 726 Plum Street, at the corner of Plum and Eighth Streets, +1 513 793-2556. Built in 1865-1866 for B'nai Yeshurun, this is one of the best-preserved Moorish Revival buildings of the 19th century. This was also major pioneering center for the development of Reform Judaism. Isaac M. Wise Temple (Q1100476) on Wikidata Isaac M. Wise Temple on Wikipedia
  • 6 Saint Peter in Chains Cathedral, 325 W 8th St, +1 513 421-5354, . Saint Peter in Chains Cathedral is a beautifully and ornate cathedral, a recommended sight for anyone traveling through Cincinnati. St. Peter in Chains Cathedral was the city's tallest structure when completed, as well as one of its most elegant buildings. Copying elements from classical Athenian buildings, architect Henry Walter produced one of the finest neoclassical Greek revival buildings in the United States with a look that is quite a bit more Byzantine than one would expect from a normal Catholic church. Well worth a look, particularly if you can get inside! Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains (Q154215) on Wikidata Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains on Wikipedia
  • 7 Sherith Israel Temple, Ruth Lyons Way (Alley between 6th/7th Walnut and Vine). Like most old large cities in the US alleyways have old houses and buildings on them, Cincinnati is no exception, though not as many survived the onslaught of mid-late 20th century urban destruction as are in Philly or Boston. In one of these alleys is the oldest synagogue west of the Appalachian mountains, that was saved by being converted to condominiums in the early 2000s. This is a private residence, but should be something noted by travelers who happen to be next to Restaurant Row/The Aronoff Center. The alley is well lit and fairly wide as its branded the Backstage District. Sherith Israel Temple (Q7495032) on Wikidata Sherith Israel Temple (Cincinnati, Ohio) on Wikipedia

Museums and galleries[edit]

The Contemporary Arts Center
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
  • 8 Contemporary Arts Center, 44 East Sixth St (Across from the Aronoff Center), +1 513 345-8400. M 10AM-9PM, W-F 10AM-6PM, Sa-Su 11AM-6PM. The CAC is one of the regional leaders in thought-provoking art; the building is a piece of art with some of Cincinnati's boldest architecture. The center has also been the center of controversy; some may not see the "art" in some exhibits. If you do get this kind of art, hop one door north on Walnut to the 21C Museum Hotel for a few more exhibits in its publicly open/free museum, for info on staying there see details under the Sleep section below. Adults $7.50, senior (65+) $6.50, student w/ID $5.50, children (3-13) $4.50. Contemporary Arts Center (Q5164962) on Wikidata Contemporary Arts Center on Wikipedia
  • 9 National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 50 East Freedom Way (Riverfront), +1 513 333-7500. Tu-Su 11AM-5PM (closed: Labor Day, September 7, October 15 at 14:00, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day). The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is a museum of conscience; it offers lessons on the struggle for freedom in the past, in the present, and for the future as it attempts to challenge visitors to contemplate the meaning of freedom in their own lives. Its location recognizes the significant role of Cincinnati, where thousands of slaves escaped to freedom by crossing the Ohio River, in the history of the Underground Railroad. Adults $12, seniors $10, children $8. National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (Q14691014) on Wikidata National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on Wikipedia
  • 10 Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike St (east end of Fourth Street, across from Lytle Park), +1 513 241-0343, fax: +1 513 241-2266, . Tu W F 11AM-5PM, Th 11AM-8PM, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Closed January 1, Thanksgiving, and December 25. The Taft Museum of Art is known as one of the finest small art museums in America. A National Historic Landmark built around 1820, the Taft is home to an extensive art collection that includes European and American master paintings; Chinese porcelains; and European decorative arts. Adults: $7, seniors (60 and over): $5, students (over 18): $5, youth (18 and under): free. Free admission on Wednesdays. Parking costs an additional $3. Taft Museum of Art (Q7675043) on Wikidata Taft Museum of Art on Wikipedia
  • 11 Cincinnati Fire Museum, 315 West Court St, +1 513 621-5553. Tu-F 10AM-4PM, Sa Su noon-4PM. Closed all holidays. The museum for all of us, who wanted to be a firefighter, but never became one. The museum documents the history of firefighting and it's fitting that the museum is in Cincinnati, which was the first place in America to have a fully paid professional fire department. Adults $6, seniors $5, children $4. Cincinnati Fire Museum (Q5120254) on Wikidata Fire Museum of Greater Cincinnati on Wikipedia
  • 12 Weston Art Gallery, 650 Walnut St (corner of 7th and Walnut, connected to the Aronoff Center), +1 513 977-4165, fax: +1 513 977-4182, . Tu-Sa 10AM-5:30PM. Su noon-5PM. The Weston Art Gallery is in the Aranoff Center for the Arts. Exhibitions feature painting, sculpture, prints, photography, textiles, independent film, performance and electronic media. Ten diverse exhibitions are programmed annually in the gallery's 3,500 square foot museum-quality space. Free.

Parks and squares[edit]

Piatt Park
  • 13 Sawyer Point, 720 E. Pete Rose Way (Riverfront), +1 513 352-4000. Daily 6AM-11PM. Sawyer Point is one of Cincinnati's party parks, where in the summer radio stations throw free outdoor concerts. The park is also used to host the Tall Stacks festival. A popular place to laze about is the Serpentine Wall steps that lead into the Ohio River. Sawyer Point Park & Yeatman's Cove (Q17087703) on Wikidata Sawyer Point Park & Yeatman's Cove on Wikipedia
  • 14 Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park, 1101 Riverside Dr (along Cincinnati's downtown eastern riverfront area). The park is named in honor of Cincinnati's first African American mayor, Theodore M. Berry. This park features an International Plaza with ceremonial flags, an earth sculpture in the form of two interlocking hands, a pavilion to provide settings for communal gatherings, celebrations and events, Commissioned sculptures, a serpentine-shaped sitting wall, garden areas representative of the continents, and a bike trail. Theodore M Berry International Friendship Park (Q49570068) on Wikidata
  • 15 Piatt Park (Garfield Park). Also known as Garfield Park for its statue of President Garfield, its more of a two block long public square than a park, at 200 years old this is the oldest park in the city. Elegantly landscaped, a good place to take a break while exploring downtown by foot. In the summer there is even music sometimes on weekdays aimed at workers on lunch break. Piatt Park (Q12065807) on Wikidata Piatt Park on Wikipedia

Do[edit]

  • 1 Arnoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St (Walnut and 6th). This is the main place in Cincinnati to see a Broadway musical, famous stand up comics, the Cincinnati Ballet and other large scale performing arts events. $9-30.
  • 2 Taft Theater, 317 East 5th St (5th and Sycamore), +1 513 232-6220. A large old venue that's good for seeing bigger comedians or musical acts. Taft Theatre (Q14691320) on Wikidata Taft Theatre on Wikipedia
  • 3 Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, 718 Race St (South of Garfield Place), +1 513 381-2273. Well-regarded local theater troupe specializing in Shakespearean and Classic plays. Th & Su: adult $37, senior $27, student $22; F Sa: adult $35, senior $31, student $26. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (Q27951104) on Wikidata Cincinnati Shakespeare Company on Wikipedia
  • 4 Hard Rock Casino (formerly Jack Casino), 1000 Broadway St (At the NE edge of Downtown), +1 513-250-3150. Hard Rock Casino is an urban casino, and one of four that were given special permission by the state of Ohio to operate. Horseshoe Casino boasts 100,000 square feet of gambling floorspace. It features approximately 1,700 slot machines, 85 table games and a poker room. The Casino also has five restaurants including Prism Steak and Seafood and Cincinnati Food Hall, with Italian, Asian, and BBQ options. Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati (Q5905997) on Wikidata Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati on Wikipedia
  • 5 Stratus Helicopters, 99 Riverboat Row, Newport. Th-Su noon-10PM spring/summer, 3-8PM fall & winter. Though it's in Newport, this company provides various tours of scenic Cincinnati from the air in a helicopter. Included on the itinerary is a date night tour. Tours last anywhere from 10 min to a few hours.

Festivals[edit]

crowds at the Taste of Cincinnati
  • Bunbury Music Festival (Sawyer Point). Mid July see website. Annual festival happening around mid-July, featuring 100s of (mostly rock) bands on multiple stages along Cincinnati's riverfront parks. The festival was founded by MidPoint Music Festival co-founder and former Fountain Square managing director Bill Donabedian. Reaching beyond music, the festival integrates eco-friendly and technology initiatives. Bunbury Music Festival (Q4997427) on Wikidata Bunbury Music Festival on Wikipedia
  • Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion (Sawyer Point Park). Conceived in 1986 by Dr. Dorothy I. Height, President Emerita of the National Council of Negro Women, the Black Family Reunion Celebration is a 4-day cultural weekend event which brings consumers, corporations, communities and government agencies together to focus on the historic strengths and traditional values of the Black Family.
  • Oktoberfest, Fifth St. Cincinnati remembers its German history with a two day festival dedicated to beer and the marriage of Bavarian royalty. Cincinnati's Oktoberfest draws 500,000 over two days (Munich's Oktoberfest draws 6 million over two weeks) making it second biggest Oktoberfest after Munich's. On the Sunday everyone gathers at Fountain Square to participate in the "World's Largest Chicken Dance." Second and Third streets are closed along the interstate and lined with food vendors, beer tents (both local and Bavarian breweries participate), souvenir stalls, and music stages. Some of the acts are local rock bands, but rest assured, there are plenty of accordions and tubas for the traditionalists. The Thursday before hosts the "Running of the Wieners" on Freedom Way, where 100 dachshund owners enter their dogs to see who's the fastest in a 100-foot dash. This is a must for any visitor to Cincinnati. Oktoberfest is held in mid to late September. $3 and above depending on restaurant booth. Oktoberfest Zinzinnati (Q17084250) on Wikidata Oktoberfest Zinzinnati on Wikipedia
  • PNC MidPoint's Indie Summer, 5th and Vine (Fountain Square). 7:00-11:00 Fridays from June to September. Fountain Square on Friday nights is the place to be for all fans of independent rock music. Local, regional, and national bands perform every Friday night from 7 to 11PM. Free.
  • Party in the Park (Riverfront). Held several times through out the summer, 8,000 locals and visitors are entertained by the hottest musical acts and cold draft beers. The party is held at Yeatman's Cove.
  • Riverfest (Riverfront). Riverfest is Cincinnati's largest bash and is held on the banks of the Ohio during the Labor Day weekend. The event is essentially the spectacular Rozzi's fireworks display, which last for half-an-hour and is choreographed to music by local radio station WEBN. There's also a famous race between rubber ducks called the Rubber Duck Regatta. Cincinnati Bell/WEBN Riverfest (Q5120217) on Wikidata Cincinnati Riverfest on Wikipedia
  • Taste of Cincinnati (Fifth Street). Taste of Cincinnati is held every Memorial Day weekend and draws 500,000 people each year. More than 40 restaurants sell their food for $5 or less. Live musical acts are there for entertainment once you're full. $3 and above depending on restaurant booth. Taste of Cincinnati (Q7687698) on Wikidata Taste of Cincinnati on Wikipedia

Sports[edit]

Who Dey

The term always refers to the Cincinnati Bengals and can be used as a cheer or a greeting among Bengals fans. At Bengals games fans screaming "Who Dey!" often leads to an entire section chanting the Who Dey chant: "Who dey! Who dey! Who dey think going to beat dem Bengals?" The answer is an extended "Nobody!" The origin of the chant comes from beer vendors of Cincinnati beer Hudy (Hudepohl) shouting the name at the front of each section. One particular section of Riverfront stadium during the 1981 Super Bowl season always erupting into the chant during games that the Bengals were winning. Eventually that chant spread to the entire stadium and is now ubiquitous at Bengals games even when they aren't winning.

  • Cincinnati Bengals, 1 Paul Brown Stadium (Riverfront), +1 513 621-8383. For more than a decade, the Bengals were the punchline of a joke about the NFL. No more, though. The Bengals showed their first signs of life in the current century with the hiring of head coach Marcin Lewis in 2003, capped off by consecutive playoff appearances from 2011–2015, but was let go after the 2018 season with no playoff wins to show for it. Lewis' replacement Zac Taylor brought the Bengals back with the arrival of quarterback Joe Burrow, who came back from a serious knee injury in 2020 to lead the 2021 Bengals to their first playoff win since 1990, followed by two more playoff wins and a losing Super Bowl appearance. Since their turnaround, a visit to a Bengals game is recommended — if you can get a ticket. Their current home is Paycor Stadium, which before 2022 had been known as Paul Brown Stadium, named for the Hall of Fame founder and owner/first head coach of the team in their American Football League days. Before that, Brown was affiliated with and gave the name to the original Cleveland Browns, one of the Bengals' fiercest rivals. Cincinnati Bengals (Q223511) on Wikidata Cincinnati Bengals on Wikipedia
Great American Ball Park is close to Cincinnati's Waterfront
  • Cincinnati Reds, 100 Main St (Great American Ball Park; Corner of Main Street and Second Street), +1 513 765-7000. The "Big Red Machine" has always been a leader in professional baseball since its formation as the first professional baseball team. The team earned their nickname during the 1970s, when the team made six post-season appearances and won two World Series with the likes of Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Pete Rose, Tony Pérez and manager Sparky Anderson. The Reds' new home is Great American Ball Park, on the downtown riverfront near the site of the stadium it replaced, the now-demolished Riverfront Stadium. Tickets run $7-67, with most seats $22 or less. If you are on a budget, the Reds allow spectators to bring in their own food and drink. Drinks must be non-alcoholic, and in a sealed, clear plastic container. No cans or glass may be brought in. Coolers must be soft-sided and be able to fit underneath your seat. Ballpark tours that take you onto the field and behind-the-scenes are available at 11:30AM and 1:30PM on Saturdays off-season and non-game days during the season, with extra tours available on days with a night game. Ballpark tours $17 adults, $15 students/seniors. Cincinnati Reds (Q826751) on Wikidata Cincinnati Reds on Wikipedia
  • ECHL Hockey Cincinnati Cyclones, Heritage Bank Center (Riverfront), +1 513 421-PUCK (7825). Hockey has a long legacy in Cincinnati. In the 1950s, Cincinnati was home to the Cincinnati Mohawks, five-time winners of the International Hockey League's Turner Cup. In the 1970s, Cincinnati was home to a World Hockey Association team, in the Cincinnati Stingers, and an American Hockey League team, in the Cincinnati Swords. Then came the Cyclones (1990-2004, 2006-present), and the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks (1997-2005). The Cincinnati Gardens was frequented by the likes of Barry Melrose, Don Biggs, Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky on a pretty regular basis. Now, the second incarnation of the Cincinnati Cyclones play in the East Coast Hockey League and are 2007-2008 ECHL champions. Crowds run 1,000-3,000 on a weeknight and 4,000-9,000 people on a weekend, far below the capacity of 12,000, so tickets should be easy to come by. However, crowds have grown significantly during the latter part of the 2007-2008 season. Game 1 of the Kelly Cup Championship game has the largest crowd in seven years to see an ECHL championship game, with 8,676 in attendance. Game 6, and final game, had 12,722 in attendance, a league record for a post-season game. $10-20. Cincinnati Cyclones (Q1092226) on Wikidata Cincinnati Cyclones on Wikipedia

Buy[edit]

  • 1 Saks Fifth Avenue, 101 West 5th St (Fifth and Race Streets, Opposite Hilton Netherlands Plaza Hotel), +1 513 421-6800. M-W 10AM-6PM, Th 10AM-8PM, F Sa 10AM-6PM, Su noon-5PM. A branch of the upscale department store selling high-priced designer goods.
  • 2 Bengals Pro Shop (Riverfront, in Paycor Stadium.), toll-free: +1-866-774-4776. W-F 8AM-6PM, Sa 6AM-6PM, Su 11AM-4PM, M-Tu contact vendors. Get your Bengals gear here.
  • 3 Ohio Book Store, 726 Main St, +1 513 621-5142. M-Sa 9AM - 4:45PM. With 4 stories of shop space, this is a particularly large version of the classic musty bookstore. They specialize in vintage and rare books, and even will do book binding repair as well.

Eat[edit]

This page uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink:
Budget $15 or less
Mid-range $16 - 25
Splurge $25 or more

Budget[edit]

  • 1 Ingredients, 21 E. 5th St (inside Westin Hotel Atrium), +1 513 852-2740. Ingredients is restaurant with a unique concept and motto: "some assembly required". Ingredients serves salads, paninis, sandwiches, and pizzas all made to order. The ingredients used are all gourmet and very tasty!
  • 2 Izzy's, 800 Elm St, +1 513 241-6246. M-F 8AM-8PM, Sa 8AM-5PM. Izzy's is well known for its Reubens and other corned beef sandwiches. This deli has other delicious sandwiches and its corned beef is available to purchase at any Kroger's grocery store. Served with your sandwich is a big potato pancake. There are multiple locations in the Cincinnati area.
  • 3 Saigon Subs and Rolls, 151 W 4th St. Cheap and cheerful lunch-only sot spot for pho, banh mi, etc. Gets crowded if you go right at noon on a weekday.

Mid-range[edit]

  • 4 Christian Moerlein Lager House, 115 Joe Nuxhall Way (The Banks), +1 513 421-2337. A microbrewery, restaurant, event space, and beerhall/garden devoted to Cincinnati's rich brewing heritage which has panoramic views of the city, the Roebling Bridge, the river and the sports stadiums. The Lager House is decorated with old advertisements, signs, bottles and other memorabilia harking back to the time when Cincinnati was one of the world's foremost beer producers. The menu features both beers produced by Cincinnati icon Christian Moerlein (with some even unique to the space) and many guest beers from all over the world and the menu has many dishes where beer is a main ingredient. $6-28.
  • 5 Nicholson's Tavern & Pub, 625 Walnut St (Across from the Aronoff Center), +1 513 564-9111. M-Th 11AM-11PM, F Sa 11AM-1AM, Su 11AM-9PM. Probably has the best selection of Scotch in the city! This place servers standard British pub food, though on the anniversary of Scottish poet Robert Burns birthday they do sever haggis (sometime in January), check website for details. $20-50 a person.
  • 6 Shanghai Mama's, 216 E 6th St, +1 513 241-7777. M-Th 11AM-9:30PM; F 11AM-3AM; Sa 5PM-3AM. Shanghai Mama's is a great place to grab some late-night grub. You can't go wrong with any of their noodle or rice dishes. They also feature soups and vegetarian options. $10-15.

Splurge[edit]

  • 7 Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse, 700 Walnut St (Across from the Aronoff Center), +1 513 784-1200. M-Th 5PM-10PM; F Sa 5-11PM. Upscale steakhouse owned by Jeff Ruby, who gained fame in 2007 for kicking O.J. Simpson out of his restaurant in Louisville, and made more headlines during the 2016 US presidential campaign by (temporarily) banning Donald Trump from the same location. Roughly $31 and up.
  • 8 Montgomery Inn Ribs, 925 Riverside Drive (formerly Eastern Avenue) (Riverfront, near Sawyer Point), +1 513 721-7427. M-Th 11AM-10:30PM, F 11AM-11PM, Sa 3-11PM, Su 3-10PM. Renowned as the place to go for great baby-back ribs, Montgomery Inn has become one of Cincinnati's most beloved eateries. The flagship restaurant is in the village of Montgomery, in the northeast suburbs.
  • 9 Palomino, 505 Vine St (Fountain Square), +1 513 381-1300. Lunch: M-Sa 11:30AM-2:30PM. Dinner: Su-Th 5-10PM, F Sa 5-11PM. Palomino is a vibrant restaurant, bar and rotisserie famous for its style, hardwood fired Mediterranean cooking and versatile, imaginative menu. Great view of Fountain Square too! $31-50.

Drink[edit]

After a few years of Kentucky getting the attention, the center of nightlife in Cincinnati has shifted to the area near Fountain Square and the Arnoff Center, or Restaurant Row generally bounded by 8th St to the North, 5th St to the South, Vine St to the West and Main St to the East. The area is always busy on weekends, especially with many young professionals. Over the last few years it has been slowly growing with many new bars/clubs and other night spots opening up.

  • 1 Rock Bottom Brewery and Restaurant, 10 Fountain Square (On Fountain Square), +1 513 621-1588, fax: +1 513 621-1722. M-Sa 11:30AM-10PM, Su noon-9PM. Part of the Rockbottom Brewery chain. Features beer brewed on-site and typical bar food. Wouldn't be special except that its a place to get beer on the square.
  • 2 The Dock, 603 W. Pete Rose Way, +1 513 241-5623. Tu-Th Su 8PM-2:30AM, F Sa 8PM-4AM. Gay night club.
  • 3 Igby's, 122 E 6th St (Restaurant Row). Gorgeous rehab of an old NYC style building downtown, featuring 3 stories. Crowd can be post-college frat boy with money on weekend nights, which could be minus or a plus depending on who you are, but the bar is gorgeous. Of particular note is an outdoor balcony on the 2nd floor where you can view the crowds of drunk people below on a Saturday night. Pricey by Cincinnati standards.
  • 4 Arnold's Bar and Grill, 210 E 8th St (Main and 8th), +1 513 421-6234. M-F 11AM-2:30AM, Sa 4:30PM-2:30AM. Founded in 1860, this is the oldest continuously operating bar in Cincinnati. Food was added during prohibition, and a bathtub which was rumored to be a source of bootleg gin. has a courtyard as well as live music from varied genera. Arnold's Bar and Grill (Q23074148) on Wikidata Arnold's Bar and Grill on Wikipedia
  • 5 Holy Grail Tavern & Grille, 161 Joe Nuxhall Way (Right across the street from the stadium), +1 513 621-2222. M-Sa 11AM - 2AM; M-Th 4PM-2:30AM; F 2PM-2:30AM; Sa Su 11AM-2:30AM. Not necessarily the best bar in town, but if you fancy yourself a big sports fan and want to be packed in with a lot of like minded people this is your spot. Right across from the Great American Ballpark and close to Paul Brown Stadium, this place gets packed on game days.
  • 6 The Blue Wisp Jazz Club, 700 Race St, +1 513 241-WISP (9477). Su-W 9AM-midnight, Th-Sa 9:30PM-1:30AM. Well regarded local jazz club now in a new location a bit closer to the action at Fountain Square. The old location unfortunately is now a parking lot.
  • 7 21C Cocktail Terrace, 609 Walnut St (Enter at side alley just past 21C Hotel). Classy rooftop bar, pricey and part of the 21C Museum Hotel, with sweeping views of Downtown and Mt. Adams.

Sleep[edit]

This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
Budget under $75
Mid-range $76 - 125
Splurge $126 and over

Mid-range[edit]

Splurge[edit]

The Cincinnatian Hotel.
  • 2 Cincinnatian Hotel, 601 Vine St, +1 513 381-3000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: Noon. In downtown Cincinnati near Fountain Square and within walking distance of the convention center and the major businesses in the city. No pets allowed (service animals are allowed). Single: $165, suites: $254-1,500. Palace Hotel (Q7126174) on Wikidata Cincinnatian Hotel on Wikipedia
  • 3 Hilton Netherland Plaza, 35 West Fifth St (Inside Carew Tower), +1 513 421-9100. The former Netherland Plaza Hotel, a favorite of Bing Crosby and many other celebrities who frequented Cincinnati during its golden age of WLW radio. Hilton's historic luxury hotel in Cincinnati is the inside of historic Carew Tower Complex in the heart of Cincinnati (Fourth and Vine Streets). The Carew Tower is the 2nd tallest building in Downtown Cincinnati, and an Art Deco architectural landmark.
  • 4 Hyatt Regency, 151 West Fifth St (One block west of Fountain Square), +1 513 579-1234, fax: +1 513 579-0107. Central hotel with a sports bar and hosts Jazz concerts on Fridays during the summer. The hotel is circular shaped, which, depending on your luck may give you a view of a parking lot, another hotel, or Carew Tower and the Fifth Third Building.
  • 5 Westin Cincinnati, 21 E. 5th St (across from Fountain Square and adjacent to Carew Tower), +1 513 621-7700, fax: +1 513 852-5670. The Westin is across the street from Fountain Square and is connect to Carew Tower via the skywalk. The hotel offers a great view of adjacent Fountain Square. All rooms are non-smoking. $255-300.
  • 6 21C Museum Hotel Cincinnati, 609 Walnut St (Restaurant Row by the CAC), +1 513 578-6600, fax: +1 513 578-6601, . Remodel of the old Metropole hotel, this is a high end boutique with a free art museum and high end restaurant (the Metropole) attached. Even the rooms here are a work of art, highly recommended for special occasions.

Connect[edit]

Main Library
  • 1 Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, 800 Vine St (Downtown, in the vicinity of Aronoff Center), +1 513 369-6900. M-W 9AM-9PM, Th-Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 1-5PM. Visitors should visit the information desk on the ground floor. Ask a librarian to give you access to the Internet. Access is usually for an hour, but can be extended. Due to a long-standing trust fund of sorts and the city's rich history, this is one of the better libraries in the United States having some of the countries highest circulation rates. Free. Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library (Q5492644) on Wikidata Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County on Wikipedia
  • 2 U.S. Post Office, Downtown Office, 525 Vine St. (2nd floor) (CBD), toll-free: +1-800-275-8777. M-F 8AM-5PM.

Cope[edit]

Banks[edit]

  • 4 Fifth Third, 429-433 Vine St (Lobby of Carew Tower, Across the street from garage of Westin Hotel), +1 513 579-5580. M-F 8:30AM-5PM.
  • 5 PNC, 632 Vine St (On the corner of 7th and Vine St), +1 513-579-2345.
  • 6 PNC, 3 W Fourth St (4th St and Vine St), +1 513 241-8385. M-F 9AM-5PM, closed Sa Su.
  • 7 Key Bank, 580 Walnut St (6th and Walnut), +1 513 579-5023.

Religious services[edit]

  • 3 Plum Street/Wise Temple, 726 Plum St. According to the Temple's website, the Reform movement of Judaism was organized here 160 years ago. Isaac M. Wise Temple (Q1100476) on Wikidata Isaac M. Wise Temple on Wikipedia
  • 4 St. Louis Church, E Eighth St. Roman Catholic church on eastern Downtown. The Chancery offices are here, as is the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's Catholic Schools Office.
  • 5 St. Francis Xavier Church, Sycamore St (on Eastern Downtown between Sixth and Seventh Sts). Roman Catholic Jesuit Church. St. Francis Xavier Church (Q7588019) on Wikidata St. Francis Xavier Church (Cincinnati, Ohio) on Wikipedia


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