A great learning experience and a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon-- thanks Alex, Yelp and Rivertown!
Rivertown Brewery: http://www.rivertownbrewery.com/
Garage Brewed Motorcycle Show
5 years ago
Showing posts with label tour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tour. Show all posts
Rivertown Brewery Tour
Thanks to Yelp, we had a chance to tour a local brewery, Rivertown (in Lockland). Here are a handful of my iPhone shots from that morning (in our excitement, we left the real camera in the car!):
The tour was so much fun. We were able to see just about every step of the brewing process, because there was a local group of homebrewers mixing a batch that day and so the brewery was hoppin'. (Hoppin'? Beer pun?) We smelled different types of hops, tasted various grains, sampled ales (if you're into that kind of thing), and even visited the bottling machine (just one! for their entire distribution!!).
A great learning experience and a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon-- thanks Alex, Yelp and Rivertown!
Rivertown Brewery: http://www.rivertownbrewery.com/
A great learning experience and a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon-- thanks Alex, Yelp and Rivertown!
Rivertown Brewery: http://www.rivertownbrewery.com/
Cirque du Soleil: Behind the Scenes at Ovo!
Cirque has had a rough visit in Cincinnati, with the rain closing them down for the past week-- they've had to reschedule 15 shows and clean up quite a mess over at Coney Island. The're pushing through, though and last night they were back on stage!
While we were lucky enough to be invited to the dress rehearsal for Ovo back in April, we were also invited for a behind-the-scenes tour, which we took yesterday before their big return.
Here's the link to Dan's full Flickr set of our incredible tour.
Cirque's Ovo website: http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/ovo/tickets/cincinnati.aspx
While we were lucky enough to be invited to the dress rehearsal for Ovo back in April, we were also invited for a behind-the-scenes tour, which we took yesterday before their big return.
Here's the link to Dan's full Flickr set of our incredible tour.
Our contact at Cirque talked us through so many aspects of the show for over half an hour... from what the performers eat to where they lodge to how they practice to how Cirque finds their talent. We were able to tour the makeup and dressing room, the practice mats, the stage and more. We learned that some of the Cirque performers are ex-Olympians, that each costume is cleaned in Cirque's own washing machine every night, and that there are teachers that travel with the cast to teach Quebecois curriculum to Cirque cast and family members. We saw cast members warming up, rehearsing, putting on makeup and playing chess on an iPad. How... freaking... amazing.
(We want to give an absolutely huge thank you to Darcy at Vehr Communications, and Marie-Claude at Cirque! This was the chance of a lifetime for us!)
Queen City is Haunted
This past Saturday night, Dan and I embarked upon the "Queen City is Haunted" tour, by the same team who runs the Civil War tour, Newport Gangster tour, etc.
To tell you the unfortunate truth, I didn't love this tour. It ended up taking 2hrs, and I felt that only maybe half an hour of that was actually telling ghost stories. There were many conversations about how they found the stories or how they didn't believe the stories, about the paranormal teams and psychics that they teamed up with... but when they got right down to it I found there to be very little substance on this tour.
One moment that particularly frustrated me: the tour guides explained that after excavation began on Washington Park, the crew was forced to stop because they started finding dead bodies. I am fairly confident that this was actually a planned stage of the park renovation, as it was well known that the Washington Park was once a cemetery. If that's the case, then a large chunk of the tour was very misleading.
Other stories began but never really concluded. There was a large amount of setup about the cholera epidemics that once swept Cincinnati, and while the guides insisted that would play a role in later stories, we never heard about it again. There was a good portion of time spent talking about the hospital, asylum and medical college that operated in Over-the-Rhine, but there never ended up being any stories about related spirits or hauntings. Murders, yes! Ghosts, no.
I think Dan and I would have been better off taking the "Newport is Haunted" tour, because at least we would have learned something new about an area of town we know significantly less about. Because we'd already done the "Queen City Underground" tour, we'd seen the spaces and buildings that this tour touched on, and there was very little to keep us interested other than a view of Music Hall at night.
NOTE: This coming weekend, the tour is actually going to go into Music Hall at night, which -- dangit!-- would be a sight worth paying for if you ask me! Even if you don't spot any specters, I'd consider taking the tour on Halloween weekend!
DOUBLE NOTE: Overall I really enjoy these tours and the Queen City Underground team. I think the attention they're bringing to this part of town is incredible. If you haven't taken any of their tours I highly recommend it, but this one wasn't for me. I think their real forte is the history lessons, not the spook-outs, and I'd recommend you stick with those.
Queen City is Haunted: http://queencityishaunted.com/
Queen City Underground: http://www.queencityunderground.com/
To tell you the unfortunate truth, I didn't love this tour. It ended up taking 2hrs, and I felt that only maybe half an hour of that was actually telling ghost stories. There were many conversations about how they found the stories or how they didn't believe the stories, about the paranormal teams and psychics that they teamed up with... but when they got right down to it I found there to be very little substance on this tour.
One moment that particularly frustrated me: the tour guides explained that after excavation began on Washington Park, the crew was forced to stop because they started finding dead bodies. I am fairly confident that this was actually a planned stage of the park renovation, as it was well known that the Washington Park was once a cemetery. If that's the case, then a large chunk of the tour was very misleading.
Other stories began but never really concluded. There was a large amount of setup about the cholera epidemics that once swept Cincinnati, and while the guides insisted that would play a role in later stories, we never heard about it again. There was a good portion of time spent talking about the hospital, asylum and medical college that operated in Over-the-Rhine, but there never ended up being any stories about related spirits or hauntings. Murders, yes! Ghosts, no.
I think Dan and I would have been better off taking the "Newport is Haunted" tour, because at least we would have learned something new about an area of town we know significantly less about. Because we'd already done the "Queen City Underground" tour, we'd seen the spaces and buildings that this tour touched on, and there was very little to keep us interested other than a view of Music Hall at night.
NOTE: This coming weekend, the tour is actually going to go into Music Hall at night, which -- dangit!-- would be a sight worth paying for if you ask me! Even if you don't spot any specters, I'd consider taking the tour on Halloween weekend!
DOUBLE NOTE: Overall I really enjoy these tours and the Queen City Underground team. I think the attention they're bringing to this part of town is incredible. If you haven't taken any of their tours I highly recommend it, but this one wasn't for me. I think their real forte is the history lessons, not the spook-outs, and I'd recommend you stick with those.
Queen City is Haunted: http://queencityishaunted.com/
Queen City Underground: http://www.queencityunderground.com/
Queen City Underground: Over-the-Rhine
Last Saturday we decided to wander down there and take one of these much talked-about tours and see what it was like to take a historical tour of our own neighborhood. It's hard not to become a bit of a history buff living in OTR, so how much could you possibly learn?
Quite a bit, as it turns out. The tour departed from MiCA and headed north on Vine St., then stopped basically in front of our condo, where we learned about the colorful and rather fascinating history behind two buildings we pass every day and knew basically nothing about. After that we knew this tour was going to be awesome, and as we proceeded down Vine Street things got even better as we were taken inside an intact biergarten and into the 'underground' part of this tour.I could go on and on about the tour, but I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't been on it. It's definitely worth the price of admission ($15) and is a great way to spend the morning or afternoon downtown and in OTR. We are planning on taking their Newport Gangster tour and Cincinnati Civil War tours next as we've heard those are just as good.
Queen City Underground tour: http://www.queencityunderground.com/
Newport Gangster tour: http://www.newportgangsters.com/
Cincinnati Civil War tour: http://www.cincinnaticivilwar.com/
Freestore Foodbank
Dan and I were invited to the Freestore Foodbank for a tour of what goes on behind the scenes. They invited a handful of bloggers, including Wine Me, Dine Me's Julie Niesen and Bridgett Raffenberg from 365 Cincinnati.
I believe one of the reasons we were included in this tour was because of a post from last October, where we asked our readers to vote for which Cincinnati nonprofit or charity should receive a small donation we were making. You guys chose Freestore (and WVXU), and I'm fairly sure that's why we were contacted.
The tour of the Freestore Foodbank was amazing. Admittedly I didn't know a ton about Freestore beforehand; I knew the basics, but I had no idea about all of the programming that Freestore offers to help people get their lives back on track. I was particularly interested to learn about Cincinnati COOKS! and Cincinnati COOKS! Catering, which provided the (delicious) food that we were offered upon arrival. These programs help train people who have difficulty getting back into the job market-- when they have a record, for instance.
The people at Freestore really focused on the "dignity" aspect of what they do-- programs like Cincinnati COOKS! are "give a hand up, not a handout," as they like to say. There are a slew of other programs that Freestore maintains as well, such as giving less privileged kids warm meals at the end of a school day. I was surprised to hear about the varied programs and how much psychology goes into making sure people are helping themselves, gaining dignity and self esteem, and coming away with something more than a bag of canned food.
More than once, they mentioned that food is "the beginning of the conversation," and that their real strength is in helping people after the visit to Freestore-- they act as a resource to put these people in touch with agencies if they need help paying rent and other bills, or even preparing for everyday things like visiting the BMV. It goes much deeper than handing out parcels of food, but that's where the dialogue begins.
We concluded, of course, by talking about various ways that the community can be involved. The Rubber Duck Regatta is approaching, so we were able to visit the slews of plastic ducks that the Freestore team is preparing. One things that lodged itself into my mind (as I am always looking for ways to help out that aren't direct donations, as I am often cash-strapped) is couponing. They suggested that when you find really great coupons for things that you wouldn't normally buy, that you pick the items up anyway (for dirt cheap!) and donate them to the Freestore Foodbank. Smart smart smart.
I'm grateful that you guys chose Freestore Foodbank to support back in October. This brought an incredible nonprofit to my attention in a powerful way, and I look forward to more opportunities to support Freestore, be it with time, talent or treasure.
Lauren: Thank you so much for having us!
Freestore Foodbank website: http://www.fsfbmedia.org/
I believe one of the reasons we were included in this tour was because of a post from last October, where we asked our readers to vote for which Cincinnati nonprofit or charity should receive a small donation we were making. You guys chose Freestore (and WVXU), and I'm fairly sure that's why we were contacted.
The tour of the Freestore Foodbank was amazing. Admittedly I didn't know a ton about Freestore beforehand; I knew the basics, but I had no idea about all of the programming that Freestore offers to help people get their lives back on track. I was particularly interested to learn about Cincinnati COOKS! and Cincinnati COOKS! Catering, which provided the (delicious) food that we were offered upon arrival. These programs help train people who have difficulty getting back into the job market-- when they have a record, for instance.
The people at Freestore really focused on the "dignity" aspect of what they do-- programs like Cincinnati COOKS! are "give a hand up, not a handout," as they like to say. There are a slew of other programs that Freestore maintains as well, such as giving less privileged kids warm meals at the end of a school day. I was surprised to hear about the varied programs and how much psychology goes into making sure people are helping themselves, gaining dignity and self esteem, and coming away with something more than a bag of canned food.
More than once, they mentioned that food is "the beginning of the conversation," and that their real strength is in helping people after the visit to Freestore-- they act as a resource to put these people in touch with agencies if they need help paying rent and other bills, or even preparing for everyday things like visiting the BMV. It goes much deeper than handing out parcels of food, but that's where the dialogue begins.
We concluded, of course, by talking about various ways that the community can be involved. The Rubber Duck Regatta is approaching, so we were able to visit the slews of plastic ducks that the Freestore team is preparing. One things that lodged itself into my mind (as I am always looking for ways to help out that aren't direct donations, as I am often cash-strapped) is couponing. They suggested that when you find really great coupons for things that you wouldn't normally buy, that you pick the items up anyway (for dirt cheap!) and donate them to the Freestore Foodbank. Smart smart smart.
I'm grateful that you guys chose Freestore Foodbank to support back in October. This brought an incredible nonprofit to my attention in a powerful way, and I look forward to more opportunities to support Freestore, be it with time, talent or treasure.
Lauren: Thank you so much for having us!
Freestore Foodbank website: http://www.fsfbmedia.org/
Newport Helicopter Tours
Usually we blog about things we've done or are doing - this time it's about something we'd like to do. In the last couple weeks I've been watching these helicopter tours depart and arrive from their new landing pad near the Newport Levee.
From their website:
We're a bit tied up with visitors and vacations the next few weeks, but we plan on taking one of these tours sometime soon and will post when we do (hopefully with some really cool photos). If you've been please leave us a comment and let us know how it was!
From their website:
Stratus Helicopters is NOW OPEN at our new tour location in Newport, KY on Riverboat Row just west of BB Riverboats and directly across the river from the Great American Ballpark where the Cincinnati Red's play. Hours of operation will be Thursday thru Sunday 10am to 10pm (weather permitting) unless there is a schedule Red's home game and then no flights will be permitted for 1 hour before till 1 hour after the ball game due to FAA Regulations. Walk ups are welcome and are first-come-first-serve. Reservations may only be made for tours longer than 6 minutes. Tours starting at just $25 per person!Sounds pretty good to me - has anyone taken these tours? I'm curious how long of a ride you get for $25 as their tours that depart from Lunken start at $70 for a six minute tour and go up from there quite quickly.
We're a bit tied up with visitors and vacations the next few weeks, but we plan on taking one of these tours sometime soon and will post when we do (hopefully with some really cool photos). If you've been please leave us a comment and let us know how it was!
Krohn Conservatory tour
Enjoy the Arts put together another awesome behind-the-scenes tour: this time, Krohn Conservatory. I was particularly excited about this event because Dan had never been to Krohn. (Usually I'm the total newb when it comes to Cincinnati.)
We both ended up learning a ton at this tour. We had an incredible guide who had worked at Krohn for something like 30 years, and now occasionally gives tours of the facilities. He walked us through the main room where we were able to see a display being built, and they talked through the process of putting together a show and how far in advance they have to plan it. We saw all the rooms, including the desert room, which I'd never seen before. Ooh, also loved the orchid room and the bonsai room!
I was also eaten alive by bugs-- the differences between seeing Krohn in the daytime and in the nighttime are vast. (Bugs aside, I still preferred the nighttime walk-through.)
There's one more Enjoy the Arts tour this year: Taft Museum. It's a Saturday brunch event-- anyone considering going?
Krohn Conservatory website: http://www.cincinnatiparks.com/krohn-conservatory/index.shtmlKrohn's new iPod tours: http://krohntour.org/content/krohn-tour
More of Dan's pictures from our Krohn tour: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rrrrred/sets/72157622687482049/
City Hall
One day, Dan and I drove by the castle/fortress that is Cincinnati's City Hall. Off-hand, Dan remarked: "We should see if they give tours of that building."
They do, and it's incredible. The only downside was that its business hours are our business hours: 9-5 during the week. This meant taking a vacation day to check it out. However, we had our own personal tour guide and were able to see the entirety of the building, including the mayor's office.
I learned a lot about Cincinnati's history and politics on this tour. I was also impressed to see how much artwork was all over the building, especially in the forms of stained glass and painted frescoes. Even if you're not into the political side, I'd highly recommend taking the tour just to hear about why each stained glass scene was included, what the characters represented to the designers, why art was infused throughout a governmental building.
A few photos to pique your interest:
By the way, City Hall was built like a fortress because citizens set fire to the previous City Hall. Most of this building is marble or granite... a bit harder to burn to the ground.
Our tour was over an hour long, completely free, and all of our questions were answered. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and nice, and the building is fascinating. (If you go, see if you can request William Dreyer.)
City Hall's tour information: http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/council/pages/-10585-/
More photos from our trip: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rrrrred/sets/72157622647357217/
They do, and it's incredible. The only downside was that its business hours are our business hours: 9-5 during the week. This meant taking a vacation day to check it out. However, we had our own personal tour guide and were able to see the entirety of the building, including the mayor's office.
I learned a lot about Cincinnati's history and politics on this tour. I was also impressed to see how much artwork was all over the building, especially in the forms of stained glass and painted frescoes. Even if you're not into the political side, I'd highly recommend taking the tour just to hear about why each stained glass scene was included, what the characters represented to the designers, why art was infused throughout a governmental building.
A few photos to pique your interest:
By the way, City Hall was built like a fortress because citizens set fire to the previous City Hall. Most of this building is marble or granite... a bit harder to burn to the ground.
Our tour was over an hour long, completely free, and all of our questions were answered. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and nice, and the building is fascinating. (If you go, see if you can request William Dreyer.)
City Hall's tour information: http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/council/pages/-10585-/
More photos from our trip: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rrrrred/sets/72157622647357217/
Cincinnati Museum Center architecture tour
Well, I fell in love again.
Last night, Dan, Bradley and I schlepped to the Cincinnati Museum Center to take a more in-depth tour of Union Terminal's architecture than is commonly available. I've become more interested in architecture as a result of recent tours of Chicago's riverside buildings and Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater, and when I saw a chance to tour my favorite building in Cincinnati, I jumped.
The tour was fantastic. As a kid, most kids tour Union Terminal... you focus on the gorgeous mosaics, the history of the train station, usually watch an Omnimax film. I remember those tours, and the weak-in-the-knees feeling I always got from looking straight up to the ceiling of the dome.
This tour engaged both that kid-like sense of wonder, and a more mature quest for history and education. Union Terminal has always fascinated me-- it was, after all, the source of inspiration for the Justice League's HQ-- but last night we were able to look behind the scenes.
I know more about the concept of art deco now... can point out pillars and colors, materials and indirect lighting. I know that there are wires under the seats of the original 1930s theater because men needed a place to put their hats while watching the newsreels. I know that the Rookwood Ice Cream Parlor is worth more than the entire rest of the building, because of its rare tiles. I know that the entire monstrosity was almost demolished, until they discovered it would cost more to tear it down than to turn it into something else. ...And thank gawd they did.
If you get a chance to take a similar tour, I highly recommend it. Ours was at night, which meant it was closed to the public, quiet, and with a completely different lighting than you normally get to see.
There is apparently a very rare tour coming up in February, during which you get to walk over the dome in the concrete infrastructure. We'll definitely pass along information about that if we hear more.
See my Flickr set (mostly taken by Dan) here: Union Terminal tour
Cincinnati Museum Center website: http://www.cincymuseum.org/
Last night, Dan, Bradley and I schlepped to the Cincinnati Museum Center to take a more in-depth tour of Union Terminal's architecture than is commonly available. I've become more interested in architecture as a result of recent tours of Chicago's riverside buildings and Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater, and when I saw a chance to tour my favorite building in Cincinnati, I jumped.
The tour was fantastic. As a kid, most kids tour Union Terminal... you focus on the gorgeous mosaics, the history of the train station, usually watch an Omnimax film. I remember those tours, and the weak-in-the-knees feeling I always got from looking straight up to the ceiling of the dome.
This tour engaged both that kid-like sense of wonder, and a more mature quest for history and education. Union Terminal has always fascinated me-- it was, after all, the source of inspiration for the Justice League's HQ-- but last night we were able to look behind the scenes.
I know more about the concept of art deco now... can point out pillars and colors, materials and indirect lighting. I know that there are wires under the seats of the original 1930s theater because men needed a place to put their hats while watching the newsreels. I know that the Rookwood Ice Cream Parlor is worth more than the entire rest of the building, because of its rare tiles. I know that the entire monstrosity was almost demolished, until they discovered it would cost more to tear it down than to turn it into something else. ...And thank gawd they did.
If you get a chance to take a similar tour, I highly recommend it. Ours was at night, which meant it was closed to the public, quiet, and with a completely different lighting than you normally get to see.
There is apparently a very rare tour coming up in February, during which you get to walk over the dome in the concrete infrastructure. We'll definitely pass along information about that if we hear more.
See my Flickr set (mostly taken by Dan) here: Union Terminal tour
Cincinnati Museum Center website: http://www.cincymuseum.org/
Tickets remain for next Cincinnati Subway Tour
We've all heard about the Cincinnati Subway, and now is your chance to see it!
From the UrbanCincy blog:
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From the UrbanCincy blog:
Tickets remain for next Cincinnati Subway TourIf you have always wanted to check out Cincinnati's famous unfinished subway, but have never been able to land tickets, now is your chance. Mayor Mallory's Young Professional Kitchen Cabinet is sponsoring the next Cincinnati Subway Tour on Wednesday, October 14.
There are still a few tickets available for $100 each, with all proceeds going to benefit the Everybody Rides Metro Foundation. In addition to the exclusive tour of Cincinnati's Subway, your ticket also includes a dinner before hand at Washington Platform which starts at 6pm. To secure your tickets now simply email ERMSubwayTour@gmail.com and indicate the number of tickets you would like to purchase.
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