My friend and I are visiting Cincinnati next week and I wanted to get some advice on where to stay in the city and about things to do while in the city.

 

I was thinking about staying at the Quality Inn on Montgomery Rd, but I wouldn't mind recommendations for other hotels that are similar in price and no further out than that hotel.

 

While in Cincinnati, I know that I want to explore downtown and OTR, but I just wanted to know if there are places that I must check out. For example, when people ask what to see in Cleveland I often recommend going to the WSM, East 4th St, and The Arcade. Also, I am looking for recommendations on places to eat that aren't too expensive. I also wouldn't mind going to a hookah bar (so I need recommendations on good hookah bars) and maybe a good gay bar/club (like the Interbelt in Akron or Bounce in Cleveland), if they won't be dead on a Tuesday night, lol.

 

Since I will have my camera with me, does anyone have recommendations on where to get good skyline shots? Also, is it worth it to visit Eden Park? Are there any other parks that I should try to visit in the city?

 

Thanks in advance!

Not Norwood (Quality Inn).  Stay close to downtown (Millennium Hotel; Springhill; Garfield) or even across the river in Covington versus Norwood.

 

I could spend all day telling you where to go but MY best advice is clicking below and exploring the city that way and if you have any questions, put them here:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/gallery/index.php?album=Southwest+Ohio%2FCincinnati

I don't know how to tell you to spend just two days. Because of that, I will ignore the fact your visit is so short, and you can choose from there.

 

One of the best ways to see the city would be to buy this book:

http://www.ohioswallow.com/book/Walking+the+Steps+of+Cincinnati

 

Neighborhoods I recommend you check out: Mt. Adams/Eden Park, Mt. Auburn, Clifton, Columbia-Tusculum, Walnut Hills/East Walnut Hills, Northside. If I had to pick one of these, I'd say Mt. Adams. If I had to pick two, Mt. Adams and Northside.

 

I would also recommend checking out one of the neighborhoods on the river, like Sedamsville or California, but I don't know which is best.

 

As for gay clubs, I am kind of out of the loop for what is good on a Tuesday. Back in the day, it would have been Vertigo in Corryville, but that doesn't exist anymore! Northside has several gay bars on its main strip (Hamilton Ave.), so you could maybe stop in one of those and ask where the happening club is that night.

 

Things I'd recommend doing: eat some Cincy Chili, followed by Graeter's ice cream (Clifton is good for both -- the best Skyline restaurant in the city, plus a Graeter's about a block away, both on Ludlow). There are lots of museums to pick from, from the Underground Railroad Freedom Center to the Creation Museum. There's a nice zoo. You definitely should go to Union Terminal, it's an exceptionally cool landmark. You could go to the observation deck in the Carew Tower. Also in the Carew Tower, walk around the Netherland Hilton Hotel. That, combined with the Union Terminal rotunda, will give you an Art Decogasm (have a martini at the Palm Court bar in the hotel to soak it all in). The university has possibly the coolest urban campus in the country.

 

Yeesh, I could keep going, but I don't see a point.

For a Hookah Bar, go to Calhoun in Clifton, and next to the Urban Outfitters there are two different hookah places: Gypsy and Hookah Cafe.  There's also hookah available at several middle eastern restaurants, the best of which is Andys in Walnut Hills (imo).

 

In addition to exploring OTR and Downtown, I would definitely try to check out Mt. Adams, Hyde Park, Clifton (Ludlow), Northside, and even maybe Covington.  Sorry, can't help you about gay bars, but I do know that there are a few in Northside, and even the "straigt bars" are very accepting.

 

Ault Park in Hyde Park is gorgeous, Eden Park is great, and Burnett Woods in Clifton is another good park. Let us know if you have any further questions!

For a Hookah Bar, go to Calhoun in Clifton, and next to the Urban Outfitters there are two different hookah places: Gypsy and Hookah Cafe.  There's also hookah available at several middle eastern restaurants, the best of which is Andys in Walnut Hills (imo).

 

In addition to exploring OTR and Downtown, I would definitely try to check out Mt. Adams, Hyde Park, Clifton (Ludlow), Northside, and even maybe Covington.  Sorry, can't help you about gay bars, but I do know that there are a few in Northside, and even the "straigt bars" are very accepting.

 

Ault Park in Hyde Park is gorgeous, Eden Park is great, and Burnett Woods in Clifton is another good park. Let us know if you have any further questions!

 

Calhoun doesn't run through Clifton. Please, let's not confuse/corrupt yet another individual, regarding the boundaries of Clifton. So the question is, what neighborhood is it? I'm not totally sure, because people don't usually distinguish. Is it Heights? CUF? Definitely not Clifton!

 

It's a decent hookah bar, though. I was there once.

gay bar on a Tuesday night.....you might try Below Zero at 12th and Walnut or Hamburger Mary's close to 9th and Vine.  Not sure what The Dock or Adonis is like on a Tuesday but these are the two big gay club clubs in Cincinnati. 

Thanks everyone! I will let you all know how the trip goes and will most likely post pictures some time after the trip.

For a Hookah Bar, go to Calhoun in Clifton, and next to the Urban Outfitters there are two different hookah places: Gypsy and Hookah Cafe. There's also hookah available at several middle eastern restaurants, the best of which is Andys in Walnut Hills (imo).

 

In addition to exploring OTR and Downtown, I would definitely try to check out Mt. Adams, Hyde Park, Clifton (Ludlow), Northside, and even maybe Covington. Sorry, can't help you about gay bars, but I do know that there are a few in Northside, and even the "straigt bars" are very accepting.

 

Ault Park in Hyde Park is gorgeous, Eden Park is great, and Burnett Woods in Clifton is another good park. Let us know if you have any further questions!

 

Calhoun doesn't run through Clifton. Please, let's not confuse/corrupt yet another individual, regarding the boundaries of Clifton. So the question is, what neighborhood is it? I'm not totally sure, because people don't usually distinguish. Is it Heights? CUF? Definitely not Clifton!

 

It's a decent hookah bar, though. I was there once.

 

Oh please...Clifton is the term applied to pretty much all of the Uptown neighborhoods.  Whenever speaking of the real Clifton, I almost always say Ludlow.  I guess that stretch of Calhoun would either be Clifton Heights or Coryville.  Why the need to nitpick?

Two days...not enough time.

 

Carew Tower observation deck, and the rotunda at Museum Center of Union terminal are musts.

 

mainstrasse village for lunch outdoors at cock and bull pub then a run up to devou woods for pics of city skyline...a real incredible view. 

 

a walk across the purple people bridge in newport.  avoid all the chain crap in The Levee though.

 

in OTR findlay market and senate for a bite of deliciouness and Mt Adams for a drink or two at blind lemon for sure.

Burgers and great view of city at city view tavern on oregon street in mt adams for a little more real cincy flava.  the view of the city from the celectial retaurant parking lot in mt adams is great as well.

 

Prospect Hill has nice views.

 

A drive out columbia parkway and back for river vistas.  see Columbia Tusculum while there.

 

Northside in evening and stop in at the gay bars there....not much going on in the middle of the week that I know of....but then again, I'm not in "the scene" anymore.

 

theres tons more....soooo many great streets to explore, and all with amazing and different perspectives on the city....many obscured by summer foliage.  havent even hit many parks and the entire westside yet

 

Two days...not enough time.

I know, but I am going to try to do as much as I can in those two days. Plus, I can always come back down for another visit. :)

 

I have another question, is there anywhere to park downtown for free or for a very small fee? Also, would you recommend walking between downtown and OTR or is best to just drive between those two areas.

you can park in otr for free.  i used to park on clay btwn 13th and 14th.  should be fine there.  Also, I'd definitely walk between the two areas.  They're very connected, no real reason not to walk IMO. 

Oh please...Clifton is the term applied to pretty much all of the Uptown neighborhoods. Whenever speaking of the real Clifton, I almost always say Ludlow. I guess that stretch of Calhoun would either be Clifton Heights or Coryville. Why the need to nitpick?

 

Clifton is a certain place, with a certain character. Using the name as a blanket term for the majority of Uptown is an injustice.

 

mainstrasse village for lunch outdoors at cock and bull pub then a run up to devou woods for pics of city skyline...a real incredible view.

 

Yes, I should have included the skyline vantage from Devou Park. It's a classic view. There are many other good views around the city, on both sides of the river, but Devou is definitely special. It also gives you an excuse to explore a bit in KY. Just make sure you bring your passport.

andrew, please let us know how it went!

 

Also, we wouldn't mind seeing any pictures you might have taken. :wink:

 

Ha! I just noticed you posted some. Silly me. Thanks :)

^I had a wonderful time! The city is beautiful; I love the architecture and the density of the city. Since I was downtown during the lunch rush, there were people everywhere and Fountain Square was packed. It was exciting to see so many people out and about. Also, the people in Cincy seemed to be really friendly. For example, if you accidentally made eye contact with someone, instead of just ignoring them or getting a "what are you looking at" look, they would smile and (sometimes) say, "hi." I hope that I can make another trip down some time soon. I am in the process of uploading pictures and already have some posted here, where you can find links to all of the different parts of my Cincinnati threads.

 

Also, thanks again to everyone for the suggestions and advice that you all gave me. Without your help, my Cincinnati trip would not have been nearly as good as it was.