I've said on here before some of my best childhood memories were playing in the back yard as a kid while dad worked around in his shop etc and we listened to Marty and Joe about every night. He's a diehard watch the Reds every night kind of guy. So much so my mom finally gave in about 3 years ago and watches them about every night too lol. He's a year away from 70 (blows my mind and I hope I look that good at that age). He doesn't know it yet but I bought us opening day tickets for Thurs. He's going to be estatic!

I haven't been to opening day since we drove up when I was a kid. Any ideas on what time to get there. Best place to park opening day (KY and if so walk or shuttle). Any great events to check out. I saw the parade starts around 11ish. Where's the best place to slide in and watch it or is it worth it? How far is that from the stadium. I also saw where you can get in the gates around 11:40 I think it was so you could see a good bit of Reds batting practice. How far is the Hall of Fame musem and is it worth it?

Thanks for all your help! I'm so excited to make the 3+hr drive one more time while we're both healthy!

Get there much earlier than that. Find a place to park in Ky. Plan on walking a lot. The parade starts quite far from the stadium -- couple of miles anyway.

Definitely make it a point to visit the Hall Of Fame. You won't regret it. It is located right next to GABP.

We'll be there. Section 105

Stick, clear your PM's.

Got it. We're in like 413 or something. Lower mezz level. I think it's the 1st section in that level by home plate/3rd base. We're about 6 or so rows up I think.

I've said on here before some of my best childhood memories were playing in the back yard as a kid while dad worked around in his shop etc and we listened to Marty and Joe about every night. He's a diehard watch the Reds every night kind of guy. So much so my mom finally gave in about 3 years ago and watches them about every night too lol. He's a year away from 70 (blows my mind and I hope I look that good at that age). He doesn't know it yet but I bought us opening day tickets for Thurs. He's going to be estatic!

I haven't been to opening day since we drove up when I was a kid. Any ideas on what time to get there. Best place to park opening day (KY and if so walk or shuttle). Any great events to check out. I saw the parade starts around 11ish. Where's the best place to slide in and watch it or is it worth it? How far is that from the stadium. I also saw where you can get in the gates around 11:40 I think it was so you could see a good bit of Reds batting practice. How far is the Hall of Fame musem and is it worth it?

Thanks for all your help! I'm so excited to make the 3+hr drive one more time while we're both healthy!

 

I really respect you for doing this for your father , I wish that I could take my father one more time but he is 81 and not in the best of health but he stilll loves to watch baseball . I think the last game we went to was in 1991 Reds vs Mets . Then he turned into a Braves fan when satellite TV came out . My most prize memory of going to the games with Dad was the 1979 Playoff game against Pittsburg (Man was it Cold ) but a 11 year old boy was very happy to be there with his father !!

Depending on what time you get up, will depend on the best place to park. If you get there early, parking in Cincy would be easier as you'll have less walking to do. However, traffic when you leave will be a pain in the rear. Since it's suppose to be somewhat nice, if you get up this way after 10, then it may be best to park in KY. You can park in Covington or Newport and walk either bridge. Or you can get the shuttle from Willie's, or TANK's shuttle from one of the stops in Newport or Covington. They run about every 15 minutes.

 

The parade starts up at Findlay Market and comes down Race before turning east on 5th street. Sometimes the parade can be interesting, and sometimes a bore. Just know that the parade lasts almost up until game time, so you'll miss the pregame activities. The Hall of Fame is on the west side if the stadium, and on opening day, you can only enter with a game ticket.

 

If you look for a bite to eat before the game, your best bet is to just eat at the game. The bars around the stadium (Inbetween, Game Day, and the new Holy Grail) will be absolutely packed. You can get something uptown, but they will also be crowded with fans and people on their lunch break.

You couldn't even get a drink at Holy Grail Friday at 5 so I can only imagine how bad it will be for opening day.

Thanks for the help and kind words. I'm kind of leaning toward parking in KY. Where is the best couple of places there? Is the Levee a good place to park and grab a bite while we're there if we get there before 10:00? Thinking we might just go to HofFame then watch batting practice + soak up the atmosphere in the stadium. That will keep him from walking so much. Pretty sure they are honoring Sparky too! He will eat that up! I'm stoked!

Definitely a good idea to stop in the Reds Hall of Fame. I'm sure father will love it.

 

The levee is a good option and then just walk across the bridge.

Thanks for the help and kind words. I'm kind of leaning toward parking in KY. Where is the best couple of places there? Is the Levee a good place to park and grab a bite while we're there if we get there before 10:00? Thinking we might just go to HofFame then watch batting practice + soak up the atmosphere in the stadium. That will keep him from walking so much. Pretty sure they are honoring Sparky too! He will eat that up! I'm stoked!

 

You could eat at Hooters on the river in Newport and take the ferry over as well. That would save walking.

How much does it cost to ride the ferry?

How much does it cost to ride the ferry?

 

 

The last time I rode it, and it's been a few years, I think it was $2 or $3 round trip.

I love Opening Day, but am not going to the game this year. I decided that I'll spend the day at local bars instead of going to paying $70 game, freezing my buns off & drinking $7 beers.