The Swiftie Guide to Cincinnati

From June 30^th to July 1^st, thousands of fans will descend upon “Swiftinnati” for one of the biggest local music events this year. Will you be one of the thousands of swifties catching Taylor Swift on her Eras Tour stop in the Queen City? Let us help you make your entire weekend the perfect “Love Story”.

The Basics

Getting Around Downtown

Chances are, you chose a place to stay some time ago. There’s no way around it – expect these two nights to be booked and BUSY downtown! Lucky for you, getting around Cincinnati is easy, with multiple options. 

• The Connector Streetcar: free, free, free! The streetcar runs in a giant loop around downtown Cincinnati and nearby Over-the-Rhine. Your stop for the concert would be #1 – The Banks. It’s just a short walk from where the streetcar picks up/drops off to Paycor Stadium.
• Red Bikes – rent a regular bike or an e-bike and zip around town as needed! You’ll find many charging and return stations located throughout downtown and in Northern Kentucky.
• Oggo – another free option! These electric carts can pick you up and drop off as needed. Download the app ahead of time.
• TANK and Cincy Metro – Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati’s bus systems with drop-offs across downtown.
  • Note: TANK – or the Tansit Authority of Northern Kentucky – will be offering $1 rides to help make your commute to and from Paycor as easy as possible!
  • TANK will be adding an additional drop off/pick up service for both nights. Park and ride from Northern Kentucky University (NKU) for $3 roundtrip bus fare (and no additional cost to park at NKU). Buses will running downtown from 3 PM - 7PM and will return to campus anytime from 7 PM - 12 AM. Riders can enjoy a DJ, friendship bracelet and portable charger giveaways, and trivia at NKU. 
• Lime Scooters – a fun, quick way to get around downtown. Note – they are deactivated after 9 PM.

Parking

Planning on driving and parking at the concert? You’ve got options! Note – parking rates are subject to vary and increase on days of large events. Additional, day-of parking lots will also be available around Paycor Stadium, typically offering flat rates.

• Central Riverfront Garage – 171 Joe Nuxhall Wy
• Riverfront Parking – 100 E Pete Rose Way
• LAZ Parking Garage – 150 E 3^rd St
• SP+ Parking – 18 W 3^rd St
• SP+ at the Westin Cincinnati – 424 Vine St
• Fountain Square Parking – 520 Vine St.

Other Things to do in Cincy

1. Visit Great American Ball Park! Home to the Cincinnati Reds (the very first professional baseball team in the country), GABP may be familiar to long-time Swifties, as it was a stop on the 1989 tour! The Reds will be playing the San Diego Padres at home on Friday (7:10 PM) and Saturday (1:40 PM).
2. Check out Cincinnati Museum Center. The massive art deco rotunda is a Cincinnati icon – also located inside is a children’s museum, an IMAX theater and a working AMTRAK train station!
3. Catch a local, free show in a classic dive bar. MOTR Pub in Over-the-Rhine features live music nearly every night; you can see Nashville-based “Deeohgee” on Friday, and “Near Earth Objects” on Saturday. Some other local music venues that often have live, local acts include The Hub, the Southgate House Revival, the Comet, Urban Artifact and Northside Tavern.
4. Pick up a souvenir at Art on Vine on July 1^st! This craft show, located on the Court Street Plaza, will run from noon to 6 PM. Check out tons of local vendors to find the perfect trip keepsake!
5. Attend an FC Cincinnati pre-match party on July 1^st at Washington Park, then march with fellow fans to TQL Stadium to see our hometown professional soccer team take on the New England Revolution.
6. Do you like cats, like Taylor? Rent a karaoke room at Tokyo Kitty in the Central Business District. Choose from hundreds of karaoke songs and have drinks delivered to you via robot! Have a coffee (or cocktail) with some adoptable furry friends at the Purrfect Day Cat Cafe in Covington, Kentucky or Kitty Brew Cafe in Mason, Ohio. 
7. Check out a Taylor Swift-themed drag show at the LGBTQ+ friendly Bloom OTR. Cincinnati’s best drag queens and entertainers always put on an amazing show on Fridays and Saturdays – bring your dollar bills and be ready to tip the queens at 10 PM showtime! 
8. Pour your own candle at the Candle Lab in OTR! Mix your very own fragrance and select your jar for a custom and unique scent.

Check out additional events going on that weekend below!

Before the Show

What to do at the Banks

The Banks area is one of the best entertainment districts in the region. Arrive to the area early before the concert, or come back the next day – there are plenty of things to do. Check out our insider guide to the Banks for more ideas.

• Escape Game—classic escape game featuring completely immersive, high-quality rooms
• Cincinnati Reds hall of fame and museum—take a tour and learn everything about the country’s first professional baseball team!
• National Underground Railroad Museum and Freedom Center—a moving museum that is devoted to highlighting the struggles for equality and freedom worldwide
• Carol Ann’s Carousel—a classic carousel, overlooking the Ohio River
• Smale Park, Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove—a series of beautiful parks that connect along the meandering banks of the Ohio. Featuring playgrounds, pickleball courts, splash fountains and swing sets.
• Roebling Bridge—walk across the “singing bridge”; the prototype for the Brooklyn Bridge is pedestrian friendly, and a scenic way to stroll between Ohio and Northern Kentucky.

Pre-Concert Prep

Looking for an outfit? Want a fresh set of nails before the big night? We’ve got you covered.

• Kenwood Mall – located just a short 15 minutes north of downtown Cincinnati, this mall is home to over 150 stores, including anchors Macy’s, Nordstrom and Dillard’s.
• OTR Boutiques – for a more eclectic shopping experience, head to Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine! Here you’ll find a collection of small, privately owned shops and boutiques with unique collections for all budgets. Check out: Little Mahatma, Kismet, Sloane Boutique, Idlewild, Boutique Cala, Continuum, The Native One, Pitaya and much more! All stores are located within a few blocks of each other, so park and shop till you drop.
• Crestview Hills Town Center – 61 stores, including Sephora, J. Crew, DSW and many more.
• Spruce Nails – with locations in both Over-the-Rhine and Walnut Hills, get a manicure, pedicure, facials, waxing, spray tans and much more!
• Oasis Face Bar – a chic salon located in Over-the-Rhine that offers a variety of facials and peels
• The Spa at 21c – from facials to massages, this spa offers a variety of treatments and services that will leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed

Late Night Food Options

So now the concert is over and you’re hungry. Where’s the best spot to grab something greasy and delicious? Whether you want to visit in-person or order in, here’s a list of some of the region’s best, life-saving spots.

• Shanghai on Elm – late night Asian fair
• Goodfella’s – OTR and Covington locations; gigantic pizzas available by the slice
• Lucky Dog Café – Cincinnati-style chili, double-deckers, deserts and more
• 13^th Street Alley—Philadelphia-style cheesesteaks
• Gyro’s on Main—Gyros and more
• City Bird – OTR and Fort Mitchell—fried chicken
• Gomez Salsa—burritos, bowls and the infamous “turtle” sandwich
• Mikey’s Late Night Slice—pizza by the slice and the pie
• iZen’s Drunken Bento—sushi and Asian cuisine