Cincinnati: A View from the Top – Carew Tower

A view of downtown Cincinnati from atop the Carew Tower

Had a wonderful (but hot) Father’s Day 2018.  My wife asked me what I wanted to do, and I said I wanted to take a trip to Cincinnati and visit the downtown area for fun.  Cincinnati is one of those cities that has a great skyline to photograph.

So, before we went, I looked for places that we could get good views of Cincinnati.  In the past, I have taken shots from across the river in Newport, KY and a couple of other spots, but I wanted something more unique.

Cincinnati skyline as seen from Devou Park in Covington, KY. Carew Tower is tall brown building on the left
More expansive view of the Cincinnati Skyline from Devou

Our first stop was in Devou Park, east of Cincinnati and across the Ohio River in Covington, KY.  Devou Park sits up on a big hill and offers some wonderful views of the city.

Another view of Cincinnati from Devou Park
Cincinnati as seen from Devou Park

After Devou Park we headed downtown for another chance to see the city.

A Panorama View of Cincinnati from the top of Carew Tower.
The 49 story tall Carew Tower in Downtown Cincinnati
Great American Tower as seen from the top of Carew Tower.

Enter the Carew Tower. The Carew Tower is a 49-story, 574-foot Art Deco building completed in 1930 in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, overlooking the Ohio River waterfront.the city.  It overlooks the Cincinnati waterfront and offers a panoramic view of the city.   It is the second tallest building in the city, but was the tallest until 2010 when the Great American Tower was completed.  It is 86 ft higher than Carew Tower, but Carew Tower is actually still the highest elevated building in the city so viewers from the observation deck can look down on the Great American.

Welcome to Carew Tower Sign in Carew Tower Elevators
Art Deco Window on the 2nd floor of the Carew Building
Grand Hall in the Hilton section of the Carew Tower
Art Deco design in the elevators

Historically, the Carew Tower was built in 1929/1930 in an Art Deco style with the idea to have a hotel, a shopping area, etc.  Basically, a city within a city.  It was named after Joseph T. Carew, who founded the Mabley & Carew Department Store Chain.   We didn’t have the opportunity to look inside the Hilton Netherland Plaza Hotel, but probably should have as there are a number of massive murals inside the building as well as some immaculately ornate rooms.  This deserves a next trip!!

That said, the highlight was the view from the top.  Enter the hotel from the parking lot on the second floor and take the elevator, an express zoom up to the 45th floor.  Once off that elevator, its a short walk around a corner to a much smaller (and older) elevator which takes you to the 48th floor and then a few steps up to the 49th.  Pay your $4 fee and step out to a spectacular view, one that lets you look over the river to Kentucky and way west into Indiana.  Following are a few of the shots I got from the top:

The John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge as seen from Carew Tower. When opened on December 1, 1866, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world at 1,057 feet main span.
The 4th and Vine Tower is 31 stories (495 feet) tall. It was formerly known as the Union Central Tower and Central Trust Bank Building. When completed in 1913, this was the fifth tallest building in the world.
The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge is 2099.5 feet long. The bridge was built in 1976. Also called the Big Mac bridge because of the “Golden Arches” reminiscent of McDonald’s.
Wife Julianne takes in the view
Downtown buildings of Cincinnati as seen from Carew Tower.
The top of the Great American Tower at Queen City Square. The tallest building in Cincinnati at 41 stories and 665 feet tall It was completed in January 2011.
A view of the Union Terminal in Cincinnati as seen from Carew Tower. Built in 1933, it is another great example of Art Deco architecture. It is now home to the Cincinnati Museum Center.
The Clay Wade Bailey Bridge over the Ohio River. Built in October 1974, the bridge is 2208 Feet long.  The bridge in the background is the Brent Spence Bridge which handles I-71/I-75. Built in 1960, it is 1736 feet long.
Mother of God Roman Catholic Church across the Ohio River in Covington, KY.  Built in 1869
The Queen City sign as seen from the top of Carew Tower
Happy at the Top (despite the 100 degree day)

ENJOY THE RIDE!  CHOOSE HAPPY!

If you like what you see, you may want to check out my book: Less Beaten Paths of America: Unique Town Names, available on Amazon.  My second book, Less Beaten Paths of America: Quirky and Offbeat Roadside Attractions, is currently being worked on and I hope to make it available in late  June  or  mid -July 2018. Click on the photo below for more details or to get a copy of the book.

Books 1 & 2