Carew Tower

In downtown there is a building called Carew Tower. It was completed in 1930, is considered a National Historic Landmark, and at 49 stories tall it is the second tallest building in Cincinnati.

What made this building interesting to me is that is has an observation deck that they will grant you access to for $6 (or $3 for kids six years and older). Tall observation decks with small kids?

Yes please.

The hardest part, for us, was finding the observation deck. All those tall buildings at street level look the same to me. There wasn't some big sign and arrow pointing it out saying, "HERE'S THE CAREW TOWER!" After looping the block I figured out which building it was. Once inside there is a display that provides a brief history of the hotel. I enjoyed the display, predictably my kids did not.

Inside the buildings it was not intuitive (to me) where to go. There were a lack of signs telling lost idiots like me where to go if we wanted to risk the life and safety of our children. I did ask for directions and the staff were friendly and directed me to the correct set of elevators. In my defense, the elevators were kind of hidden behind a reception desk. Once you ride the first elevator you get off and ride a second elevator AND THEN you climb a set of stairs. At the top of the stairs is a small gift shop where you leave your bags, pay your fee, and then go out onto the observation deck.

We've also been up The Skystar at the riverfront and the observation deck at Summit Park so I feel like we're pretty good authorities on Cincinnati elevated observation. (I'm still waiting for our award to arrive in the mail) Hulk and Little Viking Girl liked the experience of the Skystar, I like that Summit Park is free, and Carew Tower was a good in between. It doesn't have as great views over the river and into Kentucky as the Skystar but it has a good view of downtown (which the Skystar lacks). Summit Park is too far north of downtown and the view (while pretty) is only of the surrounding hills.

There were other people on the deck with us but not many, which I appreciated. Hulk enjoyed watching the cars and trains below, we even saw a helicopter fly by. He was not interested in any of the land marks that I pointed out and Little Viking Girl was not happy that I wouldn't let her climb on the railings. The important part: we survived.

My least favorite part was trying to figure out how to get to the top of the building. I think the compounding factors of being seven months pregnant (at the time), with two small kids, in an area of town I am unfamiliar with was stressful - so I probably missed obvious indicators of where to go. We went during the day and I think it would be a neat experience to go in the evening, especially around Christmas when there are lights up across town. That being said, it's not something we'll go back to unless we have visiting family that are interested.