Photograph courtesy Cincinnati’s Fidelity Hotel
The Beaux-Arts Gwynne Building on East Sixth Street that served as Procter & Gamble’s headquarters from the mid-1930s to 1956 is now home to Cincinnati’s Fidelity Hotel. It’s the perfect spot for a European-style staycation, where you can explore the city on foot and spend your days shopping, browsing inspiring artwork, or sampling continental cuisine. Whether you’re joined by family members from out of town or going it alone, Cincinnati’s Fidelity Hotel makes the perfect home base. Set yourself up for a great time with this weekend itinerary.
Friday: Ease into the Weekend
Evening: Time to check in and prepare for dinner at Gwynne. Executive Chef Brad Bernstein’s menu celebrates seasonal ingredients, regional producers, and thoughtful craftsmanship—don’t miss the heirloom tomato salad and the herb-crusted rack of lamb. The cocktail menu salutes Cincinnati history with drinks that pay homage to history, like the Losantiville Confluence Old Fashioned, with Green River Bourbon, peach-black tea syrup, and Angostura and peach bitters.
Saturday: Choose Your Adventure
Photograph courtesy Cincinnati’s Fidelity Hotel
Morning: Sleep in, but not too late, because coffee and pastries will be waiting for you at Cora’s All Day Café. Light fills the high-ceilinged space, where you can linger over cinnamon rolls or a coconut cream pie cold brew and plan the rest of your day.
Photograph courtesy Cincinnati’s Fidelity Hotel
Early Afternoon: Shop your way through the Fountain District. Walk over to Carew Tower where you’ll find Appointments, a great source for fancy pens, leather notebooks, and more. A few blocks away on Main Street, Ohio Book Store and Down to Mars Vintage hold one-of-a-kind treasures. If you find yourself feeling peckish, hop on the Cincinnati Bell Connector and ride up to Findlay Market, where you can peruse the farmers’ market and grab lunch.
Afternoon: From here, the rest of the day is choose-your-own-adventure. If you’re in the mood for more shopping, head to OTR for fashion finds at English on Vine, Sloane, and The Most Beautiful Thing in the World. The three boutiques are perfect for browsing unique items to add to your wardrobe. If you’d rather make it an art-filled day, there’s plenty to do. Choose a self-guided walking tour of the city’s murals using the map on the 1001 Colors website (the organization is the hotel’s Community Impact Partner) or museum-hop. The historic Taft Museum of Art and the Contemporary Art Center are right downtown, or head to the Cincinnati Art Museum to see the Yayoi Kusama art exhibition. The immersive pumpkin installation is one of the most anticipated shows in the city this year, so be sure to order tickets in advance.
Photograph courtesy Cincinnati’s Fidelity Hotel
Evening: Head back to the hotel and make a pitstop at Gwynne for a drink at the bar. Their bourbon menu alone is worth it, and the bartender will be happy to add a touch of smoke to your choice. Since you’ve already experienced Gwynne, head out for dinner. Sudova, Colette, and Luca Bistro each bring a bit of Old World European charm with their cuisine. From the historic buildings and classic European menus, it’s easy to see why downtown Cincinnati is compared to a European city.
Sunday: Wrapping Up the Weekend
Morning: Gwynne’s brunch will send you off with a full belly, and make another stop at Cora’s to pick up those chocolate chip cookies you were eyeing yesterday before checkout. If you’re not ready to head home, or you chose shopping on Saturday, the Cincinnati Art Museum and Taft are both open on Sunday. Either way, you’ll end your weekend restored, refreshed, and ready to plan another trip to Cincinnati’s Fidelity Hotel.
