In the spirit of the upcoming baseball season in Cincinnati, we’ve rounded up all the information on Opening Day and created a few tips that will help you throw together baseball game date ideas at Great American Ball Park all season long. With nearly 80 Cincinnati Reds home games this season, so you’ll definitely have plenty of opportunities to catch a game or two.
Courtesy of the Cincinnati Reds
A few tips for a baseball game date:
- If you’re wondering what to wear, go for something casual and comfortable. Girls, definitely avoid wearing heels! If you don’t own a Reds hat or T-shirt, go for something red — and, of course, be sure to avoid the opposing team’s colors.
- Be sure to leave yourselves plenty of time to battle traffic and find parking, as the downtown area becomes very busy on game days.
- We know this goes without saying, but make sure you talk to each other. If you are a diehard baseball fan, don’t get overly caught up in the game and forget that you are on a date. If your date is new to Cincinnati and doesn’t know much about the team, fill them in. If you have no clue what’s going on in the game, don’t be afraid to ask questions.
- Take in the atmosphere of the game, relax and have fun! Participate in the wave and sing along to “Take Me Out to the Ball Game!”
- Be prepared for the possibility of the Kiss-Cam landing on you. If on a first date, a kiss on the cheek is always an appropriate move.
Want to take your date up a notch, why not add a lunch or dinner to the baseball game?
Restaurants near the stadium:
- Holy Grail Tavern & Grille – 161 Joe Nuxhall Way
- Yard House – 95 East Freedom Way
- Moerlein Lager House – 115 Joe Nuxhall Way
- Jefferson Social – 101 East Freedom Way
- Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse – 100 E. Freedom Way, Suite 160
- Tin Roof – 160 Freedom Way, Suite 150
- Jimmy John’s – 171 East Freedom Way
Other walk-able restaurant options:
- Nada – 600 Walnut Street
- Nicholson’s – 625 Walnut Street
- Rock Bottom Brewery – 10 Fountain Square
- McCormick & Schmick’s – 21 East 5th Street
- Prime Cincinnati – 580 Walnut Street, #100
- Morton’s The Steakhouse – 441 Vine Street
- Via Vite – 520 Vine Street
- Shanghai Mama’s – 216 East 6th Street
- Skyline Chili – 254 East 4th Street
Places to eat at Great American Ball Park:
There are a number of food options inside the stadium, including The Handlebar at the Riverfront and the Machine Room Grille. There also are tons of food stands with hot dogs and traditional game day snacks scattered throughout the stadium. In addition, local favorites are readily available, including LaRosa’s Pizzeria, Skyline Chili, Penn Station East Coast Subs, Taste of Belgium and UDF.
Opening Day! What you need to know:
Opening Day is Monday, April 3 – If you plan on making Opening Day a date, then plan to be in it for the long haul! Festivities start early, with the parade beginning at noon at Findlay Market, and the Reds face off against the Phillies in the first game of the season at 4:10 p.m. Trust us, you’ll have no trouble filling your time; just make sure you’ve got good walking shoes on and you’re dressed for the weather!
For a full parade route, visit Findlay Market’s parade website: Findlay Market Parade route. Bring a chair and set up at either Washington Park or Fountain Square — and make sure to wear RED! Findlay Market is offering a great deal on excellent seats to watch the parade — in the Opening Day Parade bleachers on Race Street!
Fountain Square will host the big Opening Day party, as always, with concessions as well as a live broadcast of the game on the big screen. If game tickets aren’t on the menu, this is the perfect way to get in the spirit and be part of the big day.
