Insp. by the Cincinnati Restaurant thread.

[Beth76]

There seems to always be threads about visiting Chicago (and I always post on them ). A great city, for sure. But what about Cincinnati? I'm thinking of taking a small family trip there sometime this fall (just a weekend). I really really love Chicago, but wondering if we should try something new. Both cities are equidistant from us, but I'm sure Cincinnati will be much cheaper.

How's the aquarium? Chicago's aquarium is fantasic, so would we be disappointed? It looks like they have a nice Children's museum too. Maybe we could check out the zoo if the weather's nice. What are some other child-friendly things could we do? What about child-friendly restaurants downtown?

 

[PlutosFriend]

There seems to always be threads about visiting Chicago (and I always post on them ). A great city, for sure. But what about Cincinnati? I'm thinking of taking a small family trip there sometime this fall (just a weekend). I really really love Chicago, but wondering if we should try something new. Both cities are equidistant from us, but I'm sure Cincinnati will be much cheaper.

How's the aquarium? Chicago's aquarium is fantasic, so would we be disappointed? It looks like they have a nice Children's museum too. Maybe we could check out the zoo if the weather's nice. What are some other child-friendly things could we do? What about child-friendly restaurants downtown?

I was going to go a different route and suggest you come to St. Louis, but you are already there! Hi neighbor!

 

[biras jim]

we just went last weekend - I grew up in a suburb but Cincy has changed a lot. the aquarium over in Newport, Ky (across the bridge) is, of course, much smaller than Shedd but I think your kids will like it. the childrens museum is in a complex with other museums (in the old Union Terminal train station) -- it's great ! food and parking are cheap in comparison to Chicago.

 

[ttfn3]

The Newport Aquarium is awesome! It's actually in Newport, KY which is across the river from Cincy. It's in a complex of stores and restaurants. You can dine with a view of Cincy.

You could catch a sporting event. Check out the Cincy Reds or Bengals. The Zoo is kid friendly - tho not in the nicest area of Cincinnati. If Kings Island is open, you could check that out also. One of our favorite little trips is to a very unique grocer store called Jungle Jims. It's located in Fairfield (North). Here's their website www.junglejims.com/ It's a Disney version of a grocery store

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Well, we're kind of odd because we took a family vacation there this summer. No, we don't have family living in Ohio, the question that everyone asked. And no, we didn't piss anyone off, which is what one of my husband's co-workers asked. We actually had a good time, going to Kings Island (we have Kings Dominion season passes, so we had free admission to KI), Newport Aquarium (all my boys loved it--I was surprised my teens liked it since they usually don't like that sort of thing), The Beach Waterpark (which would be closed), the Reds game (loved that!), miniature golf, and lots of restaurants, including good pizza. We stayed at Staybridge Suites in West Chester, which was a good place. We went to Jungle Jims--if you go, don't miss the hot sauce section--I wish I had of brought my camera.

 

[cjhinch]

We live about 3 hours southeast of Cincinnati, and we love taking weekend trips there! I thought the aquarium was awesome.......it seemed HUGE because I had to take my 2 year old out, and it took FOREVER to walk to the end! We have been to the Zoo, and it is pretty nice as well. My kids LOVE Kings Island, and going to a Reds game is lots of fun as well. We were there earlier this year, and they had fireworks after the game, they were truly awesome!!

The one thing we haven't done there is the Children's Museum, but I have heard wonderful things about it!

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Well, we're kind of odd because we took a family vacation there this summer. No, we don't have family living in Ohio, the question that everyone asked. And no, we didn't piss anyone off, which is what one of my husband's co-workers asked. We actually had a good time, going to Kings Island (we have Kings Dominion season passes, so we had free admission to KI), Newport Aquarium (all my boys loved it--I was surprised my teens liked it since they usually don't like that sort of thing), The Beach Waterpark (which would be closed), the Reds game (loved that!), miniature golf, and lots of restaurants, including good pizza. We stayed at Staybridge Suites in West Chester, which was a good place. We went to Jungle Jims--if you go, don't miss the hot sauce section--I wish I had of brought my camera.

Oh my goodness, I knew you were here, but I had no idea you were in my back yard! We live so close to that hotel! Sing with me "It's a Small World..." nevermind....

Anyway, I live in Cincinnati and have my whole life and have visited Chicago 7 times. Just know that there's a lot less to do. The acquarium (which is in Newport, Kentucky as a pp mentioned) is very nice and pretty new. It's a lot of fun to go down on the river and eat at Montgomery Inn. There's also some pretty good shopping and it's always fun to go to a Red's game. I think you could make a nice long weekend of it, but it's not as fun as Chicago of course!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Oh my goodness, I knew you were here, but I had no idea you were in my back yard! We live so close to that hotel! Sing with me "It's a Small World..." nevermind....

Too bad we didn't "know" you then--we would have met you for lunch and we wouldn't have hassled you about being vegetarian! You could have taken a picture of my boys and proved to your mom that kids can grow just fine not eating meat. That area around West Chester looks like it's really taking off, too.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Too bad we didn't "know" you then--we would have met you for lunch and we wouldn't have hassled you about being vegetarian! You could have taken a picture of my boys and proved to your mom that kids can grow just fine not eating meat. That area around West Chester looks like it's really taking off, too.

I LOVE that idea! Hard evidence, she couldn't argue with that! She might be a little confused as to why I was showing her pictures of someone's kids from an internet message board, but I'm sure we could get past that!

 

[Beth76]

Thanks everyone! My kids loved the Shedd Aquarium, so I know the Newport Aquarium would be on the top of our list of things to do. We won't be doing King's Island (next year maybe!) or the Red's game. We're looking for something a little more low key.

Is downtown a good place to stay? I figured we do that since it's close to the aquarium and museums. What about this West Chester area? Is that the suburbs?

I've heard of the Montgomery Inn. Is it ok for little kids (5 and 2)? I'm sure we'll hit Graeters too. My DH is an ice cream FREAK!

 

[tinkerbell615]

I have to say...I am a Cincinnati native and this year for vacation, guess what my family did... we visited places in and around Cincinnati. We went to the Beach Waterpark, Kings Island and we love Jungle Jim's. I feel like I've gone on a trip around the world after visiting that place.

You can also visit Sawyer Point. Newport on the Levee is great fun and that is where the Newport Aquarium is. Make sure if you visit Cincinnati that you don't leave without having some "Greater's" ice cream. It is the best!!!

Have fun!

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

Thanks everyone! My kids loved the Shedd Aquarium, so I know the Newport Aquarium would be on the top of our list of things to do. We won't be doing King's Island (next year maybe!) or the Red's game. We're looking for something a little more low key.

Is downtown a good place to stay? I figured we do that since it's close to the aquarium and museums. What about this West Chester area? Is that the suburbs?

I've heard of the Montgomery Inn. Is it ok for little kids (5 and 2)? I'm sure we'll hit Graeters too. My DH is an ice cream FREAK!

Yes, Montgomery Inn is family friendly. If you go on a weekend either call ahead or go early, the place gets packed! You will absolutely want to hit Graeter's as well as Skyline Chili. Downtown would definitely be closer to the acquarium, zoo, and museum which would probably be best for you. West Chester, where I live, is the suburbs and is about 25 minutes from the city so probably not the best option since you're focusing on dowtown activities. The Hilton downtown is very nice. If you end up near Xavier University while you're here, that's where I'll be!

 

[Beth76]

Holy Cow! I just checked out the Montgomery Inn website. I about fell over from the $12 children's menu items. Good thing I kept reading to find the normal priced sandwhiches and hot dogs. That place looks awesome. We'll definitely hit that if we go.

You can also visit Sawyer Point. Newport on the Levee is great fun and that is where the Newport Aquarium is

I'll look into those places as well. Thanks!

 

[KMH1]

Hey Beth! You're getting lots of great suggestions!

The Museum Center can take up a whole day alone, because there are several types of museums inside. We're also aquarium and zoo passholders. You could easily do both in a day. I recommend going to the zoo first, since it closes earlier, then hitting Newport on the Levee for the aquarium and dinner. All of these places have great websites too.

We live 15 miles north of downtown in the Sharonville/Blue Ash area. There are lots of hotels around us that probably are a bit cheaper than the ones directly downtown. Graeters are everywhere. Yum!

Feel free to PM me if you need to bounce ideas off someone or if you have more questions!

Amy

 

[pperfectmom]

For my DD's birthday this year we went to the Cincy Zoo and we love it. I have been to many around the country and I believe it is one of the best! Since it was also Mother's Day, I requested to go to the Hofbrau House in Newport. It is close to the aquarium and was a huge hit. Since it is a German type brew pub I didn't know if the kids would like it. The seating is at long picnic type tables and they had live music and strongly encouraged dancing-even on top of the tables. The kids loved it! They had normal kid type food. Ours shared chicken fingers. I can't remember how much it was but I'm sure they have a website.

 

[Beth76]

Thanks everyone for all the great ideas!

 

[cyndibelle]

ahhh we live about 5 minutes from kings island in maineville...if you come this way..check out our zoo it is great...also you must go to skyline chili while you are here...get a 3 or 4 way...Its the best !! Also if you want good pizza hit larosas.....

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Yes, Graeter's Ice Cream is good. I was determined to go, but I got sick at the end of our trip and we didn't make it when we were in Cincinnati, but we went when we were passing through Columbus. We had Dewey's and Donatos pizza--both very good!