Hey everyone, it's been a while since I have been on UO due to summer classes and work.  I guess I am waiting until the last minute here, but I am headed to Cincinnati this weekend for the Reds/Cardinals series on Saturday and Sunday.  I have a few questions, and was hoping to get some answers on how to go about my trip in Ohio's best city  :wink::

 

1.  Getting a hotel was hell.  I refuse to stay in Kentucky because after going to school in Gainesville, FL and taking I-75 to get back to NE Ohio, Kentucky was my least favorite part of the trip and had some not-so-nice experiences there.  Getting a hotel in downtown or anywhere close to the city was harder because of all the events going on.  So I got myself a room up in Blue Ash.  Where should I park when I get to downtown for the game on Saturday?  I know Cincinnati has surface lots over to P&G's headquarters, and unlike Cleveland, downtown Cincinnati isn't dotted with massive surface lots in every corner of the city.  I have been contemplating possibly getting a spot in The Bank's garage (I have heard parking can be incredibly expensive during events) or parking in the new Washington Park garage.  I know there are other underground garages over by Fountain Square.  Where is a good place to park which will let me walk through a good portion of the city experiencing some of the good stuff going on with the World Choir Games, etc?

 

2.  Where should I eat after the game?  The Banks is an awesome neighborhood, and on my trips back up to Ohio I would always stop in Cincinnati just to do some urban exploring.  The thing is, some of The Banks restaurants have little to be desired in my opinion, and I do not feel like waiting to get into Moerlein.  I know Cincinnati a little due to a few trips there.  Whereas in Cleveland, I would know what areas downtown to go to and would have a list of which restaurants I would be considering.  Is there anything in The Banks worth visiting?  I am not too big on chains (not throwing them out), and could go for anything from hamburgers to sushi.  I have certainly kept the idea open of a restaurant in Fountain Square or OTR open (and honestly would prefer those areas). 

 

3.  Finally, I want to do a little exploring on Sunday before I head back north.  Any places in the immediate area worth visiting?  I really want to check out The Banks some more because so much has been finished since I was last there.  I want to check out Washington Park as well.  Any suggestions in Mount Adams?  Any other neighborhoods in the immediate area? 

 

In sum, I wish I had more time.  Cincinnati is fantastic in just about every way from architecture, development, and city neighborhoods.  I wish time would allow for more exploring, but do plan to make another trip down soon when my schedule opens up.  So my three big questions revolve around parking, where to eat, and what to explore on Sunday.

 

Thanks for any responses.  They would be extremely helpful.

1. I can't speak for parking -- this weekend will be a shi*show with World Choir Games, 2 Reds games and Bunbury Music Festival. All bets are off. Expect there to be limited capacity and high prices. If it's not too late, I would seriously reconsider not staying someplace with walking distance.

 

2. Go to the Gateway District (Vine St. north of Central Parkway) and check out Bakersfield (tacos), A Tavola (pizza), Senate (dressed up street food), or any of the other places over there. Waits can be an issue, so if you want to do this expect to put your name in and grab a drink while you wait (I'd recommend Neons or Lackman for this purpose) This will be a much more "authentic" and "local" food experience imo. You can also make a reservation at Moerlein now I believe (check their website) but I don't particularly care for their food (awesome space and great beer though!)

 

3. All of those are solid places and you should visit them all if you can. Also check out Eden Park on your way up to Mt. Adams and consider driving over to Ludlow Ave. near UC if you want to do some window shopping or grab some Skyline. A walk through UC's campus is also a treat for anyone into architecture. Devou Park (in KY) has - hands down - the best view of downtown and it's a quaint, wealthy neighborhood up there with some great homes. Hyde Park Square is also a nice walking area and is an area quite popular with YPs in Cincinnati.

 

You could really spend a day just seeing what's in OTR, but I think Gateway Quarter for dinner, Washington Square Park, and Findlay Market (on Sat AM) are the highlights right now.

 

Bring an umbrella and raincoat...we are hearing rain this weekend is a possibility! 

 

I'm happy to give you my cell number via PM if you have any last minute questions when you get here :-)

Re:  Parking--the farther from the river you are, the cheaper it will be.  I am guessing you will be able to find a spot north of 6th with little problem (and probably for under ten bucks).  There is a Macy's garage at 7th and Vine that has a big space, or there are surface lots near 7th/8th as well (over closer to Sycamore and Main).  The farther down you are, the more expensive it will be. 

 

Food-wise, I'd recommend the Gateway Quarter as well.  Depends on the budget.  If you want the best food in town (IMO), go to Jean Robert's Table on Vine between 7th and 8th.  Nicholson's is a nice Scottish pub on Walnut north of Sixth, and Nada is a sort of high-end Mexican across the street from it.  Otherwise the Gateway Quarter recommendations are all good. 

 

Where to go besides the Banks/Washington Park?  If you're at the Banks you can take a walk across the river on the Suspension Bridge and see Main Strasse in Covington.  Staying out in Blue Ash, you will be doing some driving no matter what.  You could head over to Indian Hill and drive through the winding wooded roads (no downtown to go to, but it gives you a sense of the place).  Of the inner-ring suburbs on the east side, I would say that Mariemont is the most interesting.  It's on US 50/Columbia Parkway (called Wooster Pike out there), but you could get down to it pretty easily from Blue Ash with a GPS.  Closer in, I recommend Mount Adams/Eden Park.  O'Bryonville has a nice little business district, and, though many may be loath to admit it (sometimes including me!), Hyde Park is probably the most prosperous city neighborhood and has a lot to offer if you are just wanting to go somewhere and check stuff out. 

 

Also, if you are into baseball, you might want to check out the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum.  I have heard it said it's the best baseball hall of fame outside of Cooperstown.

 

Have fun!

Some times to note for Saturday:

 

Bunbury Festival: 12PM - 11PM Sawyer Point & Yeatman's Cove

Reds vs. Cardinals: 4:05PM GABP

World Choir Games: Awards 10AM USB Arena, Concert 2PM Music hall, Closing Ceremony 7PM USB Arena

 

Parking rates at the Banks Garage and surface lots on/near the riverfront will be $20-$30.

 

Another parking option would be Mt. Adams. Not normally difficult to find street parking there in the early afternoon. You can either walk the steps down to Riverside Drive and on to GABP (you'll be able to hear some music from the Bunbury Festival this way) or you can have a few drinks at Monk's Bar and they have a shuttle to GABP.

 

 

I would suggest parking in Over-the-Rhine and walking to the Reds game and other entertainment.

 

Washington Park's new garage is a $3 maximum on weekends and evenings starting at 4pm. They also reserve the right to have event parking rates at a flat $5 or $8. I imagine they might have event parking in place during the weekend, but I cannot be sure.

 

There are also a lot of surface parking lots on Sycamore just north of Central Parkway. I would advise against parking in Mt. Adams because it is no fun getting back downtown from there, and Mt. Adams parking is always hell in the evenings.

 

For food, I would recommend the Lager House. I know you said the wait would be terrible, but the enclosed patio in the back and the bar are seat-yourself. So as soon as you see someone get up you grab the table. You don't have to put your name in. I imagine that all of the new restaurants in OTR are going to be slammed while you are there (Bakersfield normally has a 40+ minute wait on Tuesday nights). MOTR (1345 Main Street) actually has pretty good food. Their brunch (10am-2pm) on Sundays is good (breakfast tacos with chorizo is delicious). They also serve lunch from 5pm-11ish on weekends.

 

You could also head up to Northside and get Melt or Comet to get away from the huge crowds. I would recommend both.

 

And I'm not sure if you are a Chili type of guy, but I really like Camp Washington Chili. They serve breakfast (pretty much) all day too and are open 24 hours a day 6 days a week. You would obviously have to drive to Camp Washington Chili or Northside if you park downtown, but it would be worth it if waits are too long.

 

I've also heard good things about lunch at Mayberry which recently relocated to Main Street.

 

If you are up to spending $20/ticket, the OTR Brewery District puts on a good tour of some lagering cellars at 1pm (~2 hours long) every Saturday and sunday. http://www.cincinnatibrewerytours.com/tickets_lager.htm

 

Hope my rambling helps!

 

EDIT: PS bring an umbrella. It is supposed to rain all weekend. Sorry.

Eden Park on your way up to Mt. Adams and consider driving over to Ludlow Ave.

 

This is going on now: http://www.butterflyshow.com/ - I have fond memories of being a kid and going to the conservatory in Eden park seeing the tons of butterflies flying around, its a pretty spectacular sight.

 

Here is a pretty comprehensive guide to the big events:

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=AB&Dato=20120711&Kategori=NEWS06&Lopenr=207110804&Ref=PH

and here's the article that goes with that gallery: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120709/NEWS/307090097/Big-weekend-ahead-Cincinnati

 

Instead of Blue Ash, you should have tried airbnb or the Symphony Hotel.

 

I recommend parking in the Washington Park garage.

 

Eat in OTR on Main or Vine or at Enzo's on Race.

 

Finally, I'd contact Casey Coston and take one of his custom LosantiTours (if he's available). More info here: https://www.facebook.com/LosantiTours/info

Details? How was it?