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Cincinnati, OH

EventsIn addition to its many cultural and historic landmarks, this destination hosts a number of outstanding festivals and events that may coincide with your trip.

Fun Things to Do in Spring

May is a busy event month. The Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon , held the first weekend of the month, draws runners of all abilities, and entertainment and events are offered, too. The Appalachian Festival , held at Coney Island, is said to be the largest craft show in the nation.

During two weekends in May, the city's renowned music community celebrates May Festival , the oldest continuing festival of choral and orchestral music in the United States. The tradition began in 1873; performances consist of a 150-voice chorus accompanied by the Cincinnati Symphony and joined by top-name guest conductors and opera singers.

Restaurateurs show off their talents on Memorial Day weekend during the Taste of Cincinnati , a sidewalk smorgasbord along Fifth Street at Fountain Square.

Summertime Festivals and Fairs

Cincinnati heralds the summer season with its Summerfair in early summer. More than 300 artists gather at Coney Island and display their works, while musicians perform classical, pop, country and jazz music.

Summer also offers music festivals. The 3-day Bunbury Music Festival in June features alternative music acts at Sawyer Point and Yeatman's Cove. The Cincinnati Music Festival in July offers 2 days of hip hop, R&B, jazz and soul music at Paul Brown Stadium. The summer draws to a close in September with Cincinnati's Riverfest on the Sunday of Labor Day. In honor of their river heritage, more than 500,000 people gather along the riverfront in both Ohio and Kentucky to watch water skiing, sky diving and air shows, and enjoy riverboat cruises. The festival climaxes with a spectacular fireworks display accompanied by a soundtrack broadcast by radio station WEBN (102.7 FM).

Another major end-of-summer event is the Green Township Harvest Home Fair , held the weekend following Labor Day in nearby Cheviot. A parade marks the traditional kickoff for what is dubbed “the biggest little fair in Ohio.” Fairgoers can view horse, artwork and flower shows or attend a 4-H auction, among other fun things to do. Food, drink and stage entertainment are available.

What to Do in Fall

With more than half the city's population of German ancestry, it is little wonder Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is celebrated with almost as much vigor as its counterpart in Munich, Germany. Attracting more than 500,000 people, it is said to be the largest such celebration in the country. During a mid-September weekend, six blocks of downtown around Fountain Square are transformed into a German biergarten, complete with music, dancing, singing and, of course, lots of sauerkraut and beer. Be sure to take part in one of the world's largest chicken dances.

Coney Island celebrates autumn with its Fall-O-Ween Festival , held several weekends in October.

Holiday Activities in Cincinnati

At the PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden , more than 2 million lights bedeck the grounds from late November to early January. Visitors and locals alike enjoy ice-skating at the ice rink on Fountain Square from November through February. Another festive winter event is Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains display at the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal. This is one of the largest portable train models in the world with 1,000 feet of track.

See all the AAA recommended events and things to do for this destination.

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Cincinnati, OH

Top AAA Diamond Hotels

AAA’s in-person hotel evaluations are unscheduled to ensure the inspector has an experience similar to that of members. To pass inspection, all hotels must meet the same rigorous standards for cleanliness, comfort and hospitality. These hotels receive a AAA Diamond designation that tells members what type of experience to expect.

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The Summit Hotel

5345 Medpace Way. Cincinnati, OH 45227

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Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza

35 W 5th St. Cincinnati, OH 45202

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Members save up to 10% and earn Honors points when booking AAA/CAA rates!

The Cincinnatian Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton

601 Vine St. Cincinnati, OH 45202

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Members save 5% or more and earn Marriott Bonvoy™ points when booking AAA/CAA rates!

The Westin Cincinnati

21 E 5th St. Cincinnati, OH 45202

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Travel Information

City Population

296,943

Elevation

820 ft.

Sales Tax

The Cincinnati area has a 7 percent sales tax. A lodging tax of 13.5 percent is applicable in Hamilton County. There is a 12 percent rental car tax with an additional 9 percent recoupment tax. The northern Kentucky lodging tax is 11.24 percent.

Emergency

911

Police (non-emergency)

(513) 765-1212

Fire (non-emergency)

(513) 765-1212

Time and Temperature

(513) 721-1700

Hospitals

The Christ Hospital, (513) 585-2000; Good Samaritan Hospital, (513) 862-1400; The Jewish Hospital, (513) 686-3000; Mercy Health Anderson Hospital, (513) 624-4500; Mercy Health West Hospital, (513) 215-5000; UC Health Academic Medical Center, (513) 584-1000.

Visitor Information

50 E. Rivercenter Blvd Suite 810 Covington, KY 41011. Phone:(859)581-2260 or (800)543-2613

Air Travel

Major passenger airlines serve the

Rental Cars

Hertz offers discounts to AAA members; phone (859) 767-3535 or (800) 654-3080.

Rail Service

The Amtrak station, (800) 872-7245, is at 1301 Western Ave. inside historic Union Terminal.

Buses

Greyhound Lines Inc., (800) 231-2222, 1005 Gilbert Ave., is the major company serving the city. Megabus, (877) 462-6342, offers routes to several cities.

Taxis

Taxis are metered and charge $4 for a pickup and $2 per mile. There is no charge for additional passengers. Taxis can be hailed at downtown hotels or ordered by phone. Companies include Cincinnati Taxi Inc., (513) 666-2184, and Towne Taxi, (513) 761-7700.

Public Transportation

Metro operates buses throughout the metropolitan area. The base fare is $1.75. Exact change is required, and zone and transfer charges are additional. Signs at many bus stops list the numbers of the routes that stop there.

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