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Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati
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Great American Ball Park

What a visiting fan needs to know: where to stay, getting in from CVG, parking and tailgating, what to eat and where to sit.

  • Cincinnati, OH
  • Home of the Reds
  • Fly into CVG
  • Stadium tours
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Games at Great American Ball Park

Where to stay near Great American Ball Park

Where visiting fans stay

Checked at the source
  • The Banks
    Dave Reuss, Google Maps

    The BanksVisiting fans pick this

    3 min by walk. Hotels and apartments on the riverfront right next to the ballpark, with bars along Joe Nuxhall Way and Freedom Way.

  • Downtown and Fountain Square
    James Barton, Google Maps

    Downtown and Fountain SquareVisiting fans pick this

    15 min by walk. Most of the city's hotels sit a short walk north of the ballpark. The free Connector streetcar also runs down to The Banks.

  • Over-the-Rhine
    Bericbogan, Google Maps

    Over-the-Rhine

    20 min by transit. Historic brick blocks full of breweries and restaurants, near Findlay Market. The free Connector streetcar loops between Over-the-Rhine and The Banks.

  • Covington and Newport, Kentucky

    20 min by walk. Hotels across the Ohio River, often cheaper than downtown. Walk over the river on a bridge or ride the TANK Southbank Shuttle.

Around the stadium

From a specialist guide
The Banks, the riverfront district between the ballpark and the football stadium, has bars and restaurants along Joe Nuxhall Way and Freedom Way, including Tom's Watch Bar across the street. Downtown hotels and Fountain Square are a 10 to 15 minute walk north.

Map of the area

Tap a pin to see the place.

Getting to Great American Ball Park

From Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky

Checked at the source
CVG (Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International) is in Kentucky, across the Ohio River from downtown. The TANK 2X Airporter bus runs between the airport and downtown Cincinnati and leaves from the baggage claim level. Follow the signs for Ground Transport East.

On game day

Checked at the source
Walk from downtown, about 15 min. Crosley Terrace, the main entrance at Second Street and Joe Nuxhall Way. Connector streetcar, about 20 min. Station 1 at The Banks, steps from the ballpark. Runs Monday to Friday 7:30am to 11:30pm, Saturday 8:30am to 11:30pm and Sunday 9:30am to 9:30pm. TANK 2X Airporter bus, about 30 min. Downtown Cincinnati, a short walk to the ballpark. Drive and park at the ballpark, about 15 min. Central Riverfront Garage under the ballpark, the East Garage, the Broadway Ave Lot or Lot E. Lots open 5 hours before game time.

Parking and tailgating at Great American Ball Park

Tailgating

From a specialist guide
The ballpark parking is mostly garages, so Reds fans gather at the bars and plazas of The Banks before the game rather than tailgating in lots.

Game day at Great American Ball Park

Getting in

Checked at the source
  • Bag policy: Bags up to 16 x 16 x 8 inches are allowed. Backpacks (multi-pocket bags worn on the back) are not, unless they are for medical or infant care. Small purses, food bags and soft-sided coolers are fine. Bags cannot be left unattended.
  • Cashless: All concession stands are cashless. Cash-to-card machines on the Terrace Level near section 119 and the View Level near section 427 load cash onto a Mastercard gift card.
  • Re-entry: Limited re-entry is allowed through the designated gate at Gapper's Alley (Gate B), with a new metal detector check and no carry-in items. The designated smoking area is outside that gate behind section 119.

Touring the stadium

Checked at the source
Adults $30 Monday to Friday and $35 on weekends, kids 5 to 12 and military $20, kids 4 and under free. The 75 to 90 minute walking tour covers about three quarters of a mile, with stops on Crosley Terrace, the warning track and both dugouts. Check in at the lobby of the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum. All sales are final. On Joe Nuxhall Way on the west side of the ballpark, with more than 150 years of Reds history. Active military and veterans get in free.

After the final whistle

From a specialist guide
Most fans walk out to The Banks or back to downtown hotels, 10 to 15 minutes north. The free Connector streetcar leaves from Station 1 at The Banks and runs until 11:30pm Monday to Saturday but only until 9:30pm on Sunday. To skip the garage lines, stay for a drink on The Banks.

One thing to avoid

From a specialist guide
Bringing a backpack. Backpacks are not allowed unless they are for medical or infant care, though bags and soft-sided coolers up to 16 x 16 x 8 inches are fine. Also, gates open only 60 minutes before first pitch Monday to Thursday, so arrive later than you would elsewhere.

Food and drink at Great American Ball Park

Bars near the stadium

Checked at the source
  • Tom's Watch Bar
    Tom's Watch Bar - Cincinnati, Google Maps

    Tom's Watch Bar

    175 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202

    A large sports bar on The Banks with oversized screens across the street from the ballpark. The Reds point fans to it for fun before and after games.

    Away fans: a big all-ages sports bar full of Reds fans before games, with plenty of visitors mixed in.

  • Budweiser Garden Bar

    100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202

    A garden-style bar at Crosley Terrace, the main entrance plaza, for fans with a game ticket. It is a good meeting point as the gates open.

    Away fans: a ticketed home crowd, but relaxed. Away colors draw friendly talk.

  • Bootlegger's Bar

    100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202

    A bar in the Fan Zone on the Terrace Level, built on the former site of Riverfront Stadium. It sits next to Mr.

    Away fans: a family area as much as a bar, so visitors fit in fine.

  • Arnold's Bar and Grill
    Arnold's Bar & Grill, Google Maps

    Arnold's Bar and Grill

    210 E 8th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

    Cincinnati's oldest tavern, serving since 1861, with live Americana, jazz and bluegrass in the courtyard on nights it is open. Good for a meal and a drink before you walk down to the river.

    Away fans: a locals-first bar that mixes regulars and visitors, so away colors are no issue.

Things to do around Great American Ball Park

Listed in the order they happen on game day. Each one earns points.

  1. Landmark75 points

    Visit the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum

    The museum on the west side of the ballpark tells more than 150 years of Reds history, starting with the 1869 Red Stockings, the first all-professional team. On game days it stays open into the evening.

    $$. 2 hours 30 minutes before first pitch

  2. Drink50 points

    Drink at Arnold's, Cincinnati's oldest tavern

    Arnold's has poured drinks since 1861 and has live music in its courtyard. Stop in for a pregame meal before you walk 12 minutes down to the river.

    $$. 2 hours 30 minutes before first pitch

  3. Ritual50 points

    Swing in the Hall of Fame batting cages

    Cages next to the Hall of Fame and the 1869 Red Stockings Pavilion let you take swings for a small donation. They are open during most home games until the seventh inning.

    $. 45 minutes before first pitch

  4. Photo40 points

    Look through the Gap

    A 35-foot-wide break in the stands between home plate and third base lines up with Sycamore Street and frames the downtown skyline. Walk the concourse there for the photo.

    Free. 40 minutes before first pitch

  5. Eat50 points

    Montgomery Inn barbecue at Mr. Red's Smokehouse

    Montgomery Inn is a Cincinnati rib house, and its barbecue is served at Mr. Red's Smokehouse near section 138 and other stands. Try the brisket street corn bowl, new in 2026.

    $$. 30 minutes before first pitch

  6. Eat65 points

    Skyline Chili at the ballpark

    Cincinnati-style chili is the city's signature dish, and Skyline is the best-known name. The ballpark serves it at sections 103, 116, 130, 518 and 535.

    $. 20 minutes before first pitch

  7. Tour75 points

    Take the ballpark tour

    The 75 to 90 minute tour stops on Crosley Terrace, the warning track and both dugouts. Night game days have tours at 11am, noon and 1pm, so you can do it the same day.

    $$

  8. Outing50 points

    Findlay Market

    Ohio's oldest continuously operated public market has more than 50 merchants selling local meat, cheese, produce and baked goods in Over-the-Rhine. Go on a weekend morning, when the farmers market is on.

    $

  9. Outing65 points

    National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

    This museum on The Banks, a short walk west of the ballpark, tells the story of the Underground Railroad and the fight for freedom. Plan 3 to 4 hours; it is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

    $$

  10. Eat65 points

    Goetta, lettuce and tomato

    Goetta is a Cincinnati favorite you will not find in most other cities. New in 2026, the G.L.T. puts a crispy Glier's goetta patty on slider buns at the Food Bars near sections 129 and 416.

    $$. 30 minutes after first pitch

  11. Ritual50 points

    Watch the smokestacks fire

    Two smokestacks in right center field, built to look like old Ohio River steamboats, shoot fireworks after every Reds home run and win and blow flames after Reds strikeouts. Keep an eye on them all game.

    Free. 1 hour after first pitch

  12. Eat50 points

    Graeter's black raspberry chip

    Graeter's is Cincinnati's hometown ice cream, and the ballpark scoops black raspberry chip, chocolate and vanilla. Find it at sections 119 and 534.

    $. 1 hour 30 minutes after first pitch

  13. Ritual50 points

    Stay for Friday fireworks

    The Reds put on post-game fireworks on most Fridays and on July 4. If you sit in outfield sections 140 to 146, move to the concourse or the Fan Zone for a better view.

    Free. 3 hours 5 minutes after first pitch

Seats and shade at Great American Ball Park

Where the sun lands on a day game, and which seats stay dry when it rains.

Shade and cover

From a specialist guide
  • Club level sections 301 to 305, Row G and up. The most shade on the first base side for early afternoon games, and these rows are also covered from rain.
  • First base side lower level, sections 127 to 137, Row DD and up. For games after 3pm, shade starts around Row DD and the first base side gives the best relief from the sun. Rows EE and up in these sections are covered.
  • Upper deck (500 level), rows L and up in 509 to 519 and rows O and up in 520 to 537. Covered by the roof and among the best protected seats in the ballpark from sun and rain.
  • Third base side 400 level, left field and the seats beyond the right field wall. The most exposed seats in the ballpark. Bring sunscreen or pick the first base side for a day game.