Walking from Downtown to Findlay Market Area? (Cincinnati, Washington: high crime, hotel)

[Empidonax]

Hi folks,

I'm staying at a hotel downtown and, one of these mornings, am interested in visiting Findlay Market, with stops at Hoffman's Donuts and Tucker's along the way.

The trip seems to be a fairly straightforward and short trek up Vine Ave., with a left on Elder to get to Findlay. This seems quite walkable to me, but a couple of people have advised me to take a bus instead--not so much because of the distance, but more because OTR isn't considered the safest of neighborhoods....

What do you recommend?

[SWOH]

Literally just walked it today. You'll be fine! It's a nice walk.

[progmac]

I think you'll be fine. You'll probably be a little uncomfortable for the three or so blocks between Liberty and Findlay Market.

[mimi in cinci]

During the day, you'll be fine.

[Peter1948]

Originally Posted by Empidonax

Hi folks,

I'm staying at a hotel downtown and, one of these mornings, am interested in visiting Findlay Market, with stops at Hoffman's Donuts and Tucker's along the way.

The trip seems to be a fairly straightforward and short trek up Vine Ave., with a left on Elder to get to Findlay. This seems quite walkable to me, but a couple of people have advised me to take a bus instead--not so much because of the distance, but more because OTR isn't considered the safest of neighborhoods....

What do you recommend?

It is still pretty gritty around the market. There are definitely some panhandlers, homeless, and the like. I never felt in danger there, only uncomfortable, and I am a city person all around.

Never walk that area after dark....there are still tons of assaults there, with several a day occurring around 15th and Vine

100 Findlay Street, Cincinnati, OH | Trulia.com

(the market is actually on Race, but this is very nearby. You can see the entire area is red, which is very high crime)

Just look at these maps. That is an uncomfortable amount of aggravated assaults and battery.

[motorman]

Originally Posted by Empidonax

Hi folks,

...The trip seems to be a fairly straightforward and short trek up Vine Ave., with a left on Elder to get to Findlay. This seems quite walkable to me, but a couple of people have advised me to take a bus instead--not so much because of the distance, but more because OTR isn't considered the safest of neighborhoods....

What do you recommend?

As you may have noticed, your question's eliciting all kinds of responses--so let's just keep things simple: (a) the same rules that apply in walking around urban Milwaukee apply in Cincinnati; (b) your own physical condition combined with Cincinnati summer weather will be important; (c) enjoy your visit.

btw... If you're not wishing to walk back to the hotel from Findlay Market, just catch any bus at the market's Race Street stop. They all head back downtown. ($1.75)

[cincydave8]

You'll be fine, as Progmac said, little gritty for a few blocks after Liberty.

FYI, if you like beer you might want to walk one more block past Findlay and visit Rhinegiest....but I don't think they open until 4pm.

[Kevin1813]

Perfectly fine during the day. Like others have said, parts of OTR are a bit gritty but nothing to worry about. I might suggest walking to Washington Park and walking North on either Race or Pleasant Street. It will provide a little more shade and a more pleasant walk. Going down Vine would be nice as well, plenty of shops and new businesses. Enjoy your stay!

[Empidonax]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I had been to the gentrified part of Vine St. on previous visits, and even a few days ago I got back up that way and visited Holtman's Donuts and other places, but never walked beyond the area where the Kroger's Grocery is. It turns out that, yeah, it's pretty gritty from there to the Market, but not that big of a deal.

Tucker's is a nice breakfast/luncheonette type place with lots of local color, and the Market (and its perimeter) sure has a lot to offer-- too bad there aren't more patrons there, though.

OTR sure has come a long way over the past few years. Several years ago I made it over to the Coffee Emporium on Central Pkway, but walking north of there was rather daunting. 3 or 4 years ago I saw that restaurants and bars were being established on some N-S streets just north of the Pkway, and now the development really shows. There are still a lot of poor people loitering and begging (downtown, too), and there are many more gorgeous buildings to restore, but these signs all look positive to me.

One of these days I hope to come back to Cincy and see more neighborhoods-- I've only been able to come here on work assignments that keep me cooped up every day from morning 'til evening.

Thanks again.

[mimi in cinci]

I have to admit I don't think I've ever been to Findlay Market on a weekday so I can't comment on how busy it usually is. I will have to put it on my list of things to do during the week this summer. Hope you managed to stay dry- our weather has been awful the last couple of days.

Thanks for letting us know how it went.