Where to Stay and Do in Cincinnati
 

We are planning a road trip this summer (2 boys 14 and 10) and Cincinnati is one of our stops along our baseball stadium trip so seeing a Reds game is on the agenda. What are some other must sees, restaurants in the area. Also, someone mentioned to stay in Covington, KY right across the bridge from Cincinnati. Would you recommend this? We were looking into the Embassy Suites Riverfront in Covington.

My husband is from Cincinnati, and he loves Montgomery Inn - it's a rib place. His parents even ship them to us now that he's moved away. My personal favorite is Graeter's Ice Cream - seriously the best ice cream I've ever had in my life. King's Island is a big popular amusement park that they might enjoy.

We've stayed across the border in Covington before and it works out well. I don't know that it is better or worse than being in Cincinnati.

Debbie

You can stay in Covington or Newport in Kentucky (but stay on the riverfront) or in downtown Cincinnati (around the 5th street area). You can take a shuttle from either location to the other. You can also easily walk from Newport on the Levy across the purple people bridge (people frequently park on the Kentucky side, eat dinner and then walk across to the Reds game).

There is always something going on on the Riverfront (on both sides) on the summer weekends. Definitely hit Newport on the Levy (and the aquarium), there is also a Gameworks there and plenty of eating places from Johnny Rockets to Jeff Ruby's Tropicana.

http://www.newportonthelevy.com/

There is a First Watch (for breakfast or lunch) both in Covington and also in downtown Cincinnati. If you go to the Boathouse (Montgomery Inn),it has plenty of memorabilia that your kids would probably enjoy. You can also walk to the Reds game from there along the riverfront. Along with Graeter
's (especially their chocolate chip flavors), Cincinnati is know for its chili. I personnally prefer Skyline, but some like Gold Star better.

Cinci has an excellent zoo. No trip to the Cincinnati area is complete without a visit to Skyline Chili. About a hundred in the area.

Where to stay depends on your preferences and other activities you might like to do with your boys. Have they been to a big Kings Island-type amusement and water park? If that interests you, you could stay at the Embassy Suites in Blue Ash (instead of downtown) which is in a nice suburban setting rather than in the heart of downtown. The Blue Ash location would position you inbetween the stadium and Kings Isand. I have a 14 year old son, and he loves Kings Island - especially the water portion of the park. Do you enjoy nature? We've got some great parks. Tell us more about other kinds of activities you'd like to do on your vacation.

We were thinking about going to an amusement park while in Cincinnati. My son mentioned that the "largest" amusement park is located there. Is that the Kings Island one, or is there another one that is the largest?

http://www3.paramountparks.com/kingsisland/#actions

This would be the largest one in the area. There is also a water park within it. You could easily spend a whole day there. It is a straight shot up I71 from the downtown/riverfront area -- about 40 minutes give or take depending on traffic.

Can you walk over the bridge to Cincinnat from Covington? How long of a walk would it be?

http://www.tankbus.org/index.asp?id=1002&subid=2009

Above is the web site for the Southbank Shuttle that runs between Covington, Newport and Cincinnati.

The Suspension Bridge is a couple blocks from Covington Landing and the stadium isn't too far after you have crossed the River. I have never walked across that Bridge.

You can also go across the Purple People Bridge that is a pedestrian bridge. It is an easy walk across the river from Newport on the Levy to the riverfront area in Cincinnati. (I think it is about a half mile to cross the River). It isn't far to the stadium from there. I don't think you would want to walk from Covington to Newport (but you might). You can take a shuttle or park under the Levy ($2-3) if you want.

You can see the logistics of this more when you are here (and the hotel staff should be able to help you). Either way, I think you will be ok whatever you decide. This is a good part of our tourist business (between Kentucky and Cincinnati) so they make it pretty easy for you. People park in Kentucky all the time and walk over the bridges for the games.

Homer Bailey sparked the Reds spirit again the other night, so hopefully you will see a good game while you are here.

thanks. The shuttle sounds like a great idea.

Don't forget to go to a Skyline Chili place and order a 3 way. It's a true Cincinnati experience. Too bad you can't order it with buttermilk anymore.