What To Do In Cincy?

Bet you thought this post was going to be about Adam Dunn, eh?  Nope - it's all about me.  Specifically, my wife and I snagged some tickets for a Cubs-Reds game in Cincinnati in September.  Good seats at Wrigley have become so expensive that I decided it would be easier to just follow the team to Great American Ballpark.

It's my first time to Cincinnati.  We'll be spending about two days there.  Any advice?  What hotel should we go for, what should we eat, what should we not eat, what sights should we see?  Someone told me Skyline Chili is overrated, is this true?  Can I park my car at my hotel and then just walk everywhere?  These are my burning questions.  Feel free to leave a comment or email me at dierkes@gmail.com if you have any insight.

Comments

[redsrcool]

I like Skyline Chile. But, some people like it, and some people don't. It's a very unique kind of chili. If you don't like it, then try 5 star chili.

[registereduser]

Most of the Cubs players hang out at Golden Lions or The Factory.

I've never been there but I heard Rich Hill and the boys always hit one of those spots when they are in town.

[Aduncaroo]

I definitely agree that it is WAY over rated. Its basically chili with Cinnamon in it....which just doesn't do it for me. But if you do want to try it, because anyone from there will SWEAR its the greatest thing ever...get it on a hot dog or chili mac....not by itself.

[Tim Dierkes]

Does Five Star also have the cinnamon? Chili with cinnamon doesn't sound that great to me.

[ianoconnor]

Skyline is definitely worth trying. You can't even really taste the cinnamon that much. There are also a lot of restaurants and places to hang out right across the river in Kentucky.

[redsrcool]

I like like the skyline chili a lot, being connected to Cincinnati. At first, I hated it, but now it's my favorite thing to eat. I put it on top of pasta. There's a 5-way with a bunch of stuff on it.

[Chipper]

This a very interesting rumor!

[Tim Dierkes]

Now so basically there are two options right:

A 3 way which is on top of spaghetti? What's the third thing?

A coney dog with is a chili cheese dog?

Is that right?

[The Stone Cop]

Cincinnati chili is more of a bean soup than a thick Texas-style chili. If you do go to Skyline or 5 Star (they're pretty much the same) get the 5-way with onions, cheese and spaghetti.
As for things to do, the Aquarium in Kentucky is excellent but pricy. The science museum and zoo are average. The only time I went downtown was the middle of the winter and it was pretty dead. I did see the statue from the opening of "WKRP in Cincinnati" though!

[Aduncaroo]

"This a very interesting rumor!"

This a very interesting sentence!

[dogscoach]

He's right about The Factory. Most visiting teams stay at The Westin which is a very nice hotel. My wife and I have stayed there when the Astros were in town. We ran into players frequently. The Westin is also located close enough that if you wanted to you could walk from the hotel to the ballpark. There are plenty of places to eat downtown as well.

[gtliles]

I tried Skyline once while passing thru and was thoroughly unimpressed. The local Cincinnatian I know thinks it's fantastic, but I don't see it.

[CB3]

Pick up your desert at the Graeters in Hyde Park. Grab some ribs at Motgomery Inn. In the mood for a drink, head up to Mount Adams and see whats going on. Maybe check out the Blind Lemon, good spot for couples. Just a few thoughts. IMO you can find better chili just about anywhere, but you should at least taste Skyline, Maybe hit a drive thru on the way into town.

[IowaCubs]

I went to a Cubs/Astros game in 1991 for my first Wrigley experience as a 12 year old. The price on the ticket stub was $9.00, (and I remember my dad bitching about that!).

It's coincidentally the Astros that I'll be taking my boys to for their first Cubs game on August 31st. I think the seats I bought ended up to be like $41 each after fees.

Thank you, Alfonso.

[Tim Dierkes]

Alfonso is the new Sosa. I am getting sick of him already.

In '06, I got caught up in the February online Cubs ticket buying melee and bought like 4-5 games. Made the mistake of getting one in April and another in early May. Most of the games that year weren't sold out, and I even got Cubs-Cards club box seats on a Sunday for face value through the Cubs site - day of game.

So I figure, why bother buying tickets in Feb. this year. So I wait back, try my day of game trick, and it fails miserably. Stubhub is asking for my first born for box seats. Learned my lesson, next year I'll be ready in Feb. with 50 browsers open.

[TravisG]

The Cincinnatian is where ballplayers often stay, and it's right downtown. Otherwise, the Westin and the Hilton are nice, too.

It's better than it was a year or two ago, but downtown Cincinnati is still a ways away from being much of a place to hang out. There are some good restaurants (Barrel House for beer, Akash India, Mejana for middle eastern and Ruby's for expensive steaks), but most of the action is in Kentucky.

Newport On The Levee is a short walk across the river from the ballpark, and it has plenty of decent restaurants and bars. The first Hofbrauhaus in America is right across the street, as is the Southgate House. If you're into live music, you should find out who'll be playing there while you're in town. They host a lot of good indie rock and alt-country. Covington's Main Strasse is a 5-minute drive from downtown, and the Cock & Bull is an excellent place to drink beer and eat, and Zola's has delicious hamburgers.

Also, Gold Star is the best Cincinnati chili.

[Tim Dierkes]

Newport and Covington are both parts of Kentucky close to the park, correct? What is the difference between the two?

[Pushfrog98]

Newport is definitely worth checking out. Also, the riverwalk (not sure if that's the official name or not) is really nice!

Do NOT be duped into going to the Montgomery Inn though. People from cincy claim it's the "Worlds BEST BBQ."

It's not. Unless you like a heavily vinegar based BBQ. I would recommend at least trying Skyline. There's one downtown near the stadium.

My wife and I have decided that if we can't get Cubs tickets for Cubs/Cards games here in St. Louis that we'll just drive to Cincy because even though it's an hour further than Chicago, tickets are less than half the price. Last season we got 3rd row behind the cubs dugout for $40 each. Two weeks ago we got section 204 at wrigley for $40 each... in the middle of the 4th inning!

[megeland]

I like the Millenium Hotel. Around $110/night. Walking distance to the park. Montgomery Inn for ribs is good. I'll be there this Saturday Night. It's also Rib and Jazz fest in Cincy this weekend.

[TravisG]

Most of Newport's attractions are within walking distance of GABP, while Covington is in walking distance of Paul Brown Stadium.

Newport On The Levee is one of those outdoor "lifestyle centers" that has dining and movies and the aquarium (which I've never been to), while a few blocks south is a bit grittier but not at all unsafe. (I live in Newport.) Covington's Mainstrasse is more of a party neighborhood, and less centrally planned.

Otherwise, the differences aren't that big unless you're planning on moving here.

[reldnahkram]

CinciChili is probably closer to mole than traditional American chili. Give it a try. A three-way is spaghetti, chili, and cheddar cheese. A four-way adds either beans or onions, a five-way adds the other.

In my limited experience, all of the chains are acceptable. It's not exactly high cuisine, but it's a regional experience not to be missed.

[Muggerd]

You can give me a call and we can do some Meth or Black tar together.

[Blue]

Go to the Reds Hall of Fame. Then, tell me what its like. I'm never around long enough before the game to see it, but its supposedly a really nice museum.

BTW, I have no idea what people are talking about. Chili with cinnamon? That's not what I get at Skyline.

Skyline Chili and LaRosa's Pizza are local foods that you can get at the ballpark.

Take a moment to observe Crosley Terrace. It has statues of Crosley Field Era Reds playing a game, and I've heard that the base lines drawn on the terrace are in the actual location of the lines at the old field. (1912-1970).

[sls_47]

If it were me, I'd go to the game and cheer for the Reds and then boo everytime the Cubs were announced or did anything remotely positive.

[reds fan]

if you can make it over to the west side of town (price hill/covedale area, about 10-15 min from downtown), check out price hill chili. it's a small independently owned restaurant, and yes, they have chili as well, but i recommend the goetta and cheese omelette or one of their signature sandwiches. goetta is kind of like sausage, but not really. you have to experience it to really know what it's like. bottom line, check out price hill chili!

[Aduncaroo]

"If it were me, I'd go to the game and cheer for the Reds and then boo everytime the Cubs were announced or did anything remotely positive."

Ok...well its not you.

Blue,
Thats why Cincy chili is different that other chili, they add cinnamon in it. Its not like they ask you or advertise it, thats just part of the ingredients.

[reddleggincolorado]

Cincy Chili is by far the best chili experience in the country if not the world.I would recommend trying skyline chili, by far the best.Gold star chili is much waterier.The small mom & pop chili places are unique too. Larosas & Mios Pizza are both great. The downtown is pretty lame, but right across the river is newport on the levee.The levee offers a host of restraunts,night clubs,comedy club, shopping, ,a fish aquiriam, and a movie theatre. The reds hall of fame museuem is cool, there is also the underground railroad musuem which is pretty neat.Cincy boasts one of the countrys best zoo's.The whole city is very rich in history, it's worth it to get in your rental car and drive around the city, along the river, and to the great city parks.The Krone conservatory(one of the best greenhouses in the country) in eden park, is very close to downtown and has great views of the city,the river,kentucky, and the landscape of the area.The mogometery inn ribs and the sauce are the best around,trust me.It's worth going too just to see all thr sports memorobalia on the walls and all the photos of great atheletes from yesterday and today posing with the owner.

[OhioHomeboy]

Be a man and get some Skyline Chili. In my experience, most first-timers either love it, or absolutely hate it. You can grab a sample from the waitress to see if it meets your expectations. If your taste buds repulse after tasting it, they have plenty of other menu choices like wraps and burritos that you can get without the chili. A few of the downtown Skyline restaurants also serve beer. Nothing will make you look like an Ohioan faster than Skyline and beer.

As for where to stay -- the Westin is a fine choice. I hear most of the clubs stay there when they come to town. But if you're looking for someplace slightly cheaper, look across the river in Newport or Covington. Prices are generally a little cheaper in Ky, plus it's kinda cool to walk across the bridge to the game.

As an added bonus, if you and the wife are looking for some added adventure, take a walk after dark through Over the Rhine. The locals are very friendly and will be more than happy to show you the sights.

Enjoy your trip to the Queen!