Carew Tower, Cincinnati

  View from top
by abi_maha
 
  • View from top
      View from top
    by abi_maha
  • night and lights
      night and lights
    by abi_maha
  • Bridges
      Bridges
    by abi_maha
  • The Fontain Square from above
      The Fontain Square from above
    by abi_maha
  •   Carew Tower
    by abi_maha
 

9 Reviews of Carew Tower

Sort by: Most recent | Most helpful

Write a Review
On top of Cincinnati, standing tall!
abi_maha profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

abi_maha 511 reviews
4 more images

We went to this tower to get a view of the skyline from the 48th floor. The lift from the first level only goes upto the 45th floor. It goes so fast that the monitor can't quite keep pace in it's display of the floor. Expect to have some 'ear pop' as you get off on the 45th floor and follow the directions to the smaller lift or the stair case so you can head up the remainder of the floors. A nice lady at the counter will collect the fee of $2 pp and head out onto the observation deck for a spectacular view of the city around you and don't forget to look down on the Fountain Square! The nice lady even allowed us to come back after it was dark without any additional charges! So we got some great pics of a lit up Cincinnati!
Since its completion 70 years ago, the building's function has remained the same: office space, shopping and hotel rooms. And throughout those decades, visitors to Cincinnati have stood on the 49th floor observation deck, enjoying one of the city's most spectacular views.
Located at the corner of Fifth and Vine Streets, across from Fountain Square, the Carew Tower observation deck is open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Written Dec 14, 2009

Was this review helpful?

Carew Tower
CoAir13 profile photo

4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

CoAir13 382 reviews
Carew Tower

Built by Joseph Thomas Carew in 1930, this tower dominates the the Cincinnati skyline. Modern elevators will take you to the 45th floor, where you will get off and get on a small, rickety old elevator to the 49th floor observation deck. On a clear day, the expansive view goes on for miles over the city and into Kentucky.

The building houses, offices, a hotel, restaurants and upscale retail shopping. While the tenants have changes with the times, the original marble floors and iron railings remind you of its 70 year history. It was designated an Historical Landmark in 1994.

Observation Deck: $2 admission
9:30-5:30 Mon. - Thurs.
9 - 9 Fri. & Sat.
11 - 5 Sun.

Updated Sep 1, 2005

Address: corner of 5th and Vine Streets

Related to:
 Historical Travel
 Family Travel
 Architecture

Was this review helpful?

Best Views of the City
BeatChick profile photo

4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

BeatChick 655 reviews
Carew Tower
4 more images

Carew Tower
The art deco Carew Tower completed in 1931 is Cincinnati's tallest building. From the 49th-floor Observation Deck on top you can see all over the city & over into Kentucky.

This beautiful structure is one of the edifices of downtown Cincinnati that makes up our beautiful skyline and which makes Cincy an excellent substitute for NYC backdrop for filmmakers (NYC can be too expensive to film in).

The Tower is also home to one of the best shopping malls in the city and the best place to shop downtown.

Updated Jul 1, 2005

Address: 28 West Fourth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Phone: 513-241-7700 Mgmt Office Ph#

Website: http://www.towerplace.com/

Related to:
 Architecture
 Family Travel
 Historical Travel

Was this review helpful?

Carew Tower Observation Deck
Stephen-KarenConn profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Stephen-KarenConn 2608 reviews
Carew Tower: Tallest Building in Center

One of the cheapest thrills in Cincinnati is the $2.00 admission to the observation deck atop Carew Tower. At 574 feet (49 floors) it is the tallest building in town. Like the Empire State Building in New York, Carew Tower was built during the Great Depression. Construction began Jan. 8, 1930. Workers labored around the clock and the first tenent opened for business less than 9 months later, Oct. 1st of the same year. The tenents have changed, but today the building still houses upscale shops, offfices, restaurants, and a hotel. Although the interior of the building has been updated to modern standards, the outside looks much as it did 74 years ago. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1994.

To reach the observation deck you ride a modern elevator up the first 45 stories. From there a rickety telephone-booth-size elevator carries you to the 48th floor, then a gray steel staircase leads up the final floor to the observation deck. We ascended the Tower to see the view on a beautiful clear Saturday afternoon. The 360 degree vistas are the best to be had in the city, along the Ohio River, and into the countryside beyond.

One of the best parts is that the observation deck is seldom crowded, so you could have the views all to yourself. We shared it with only half a dozen other people. Hours are:
Mon. - Thurs. 9:30 - 5:30
Saturday 9:00 - 9:00
Sunday 11:00 - 5:00

Another note: The PNC Bank Building, on the left, was the fifth tallest building in the world when it was completed in 1913.

Updated Jun 22, 2004

Address: 441 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH

Phone: 513-579-9735

Website: www.cincinnati.com/visitorsguide/stories/022701_carewtower.html

Related to:
 Architecture
 Business Travel

Was this review helpful?

View from Carew Towers
rossandkelli profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

rossandkelli 211 reviews

Take the elevator to the observation deck to overlook the City, the river and Kentucky! Go at night because it's breathtaking!

If the elevator isn't working, ask someone because it seems they put it on timers and they need to let you up. Once you get to the floor you will need to get on another smaller elevator and then a flight of stairs.

While you are at the towers check out the architecture, I believe it used to be an old hotel because of the mail system.

Written Apr 9, 2004

Address: 5th and Vine

Was this review helpful?

Carew Tower observation deck
sambarnett profile photo

1.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

sambarnett 560 reviews
looking northeast

Get a spectacular view of the city, river and rolling countryside from the 49th floor of the Carew Tower. Take the elevators to the 45th floor and then transfer to the other, smaller elevator or walk the remaining flights. Admittance is $2.

Written Jan 15, 2003

Was this review helpful?

Carew Tower
Tom_Fields profile photo
Tom_Fields 2300 reviews
The Carew Tower is the tall building in the center
4 more images

This 1930's art-deco skyscraper offers the best views of the city and surrounding river valley.

Written Feb 4, 2005

Address: 441 Vine St., Ste. 500, Cincinnati Ohio 45202

Phone: 513-241-3888

Related to:
 Architecture
 Arts and Culture

Was this review helpful?

Carew Tower
frankcanfly profile photo

3 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

frankcanfly 2603 reviews

For only $2, you can go to nearly the top of Carew Tower.

I did it on an overcast day with low visability, and the view wasn't very good at all.

Updated Sep 20, 2004

Was this review helpful?

Carew Building Observation...
Easty profile photo

1 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Easty 727 reviews

Carew Building Observation Desk
Tallest building in Cincinnati. Has a great view of the Cincinnati Metropolitan Area and the Ohio River.

Written Aug 26, 2002

Was this review helpful?

Top 3 Hotels in Cincinnati

Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza  Cincinnati

 7 Reviews and 333 Opinions  The service was average, facilities was clean the room was small and the view were airconditioners.... 

 Hotels in Cincinnati

Cincinnatian Hotel  Cincinnati

 3 Reviews and 171 Opinions  I made a mistake and read the reviews on this place after my company made reservations- we all know... 

 Hotels in Cincinnati

The Westin Cincinnati  Cincinnati

 3 Reviews and 275 Opinions  For the price, I would be hard pressed to recommend this hotel. A popular square is right below the... 

 Hotels in Cincinnati

The Place

Carew Tower

Carew Tower tips and photos posted by real travelers and Cincinnati locals.

  Write a Review  
Experience Cincinnati
 

The People

711 Members Live Here
 
Our Members Say
 profile photo

 Carew Building Observation DeskTallest building in Cincinnati. Has a great view of the Cincinnati Metropolitan Area and the Ohio River. 

711 members live in Cincinnati

 

Questions and Answers

ladymd profile photo

Q:  Hi. It's gonna be my first time in cincinnati, will be staying at motel 6 near the Jewish Hospital. What is the most affordable... 

pj936 profile photo

A: most likely a one way rental car. but you might try also the airport limo/ shuttle 

Read 2 Replies

postQuestion_button

Top Cincinnati Writers

1

ZINZINNATI!

BeatChick profile photo

 Hi! I've been updating my tips with new photos from my digital Olympus C-5500 Sports Zoom. Hopefully, these new photos will be MUCH better than the last ones. Inside my Cincinnati tips you'll find a... 

2

Seven Hills of Cincinnati

frankcanfly profile photo

 I've got some interesting experiences in Cincinnati. I'd love to share with you the 116 tips I've written, the 178 photos uploaded, and 5 travelogues I've created. 

3

Cincinnati, Ohio: The Queen City

Stephen-KarenConn profile photo

 Like Rome, Cincinnati is a city built on seven hills. It is an Ohio River town with a growing metropolitan area of almost two million people, spilling over into Kentucky to the south and Indiana to...... 

4

A Taste Of Cincinnati

kahunayummy profile photo

 Cincinnati wasnt always known by it's present name. It was first called Ft. Washington in honor of George Washington. Then, in 1788, it was named Losantiville. There is no data on just who dreamed... 

5

Cincinnati

Jim_Eliason profile photo

 Cincinnati is about 40 minutes south of where I live. As I have time to explore my new home I will be adding Cincinnati highlites! 

View all rated pages

View newest pages

Build your own Cincinnati page