TYGER

We are a party of 10 - my husband and I (seniors); 1 daughter and her 4 girls ages 6 through 15; other daughter with her 2 girls ages 6 and l year. We need to be near the Peck Building mid October and since we are coming from NYC plan on making a 3day visit out of it. We still don't know if we will be flying in or driving in from NYC. We have never been to Cincinnati and can use some help in choosing a hotel that would be child friendly and easily accessible. My DH and I will be coming along to hopefully assist logistically as well as financially.
Any suggestions for hotels/what do see/do, etc. will be greatly appreciated

IndiaJones

Where hotels are concerned, there are several downtown. I can't speak to the "child friendly" factor - but I can say the Hilton Netherland Plaza is the most spectacular looking. It's very close to Fountain Square (the heart of downtown) and is very Art Deco. I loved looking at the Hall of Mirrors when I was a little girl.

Have stayed in the Cincinnatian Hotel (probably the fanciest hotel in the city) and also the Hyatt Regency. They are both very nice hotels. The Westin looks on to Fountain Square and is also convenient for your proximity needs.

I've also heard the Millenium hotel is nice - with a rooftop pool!

In the way of things to do with the kids, you could take them to the top of Carew Tower (where the Netherland hotel is housed). It's currently the tallest building in town (that will change in a few years thanks to construction). The building served as a model for NYC's Empire State Building. You can go to the 43rd floor and pay $2 to see the view - stunning to see the river, all of the rolling hills and of course the city footprint.

Also cool: if you are bringing little girls, they might enjoy tea at Churchill's Tea Room. That's in the Tower Place shopping mall (actually not much of a mall...) The tea room is very frilly and girly and would be a great place to take the girls out for a treat.

Fountain Square always has fun things going on - sometimes it's a concert, sometimes its a circus performance. You really never know there.

Across the river in Newport, you can explore a spectacular aquarium. They currently are promoting a special frog exhibit that features all kinds of colorful amphibians.

And I highly suggest hopping in a cab and going to the Cincinnati Zoo. It's about five or six miles away from downtown - and it's one of the best zoos in the country. You and your grandchildren will marvel at all of the spectacular animals and up-close-and-personal opportunities. The zoo's newest exhibit involves an experience with giraffes.

We also have a pretty spectacular Museum Center at Union Terminal. That facility houses the Natural History Museum, the Children's Museum and the Cincinnati History Museum. That's not a far cab ride away from downtown.

I also highly recommend taking a riverboat ride down the Ohio with B & B riverboats. It's a spectacular way to see the skyline, the river, and hopefully for you - the colors of Autumn.

You also might want to consider a visit to our Art Museum in Mt. Adams - also close to downtown. It has a spectacular collection of works (the Louvre and British Museum are always asking to borrow pieces) and is free.

Good luck! I hope you enjoy the city. I grew up in Cincinnati and returned a few years ago after spending time on the East Coast. It's a lovely city and perfect for families!

cfntmpn

I just worked an event that included 60 families. All of the things mentioned by the previous poster to do with kids are excellent choices but I did not want to contribute a hotel option.

The Embassy Suites is across the river in Covington, KY and would be a great choice to stay with kids.

All of the rooms include a mini fridge and a living area that is separate from the sleeping area by a door.

The room rate also includes free b'fast.

I believe this is still in close proximity to where you want to be.

ncounty

Thanks for the info from me as well. I visit my sister in Dayton every year and often fly into Cincinnati and wanted to explore what it had to offer with my 11 yo son.

maj

The Peck Building is in downtown Cincinnati -- near Fountain Square. If staying in a hotel in the city, you will want to be somewhere in a few blocks of that area.

Downtown Cincinnati is on the north side of the Ohio River. Right across the River is Newport and Covington. Newport on the Levy is where the Aquarium is along with a movie theatre and lots of restaurants. There is a pedestrian bridge (the Purple People Bridge) which takes you from Newport to Sawyer Point in Cincinnati. There is also a shuttle that runs frequently for a small fee from Covington - Newport - Cincinnati. (public transportation as a whole is not great here, but it is very easy to go from one side of the river to the other in that area).

October is a great month to be in this area -- weather usually good and the trees changing color is beautiful. There is almost always something going on both sides of the River -- festivals of some sort.

lincasanova

if you are interested in architects, a visit to the university of cincinnati campus will be a surprise.

world renown architects have made it a unique campus.

check out cultural events at the aronoff theater.

a trip up to mount adams, playhouse in the park, and the parks and reservoir is nice.

The embassy suites across the river is a good solution,( fabulous views from the kentucky side) but not near the peck building.

nytraveler

Peck building is downtown - and the hotels I know there (Netherland and Cincinantian) are great. But - don;t know how they'll be for kids. I've used them only on business trips and don;t remember (you need to check availability of) mini-fridges, which you will wnant with kids

The Netherland is esp fantastic - incredibly Art Deco - looks like a set from a Cecil B DeMille Cleopatra movie - do go in and have a meal if you don;t stay there - just to see the dining room.

TYGER

India.Jones and all the rest, thank you so much for your input. Have lots of options now and will check out the hotels you recommend as well as fun things to do for the grandkids. Maj - How nice that we may have a chance to see the fall colors which we don't get in our neck of the woods. I am sure we won't have enough time to see everything but the big choice will definitely be a hotel. Thanks again one and all!!

aliska

I have the perfect place for you! The Garfield Suites Hotel is located in downtown Cincinnati http://garfieldsuiteshotel.com/ It was a condominium building that was turned into a hotel. Have stayed there many times in the past. Used to have to go to Cincinnati for 2 weeks at a time, when we lived in Chicago. Parents lived in Columbus. Used to take the kids with me when they were little and my mom would come and stay with us.They are full on apartments, 1 or 2 bedrooms and would be a great place to stay with kids.

LLindaC

I want to second (or third) the recommendation to stay in Newport if possible. The area is fun, it's not crowded and I believe the parking is free. (it was 2 years ago) Much nicer for families than downtown Cinci, IMO, and I'm there a lot. Check out the Hofbrauhaus:
http://www.hofbrauhausnewport.com/

They have old fashioned oompah bands and it's a great family place.

bachslunch

If you're keen to try a food item that's unique to the general Cincinnati area, get some Cincinnati chili at a chili parlor (Skyline or Gold Star are good options to consider). The usual way to eat this sweet-spice-and-chocolate-infused concoction is to have it put on spaghetti and add one, two, or all three of kidney beans, chopped raw onion, or shredded cheese to the mix. A five-way (that's the version with everything) plus a cheese coney or two is a good way to go.

And first-rate local ice cream can be gotten at Graeter's.

cfntmpn

I second the recommendation to go to Graters ice Cream - some of the best I've had anywhere in the country...and I travel and eat ice cream alot!!!

TYGER

Aliska thanks - the Garfield is sold out during the week we will be in Cincinnati...However, Graeter's Ice Cream sounds like a winner for all of us. Thanks again

lincasanova

sounds like a place with an indoor pool would be of interest to you with so many children.

check with AAA, if you have them, for additional discounts at the local attractions.

if you have a car, shopping at kenwood mall is very nice. good eateries and most well-known stores.

hyde park ( 10 minutes from downtown) is a lovely place for strolling, dinner/lunch and graeterīs ice cream.

the oakley area (5 minutes from hyde park on madison avenue) now boasts a lot of great food places.

we go to the happy hour at kona. they have an interesting menu.

TYGER

Our triip was postponed from October to December. We recently returned from Cincinnati and I posted a short report on Dec 26th entitled "thank you fodorites" under general topics instead of posting it here in case anyone is interested.

TYGER

My Mistake - I Posted on Dec 27th under heading: Back from Cincinnati - Thank you Fodorites.