CVG is about 14 miles south of Great American Ball Park, across the Ohio River in Northern Kentucky. A rideshare from the terminal runs $25–40. There's no direct transit connection from the airport to the ballpark — driving or rideshare is the practical option for visitors flying in.
Great American Ball Park is surrounded by downtown Cincinnati garages and surface lots, most within a 5–10 minute walk. The stadium is adjacent to the Ohio River waterfront with several nearby structures. Pre-booking via SpotHero or the Reds website locks in better rates. Most lots are well-managed and straightforward to exit post-game.
Tailgating happens in the surface lots around the riverfront, particularly in the Great American Ball Park-adjacent areas. The pre-game scene also spills into the bars and restaurants along Second St and the Banks entertainment district, which sits right between GABP and Paycor Stadium.
Cincinnati's transit options to GABP are primarily bus-based. Several SORTA/Metro routes serve downtown Cincinnati with stops within walking distance of the ballpark. Transit is not the dominant way fans get to Reds games — driving and rideshare are more common. Check go-metro.com for current routes and any game-day service.
GABP sits in The Banks entertainment district on the Ohio River, directly adjacent to downtown Cincinnati. If you're staying in the downtown core, it's an easy 10–15 minute walk. The riverfront setting makes arriving on foot a genuinely pleasant experience, especially along the Ohio River Trail.
Bike parking is available near the ballpark along the Ohio River waterfront trail. The Little Miami Scenic Trail and downtown Cincinnati's growing bike network make cycling from various neighborhoods a genuine option on mild evenings.
Accessible parking is available in ADA-designated spaces in the nearby garages and in Reds-operated lots. The accessible drop-off zone is on Joe Nuxhall Way near the main entrance. For accessibility services, contact the Reds at (513) 765-7000 or visit reds.com/accessibility.
Great American Ball Park opened in 2003 on the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati, replacing the multi-purpose Riverfront Stadium. It holds just over 42,000 fans and offers some of the best views of any MLB park — the river and the Kentucky hills beyond the outfield make for a genuinely scenic backdrop, especially at dusk. The ballpark has a traditional feel with modern amenities, and the sightlines throughout are strong.
The Banks, the entertainment district directly behind the ballpark, has grown significantly since the stadium opened and now offers a solid collection of bars and restaurants within steps of the gates. The Cincinnati streetcar runs nearby, and the ballpark is walkable from much of downtown. The plaza area in front of the park, with its view of the river, is a great place to arrive early and soak in the setting before heading inside.
Guests are welcome to bring in soft drinks and water provided they are in clear plastic bottles and the safety seal has not been broken. Insulated foam or metal cups/containers from restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations, etc. are not permitted in Great American Ball Park. Yeti cups and similar products are also not permitted in Great American Ball Park.
You are allowed to bring in outside food as long as the container is smaller than 16"x16"x8”
No backpacks of any kind can be brought into the ballpark. Acceptable bags include Reds Heads bags, medical bags and diaper bags. All other carry-in items will be inspected prior to access into the ballpark.
Permissible carry-in items need to be 16”x 16” x 8”.
Great American Ball Park sits right on the Ohio River with a nice downtown Cincinnati backdrop. The Reds dugout is on the third base side, so sections 118–130 put you close to the home team with strong infield sightlines. The Scout Seats closest to the field behind home plate are premium but genuinely excellent for the experience.
The View Level is GABP’s upper deck, and mid-infield sections offer a surprisingly good panoramic view of the field and the Ohio River beyond. The elevated angle puts the entire field in frame at a fraction of the lower bowl price. A solid choice for a casual game or if you want the full visual perspective of the park and its riverfront setting.
The View Level corners are distant and at poor angles — sections 401–408 and 425–432 are the clear seats to skip. In the lower deck, a few sections near the far foul poles have restricted angles toward home plate. The park is modern enough that there are no pole obstructions, but the corner extremes in both decks are best avoided.
Great American Ball Park’s orientation puts the first base/right field side in direct afternoon sun for day games. The Reds dugout on the third base side gets shade from the upper deck earlier in the afternoon — a real comfort advantage for summer games. The Ohio River orientation occasionally brings a breeze, but the sun exposure on the first base side can be intense in July and August.
Great American Ball Park is open-air with no roof. Summer games are hot and humid — July and August afternoon games, especially in unshaded seats, can be genuinely uncomfortable. Thunderstorm delays are fairly common in summer. Spring games can be surprisingly cold in April, particularly at night along the river. Fall baseball in Cincinnati is beautiful.
Section 116, 129, 411 - Cincinnati's legendary BBQ institution brings their famous ribs to the ballpark. The Saratoga chips with Montgomery Inn sauce are an essential Great American Ball Park snack.
Sections 108, 123, 404, 424 - A Cincinnati staple since 1954, LaRosa's brings their signature tomato-forward pizzas to the ballpark. The pepperoni is a crowd favorite.
Section 111 - Authentic Belgian waffles and crepes from this beloved Cincinnati local. Sweet or savory, the waffles are a genuinely great ballpark eat.
Two massive smokestacks rise beyond the left field wall as a tribute to Cincinnati's steamboat heritage on the Ohio River. When a Red hits a home run, fireworks burst from the stacks — one of the most distinctive home run celebrations in baseball.
In the Stands offers apparel for fans who enjoy visiting ballparks and stadiums. While we all have our favorite teams, there are times when they aren't the ones playing. Our goal is to create a sense of community and camaraderie whenever you see someone wearing In the Stands apparel.
View all products
