Most cities have a center or area where locals and visitors
can convene, while away an afternoon, have lunch or just
spend an afternoon visiting attractions
around a community center and Cincinnati
is no different. Cincinnati Fountain Square has a history
of commercial, social and community significance. The
fountain itself was dedicated in 1871 when the square
was a wide, green expanse that ran down the middle of
Fifth Street. During 1970, it was determined that where
the fountain sat disturbed traffic and to better manage
the area traffic the fountain was move in its entirety
to the southern location of the plaza.
The Tyler Davidson Fountain, which is the central attraction in Cincinnati Fountain Square, was cleaned up and restored in the year of 2000. In 2006, the city decided to use the Cincinnati Fountain Square to enliven public life in the heart of the city and the fountain was renovated in hopes of igniting a new spark for downtown revival. The square is located at the corner of Vine and Fifth Streets where shopping, dining and sightseeing are easily accessible.
A good restaurant on Fountain Square is not hard to
find. Being the center of the city transportation
is not an issue and tourists can walk to nearby restaurants
easily. If starting out your day at the square you might
want to grab a hearty breakfast before engaging in a trip
in the city and the Rise and Shine Café is the
perfect place to do it. On the sumptuous menu is french
toast, pancakes, omelettes and egg dishes, breakfast sandwiches
and sides of grits, bacon, sausages and more. Open 7:00am
to 7:00pm this extremely affordable breakfast joint will
have you up and at ‘em in no time.
If you’re unsure of what exactly you’re looking for when searching for a restaurant on Fountain Square, just take a walk around. Most restaurants feature detailed menus in their windows so visitors can browse before making a decision. A walk around the square is pleasant anyway so looking for a restaurant can be an enjoyable experience in itself!
Another restaurant on Fountain Square that offers imaginative
and adventurous contemporary meals is Daveed’s at
934. For some added flair and excitement the chefs’
recipes are a unique fusion of Asian character, California
flair and French flavor. If you have the opportunity to
call ahead, the chef will prepare a special tasting menu
with a combination of delectable items from the menu.
The restaurant is a little pricey but if you’re
looking for a special meal Daveed’s at 934 won’t
disappoint.
Travelers can plan some fun things to do and take advantage of all the central location has to offer. One of the best ways to see a city is by foot and Fountain Square offers this up as one of the things to do in Cincinnati. For some great shopping head over to Tower Place Mall. It’s is a three–level shopping center that has a variety of retail shops as well as a large food court.
The 1845 Mercantile Library is also nearby and worth a look. The library features art exhibits with paintings and photographs often lining the antique walls. The American Classical Music Hall of Fame is another attraction near Fountain Square and is housed in the historical Herschede building in downtown Cincinnati. This is a 9,000 square foot facility! It consists of a number of appealing displays in the art gallery and also houses temporary exhibits and performances. The Contemporary Arts Center is nearby as well offering yet another interesting side trip in this beautiful city.
