Carew Tower, Cincinnati

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.