Sunday, July 19, 2009

Boomtown

ASID brought me to Cincinnati, Ohio (Boomtown) for our Chapter Leadership Conference.

With a very tight schedule to keep - I did my travel & exploration research early to determine the best places to tour, what and where to eat, and how to get a round... only to find the Carew Tower which houses the hotel Netherland Plaza - where we were stayng & the confrence was held was to only MUST SEE place on the list -Easy!

Now, not to disrespect Cincinnati - it's a charming city - very clean and friendly, and certainly what I saw far exceeded my expecttions - but still not much there - out side of the typical go to any city and you can do the same kinda things - city attractions. There are other good Cincinatti Destinations just not part of this trip - but- if I were to return.
So here is what I did...

FYI - Fly into Kentucky - Taxi into Ohio

First Stop Cincinnati the Queen City- OK, Only Stop:

Carew Tower - 49 Stories - 574 feet above street level. The Carew Tower is the tallest building in Cincinnati (until the great american insurance building at queen city square is completed in 2011 - which will be 86 feet higher). Carew Tower is a National Historic Landmark, containing the Netherland Plaza Hotel (Hilton) & among other things a shopping mall, offices, and connections to many other fun shopping destinations and restaurants down town. It was designed to be a city in a city. built in 1929 - with an interesting story.

Overlooking fountain square - We were there for a Friday Night - Concert in the Square! - and wow! Tastey Ice cream all right in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, Ohio.

Also Overlooking the Ohio River waterfront - I am always on the lookout for veiws from the top - Carew Tower offers an observation deck - but it's a little tricky getting there - a few - like 2 -3 very small signs lead you to an elevator - taking you to a landing where you get on a two - person max elevator - and a very narrow staircase - which leads to a small room where an older lady - takes your $2 - and then out the door to to top of the Carew Tower and this view! on a clear day you can see for miles includling three states: Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio!
The Palm Court, the former Lobby and now the Restaurant "Orchids" is said to be the finest example of French Art Deco Architecture in the world - Indeed!
All in all - The hotel was a facinating example of Art Deco - Some Highlights.