Car rental Cincinnati

Cincinnati is in south-west Ohio, on the north bank of the Ohio River at the state border of Kentucky. It’s connected to the surrounding area by a number of interstates, including the I-71, which runs north to the state capital Columbus and south to Louisville. I-75 connects the city with Dayton to the north and Lexington to the south.

Another important route in Cincinnati is the I-275, which forms a complete beltway around the city and provides a connection to many of the surrounding towns and suburbs. The city’s major freeways include the Ronald Reagan Cross County Highway, which runs east to west through Ohio from Montgomery to Colerain and connects many of the northern suburbs to I-71 and I-75. With car rental in Cincinnati, you’ll also be able to visit destinations such as Indianapolis, home to the world-famous Indy 500, which is just 180 km northwest via I-75.

The streets of Cincinnati are not arranged in a grid pattern, as they are in much of the rest of the US, but driving around the city is relatively easy, as traffic is not usually heavy unless you’re travelling in rush hour. You’ll find plenty of parking garages and on-street metered spots available in the Downtown area of the city, while many of the big attractions have their own parking lots.

Cincinnati’s road rules are largely similar to the rest of the US, so you’ll drive on the right-hand side of the road and look out for speed limit signs. Unless another limit is signposted, the speed limit in residential areas of Cincinnati is 25mph (40km/h). Most Ohio interstates have a speed limit of 65mph (104km/h) but this rises to 70mph (112km/h) on some stretches. Some of the state’s controlled-access highways also have minimum posted speeds that must be followed in ideal conditions.

From historic neighbourhoods to resplendent parks, sports venues and museums, Cincinnati is the perfect destination for an exciting trip and car rental in Cincinnati can let you see it all.

City icons

The famous Fountain Square is the perfect place to begin your visit to Cincinnati. This is the symbolic heart of the city, a popular meeting place for locals and home to many top restaurants and hotels. The impressive centrepiece is the magnificent Tyler Davidson Fountain, dedicated to the people of the city when it was unveiled in 1871.

Just a short distance away, you’ll find another of Cincinnati’s big landmarks, the Carew Tower. Completed in 1930, this 175-meter-high Art Deco structure offers unbeatable views of the city from the observation deck on its 49^th floor.

Cultural heart

Also worth a visit is the historic Over-the-Rhine neighbourhood, named by the city’s German immigrants, who used to say crossing over the Miami and Erie Canal was like going over the Rhine.

This district is now the modern cultural heart of the city and you’ll find many 19^th century buildings housing hip art galleries, restaurants and boutiques. One building, dating back to 1852, is home to Findlay Market, the oldest public market in Ohio, where food vendors sell everything from barbecued meats to delicious Belgian waffles.

The green heart of this district is Washington Park, an urban space that was renovated and reopened to the public in 2012. It’s the perfect place to take a walk or listen to live music, performed weekly at the restored bandstand. There’s a parking garage located under the park, accessible from Elm Street or Race Street.

Must-see museums

For the perfect family day out, head to the Museum Center within the old Union Terminal. It houses three attractions - the Cincinnati History Museum, Duke Energy Children’s Museum and the Museum of Natural History and Science, all boasting fascinating exhibits to delight visitors of any age.

Just a short drive away is the Taft Museum of Art, one of the finest small art museums in America, and the Contemporary Arts Center, which showcases modern works from artists around the US and beyond. Cincinnati is also home to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, where you can learn all about the courage of those who escaped to freedom from slavery.

Knocking it out of the park

For sports lovers, there’s plenty to see and do in Cincinnati. The US’ first professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Reds was founded here in 1869. The city is also home to the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals and ice hockey team Cincinnati Cyclones.

Take a tour of the Reds’ Great American Ball Park and you can sit in a Major League dugout, see the home plate up close and visit the Press Box, all the while learning  the history of the club in its Hall of Fame and Museum. The Bengals’ Paul Brown Stadium also offers tours from April to July.

When you rent a car in Cincinnati, you’ll also be able to take the short trip along I-71 to the Kentucky Speedway, where you can watch NASCAR events in the summer or take a track tour any time of year. With Cincinnati car rental, everything you want to see on your visit is within easy reach.