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4.5
1,051 votes

Fountain Square

520 Vine St, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 USA

Free
Free to Visit
Open Now
Thu 12a-11:59p
  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    Accepted
  • Pet Friendly
  • Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms
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Local Favorite

Our Take

Fountain Square is the heart of downtown Cincy... even though it has moved more than a few times. The fountain, which dates to the 1870s, was erected in memory of businessman Tyler Davidson and depicts the Genius of Water, surrounded by individuals using water in everyday life and water-dwelling animals. And baby if you've ever wondered why it looks so familiar, it appears in the opening credits of both "Ghost Adventures" and "WKRP in Cincinnati."

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“The symbolic center of Cincinnati since 1871”

Fountain Square attracts over 2 million people annually to its special events, free concerts, tailgates, and lunchtime contests. It’s a place to meet friends for morning coffee, or gather for lunch. It’s a place to bring your children, learn about Cincinnati history, and splash through the water feature. It’s a place to begin, or end, your evening downtown. When you visit Fountain Square, you’ll find many reasons to return all the year round. Fountain Square has been the symbolic center of Cincinnati since 1871. The square, which replaced a butcher's market, was a gift from Henry Probasco in memory of Tyler Davidson. Probasco traveled to Munich and commissioned a bronze allegorical fountain from Ferdinand von Miller named The Genius of Water that symbolizes the uses of water, both natural and man-made. Originally, the square occupied a large island in the middle of Fifth Street with buildings to the north and south, much like nearby Piatt Park. A 1971 renovation of the square included slightly moving and re-orienting the fountain to the west, and enlarging the plaza by removing the original westbound portion of 5th Street and demolishing buildings to the north. It is used for lunch-breaks, rallies, and other gatherings. Fountain Square has also been featured in movies, including the 2011 film Ides of March. 

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Reviewed by
Greg Newkirk

  • Expert
  • 314 Reviews
  • 374 Helpful
July 01, 2014
Rated 3.0

Taste of Cincinnati in the summer, ice skating in the winter, and everything in between, there's always something happening in the heart of Cincinnati's downtown. Of course, if you happen to be visiting the square outside of an event, it's not exactly the greatest place to "hang out" without being harassed by local grifters targeting tourists. Plenty of chain restaurants surround the square if you need to snag a mediocre meal, as well as minimal shopping nearby, so if you REALLY want to get a good sense of the cool stuff happening in the city, head further north up Vine street and work your way over to Washington Park or Findlay Market.

5 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Josh Green

  • Road Warrior
  • 144 Reviews
  • 65 Helpful
April 29, 2014
Rated 4.0

There's nothing more Cincinnati than the heart of downtown. Whether it's music events or beer fest, there's always something fun to do in the summer. Also has great restaurants surrounding. My favorite is grabbing some Graeter's after dinner and sitting outside.

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Dana Newkirk

  • Road Warrior
  • 298 Reviews
  • 377 Helpful
September 17, 2014
Rated 4.0

Fun area. There's usually lots of live music happening or some other events, so expect a crowd when you visit. It's also right in the hart of downtown Cincinnati so you'll have lots of food, drink, and shopping options as well. It's actually a great place to start a walk around downtown to check out some of the amazing architecture!

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
David Stacy

  • 134 Reviews
  • 100 Helpful
August 29, 2014
Rated 5.0

The heart of Cincinnati. If you are here for a visit, this is a must-do. There is always something happening, good food nearby and plenty to do, but as said, hang out for a few minutes, get your bearings and use it as a starting point for checking out Cincinnati.

1 person found this review helpful
  • Tour Guide
  • 172 Reviews
  • 215 Helpful
June 18, 2014
Rated

The heart and soul of Cincinnati. I do wish it was a bit more 'open' instead of being surrounded by tall buildings but the fountain is beautiful and it always has something going on.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Matt Owens

  • 1 Review
  • 0 Helpful
September 24, 2015
Rated 4.0

Great place to grab a bite to eat and take in the beautiful city. I especially enjoy hanging out on Fountain Square in the spring during NCAA March Madness as they have the games live on the big screen across from the Square. You can also catch Reds games on the TV as well!

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Reviewed by
Irelia

  • 72 Reviews
  • 13 Helpful
March 01, 2015
Rated 4.0

Creatively built. Nice spot to hangout at times.

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Reviewed by
Ken Valuska

  • Expert
  • 594 Reviews
  • 177 Helpful
December 24, 2014
Rated 5.0

this is in the heart of downtown and is a very picturesque scene in the winter, when they have the ice rink out and lights strung. Also some good restaurants nearby.

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Reviewed by
Natalie Akers

  • Road Warrior
  • 373 Reviews
  • 130 Helpful
November 25, 2014
Rated 4.0

Dancing here in the summer is so great and ranges for salsa to... Everything else less fun. Definitely a key component to Cincinnati and close enough to some amazing spots like the contemporary art museum (CAC) and 21c hotel. There's obviously a graeters on the square and some less classy establishments. All and all, a landmark

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  • Foodie
  • 242 Reviews
  • 216 Helpful
November 17, 2014
Rated 4.0

Fountain square is really a fun time in the summer and winter. Summer season brings different varieties of music on different nights. Winter has the ice rink. The square has a beautiful fountain and a lot of restaurants ringing it. I'd say the restaurants pale to the eating you can do on vine street, but they're okay if you're looking for easy downtown dining

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Fountain Square

520 Vine St
Cincinnati, Ohio
45202 USA
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Hours

Open 24 hours today
  • Sun - Sat: 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

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