StayAreasIs The Banks & Riverfront a good place to stay in Cincinnati?
Yes, if you're here for a game, the river or the kids. The stadiums are on hand, but there are only a few hotels.
Stay here if
- Sports fans
- Families
- Groups of friends
Look elsewhere if
- You want lots of hotel choice
- You want quiet on game days
- You want independent restaurants nearby
Hotels in The Banks & Riverfront
All The Banks & Riverfront hotels on Booking ↗Typical rates for a double outside peak events, not live prices. Updated Oct 2026 · How we rate areas · Booking through our links costs you nothing extra and may earn us a commission. Learn more
Staying in The Banks & Riverfront
The Banks is the place to stay in Cincinnati for a game or a riverfront break. Great American Ball Park and Paycor Stadium are a few steps away, Smale Riverfront Park is on the doorstep, and the free streetcar runs to downtown and Over-the-Rhine.
The area is busiest on game days, when red and orange shirts fill the bars on Freedom Way. On quieter days, families play in the riverside fountains, couples walk across the Roebling Bridge to Kentucky, and school groups visit the Freedom Center.
The downside is the small number of hotels and the chain-heavy restaurants. Game days are crowded and noisy, and prices rise when the Reds or Bengals play.
What makes The Banks special is the river. You can watch a ballgame with the Ohio flowing past, then walk across a historic bridge to dinner in Kentucky.
Getting around
- National Underground Railroad Freedom Center4walk
- Smale Riverfront Park5walk
- Great American Ball Park8walk
- Roebling Suspension Bridge10walk
- Fountain Square12walk
- Cincinnati Music Hall17transit
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)20
The Banks & Riverfront questions
Is The Banks & Riverfront a good area to stay in Cincinnati?
Yes, if you're here for a game, the river or the kids. The stadiums are on hand, but there are only a few hotels. It suits sports fans, families and groups of friends.
How much does a hotel in The Banks & Riverfront cost?
A typical double is around $220 a night at a budget hotel, $220 mid-range and $225 for luxury, outside peak events.
How do I get from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) to The Banks & Riverfront?
About 20 minutes door to door: Taxi or rideshare from the airport to The Banks.
How far is The Banks & Riverfront from the main sights?
Door to door from The Banks & Riverfront: National Underground Railroad Freedom Center 4 minutes on foot, Smale Riverfront Park 5 minutes on foot, Great American Ball Park 8 minutes on foot and Roebling Suspension Bridge 10 minutes on foot.