Visiting Cincinnati, looking for recommendations (Columbus, Louisville: 2015, hotels, home)

[pm72]

Hey all,

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

I'm thinking about a trip to the Cincinnati area next year. I'd also like to visit surrounding cities including Indy, Louisville, Columbus, Lexington. I haven't decided if I want to make Cincinnati my home base and make day trips to these cities or stay in another/all locations and explore my visit that way. Initial thinking is to make Cincinnati my home base since it's pretty centrally located.

My last trip was to VA. Beautiful state, btw. Not sure if anyone if familiar with it, but I was wondering if there is there a location in the Cincinnati area that is similar to the Short Pump area of Richmond, VA? I liked that set up and made my home base in Short Pump rather than staying downtown Richmond. It was a 15 min drive to downtown Richmond. I'd be open to a downtown location but I would suspect that staying in downtown Cincinnati would be more expensive. I'd love to hear your recommendations on hotels.

Lastly, if you have any recommendations regarding food establishments that are Celiac gluten free or gluten friendly, that would be very helpful.

Again, thanks in advance for your input.

[Cincygrad2015]

I would make Cincinnati your home base due to it basically being equidistance from each of the cities you mentioned. You could do Rookwood commons area which is about 10 min. To downtown, but I highly recommend staying in the Over The Rhine.

[joyeaux]

Originally Posted by Cincygrad2015

I would make Cincinnati your home base due to it basically being equidistance from each of the cities you mentioned. You could do Rookwood commons area which is about 10 min. To downtown, but I highly recommend staying in the Over The Rhine.

I like Rookwood Commons for proximity to CBD. But a bit more suburban & less busy is the hotel-hub around Union Center/West Chester. You're right off of I-75 which is the gateway to everywhere.
Joke in Cinti is if you ask a local for directions to get to anywhere, the first thing they'll say is, "get on I-75 and then..."
Enjoy it all!

[Nomomo07]

Originally Posted by joyeaux

I like Rookwood Commons for proximity to CBD. But a bit more suburban & less busy is the hotel-hub around Union Center/West Chester. You're right off of I-75 which is the gateway to everywhere.
Joke in Cinti is if you ask a local for directions to get to anywhere, the first thing they'll say is, "get on I-75 and then..."
Enjoy it all!

I'd avoid West Chester if you're looking to stay in a more convenient area. West Chester is at least 25-30 minutes from Downtown and can be even longer when traffic backs up.



There are a number of hotels right around the University of Cincinnati that might be a better fit. Cheaper than downtown but still centrally located and close to many of the major sites to see in town.

[pm72]

Thanks all! I appreciate all the feedback and input.

[wrightflyer]

I'd look at Rookwood Commons. There are two newer hotels right off I-71, a Courtyard and a Residence Inn. Seasons 52 has a location right next door.

You could day trip to Lexington and Louisville and maybe Columbus depending on what you want to see. I would think you would be better off staying in Indianapolis and Columbus on a one or two night side trip. Columbus has a center similar to Short Pump in Easton Town Center. Rookwood is also outside with similar upper-middle end shopping but is more strip center in nature. But there are some really neat little neighborhoods nearby in Hyde Park Square, Oakley Square and Mt. Lookout. And that is besides going to the parts of Over-the-Rhine (stay south of Liberty except around Findley Market which is north of Liberty but on some decent blocks). Lots of cool restaurants and shops there. Then on the south side of downtown is The Banks development and a well designed park along the Ohio River stretching from Paul Brown Stadium well upriver past US Bank Arena.

Many of the restaurants in OTR are yuppie or hipster oriented in nature, so I am sure you will find plenty of places there that are unique and can provide a gluten free / gluten friendly experience.

[pm72]

Question for you all...

This is what I'm thinking so far.....

I'd like to visit the cities and suburbs of Indianapolis, Louisville, Lexington, Cincinnati, and Columbus. The time I would have is 8 nights. First time visit. Purpose of my trip: I'd say 70% is to road trip and check out the scene/areas in general, 30% would be possibly checking out places to live- so I might do some research an take some Zillow property listings and do "drive by's," so to speak. I understand that I won't be able to see and/or experience a lot of things but there'll be enough to make an impression during my 1st visit. I also understand that those areas are different in population, size, etc.

What would you recommend? Would it make sense to stay the 8 nights in Cincinnati and drive to and around these areas? Split my time? If it's split my time, what/where would that be?

Thanks in advance.

[joyeaux]

I think an "overnight" in/near each city would give you the best flavor of each place. Have a dinner & a breakfast in each area --- at least.

[pm72]

Originally Posted by joyeaux

I think an "overnight" in/near each city would give you the best flavor of each place. Have a dinner & a breakfast in each area --- at least.

Thanks. That's something to think about.

[mike1003]

Originally Posted by pm72

Question for you all...

This is what I'm thinking so far.....

I'd like to visit the cities and suburbs of Indianapolis, Louisville, Lexington, Cincinnati, and Columbus. The time I would have is 8 nights. First time visit. Purpose of my trip: I'd say 70% is to road trip and check out the scene/areas in general, 30% would be possibly checking out places to live- so I might do some research an take some Zillow property listings and do "drive by's," so to speak. I understand that I won't be able to see and/or experience a lot of things but there'll be enough to make an impression during my 1st visit. I also understand that those areas are different in population, size, etc.

What would you recommend? Would it make sense to stay the 8 nights in Cincinnati and drive to and around these areas? Split my time? If it's split my time, what/where would that be?

Thanks in advance.

There is no way to check out the scene in a day trip


You need to spend a few days in a city to start getting a feel for it