info about downtown cincinnati?

1) Is downtown safe? We have a high crime rate, but it is mostly drug deals gone bad and it is mostly in one particular area. Central downtown is safe and I've never had any problems walking around there late at night. If you start to get up to Court Street on North, it gets a little sticky, particularly at night. I've not had problems there during the day, but can't make any promises. I used to work in that area and would run into people just asking for money, but never caused problems if you declined, talked to them for a minute like they're human beings, and wished them luck.

2) What are some good restaurants downtown? You got some great responses and I would second Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse. It's my favorite place. Rockbottom Brewery was mentioned and it's a nice place - quite a few steps above TGI Fridays, but a similar atmosphere. That's right in Fountain Square and if you've ever seen WKRP In Cincinnati (the old television show), you will immediately recognize the fountain there.

3) How far is the zoo? Not within walking distance. I tried finding out bus information, but the Metro web site is not working well. Visit http://www.cincinnatizoo.org/ (NOT .com) for directions.

4) You can walk across the river to Newport on the Levee. There is a great aquarium there that might be a nice substitute if you can't make it to the zoo for whatever reason. Make a day there with coffee and a book store overlooking the city and wrap up the night at the funny bone comedy club. J. Medicine Hat is there this weekend and he's a great performer.

http://www.funnyboneonthelevee.com/

The serpentine wall area is great for outdoor walking (it's right by the river).

The Cincinnati area is full of a lot of cultural things. The art museum is free. There is an underground railroad museum that celebrates the underground railroad movement. There is a ventriloquist museum in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky, though I think it's closed in September.

If I may make another suggestion since you like the outdoors...take a day trip to see the serpent mound.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serpent_Mound#Origin_...

Matt

LOL, some areas are safe, some arent. Ive spent plenty of time in Chicago, and there are plenty of places you can walk in, and plenty you cant there as well, so this shouldnt be real shocking. You dont mention what hotel you are at, so its hard to say for sure.

Good restaurants downtown- Palomino is good. I like Rock Bottom, but that isnt formal enough. You could go to the Montgomery Inn Boathouse, best ribs for an awfully long ways, you might see some Cubs there if its after game time :) There is a steakhouse called Jeff Ruby's downtown- some of the best steaks in the city. Be prepared, that one is upscale, with the wait staff in tuxes. There is also Pigalls, which is rated extremely highly with a local celebrity French chef.

The zoo is a drive, about 10-15 minutes from downtown. You cant walk it, nor would you want to, its in St. Bernard, which isnt a great part of town.

There are a ton of cool things to do in Cincy. Kings Island (amusement park) in Mason, The Beach waterpark in Mason, The Great Wolf Lodge indoor waterpark in Mason, the aquarium at Newport on the Levee, The Underground Freedom Center, Cincinnati Museum Center (which has an exhibit called Bodies right now that is super popular), the United States Air Force Museum up the road about 45 minutes in Dayton.

The only thing Cincy is lacking that Chicago has plenty of is hot dog places. Oh, and Lou Malnati's, man do I love that pizza.

1. is downtown Cincinnati safe (remember i am from chicago. i would like to park at the hotel and walk everywhere for the weekend)

Yes. Use normal precautions, be aware of your surroundings. Nothing is ever completely safe. Your home is probably more dangerous.

2. what are some good restaurants downtown. i need one to be kind of upscale. (celebrating anniversary)

Sorry, they are there. There are 40 restaurants in downtown Cincinnati, representing a wide variety of menus and price ranges. I just don't participate. The only places that I can recommend from personal experience are Graeter's ice cream and Montgomery Inn -Boathouse. Eat wonderful ribs and watch the river. Moderately priced.

3. how far is the zoo

The Zoo is at Vine & Erckenbrecher, 3400 Vine Street. Give me a minute to look it up on Mapquest. 2.92 miles. Cab fare is approx $6.00 one way. I'll check on the bus routes. Metro website says that the 78 bus will get you there, but the map does not show that. If you ask any bus driver, he will tell you how to get there. Bus fare is $1.50. If you have 2 people, you have covered half of the cab fare already. I only mention this because you said that you will be walking around downtown. And the other respondent was inaccurate. The zoo is in Avondale, not St. Bernard. The Post Office gave it a Clifton zip code. St. Bernard is not dangerous. Avondale, well, let's say that the zoo is safe, the neighborhood is not someplace where you want to wander around aimlessly.

4. any other cool things to do. (i like active, walking, outside. inside if its raining)

Fountain Square, Sawyer Point [on the riverfront, has a lot of interesting stuff about local history] the Natural History Museum, the Newport Acquarium, The cincinnati Art Museum, the Fire Museum [Cincinnati had the first municipal fire department] The Contemporary Art Center, The Reds Hall of Fame & Museum.

The Carew Tower observation deck gives spectacular views of Downtown, Newport, and Over the Rhine (it costs only $2).

If you are interested in architecture, I recommend taking a short walk from Fountain Square to St. Peter and Chains Cathedral, City Hall, Plum Street Temple, Covenant First Presbyterian Church, and Garfield Place —all clustered near Eighth and Plum. Although Tower Place Mall is nearly desolate, if you are interested in Art Deco Architecture, the mall (at the base of the Carew Tower) is certainly worthwhile visiting.

There is also a trompe l'oiel mural on the North side of the Brotherhood Building [Across the street from the Kroger Bldg, which is 1014 Vine]. the mural depicts Cincinnatus, a Roman general who won a famous battle, and chose to return to his farm rather than take the job that they offered him, Emporer of Rome. A group of American Revolutionaries formed the Society of Cincinnatus, in his honor. Cincinnati was named for the Society.

As for walking in downtown, i would keep to well lit areas... overall it is safe, but there are still a couple shady people. To eat downtown.... there is Rock Bottom Brewery, Cadillac Ranch, and there is a really good fish market all around Fountain Square. Shanghai Mamma's ( on 6th street is good for asian food), Then for a really nice dinner there is the Phoenix, but i believe you need to call ahead for reservations.

The zoo is like 5/10 min north of downtown. All you have to do is take vine street all the way up to Erkenbecker and take a right and it is on the corner. Other fun things, Sawyer Point is a nice park to walk around downtown, it is right on the river. Across the river is Newport if your in the mood for a movie, Bar Louis and Shadowbox Cabret are fun things over there. On the east of downtown, there is Eden Park, in which is the art museum, which is free, it is a fun place to overlook the city and enjoy the nice weather.

btw if you plan on coming on 8/31, which im pretty sure your not... there is the annual WEBN fireworks, where if you are here you can stake out a place anywhere downtown on the river to watch the Labor Day fireworks

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I don't know anything about the art history, but don't eat the chili. They put wierd stuff like cinimmon in it and serve it over spaghetti. Yuck.