Going to Taste of Cincinnati? Here are driving and parking tips for heading downtown

Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer

Taste of Cincinnati returns to town this weekend.

The annual food festival featuring a record-setting 85 vendors May 25-27 will be held on four blocks of Fifth Street, between Main Street and just east of Sentinel Street, causing multiple roads to be closed.

This means finding a place to park amid the festivities could be an obstacle. Here are some tips for navigating through downtown Cincinnati this weekend.

A view of Taste of Cincinnati 2023 from Mt. Adams. The annual food festival will return to Fifth Street in downtown Cincinnati during Memorial Day weekend, May 25-27.
A view of Taste of Cincinnati 2023 from Mt. Adams. The annual food festival will return to Fifth Street in downtown Cincinnati during Memorial Day weekend, May 25-27.

Which roads will be closed for Taste of Cincinnati?

The following streets closed at 6 a.m. Wednesday, May 22, and will reopen by 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, unless otherwise noted, per the event's website.

  • Fifth Street: Closed between Walnut Street and Columbia Parkway (will reopen by 6 a.m. Tuesday).

  • Columbia Parkway: Closed from the end of Fifth Street to the Sixth Street ramp.

  • Sycamore Street: Closed between Sixth Street and Fourth Street (access maintained to garages).

  • Broadway Street: Closed between Fourth Street and Sixth Street.

  • Broadway Street: Converted to a temporary two-way traffic pattern between Seventh Street and Sixth Street.

  • Sentinel Street: Closed.

  • Lawrence Street: Closed.

No parking will be permitted on any of those streets, but access will be provided to parking garages and hotels, many of which are on Third, Fourth and Sixth streets.

Will the Metro run during Taste of Cincinnati?

Many Metro routes will be affected by the street closures. Please note the following boarding location changes.

These routes will board at Fifth Street in front of Westin Hotel: 1, 2, 3X, 23X, 25, 27, 28, 29X, 30, 49, 50, 75X and 82X.

These routes will board at Government Square Area D at Fifth and Walnut streets: 72X (service begins Sunday, May 26).

These routes will board at Government Square Area H at Sixth and Main streets: 4, 6, 16, 32 and 90 MetroPlus.

Metro will also operate on a Saturday schedule on Monday for Memorial Day. For complete detour information, visit go-metro.com.

The Connector, Cincinnati’s electric streetcar, makes stops between The Banks, Downtown and Over-the-Rhine.
The Connector, Cincinnati’s electric streetcar, makes stops between The Banks, Downtown and Over-the-Rhine.

Will the streetcar run during Taste of Cincinnati?

According to the city of Cincinnati's website, the Connector is a free streetcar that makes stops between The Banks, Downtown and Over-the-Rhine. It operates 365 days a year and has extended service hours for select events.

Parking information for Taste of Cincinnati 2024

Street parking

No parking will be permitted on any of the streets that are closed for the festival. However, parking will still be available on other roads. On-street parking rates vary by neighborhood but typically range in price from $1.25-$2.75.

Click here to see the hours of enforcement. Reminder: Meters are not enforced on holidays, including Monday (Memorial Day).

Parking garages and lots

Here's a list of garages and lots in downtown Cincinnati and Over-the-Rhine within walking distance of Taste of Cincinnati. Average daily rates are listed below but may be subject to change due to special event pricing.

  • Fountain Square Garage: Open 24/7. Parking this weekend costs $14 for eight hours. You may receive additional charges if you park there longer than eight hours.

  • Fifth and Race Garage: Open 24/7. Parking this weekend costs $14 for eight hours. You may receive additional charges if you park there longer than eight hours.

  • Fourth and Race Garage: Open 24/7. Parking this weekend costs $14 for eight hours. You may receive additional charges if you park there longer than eight hours.

  • The Foundry Garage: Open 24/7. Parking this weekend costs $14 for eight hours. You may receive additional charges if you park there longer than eight hours.

  • Seventh and Sycamore Garage: Open 24/7. Parking this weekend costs $14 for eight hours. You may receive additional charges if you park there longer than eight hours.

  • Olympic Garage on Seventh: This cash-only lot is open from 6 a.m. to midnight Monday-Friday and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays. Daily max parking is $8, and event parking starts at $10.

  • Central Riverfront Garage: The daily maximum rate for the Central Riverfront Garage is $13. Event parking typically starts at $10.

  • East Garage: Daily max parking is $7, and event parking typically starts at $10.

  • Olympic Auto Park on Third: This cash-only garage is open from 6 a.m. to midnight Monday-Friday, and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays. Daily max parking is $8, and event parking starts at $10.

  • Fourth and Main Garage: Open 24/7. Event pricing is $20.

  • Columbia Plaza Garage at Sixth and Sycamore: This garage is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Daily parking ranges from $2-$22, except on Saturdays when it's $7.

  • Queen City Garage: This garage is open daily, but hours of operation may vary. Weekday parking ranges from $2-$15, and weekend parking is $5.

  • 312 Elm Garage: Open 24/7. Weekday parking ranges from $3-$24, and weekend parking is $5.

  • 321 Race Street Garage:Open 24/7. Daily prices range from $1-$20.

  • 750 Walnut St. Lot: Open 24/7. Daily prices start at $8.

  • Broadway Lot:Open 24/7. Cash parking is available.

  • Third and Race Street Lot: Open 24/7. Daily max prices are $20.

  • Eggleston Garage: Open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and charges a flat rate of $5.

  • Tri-State Lot 5E: Open 24/7. Charges a flat rate of $5.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Taste of Cincinnati parking: Tips for heading downtown this weekend

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