CVG Daytrip Suggestions?

Hi all,

So, I'll be going down to a friend's place outside of Indianapolis on Thursday next week, and will have some time to do whatever the next day on Friday (he works third shift, will probably be sleeping that day more than anything else). Looking at a map, I noticed that Cincinnati is just close enough that I could go for a day trip. It's a place I've never been to outside of a CVG layover, and I could cross the river to "validate" me having been to Kentucky (I've met too many people that say that staying in the airport doesn't count). Does anybody have any suggestions? Maybe a place to get some true Cincinatti chili, good sights to see around the city, etc? I will have a car, so mobility is not much of an issue. Oh, and my girlfriend will be coming along, so that may be a good way to start (nice parks, etc are always great)

Oh, and two main issues:
Parking: Tips for getting a good spot downtown without paying much? Rather stick with walking and driving, no busses.
Crime: I&#39;m sure that there are areas that are perfectly safe, but it also looks like one neighborhood was ranked as the most dangerous in the country. Is there any good rule of thumb for the city? (IE, stay south of <insert random street name> and you&#39;ll be fine)

Also, I think there are a couple people from the area, or at least have the ability to just fly over http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...R#>/tongue.gif . Anyone interested in a quick meetup? Will pick up from airport if needed.

get outa town!!
this is MY town!!
oK--I have to read thru the plea tomorrow--my mom just passed away so i have to register if it&#39;s this wwek or next
Mammoth Cave--if you have enough time--it is the definitive underground cave system in the WORLD
Sorry I&#39;m not just on the ball today--my mom loved MC so it hit me as a must-do if the time works

M767, so sorry to hear about your loss. You have my deepest sympathy.

Same here. Really sorry to hear that, mrs767er http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e..._DIR#>/sad.gif

park on the Covington KY side or even better take 275 to 471 and exit for Newport Levee for base for walking the Purple People Bridge to DT.No one really goes into DT Cincy much except for sports fans.
Great zoo (access eitehr from 71 or 75)--not far from dowtnown
If weatrher is good--the river boats are kinda fun--they leave from Covington near the Roebling bridge (prototype for Brooklyn) BB Riverboats--prob have ticket special online--Delta discounts?
Best park is just above downtown on the east side nr 71--Mt Adams has nice walking/restaurants/atmosphere and the art museum. next to the park is outstanding!
hope that stuff helps--enjoy!!
Thank you both for the sentiments--it&#39;s been a crappy week. My mom was 87, fought 30 yrs of non-Hodgkins lymphoma and went down from a short bout of pneumonia. She loved Bombay Sapphire martinis, but if you&#39;ll raise a glass of anything to her, I&#39;d be appreciative.

I&#39;ll probably be at the bar around here tomorrow night, I&#39;ll certainly keep that in mind. I&#39;m a gin and tonic kind of guy, personally... been meaning to find out what kind of gin they use at this one bar here. Then again, I think their secret could be that in a 7oz glass, there&#39;s a bit of ice, chunk of lime, and damn near 50/50 gin and tonic. Somehow, it doesn&#39;t have that "bite" you get with hard liquor. Best G&Ts I&#39;ve ever had, and only $1.25 for one of those (strong) 7oz-ers. They also have some beer brewed in another part of the state (WI) for $.75 for the same size.

Anyway... my main concern is the neighborhoods out there. Other than Over-the-Rhine, where should I avoid going? Sounds like Liberty and Central is the epicenter of that area, but how far does that really stretch? Sorry to sound paranoid, but I am the son of a cop http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...IR#>/smile.gif

Also, any good places to look for some good chili? Y&#39;know, something the locals eat and are more familiar with than anyone else. Suburbs are fine if needed, I&#39;ll probably go to Fairfield to see Jungle Jim&#39;s International Marketplace (saw it on TV not too long ago, I can&#39;t resist)

Thanks again!

You might want to do a search for chili parlors--it&#39;s not my fave and most of it is chain stuff. I would say Gold Star is #1 chain. Empress was small group of restaurants but the locales might be dicey.

No one should want to go to price Hill but I guess they do--I wouldn&#39;t.
Few areas near the zoo are suspect--as are some UC neighborhoods.
Stay around Newport Levee but don&#39;t stray to far into the hillbilly streets--can&#39;t miss&#39;em--cars that wouldn&#39;t make the cash for clunkers and wife beaters is standard dress code!
Jungle Jims--How could I neglect to mention it??? OMG--it&#39;s a MUST-DO for me--every six months or so.
http://www.campwashingtonchili.com/
touted as an original

*snapping fingers* That&#39;s right, Camp Washington Chili in Cincinnati, The Food Channel listed it as one of the top chili spots in the US.
Of course they lost me once they served the chili on spaghetti......on spaghetti -can you believe it- AHHHHH!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Migflanker @ Aug 4 2009, 09:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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Of course they lost me once they served the chili on spaghetti......on spaghetti -can you believe it- AHHHHH![/b]

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No, I can&#39;t. That&#39;s why I have to try it http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...R#>/tongue.gif

keep in mind if you get a coney--the weeeenies are teeeeeny!!
onions, mustard, cheese and hot sauce

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mrs767er @ Aug 4 2009, 09:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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keep in mind if you get a coney--the weeeenies are teeeeeny!!
onions, mustard, cheese and hot sauce[/b]

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A "teeeeeny" Coney Island hotdog, chili served over spaghetti -Is there no end to the food sacrilege going on in Cincinnati? http://bestsmileys.com/fainting/1.gif

Spongebue, you may have to pack a lunch.

there&#39;s a technique involved--you have to place one finger at the opposing end of the bun, touching the weenie that will be bitten to avoid the embarrassing "shotgun" effect of the weenie going airborne (or pinching the escape route)...any idea why I don&#39;t care for the darned stuff?

M767, have you ever had a Chicago-style hotdog? Trust me, no "shotgun effect" and I&#39;ve never even heard of "pinching an escape route" on a hot dog. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...IR#>/laugh.gif

I love Chicago dogs except for the wet part of ingredients soaking the bun--If you cna find a place that toasts the bun--yeah!! and watch the ones that use the bright green pickle relish--kinda like a leprechaun got into the bottle
Ok--I admit--I split my pepperoncinis and drain them--hate that soggy bread thing--ICK (and I drain my jar relish at home)

The bun is soaked because they&#39;re dressing the bun instead of the dog. Placing the toppings in proper order is very important not only to pervent soaking but so you can get a taste of each topping with each bite. (oh the things you learn on a summer job)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mrs767er @ Aug 4 2009, 12:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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Ok--I admit--I split my pepperoncinis and drain them--hate that soggy bread thing--ICK (and I drain my jar relish at home)[/b]

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M767 you split pepperoncinis and drain them- losing all that juice NOOOOOOOOO! Is there no end to the food abominatiion in Cincinnati.

Speaking of things soaking and getting wet, how is the flooding out there? I heard Louisville (why is it that when the locals pronounce that place, it sounds like "Whoville" like in Dr. Seuss?) has been hit pretty hard, but how about downtown Cincinnati and the surrounding areas?

it&#39;s loo&#39; a vull

But Mig--I can abominate my own food if I wanna....

and, uh, the flooding? http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...R#>/tongue.gif

well--I can tell you I always take the high ground and my friends who live riverside east of city haven&#39;t asked if they can stay over...
I don&#39;t know what DT is like cuz I never go there--sorry
Most of the local flooding info I&#39;ve seen has been from the smaller rivers--maybe check channel 12 cincy for news--my BFF&#39;s hubby is reporter (Rich Jaffe)

I guess if it were that bad, it&#39;d be all over the national news by now... thanks!

Ok, I&#39;ll be leaving as soon as I wake up tomorrow late morning (technically today... Friday). Care to meet up for a bit, 767er? If not, no big deal, but it could be fun. If you do, give me a call. Since it has to be in the open because of a lack of a PM system, I&#39;m going to at least disguise it a bit so it&#39;s not in the open to search for.

Spongebue&#39;s post has been edited to prevent eye strain http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif

Call if you&#39;re available/interested in lunch or Jungle Jim&#39;s or something http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...IR#>/smile.gif

http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...IR#>/laugh.gif http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...IR#>/laugh.gif http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...IR#>/laugh.gif . This is too funny. To paraphrase Morpheus in the Matrix: Spongebue, you are the one!
Spongebue to try and cut down on unsolicited marketing calls & other misuse, the above post will disappear in 12 hours. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif

sorry--it&#39;s WAY beyond me
I don&#39;t google, either
I am kinda busy with Dad (he has Alzheimer&#39;s) after my mom&#39;s passing--thanks for the invite, tho
I suppose to protect the guilty, spongebue could delete that post

M767, to prevent "eye strain" I&#39;ve edited Spongebue&#39;s post. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif

Hey, I was going to edit it when I got back http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...IR#>/smile.gif

Anyway, no problem about not being able to make it. It kinda slipped my mind that you&#39;d have a lot going on because of that, sorry!

I&#39;ll get some pictures up after a bit.

Spongebue, I got your back. http://www.nonrev.net/forums/style_e...DIR#>/wink.gif

So how was the chili?

Quite tasty, not bad at all over spaghetti. The area seemed a little on the sketchy side, but daytime wasn&#39;t quite so bad.