| CITY OVERVIEW
Stay in Cincinatti |
It
is difficult to categorise Cincinnati – it is similar to and located
near many of the old north-eastern industrial cities, yet is also located
near the border of Kentucky and therefore has something of a southern feel. It is a place that many people rate as one of the most
liveable in the US and has a perpetual feeling of cleanliness. Its
sporting teams are also difficult to categorise as they do not have the
profile of many teams yet have also had their fair share of success. The
downtown is compact and easily accessible by foot, especially along the
Ohio River. The main attraction of Cincinnati’s downtown area is the
smattering of art and sculpture houses and the art deco architectural
feel, including the Carew Tower (which provides a viewing tower atop) and
the Proctor and Gamble building. The old Union Station Terminal also
houses some of Cincinnati’s most popular tourist attractions (the Museum
of Natural History and Science and the Children’s Discovery Centre). One of the best areas of Cincinnati to visit is Mount Adams, a trendy neighbourhood less than a mile east of downtown. Although a bit of a steep climb of twisting paths and lanes, the view from Eden Park of the downtown area and Ohio River is worth the effort. This is also the location for the best clubs and bars in Cincinnati. Inside Eden Park is the Cincinnati Art Museum, a broad-based collection representing 5000 years of art and sculpture. |
| GETTING THERE
Fly to Cincinatti Within USA
|
The Greater Cincinnati International Airport is across the Ohio River in Kentucky, about 15km southwest of downtown Cincinnati. The TANK Bus (Route 2X) connects the airport with downtown Cincinnati. The Greyhound Bus Station is on Gilbert St, about 1km northeast of Fountain Square in the downtown area. Amtrak maintains some train services at Union Terminal, a little over 2km northwest of downtown. Public transport access is largely bus based and is provided by the South West Ohio Regional Transit Authority on the Ohio side and the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) on the Kentucky side. It is the TANK system that provides cross border services, including to and from the airport. |
| NFL
CINCINATTI BENGALS |
The NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals first season was in 1968. It took until the 80’s before the Bengals became a force in football. They won two AFC Championship titles - one in 1981 and then again in 1988. They played in Superbowl 16 but lost to San Francisco and in 1988 they appeared in their second Super Bowl where they lost to their nemesis San Francisco again when the 49ers scored a touchdown with 34 seconds remaining in the game. Since 1991, the Bengals have not had a winning record above .500. |
| MLB
CINCINATTI REDS Ticket information through MLB
|
The MLB’s Cincinnati Reds actually go all the way back to 1882, when they were originally called the Red Socks. The Reds have had their fair share of success since then, having won 5 World Championships, 9 Pennants and 12 Playoffs. The Reds were magnificent in the mid 1970’s – having a winning year every year of that decade and winning the World Series in 1975 and 1976. Their last World Series victory was in 1990 under super manager Lou Piniella. |
| FIRSTAR STADIUM |
Firstar Stadium - more commonly known as Paul Brown Stadium - hosts the Bengals and is located just north of the downtown area on the Ohio Rover at 100 Cinergy Way, Cincinnati. It is bordered by Pete Rose Way on the north, Mehring Way on the south, Elm Street on the east and Central Avenue on the west. Firstar Stadium replaces Riverfront Stadium, the previous home of the Bengals. The Stadium was only opened in 2000, and has a capacity of 60,500. The southern border of the stadium is one block from the Ohio River, and is connected to the riverfront with a public park. It is within easy walking distance of all major downtown hotels. For those using public transit, the cities South West Ohio Regional Transit System provides bus access from the surrounding Cincinnati suburban area to the downtown area. |
| GREAT AMERICAN BALLPARK |
Great American Ballpark will host the Reds in the 2003 season and will be located between Firstar Stadium and Cinergy Field, which currently host the Reds, along the banks of the Ohio River. A plaza will be built between the baseball and football stadiums upon its completion. For
those using public transit, again the South West Ohio Regional Transit
System provides bus access from the surrounding Cincinnati suburban area
to the downtown area. |
| TENNIS
Mid August - ATP Tennis Masters Series, ATP Tennis Centre, 6140 Fairway Drive, Mason Ticket
information to come |
The ATP Tennis Center in Mason is located some 30km north-east of downtown Cincinnati in Ohio. From downtown Cincinnati, catch the SORTA Bus Routes 71 and 72 that go along Western Row Road and Kings Island Drive, which are within about 1km of the Tennis Centre. Get off at the Paramount Kings Island stop and walk westwards along Brantford Way, Eagleview Drive and then Fairway Drive towards the Centre – its just over a 1km walk. |
| GOLF
Early
September – Champions Tour Kroger Senior Classic, TPC at River's Bend, Ticket information to come |
The TPC at Rivers Bend is located at 316 Winding River Road, Maineville, which is about 40km north-east of downtown Cincinnati in tiny Maineville, an exclusive residential community on the outskirts of the suburban area. The best transit bet to getting to the course is to catch the SORTA Bus Routes 71 or 72 to the Paramount Kings Island stop and see if you can’t catch a taxi from here to the course. |
| HORSE
RACING
River
Downs Race Track, 6301 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati (season: mid-April to
early September). Tickets available at course |
River Downs Race Track is located on the banks of the Ohio River, about 15km south of downtown Cincinnati. From downtown, the only SORTA Buses that go past the course is Route 75 (via Columbia) that is an irregular commuter service that goes past the racecourse in the AM and PM peaks. Unfortunately, these timings don’t correspond well with daily race times. The best bet may be to catch a cab from downtown and try and win your fortune back at the track. |
| HORSE
RACING
Turfway
Park Race Track, 7500 Turfway Road, Florence, KY (season: early Jan to
early April; early Sep to early Oct and early Dec to late Dec) Tickets available at course |
Turfway Park is located about 20km south-west of downtown Cincinnati. From downtown, catch the TANK Route 2X Airport Express that goes past Turfway Park. |
| NCAA
SPORTS - DIVISION 1
UNIVERSITY OF CINCINATT |
The UC Bearcats are located at 2624 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati, at the northern end of downtown. The Bearcats play most sports, including football and men’s and women’s basketball. The football team plays out of Nippert Stadium, which is located on the campus and has a capacity of 35,000. The basketball teams play out of the Shoemaker Center, which has a capacity of about 13,000 and is also located on the campus. From downtown, catch the SORTA bus routes 17, 18 or 19 northbound – they all go past the campus on Clifton. |
| NCAA
SPORTS - DIVISION 1
XAVIER UNIVERSITY |
The Xavier Musketeers are located at 3800 Victory Parkway, which is some from 4km north of downtown Cincinnati. The Musketeers have teams in several sports, including men’s and women’s basketball. The basketball teams play out of the modern Cintas Center, which is located on campus and has a capacity of about 10,000. From downtown Cincinnati, you can catch SORTA Bus Route 51 (Clifton/Hyde Park) that goes past the University on Dana Avenue. |
