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Cincinnati Recommendations for August Trip

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Hank Camacho_rivals115797

Heisman
Aug 10, 2021
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My wife and I are looking to stay in Cincinnati for 4 or 5 days this August and I am looking for some recommendations from you fine folks for lodging and food. We were originally planning to go to Bar Harbor in August but hotels were about 45% higher than expected. So now we are planning on doing Bar Harbor for July 4th 2026 and doing something simpler this year. My wife really wants to go to the zoo and a Reds game -- preferably a day game.

We are looking for (preferably) a hotel with suites in a walkable neighborhood with cool restaurants. An airbnb would be a second choice. Other than the zoo and the ballgame, we would just like to spend a few days walking the city and eating eclectic places. If there is something walkable to GABP that fits the criteria, that would be ideal.

Any ideas?
 
A

assistbyhawkins

All-Conference
May 22, 2002
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Hank Camacho said:
My wife and I are looking to stay in Cincinnati for 4 or 5 days this August and I am looking for some recommendations from you fine folks for lodging and food. We were originally planning to go to Bar Harbor in August but hotels were about 45% higher than expected. So now we are planning on doing Bar Harbor for July 4th 2026 and doing something simpler this year. My wife really wants to go to the zoo and a Reds game -- preferably a day game.

We are looking for (preferably) a hotel with suites in a walkable neighborhood with cool restaurants. An airbnb would be a second choice. Other than the zoo and the ballgame, we would just like to spend a few days walking the city and eating eclectic places. If there is something walkable to GABP that fits the criteria, that would be ideal.

Any ideas?
Click to expand...

I would stay at Hotel Covington, very cool boutique hotel. You can walk to the Reds game over the blue bridge, cool walk, and walk all around the Banks. Right down the street from Hotel Covington is a new restaurant called Carmella's. I can't say enough about it. Food was incredible, excellent atmosphere. Around Hotel Covington are many bars, one called 2nd Story, which is a pretty eclectic cocktail bar with an rooftop area outside. Other options around there are Hannaford, North, Braxton rooftop, all within a stones throw of your hotel. You can uber or even walk over to Cinci from there.

Another place I would definitely try to eat is Mama's on main. In Cinci, hit Court Street Cafe. Its a newer joint that is really good
 
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CAT Scratch FVR

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Sep 4, 2004
5,749
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Most midwest cities are not worth more than a 3 day stay. ABH hit the high notes. That whole circular block tied to the Hotel Covington has a little of everything.
Otto's on Mainstrasse is nice place to eat. Brunch at Cedar on Mainstrasse.
Less eclectic but good to hang out, have a beer, relax, Covington Yard, The Well across from Braxton. Bourbon bar on mainstrasse. Most have outdoor seating on MS.
Covington is a good, safe pub crawl.
Plenty of good restaurants in Cincy but have to drive unless staying over there.
Not sure how long you want to hang out on The Banks after game, gets a little sketchy, would not recommend going to The Banks otherwise.
 
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pretzel__logic

pretzel__logic

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Jul 20, 2020
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The Covington Marriott has been redone recently and is spitting distance from the Roebling - you could walk from the hotel to GABP or the Banks, or stay on the KY side for Smoke Justis about a block down.
 
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catsfanbgky

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Oct 18, 2006
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Well I asked the same thing about 12-15 years ago. WCC gave me some recs and they was all solid.
Lunch spot - Izzys - Love the corned beef sammich and potato cakes.
Chill place to eat / drink - I forgot the name, by something Tavern (persons name) I think in Covington /Newport. The crab mac n cheese was as advertised. Nice little older / dive looking spot.
Burger - Terrys Turf Club ?
Pizza - Deweys -
Finer dining - Montgomery Inn Boathouse - Had the Duck / Filet, it was on point.
 
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GeraldV

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Aug 4, 2019
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catsfanbgky said:
Well I asked the same thing about 12-15 years ago. WCC gave me some recs and they was all solid.
Lunch spot - Izzys - Love the corned beef sammich and potato cakes.
Chill place to eat / drink - I forgot the name, by something Tavern (persons name) I think in Covington /Newport. The crab mac n cheese was as advertised. Nice little older / dive looking spot.
Burger - Terrys Turf Club ?
Pizza - Deweys -
Finer dining - Montgomery Inn Boathouse - Had the Duck / Filet, it was on point.
Click to expand...
I was going to recommend going to Terry’s Turf club and grabbing a burger as well.
 
V

vhcat70

Heisman
Feb 5, 2003
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- If money is no object, go to one of Jeff Ruby's Restaurants: Precinct, his steakhouse, or Carlos & Johnny.
- Over The Rhine area is loaded with eclectic restaurants & bars & brew pubs.
- If soccer is in your wheelhouse, do an FCC game.
- Numerous concert venues: Riverbend, ICON Festival Stage, & Ovation in Newport plus small venues like Southgate House and Bogart's.
- Mainstrasse on Main Street in Covington has a number of decent restaurants like Otto's mentioned above. Close to Hotel Covington mentioned above.
- I don't think Aronoff Center has Broadway plays during the summer. But maybe.
- Eden Park has incredible views & the Art Museum (Not the greatest.). While you're up there, do a Mt. Adams bar/nightclub/music place like the Blind Lemon. MtA parking can be a b!tch.
- Montgomery Inn Boathouse (barbequed ribs featured) has nice river views & food is good.
- If you really want to get way down to earth, hit the newly reopened Ludlow Bromley Yacht Club - LOL. Runaway barge took it out six years ago. Bring cash.
- Kings Island?
 
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WildcatfaninOhio

WildcatfaninOhio

Heisman
May 22, 2002
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Lots of great suggestions so far. I'll add one...

18 at The Radisson

It's a restaurant on the 18th floor of the Radisson hotel in Covington KY. There are huge windows all the way around and the entire restaurant revolves. It makes a full revolution every 90 minutes. It's just a few blocks from the Ohio river so you get great views of the downtown Cincinnati skyline, riverfront, and the football and baseball stadiums. They have really good steaks. I've been many times with out of town guests or with family for birthdays. Every meal has been good and service is always above average.
 
V

vhcat70

Heisman
Feb 5, 2003
57,418
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vhcat70 said:
- If money is no object, go to one of Jeff Ruby's Restaurants: Precinct, his steakhouse, or Carlos & Johnny.
- Over The Rhine area is loaded with eclectic restaurants & bars & brew pubs.
- If soccer is in your wheelhouse, do an FCC game.
- Numerous concert venues: Riverbend, ICON Festival Stage, & Ovation in Newport plus small venues like Southgate House and Bogart's.
- Mainstrasse on Main Street in Covington has a number of decent restaurants like Otto's mentioned above. Close to Hotel Covington mentioned above.
- I don't think Aronoff Center has Broadway plays during the summer. But maybe.
- Eden Park has incredible views & the Art Museum (Not the greatest.). While you're up there, do a Mt. Adams bar/nightclub/music place like the Blind Lemon. MtA parking can be a b!tch.
- Montgomery Inn Boathouse (barbequed ribs featured) has nice river views & food is good.
- If you really want to get way down to earth, hit the newly reopened Ludlow Bromley Yacht Club - LOL. Runaway barge took it out six years ago. Bring cash.
- Kings Island?
Click to expand...
Added thoughts:
- Museum Center at Union Terminal
- Newport Aquarium
- Findlay Market in Over The Rhine - fruits/vegetables/flowers/meats - big.
 
C

cole854

Heisman
Sep 11, 2012
10,156
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Was at Riverbend last night. It may have a Cincy address, but it definitely isn't "Cincinnati".

GABP, Zoo, Taft, Bogarts, and if you stretch it out, Kings Island. That's it....that's the list. Hell, Cincy had to lobby to get their name on the airport that is in KENTUCKY.
 
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vhcat70

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Feb 5, 2003
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cole854 said:
Was at Riverbend last night. It may have a Cincy address, but it definitely isn't "Cincinnati".

GABP, Zoo, Taft, Bogarts, and if you stretch it out, Kings Island. That's it....that's the list. Hell, Cincy had to lobby to get their name on the airport that is in KENTUCKY.
Click to expand...
Riverbend isn't in Cincy city limits. In Anderson Township. If you're ever there (again), hit friend's Dead Low Brewing just inside I-275 on Kellogg.
 
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vhcat70

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Feb 5, 2003
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cole854 said:
Hell, Cincy had to lobby to get their name on the airport that is in KENTUCKY.
Click to expand...
False. Never was named Northern Ky Airport. There's been name variations, but all the names included Cincinnati.

Having that airport in Ky is a big economic engine for the state. Easily our biggest. Amazon & DHL are huge.
 
WildcatfaninOhio

WildcatfaninOhio

Heisman
May 22, 2002
18,253
15,523
113
BGCATFAN2012 said:
How bout the dispensaries are they decent?
Click to expand...

Prices in Ohio are a tad higher than other states I’ve shopped at.

I’ve been to dispensaries in Oregon, Michigan and Maine. In each of those states you can see and examine the products. A salesperson will hand you items, and will make suggestions.

In Ohio the product is in a separate room. The salesperson will show you pics and descriptions of items on an iPad. You pick what you want, they write out an order form and someone from another room fills the order. Helps if you know in advance what you want.
 
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C

CAT Scratch FVR

All-Conference
Sep 4, 2004
5,749
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In that light, Riverside Korean Restaurant in Covington is also a winner.
Crown Republic for brunch, downtown Cincinnati.
Krohn Conservatory in Eden Park is good, then zip into/up to MT Adams.
 
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WTF Cat

WTF Cat

Heisman
Dec 4, 2022
5,477
25,394
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The ONLY reason to go to Cincinnati is The Precinct. Otherwise, save up until you can go to a real city.
 
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catsfanbgky

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Oct 18, 2006
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Meh, if you can't go to the Queen City and have fun on a 2/3 day weekend, you are a FN stiff. It is not NYC or Vegas, but for a few days, plenty of things you can do, go eat at. Some people are trying wayyyy too hard.
 
I

It'saDoneDeal

All-Conference
Jul 24, 2007
19,235
4,381
113
Hank Camacho said:
My wife and I are looking to stay in Cincinnati for 4 or 5 days this August and I am looking for some recommendations from you fine folks for lodging and food. We were originally planning to go to Bar Harbor in August but hotels were about 45% higher than expected. So now we are planning on doing Bar Harbor for July 4th 2026 and doing something simpler this year. My wife really wants to go to the zoo and a Reds game -- preferably a day game.

We are looking for (preferably) a hotel with suites in a walkable neighborhood with cool restaurants. An airbnb would be a second choice. Other than the zoo and the ballgame, we would just like to spend a few days walking the city and eating eclectic places. If there is something walkable to GABP that fits the criteria, that would be ideal.

Any ideas?
Click to expand...

For those that have suggested the Montgomery Inn, please politely ignore them lol. I mean, it’s a nice location but their food is dry, tasteless trash.

I’m just going to provide some overall recs for sort of an extended weekend trip:

1. American Sign Museum – Not something to plan your whole day around as it won’t take long to get through it, but genuinely a pretty cool spot and a lot more interesting than perhaps it sounds. A good spot for a photo opportunity with the wifey too.

2. Cincinnati Art Museum – I wasn’t expecting much when I went there the first time, but was pretty much blown away by what they had there. Now this is a place you could genuinely plan an entire morning or afternoon around as it’s pretty massive and has so many interesting sections. Don’t sleep on checking out the Contemporary Arts Center downtown as well as there always have some pretty unique exhibits.

3. The Zoo: Always worth a visit to see my mom.

4. Findlay Market: This part of town, even more so than OTR in general, just really feels like something out of Europe. Just a really cool area and vibe here and the food options are always legit, especially if you’re looking to sample and hang.

5. FC Cincinnati: Easily 5x more enjoyable in person than any Reds game. The stadium is a bit of eyesore IMO but inside it looks pretty incredible and the atmosphere is fantastic. The fans stay loud and engaged from start to finish with little to no lulls. Basically the exact opposite of any boring *** baseball game.

For food/drink options, I’m not out there every weekend hitting up restaurants, but here’s what I’d recommend:

1. Café Mochiko: Located on the near east side about 10 minutes outside of downtown, it’s a fantastic Asian American spot that serves as a phenomenal bakery in the morning and even better dinners in the evening. Only open Thurs-Sunday and doesn’t take reservations from what I know, so it can be tough to get in at times, but they have a pork cutlet sandwich which I would kill for and their karaage chicken is some of the best fried chicken I’ve had.

2. The Blind Lemon: Just a really cool spot for drinks in Mt. Adams featuring an outdoor patio area that’s located inside the property if that makes sense and usually has some live music going on.

3. Crown Republic: Basically a lunch/sandwich spot but I’ve never had a bad meal here. Always high quality meals.
 
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