Cincinnati Bengals

How to Get There

The main airport in Cincinnati is the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) which is primarily serviced by Delta with budget airlines Allegiant and Frontier also having flights. The airport is 13 miles to Paul Brown Stadium with the TANK bus from the airport being the best option. Depending on the day or time, buses generally run every hour to hour and a half and drop off at several locations in downtown Cincinnati. This is an excellent option for budget travelers, with a seat on the bus costing just $2 per person. Due to Cincinnati not being a massive metropolitan area, it is easy to get around without a car, so saving money on a rental and taking public transportation or rideshare is probably the best bet for most people flying in. While the airport is a ways away from the stadium, it does sit in a prime location on the south side of downtown Cincinnati on the Ohio River.

Where to Stay

Budget Options

Residence Inn by Marriott Cincinnati - The Residence Inn is a boutique hotel housed in a historic building in central downtown focused on extended stay guests. While rooms are focused on extended stay, they are good for any guests especially those who want to save money. The rooms are comfortable and large, with every room including a sitting area with a sofa bed, a full kitchen, and a refrigerator. The hotel offers a free grocery shopping service for travelers who want to save money by not eating out, and there is a free breakfast buffet daily. There is a rooftop restaurant with excellent views of the city serving American food and a bar with hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. There is also a nice bar in the lobby with drinks and small bites. The hotel is well located for guests who want to see the city, and the location plus the restaurant and bar on site make it a great place to socialize. It is a little over a half mile to the stadium, so it is a very reasonable walk through the city to get to a game. The Residence Inn is a great option for families and budget travelers who are looking for space and a homey room, and guests who want a fairly priced hotel in a great location.

Hampton Inn and Suites Newport/Cincinnati - The Hampton Inn sits just across the Ohio River from the ballpark, just a short half mile walk across the Taylor Southgate bridge to Paul Brown Stadium. The hotel has many suites and standard rooms with sofa beds for family travelers. Rooms on the north side of the hotel have views of both the river and downtown Cincinnati. The rooms are spacious for a simple hotel and clean and comfortable. There is an indoor pool and fitness center, and for budget travelers there is a free hot breakfast daily and self-parking is included. The Hampton is a good choice for budget travelers looking for extra space and a nice view from the room as well as being steps away from a comfortable stroll along the Ohio River.

Higher-End Options

Hyatt Regency Cincinnati - The Hyatt Regency is a modern upscale hotel located in the center of Cincinnati's vibrant downtown district. The contemporary rooms are fairly spacious with comfortable plush bedding and views of either the river or the city. There are also three different 1,000+ square foot suites with panoramic city views. Some hotel features include an indoor saltwater pool on the 5th floor with a glass dome and outdoor sun deck and an upscale farm-to-table restaurant on the lobby level. It is conveniently located near many restaurants and shopping, and the hotel is just over a half mile away from the stadium. It can be an incredibly valuable points redemption at only 8,000 Hyatt points per night. The Hyatt regency is a good hotel for families and business travelers alike, and it provides great options for fans wanting to see the city from a great location and have a nice, comfortable room with good simple amenities.

Lytle Park Hotel - The Lytle Park Hotel is a brand new hotel built in a classic 1909 building. The hotel provides a unique, elegant atmosphere while keeping the feel and theme of nearby Lytle Park. Rooms are sleek with most rooms having small sitting areas and some with views of the Ohio River, and each room has a unique personal touch. There is an upscale Italian restaurant in the lobby and a bar with handcrafted cocktails and classic, high-end architecture. There is also an eclectic rooftop restaurant overlooking Lytle Park and the downtown skyline with several fireplaces to sit by while relaxing and enjoying a drink. The hotel is great for people in the city who loves the outdoors with a large atrium in the lobby that is naturally lit and full of trees and plants. The location by the park is excellent, but it is also just over a half mile from the stadium and just a couple blocks from the Ohio River. Great American Ballpark is on the way to Paul Brown Stadium from the hotel so it is a good location for catching a baseball game too when both sports are in season. Marriott owns the hotel, so rooms can be redeemed for 35,000 points per night. Lytle Park Hotel is a great option for guests who want a truly unique stay unlike any other hotels with fine dining, an elegant lobby, and upscale comfortable rooms. 

Nearby Activities

Pregame Food and Drink

The Riverfront location on the edge of downtown offers a variety of places to eat and drink near the ballpark, in addition to the numerous spots downtown on the way to a game. The Banks area by Smale Riverfront Park between Great American Ballpark and Paul Brown Stadium has several good options for fans to eat before a game. Taste of Belgium is a popular breakfast spot specializing in waffles that is a good option before an eaerly game, but they do serve a brunch menu all day and are open in the evening as well. For an easy, casual dining experience, Pies and Pints serves up pizza and beer in a casual restaurant and bar setting for a quick and reasonable priced meal. Similar to Pies and Pints, Jefferson social offers a similar laid-back vibe with beers and simple bites serving tacos and other Mexican classics just a block from the ballpark. The Phelps Bar is a few blocks away from the stadium located on the rooftop of the Residence Inn and offers fans a more upscale American dining experience. The sleek bar has views of both stadiums in the distance, the city skyline, and the river, while serving a simple American menu with appetizers, flatbreads, seafood, and burgers.

Fans wanting to have a beer in a tailgate envirnment before a game must stop by Moerlein Lager House. The two story restaurant and brewery is a working microbrewery serving a full line of in-house craft brews and an impressive brewery menu. With food, over 100 beers on tap, plenty of space, and views of the river, Moerlein is the perfect place to stop and have a drink before or after a game and is a quick walk down the street from the stadium. Fans looking for a more classic sports bar feel should visit Holy Grail Tavern across the street from the stadium. Its location makes it a popular spot to pregame and postgame and is a good way to keep the fun going with fellow football fans. There is also a Yard House nearby for a similar atmosphere at the chain bar and restaurant popular throughout the US. Finally, those who want to enjoy a drink in a more relaxed, upscale restaurant have an excellent option across from the ballpark at Upper Deck, located on the rooftop of the AC Hotel. The bar has a large outdoor patio with heating and fire pits to enjoy the night while looking out at the city and Great American Ballpark next door. The bar serves a variety of beer, wine, and cocktails, as well as a diverse tapas menu and is a great way to relax with food and drink without a crowded game day atmosphere.

Getting to the Event

Fans should have little problem getting to the stadium for a Bengals game due to the location and accessibility of the city. Fans who choose to drive have plenty of parking options in both lots and garages, and Great American Ballpark being next door opens up a lot of additional parking. Parking is very much on the cheap side, and in downtown there is usually ample street parking options.

The city is walkable from most areas, with strong public transportation from further away. The Cincinnati Bell Connector is an above ground streetcar connecting the downtown area that offers a quick, cheap, and unique way to ride to a game from further away. If staying on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River, walking is an excellent option. There are several pedestrian-friendly bridges near the stadium that fans can take in views of the river on the way to a game. Paul Brown Stadium is at the edge of the business district in downtown Cincinnati, so streets are walkable and foot traffic is common in the area.

Where to Sit

The best lower level seats in the stadium for visiting fans are in sections 139-141 behind the visitor's sideline, with the top half of the section, row 16-32 recommend for views as well as easy access to the tunnels located on row 23. For fans looking for more comfort, the club level directly above the sideline (sections 233-247) offer wider seats, gourmet food, and wait service. The club level tickets are often the most expensive in the stadium due to the amenities and sightlines of the field, so fans who are somewhat price-conscious should steer toward the 100s level. Higher rows in the corner endzone sections give fans some of the best views in the whole stadium, with sections 120 and 122 recommended as the visiting team's tunnel is between the sections. Fans looking for cheaper seats should sit in the upper 300s level, specifically sections 340-343. Tickets in these sections are much cheaper than the rest of the stadium, and rows 1-11 have a much better view of the field than tickets in higher rows in these sections.