Does Cincy have the potential to be as much of a tourist destination as New Orleans? (Cincinnati: crime, how much)
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Cincinnati like New Orleans have certain things in common, and I am NOT the first one to notice the similarities.
Both cities were the largest cities in the US in the mid 1800s away from the east coast. Because of this, they are possibly the two most European looking cities west of the Appalachians.
Because of this, both cities have developed unique traditions, and both have some of the largest urban historic districts in the country, because they were relatively big so long ago.
However, due to better locational disadvantages to other cities, both cities got passed up by so many other american cities throughout the 20th century, to the point where they fell off the radar screen for immigrants. So, while both metro areas have relatively low % of immigrants compared to many other metro areas of the country, they do have unique ethnic heritage that is the product of eras past.
New Orleans French heritage is comparable to Cincinnnatis German heritage.
New Orleans French Quarter is comparable to Cincinnatis Over The Rhine.
New Orleans has Mardi Gras, Cincinnati has Oktoberfest.
New Orleans was the birthplace of Jazz, Cincinnati was a top destination for the escapees on the underground railroad.
Both cities have unique tasty food options, that can't easily be found elsewhere.
Apart from other very obvious big differences, like the fact that New Orleans is natural disaster prone, while Cincinnati really isn't, etc., etc., and just focusing on heritage and potential for tourism, the BIG difference here, is that
New Orleans marketed its heritage and very successfully made itself into a well known destination, where people come from all over to enjoy its attractions. While Over-the-Rhine deterioted, but now is making a comeback.
Do you think the Queen City has what it takes, to take stock of how unique it is, and build a comparable cultural tourism similar to New Orleans?
Climate wise, New Orleans is not a pleasant place to visit at any time of year. Even in winter, it is humid and there are insects and pests everywhere. It has an art museum, sort of. It has mediocre big city amenities like theater, opera and ballet. Once you have seen one creole cottage you have seen them all. It is a great place for entymologists to see massive termite colonies and for biologists to study malaria. And for sociologists to see the origins of generational welfare tradition.
But if you want to know why New Orleans is a tourist destination it is because of its decadence. Without alcohol, nudity, prostitution and gluttony, New Orleans would be Detroit.
Cincinnati could legalize and encourage strip clubs (Cincinnati has zero, New Orleans has hundreds. More than anywhere.)
In Cincinnati, one can pay for sex, but it is at tremendous risk and inconvenience and unpleasantness. Go to McMicken and Dunlap and be prepared to be robbed and if not expect 4 minutes of sex behind a building.
In New Orleans tourists order in sex to their hotel rooms like they are getting a cheeseburger. Do we want that?
We are getting the gambling, I suppose, so let's see how that works out.
But the cost of increasing tourism New Orleans style, can be pretty high.
Climate wise, New Orleans is not a pleasant place to visit at any time of year. Even in winter, it is humid and there are insects and pests everywhere. It has an art museum, sort of. It has mediocre big city amenities like theater, opera and ballet. Once you have seen one creole cottage you have seen them all. It is a great place for entymologists to see massive termite colonies and for biologists to study malaria. And for sociologists to see the origins of generational welfare tradition.
But if you want to know why New Orleans is a tourist destination it is because of its decadence. Without alcohol, nudity, prostitution and gluttony, New Orleans would be Detroit.
Cincinnati could legalize and encourage strip clubs (Cincinnati has zero, New Orleans has hundreds. More than anywhere.)
In Cincinnati, one can pay for sex, but it is at tremendous risk and inconvenience and unpleasantness. Go to McMicken and Dunlap and be prepared to be robbed and if not expect 4 minutes of sex behind a building.
In New Orleans tourists order in sex to their hotel rooms like they are getting a cheeseburger. Do we want that?
We are getting the gambling, I suppose, so let's see how that works out.
But the cost of increasing tourism New Orleans style, can be pretty high.
OK, sure I see what you are saying. All cities have problems. Yes, many people go there (New Orleans) for the hedonism sure. But still, there are many that go there to sample the food, music, admire the architecure, etc. as well (that really isn't found elsewhere), (as well as having a general good time in a more responsible way: IE: have some drinks just not the point where one pukes).
I'm live outside Chicago, and I know plenty of generally responsible people (meaning not soliciting prostitution) who have been to New Orleans for the unique culture, but don't know a thing about Cincinnati.
And if you think New Orleans is a bad example, fine, lets use Nashville. Lots of people I know have been to Nashville for a vacation, and they are not even huge fans of country music, and enjoyed it. Its only a metro area of a million. The tourism it gets is relatively high for a city its size, and its generally of the "cleaner" variety. You might say, "yeah, but they have the country music industry there" fine, but the point is, is that Cincinnati, (to me at least) is a very unique city, that gets overlooked. But, maybe it has cultural assets for it NOT to be overlooked.
Chicago has the best of many things and will always be a tourist destination. Nashville is a country music mecca (although also a good city for other reasons).
Both cities have unique tasty food options, that can't easily be found elsewhere.
Goetta and disgusting chili versus Creole and Cajun? N'awlins wins hands down. I'd be willing to bet that Cincy has better ice cream, though!
The French Quarter and Garden District versus OTR + Walnut Hills + Mt Auburn + Clifton + Avondale? N'awlins is ahead, and wins walking away if you factor out Clifton and the "good parts" of Avondale and Walnut Hills.
But seriously folks, whether or not it pleases some people a part of the experience of traveling to a city for lots of folks (especially unattached men) is how much "vice" it has to offer. Who cares if somebody wants to pay for the pleasures of a "hot coed" or "exotic fill-in-the-blank-ethnicity lady" in his hotel room? And there's no reason a few "gentlemen's clubs" shouldn't be allowed to operate as long as careful screening is done by the licensing board to weed out organized-crime types and "straw" owners. (Whether or not the near total absence of "adult" theaters and bookstores in Cincinnati is positive is pretty much beside the point today. After all, those so inclined can buy and view all that kind of stuff online.) This puritanical attitude toward sexual freedom makes Cincinnati a national joke. Though no one would admit as much, the city probably loses million$ in convention money each year because grown-ups like to be treated like grown-ups. When these grown-ups are "men behaving badly," they'd much rather take their business to NYC or Vegas.
As far as gambling is concerned, that horse got out of the barn fifteen years ago. Before long the absence of a casino will set a city apart. I doubt that opening one in Cincinnati will make much of a difference. Detroit hasn't had them for very long and some have already failed. And Atlantic City has passed its peak and is scrambling to keep from losing any more ground. Besides, if anybody gets the itch to throw money away it's not very far to Belterra or Argosy.
I think the city could do a lot better in marketing tourism at the national level. Large-circulation magazines never include ads for visiting Greater Cincinnati, though every year the Cincinnati mag has a big-budget "Cincinnati USA" supplement. (Isn't that called preaching to the choir?) Each new baby animal makes for blocks-long traffic jams approaching the zoo, which every 'nati native and transplant knows is world-class to begin with. Kings Island is overshadowed by Cedar Point for roller coaster buffs, but still is a regional destination which could be more - particularly since "satellite" attractions like The Beach have opened. The Museum Center should be on bucket lists from coast to coast, ditto for the CAC + Taft Museum + art museum. The May and Boar's Head Festivals should be "put out there" a great deal more; I have a good feeling that the recently-held Fringe Festival will grow and possibly be as much on the radar as SXSW before long. With better and more widespread promotions of all of these assets, more families with children as well as a larger number of persons who practice and/or appreciate the arts will spend their vacation time and money in the Queen City. That, in turn, would make the lack of "vice" less of a revenue drain.
Climate wise, New Orleans is not a pleasant place to visit at any time of year. Even in winter, it is humid and there are insects and pests everywhere. It has an art museum, sort of. It has mediocre big city amenities like theater, opera and ballet. Once you have seen one creole cottage you have seen them all. It is a great place for entymologists to see massive termite colonies and for biologists to study malaria. And for sociologists to see the origins of generational welfare tradition.
But if you want to know why New Orleans is a tourist destination it is because of its decadence. Without alcohol, nudity, prostitution and gluttony, New Orleans would be Detroit.
Cincinnati could legalize and encourage strip clubs (Cincinnati has zero, New Orleans has hundreds. More than anywhere.)
In Cincinnati, one can pay for sex, but it is at tremendous risk and inconvenience and unpleasantness. Go to McMicken and Dunlap and be prepared to be robbed and if not expect 4 minutes of sex behind a building.
In New Orleans tourists order in sex to their hotel rooms like they are getting a cheeseburger. Do we want that?
We are getting the gambling, I suppose, so let's see how that works out.
But the cost of increasing tourism New Orleans style, can be pretty high.
The strip clubs in the Cincinnati area are across the river in northern Kentucky.
Goetta and disgusting chili versus Creole and Cajun? N'awlins wins hands down. I'd be willing to bet that Cincy has better ice cream, though!
The French Quarter and Garden District versus OTR + Walnut Hills + Mt Auburn + Clifton + Avondale? N'awlins is ahead, and wins walking away if you factor out Clifton and the "good parts" of Avondale and Walnut Hills.
But seriously folks, whether or not it pleases some people a part of the experience of traveling to a city for lots of folks (especially unattached men) is how much "vice" it has to offer. Who cares if somebody wants to pay for the pleasures of a "hot coed" or "exotic fill-in-the-blank-ethnicity lady" in his hotel room? And there's no reason a few "gentlemen's clubs" shouldn't be allowed to operate as long as careful screening is done by the licensing board to weed out organized-crime types and "straw" owners. (Whether or not the near total absence of "adult" theaters and bookstores in Cincinnati is positive is pretty much beside the point today. After all, those so inclined can buy and view all that kind of stuff online.) This puritanical attitude toward sexual freedom makes Cincinnati a national joke. Though no one would admit as much, the city probably loses million$ in convention money each year because grown-ups like to be treated like grown-ups. When these grown-ups are "men behaving badly," they'd much rather take their business to NYC or Vegas.
As far as gambling is concerned, that horse got out of the barn fifteen years ago. Before long the absence of a casino will set a city apart. I doubt that opening one in Cincinnati will make much of a difference. Detroit hasn't had them for very long and some have already failed. And Atlantic City has passed its peak and is scrambling to keep from losing any more ground. Besides, if anybody gets the itch to throw money away it's not very far to Belterra or Argosy.
I think the city could do a lot better in marketing tourism at the national level. Large-circulation magazines never include ads for visiting Greater Cincinnati, though every year the Cincinnati mag has a big-budget "Cincinnati USA" supplement. (Isn't that called preaching to the choir?) Each new baby animal makes for blocks-long traffic jams approaching the zoo, which every 'nati native and transplant knows is world-class to begin with. Kings Island is overshadowed by Cedar Point for roller coaster buffs, but still is a regional destination which could be more - particularly since "satellite" attractions like The Beach have opened. The Museum Center should be on bucket lists from coast to coast, ditto for the CAC + Taft Museum + art museum. The May and Boar's Head Festivals should be "put out there" a great deal more; I have a good feeling that the recently-held Fringe Festival will grow and possibly be as much on the radar as SXSW before long. With better and more widespread promotions of all of these assets, more families with children as well as a larger number of persons who practice and/or appreciate the arts will spend their vacation time and money in the Queen City. That, in turn, would make the lack of "vice" less of a revenue drain.
Goy Guy, I gotta repectfully disagree with you. For me, N'awlins was a "one time good deal". I much prefer Cincy. But then, I'll take Goetta, Cincy chili and our other local favorites over any of the spicy stuff that city below sea level offers, thank you very much! I WILL agree that Cincy should do a better job of marketing itself. FWIW, I hear radio ads in places like Louisville and Indy for Cincy/SW Ohio tourism. Makes ME wanna visit...even if Mrs. CC won't let me participate in any vices!
I've spent a lot of time in New Orleans. It is an exciting place to visit, but I would not want to live there. I don't really think it's just the vice that attracts people, it's the art, music, food, and architecture as well as the booze and boobs. In a way, though, Cincinnati has the german equivalent to NOLA's french character. I guess the practical and efficient German heritage isn't as exciting as the flamboyant and indulgent french for the tourist.
Of course cincy has the potential to be a tourist draw like New Orleans. It would require some dedication but it's totally do-able. Obviously 1 casino won't make us any more Vegas like than a few make Detroit. But we have to ask ourselves, what makes a tourist Mecca?
Places like New York, Orlando, L.A., Vegas, New Orleans, San Francisco, all use similar things to draw people, and signatures that are usually only associated with that city. When asked what we think about any of those cities we would probably all name just about the same things. All of those places also offer a variety of things that includes vices, to kiddie parks, family museums, to sex museum, and so on. There needs to be so many things to do in a place that it's impossible to do it all in the average week vacation. Places like Orlando and New York you'd have to stay for months to experience all there is to offer. You also have to capitalize on things other places won't have and never will have. Like the grand canyon, mountains, aurora lights in the sky, ect. We could be a tourist Mecca, we have the foundation, but we need key essintials. I hate bringing this up and mixing threads but it is what I consider an essential to almost any major tourest destination, good public transit. My trip to New Orleans I took for my birthday we stayed downtown and guess how we got around.... streetcars. I thought they were more of a tourist thing (which they are, they are all historic land marks ) but to my surprise they were used by all types of people. They got us anywhere we needed to go which is very important to tourist who a majority of don't take their cars with them on vacation, and don't want to pay outrageous taxi fares. Vacations should be convenient and hassle free, I sure as hell know I wouldn't drive in downtown manhattan! Aside from not knowing where your at, being stuck in traffic in a major city you don't know could be frightening, which brings me to my last thing. All big tourist destinations are very user friendly! Disney has busses that will pick you up at the airport and take you to the park. New York has subways that will take you from the airport to manhattan and anywhere else. All of these places are usually very pedestrian and visitor friendly. Cincinnati is pretty pedestrian friendly. But unless people are very familiar withe the bus system, or are bus system savvy, they might struggle trying to get from downtown to the IMAX, or kings island. You want visitors to not have to worry, or struggle to know much of anything, you want them to be care free, and enjoy their time so they'll come back.
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I WILL agree that Cincy should do a better job of marketing itself. FWIW, I hear radio ads in places like Louisville and Indy for Cincy/SW Ohio tourism. Makes ME wanna visit...even if Mrs. CC won't let me participate in any vices!
