cincinnati with kids
Feb 19th, 2015, 09:37 AM
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cincinnati with kids
we will be traveling to cincinnati for my sons bday(7) and spending about a week. after doing some research we would like to go to kings island, a railroad ride, a steamboat kid cruise, and the duke kid museum. We will also be driving to columbus to visit family.
I was thinking of staying a few nights around fountain park, which I think would be a good place for the steamboat and museums, then thinking of staying in mason to go to the railroad and kings island. So the question is-is this a good plan or should I just stay in one place and make day trips? I am not really sure on distances? Also the only kid steamboat cruise I found was bbriverboats-any other suggestions(also traveling with a 2 year old)
Thanks!
I was thinking of staying a few nights around fountain park, which I think would be a good place for the steamboat and museums, then thinking of staying in mason to go to the railroad and kings island. So the question is-is this a good plan or should I just stay in one place and make day trips? I am not really sure on distances? Also the only kid steamboat cruise I found was bbriverboats-any other suggestions(also traveling with a 2 year old)
Thanks!
Feb 21st, 2015, 07:59 AM
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Hi novj -
I have lived in Cincinnati over 20 years and have 2 kids - we live just south of Mason. What time of year will you be here? I assume at least in the spring since you are planning to visit Kings Island. You could spend two days there if you have time and are here in the summer as they have a big waterpark now as well (I think you can buy 2 day tickets).
I'm not sure what you mean by ride the railroad - in Lebanon? If you son is really into trains, that would be fun, but it isn't a really big attraction. I did take my kids on it when they were younger and into Thomas the Train, but otherwise, I would not have even heard of it. There is a train at Kings Island that you ride from the amusement park rides to the waterpark, and it is a real steam engine. We ride it every time and we don't even get off at the waterpark - it is just a nice little ride.
The Children's Museum at Union Terminal is great and your son is a good age for it. BB Riverboats is the best known/highest regarded so I would stick with that.
Not sure if anyone is into baseball but going to a Reds game is fun. The stadium is downtown on the river and you can almost always get inexpensive tickets just walking up on gameday. The area around the stadium, The Banks, has a number or restaurants and an Orange Leaf (frozen yogurt). The Freedom Center is in this area as well. There is also a riverfront park, Smale Park, there where you can walk around and enjoy swings (they are building a carousel but I am not sure when it will be complete).
I have been to both the Columbus Zoo and the Cincinnati Zoo and prefer Cincinnati, so if you are going to be in Cincy longer DEFINITELY don't miss the zoo. It is fantastic.
Just across the river from Cincinnati is Northern Kentucky and Newport on the Levee, where there is a very nice aquarium. They also have Ride the Ducks where you ride the vehicle right into the river and get a little tour of the area. They give you quackers to blow, which are fun for kids of all ages! Newport on the Levee also has those giant hamster balls (you get inside and flop around like a hamster) on a pool - my kids have done this twice and love it! Tom + Chee (gourmet grilled cheese made famous on Shark Tank) has its original location at Newport on the Levee as well.
Definitely get Skyline - local favorite on every corner - and Graeters Ice Cream (giant chocolate chips) - there is a Graeters in Mason.
If you like outdoor stuff, there is a lot of canoeing on the Little Miami near Mason as well.
Hope this helps. We love living in Cincinnati - especially in the summer - lots to do indoors and out!!
I have lived in Cincinnati over 20 years and have 2 kids - we live just south of Mason. What time of year will you be here? I assume at least in the spring since you are planning to visit Kings Island. You could spend two days there if you have time and are here in the summer as they have a big waterpark now as well (I think you can buy 2 day tickets).
I'm not sure what you mean by ride the railroad - in Lebanon? If you son is really into trains, that would be fun, but it isn't a really big attraction. I did take my kids on it when they were younger and into Thomas the Train, but otherwise, I would not have even heard of it. There is a train at Kings Island that you ride from the amusement park rides to the waterpark, and it is a real steam engine. We ride it every time and we don't even get off at the waterpark - it is just a nice little ride.
The Children's Museum at Union Terminal is great and your son is a good age for it. BB Riverboats is the best known/highest regarded so I would stick with that.
Not sure if anyone is into baseball but going to a Reds game is fun. The stadium is downtown on the river and you can almost always get inexpensive tickets just walking up on gameday. The area around the stadium, The Banks, has a number or restaurants and an Orange Leaf (frozen yogurt). The Freedom Center is in this area as well. There is also a riverfront park, Smale Park, there where you can walk around and enjoy swings (they are building a carousel but I am not sure when it will be complete).
I have been to both the Columbus Zoo and the Cincinnati Zoo and prefer Cincinnati, so if you are going to be in Cincy longer DEFINITELY don't miss the zoo. It is fantastic.
Just across the river from Cincinnati is Northern Kentucky and Newport on the Levee, where there is a very nice aquarium. They also have Ride the Ducks where you ride the vehicle right into the river and get a little tour of the area. They give you quackers to blow, which are fun for kids of all ages! Newport on the Levee also has those giant hamster balls (you get inside and flop around like a hamster) on a pool - my kids have done this twice and love it! Tom + Chee (gourmet grilled cheese made famous on Shark Tank) has its original location at Newport on the Levee as well.
Definitely get Skyline - local favorite on every corner - and Graeters Ice Cream (giant chocolate chips) - there is a Graeters in Mason.
If you like outdoor stuff, there is a lot of canoeing on the Little Miami near Mason as well.
Hope this helps. We love living in Cincinnati - especially in the summer - lots to do indoors and out!!
Feb 21st, 2015, 10:14 AM
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Graeters Ice Cream is fine. Do NOT each Skyline - it is not human food. (I used to have a client in Cincy and they made us do it one day - I mostly moved the "food" around since it is not edible. And note the "chili" is served on top of spaghetti.)
Feb 21st, 2015, 10:16 AM
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also - there is a famous BBQ restaurant - I believe in a nearby suburb. They took us there too. Incredibly messy and not my cup of tea - but you can find something to eat. I have wiped the name from my memory.
Feb 21st, 2015, 03:47 PM
#8
I guess that Skyline chili is polarizing but when I lived in Cincinnati I would eat it often - 3 way is best IMO - I miss it. It used to be that you could order it with a glass of buttermilk. That sounds strange, but it is perfect. Now if you want buttermilk you have to bring your own. Make up your own mind and try it.
Feb 22nd, 2015, 05:45 AM
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I've never heard such negativity about Skyline. Folk from the Food Network eat there whenever they are in town. It is a strange concept for those who aren't familiar with it - chili on top of spaghetti with onions and/or beans and cheese, but it is quite definitely food. I suppose it is not for everyone - I wasn't a big fan when my family first moved here - but if you are willing to try something different and want to experience a little local flavor, I can't imagine coming to Cincinnati and not giving it a try. They have coneys too, so you can always get a couple coneys and then a small 3,4 or 5 way to try. It's not just Skyline - Cincinnati Chili is really what you want to get a taste of. Skyline is my favorite, but there are other options as well.
The BBQ place mentioned is Montgomery Inn - there is one downtown (Boathouse) on the river as well. As a big BBQ fan, I will tell you it is not "real" BBQ as there is no smoker involved. But their ribs are good, and the sauce is sweet, so if you like sweet BBQ sauce you will like theirs. The menu has tasty food all around so you don't have to get ribs.
I also forgot to mention Krohn Conservatory on Mt Adams. Always beautiful displays of plants and flowers that changes based on the time of the year. My kids have enjoyed going there since they were very young, and Mt Adams is a neat area to see.
Regarding staying in Mason, it where Kings Island is located so that is convenient, but you are a good drive from the city. If you want to stay a little closer to the city and still near Kings Island, I would look in Blue Ash. It is a nice suburb and I know they have a lot of hotel options.
The BBQ place mentioned is Montgomery Inn - there is one downtown (Boathouse) on the river as well. As a big BBQ fan, I will tell you it is not "real" BBQ as there is no smoker involved. But their ribs are good, and the sauce is sweet, so if you like sweet BBQ sauce you will like theirs. The menu has tasty food all around so you don't have to get ribs.
I also forgot to mention Krohn Conservatory on Mt Adams. Always beautiful displays of plants and flowers that changes based on the time of the year. My kids have enjoyed going there since they were very young, and Mt Adams is a neat area to see.
Regarding staying in Mason, it where Kings Island is located so that is convenient, but you are a good drive from the city. If you want to stay a little closer to the city and still near Kings Island, I would look in Blue Ash. It is a nice suburb and I know they have a lot of hotel options.
Feb 22nd, 2015, 07:04 AM
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Montgomery Inn is no longer any good. Do go to Eden Park, your kids will enjoy it. The botanic garden there is very nice. Do take in a Reds game, that is always fun. I wouldn't change hotels. King's Island is probably a 20 min drive from downtown. Not worth changing with kids. I would check out the Embassy Suites in Blue Ash, good for families.
I live in Columbus and there is a lot for kids to do in Columbus. As another OP mentioned, the zoo is first rate and always a good time for a whole day. There is a water park in close proximity as well.
There is the Ohio Historical Museum, which is an outdoor walking experience with period buildings, lots of interaction with kids.
Believe it or not, Columbus has a lot of arts & crafts. Try to go on the first weekend of the month for Gallery Hop, when all the galleries in the Short North are open late on Saturday and tons of people are still roaming the streets at midnight on a good weather day. The Short North is also home to lots of unique restaurants and bakeries, no chains, very farm to table, homemade items.
I live in Columbus and there is a lot for kids to do in Columbus. As another OP mentioned, the zoo is first rate and always a good time for a whole day. There is a water park in close proximity as well.
There is the Ohio Historical Museum, which is an outdoor walking experience with period buildings, lots of interaction with kids.
Believe it or not, Columbus has a lot of arts & crafts. Try to go on the first weekend of the month for Gallery Hop, when all the galleries in the Short North are open late on Saturday and tons of people are still roaming the streets at midnight on a good weather day. The Short North is also home to lots of unique restaurants and bakeries, no chains, very farm to table, homemade items.
Feb 22nd, 2015, 07:24 AM
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Blue Ash is 20 minutes from downtown with no traffic (my kids go to school in Blue Ash), Mason is further out, and there has been a lot of development in Mason so there is often a significant backup on 71N to get there - it can be pretty bad during rush hour.
Feb 22nd, 2015, 10:57 AM
#12
snowrooster, I lived in Cincinnati a looong time ago and one of our favorite places to eat was a restaurant called German Pizza. Is it still around? They featured something they called a Reuben Pizza. Rye crust, tomato sauce, corned beef,sauerkraut, and swiss cheese. Spectacular!
Feb 23rd, 2015, 01:19 PM
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Thanks everyone for your replies, they are a big help.
We are traveling in early July. We do have a skyline chili not too far from me in fl, but I am sure the family will want to try it. I eat gluten free, so no spaghetti for me! I also heard of the bbq place and they are working on making their sauce gluten free this summer, so maybe we can try it!
snowrooster-I was talking about lebannon, but was under the impression it was a bigger attraction, so maybe we will skip it.
I was thinking of staying downtown at the hilton netherlands and then by kings island at maybe the mariott, but if you think blue ash is a more convenient option, I will definitely do that.
And I am going to check out eden park and I am sure my son would love a red game-maybe the boys can do it and the girls can go somewhere else!!
thanks again
We are traveling in early July. We do have a skyline chili not too far from me in fl, but I am sure the family will want to try it. I eat gluten free, so no spaghetti for me! I also heard of the bbq place and they are working on making their sauce gluten free this summer, so maybe we can try it!
snowrooster-I was talking about lebannon, but was under the impression it was a bigger attraction, so maybe we will skip it.
I was thinking of staying downtown at the hilton netherlands and then by kings island at maybe the mariott, but if you think blue ash is a more convenient option, I will definitely do that.
And I am going to check out eden park and I am sure my son would love a red game-maybe the boys can do it and the girls can go somewhere else!!
thanks again
Mar 6th, 2015, 05:29 AM
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My husband grew up in Lebanon and it is further north than Kings Island, so while it has a kind of cute downtown, I wouldn't stay there. It is at least a half hour from downtown, and that would be with no traffic. I just remember the train ride we took was underwhelming, and since you can go on the train at Kings Island you may not feel the need to do both.
The Marriott in Mason is convenient to the highway and Kings Island so that would be fine - it is literally right off the highway, lots of fast food around, you get the picture. Hilton Netherlands is a beautiful historic hotel - if you would like to stay downtown in a lovely hotel, stay there. Blue Ash is just good because it is in between the places you plan to visit, and it is a bit nicer than Mason (less commercial), but Mason is fine.
The Marriott in Mason is convenient to the highway and Kings Island so that would be fine - it is literally right off the highway, lots of fast food around, you get the picture. Hilton Netherlands is a beautiful historic hotel - if you would like to stay downtown in a lovely hotel, stay there. Blue Ash is just good because it is in between the places you plan to visit, and it is a bit nicer than Mason (less commercial), but Mason is fine.
Mar 12th, 2015, 05:51 AM
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looks like we picked all star weekend-ugh so all the hotels seem to be booked! If I have to stay at the same hotel for one week with 2 kids I need some sort of extended room or suite-any suggestions??
Mar 12th, 2015, 05:56 AM
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How is the hyatt place blue ash? If we stay there and my husband takes the car one day will there be anything my daughter and I can do with out a car? Or is there a way for my husband to get to the allstar game without a car?
Thanks so much
Thanks so much
Mar 12th, 2015, 06:14 AM
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I can't picture the Hyatt Place but I am thinking it is on Reed Hartman since a lot of the hotels in Blue Ash are there? I do know there is a Residence Inn in Blue Ash, and they often have more space, like an apartment.
Other than restaurants, I don't think there will be a lot you can walk to in Blue Ash (or any suburb) without a car. They are in the process of converting the Blue Ash Airport to a park, and that would be nearby, but since my kids are teens and it is still transitioning I'm not sure how much it has at this point.
I don't know how old your daughter is, but there are a lot of playgrounds and a really nice mall (Kenwood Towne Center) near Blue Ash. Also a pogo stick place and Mad Potter not too far away.
I would you think you would need a car more than your husband that day since he will just be at the game, and his options for getting there are going to be the same as any major city (bus, cab, uber) or you could drop him off and pick him up (though I imagine traffic is going to be crazy during the All Star Game). If you can find a room downtown, that would be ideal. Or in Northern Kentucky, which is just across the river from Cincinnati (there is an Embassy Suites on the the river) and walkable to downtown Cincinnati. Also Newport on the Levee in Northern Kentucky which has lots of shops, ride the ducks, the aquarium and would be close to the Embassy Suites.
Good Luck!
Other than restaurants, I don't think there will be a lot you can walk to in Blue Ash (or any suburb) without a car. They are in the process of converting the Blue Ash Airport to a park, and that would be nearby, but since my kids are teens and it is still transitioning I'm not sure how much it has at this point.
I don't know how old your daughter is, but there are a lot of playgrounds and a really nice mall (Kenwood Towne Center) near Blue Ash. Also a pogo stick place and Mad Potter not too far away.
I would you think you would need a car more than your husband that day since he will just be at the game, and his options for getting there are going to be the same as any major city (bus, cab, uber) or you could drop him off and pick him up (though I imagine traffic is going to be crazy during the All Star Game). If you can find a room downtown, that would be ideal. Or in Northern Kentucky, which is just across the river from Cincinnati (there is an Embassy Suites on the the river) and walkable to downtown Cincinnati. Also Newport on the Levee in Northern Kentucky which has lots of shops, ride the ducks, the aquarium and would be close to the Embassy Suites.
Good Luck!
Mar 13th, 2015, 06:36 AM
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Just thought of this - there is a hotel downtown - Garfield Suites - that was previously apartments. It is probably not as well known since it is not a chain so you might be able to find a room there and they are really spacious. It isn't right on the river, about a mile from the ballpark, but your husband could take a cab or a nice walk.
