Visitor Information
Places to eat, stay, and visit in downtown Cincinnati.
Where to Eat:
Local Favorites
- Montgomery Inn at the Boathouse which overlooks the scenic Ohio River, is famous for its barbequed ribs. Bob Hope was a devoted customer.
- LaRosa's Pizzeria was founded by Buddy LaRosa 50 years ago. The sauce is what makes these pies delicious! Call 347-1111 for delivery to most Downtown Cincinnati locations or visit either the Queensgate, OH or Covington, KY stores.
- Skyline Chili isn't your mother's chili! Try a classic 3-way (served over spaghetti and topped with cheese) or a cheese coney hotdog. Multiple locations downtown.
- Graeter's Ice Cream is a local favorite. Cafe Martin, located across the street from the Library and accessible from the Garfield Suites Hotel, serves Graeters and Starbuck's Coffee as well.
Fine Dining Downtown
- Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse at 700 Vine Street is one of a number of establishments owned by this Cincinnati restaurateur.
- Jean-Robert at Pigall's and JeanRo Bistro, owned by the well-known French chef Jean-Robert de Cavel, are a little further afield, but well worth the trip.
- McCormick & Schmick's seafood Restaurant features 30 varieties of FRESH seafood on a daily changing menu. Recognized with Best Seafood Restaurant awards.
- Palomino offers fine family dining with a view of Fountain Square. It is located in front of Macy's department store, next to Tower Place Mall.
Casual Dining
- Arnold's Bar and Grill, which opened in 1848, is the oldest continually operating bar in Cincinnati. The kitchen was added during Prohibition and has been serving good food for moderate prices ever since.
- Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery has won over 100 awards for its ales and lagers. The great food and beer makes this Fountain Square restaurant a favorite of locals.
- Trattoria Roma is an Italian restaurant across from the Aronoff Center for the Arts. Everything at this eatery is made fresh from scratch.
- First Watch serves breakfast and lunch menu items exclusively. It is one of the few restaurants downtown that is open for breakfast.
Where to Stay:
- Garfield Suites Hotel, on Vine Street, is across from the Main Library. All suites have full kitchens and separate bedrooms. Cafe Martin is on the first floor and parking is available around the corner. InventorFest exhibitors and attendees should ask about the Library Rate for this event.
- The Cincinnatian Hotel at 601 Vine Street is Downtown Cincinnati's oldest (built in 1883) and most luxurious hotel.
- The Millenium Hotel is a high-rise hotel at the corner of 5th and Elm Streets.
- The Westin Hotel on 5th Street, overlooks Fountain Square. The hotel is entirely smoke-free and features an indoor swimming pool for exercising or relaxing.
- The Hilton Netherland Plaza (on the National Register of Historic Places) is known for its spectactular Art Deco interior. Both casual and fine dining restaurants are availble.
What to Visit:
- Aronoff Center for the Arts at 650 Walnut Street, consists of three stunning performance spaces: Procter & Gamble Hall, Jarson-Kaplan Theater, and the Fifth Third Bank Theater.
- Cincinnati Museum Center is a collection of three separate museums and an Omnimax theater housed in the landmark Union Terminal. Cincinnati Metro Bus #1 connects downtown and the Museum Center.
- Findlay Market is Ohio's oldest continuously operated public market. You will find the bustling open-air market in Over-the-Rhine at 1801 Race Street.
- The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, on the banks of the Ohio River, educates the public about the struggle to abolish slavery and showcases the efforts of modern day heroes from around the world.
- Newport Aquarium is also part of the Newport on the Levee complex. In 2004, this state-of-the-art facility was named the No. 1 aquarium in the Midwest by the Zagat Survey’s U.S. Family Travel Guide. A new Shark Central exhibit just opened.
- Newport on the Levee is a unique shopping, dining, and entertainment complex located just across the Ohio River in Kentucky. Walk across the Purple People Bridge or take one of the Southbank Shuttle buses to get to Newport on the Levee from downtown.
- The Taft Museum of Art is one of America's finest small art museums. Built in about 1820, this National Historic Landmark is considered one of the finest examples of Federal architecture in the country.
- The Contemporary Arts Center along with the Aronoff Center, which is directly across Walnut Street, comprise the heart of the Cincinnati Arts Community.
- Tower Place Mall is a three-level shopping center featuring dozens of exclusive shops and an expansive food court.
