Getting in and out of Cincinnati's Riverbend Music Center

June 4, 2012 7:03 AM

Getting in and out of Cincinnati's Riverbend Music Center

I'm driving up from Louisville on Tuesday for Radiohead. I'm leaving right after work at 5pm, and expect to hit traffic backed up over the I-275 bridge at 7pm. I'd really like to be in my seat watching Caribou open at 7:30. Do you know any tricks for getting in and out of Riverbend? I've been there a few times before, and the traffic and parking situation is usually terrible. Is there a back way in? Secret parking? Thanks.

posted by andrewzipp to Media & Arts (5 answers total)

There is a back way in, sort of. If you google map it, you'll see Kellogg ave is accessible via streets in Anderson Township. Your issue will start with where to cross the river. The 71/75 bridge (the Brent Spence) may or may not be backed up at the time you're coming in (vs. 275 which will likely be backed up). Basically, I think that any time you spend avoiding the usual route will be a wash in the long run.

I suppose you could go up to 471, cross the bridge into Ohio, exit on US 50, take Salem to Sutton to 4 Mile and then back on to Kellogg (where Rvierbend is). Take a look at the route and see what you think. It may save you time.
posted by cooker girl at 7:54 AM on June 4, 2012

I would suggest getting off the highway not at Riverbend, but passing traffic and getting off at at exit 69, which is 5 Mile and head north to 125 and go left on 125. Bear to the left at Salem Ave about a mile or so down (There's a Walgreens on the corner). Take Salem to Sutton (another mile or so) and turn left on Sutton, Sutton dead ends into Riverbend/Coney Island and there is a light.

When you start to see traffic for riverbend, get into the far left lane and it should be moving along. Usually just the right lanes get backed up.

We live on Sutton, so I'm not concerned about giving away our secret :-D
posted by ThaBombShelterSmith at 8:08 AM on June 4, 2012

Heh. Yeah, it didn't even occur to me to just bypass the Riverbend exit. ThaBombShelterSmith's got it in one!

And isn't there construction near/at that part of 275?
posted by cooker girl at 1:59 PM on June 4, 2012

It's just before the bridge on the ky side, I think it's technically only on 471, but we don't go down that way very often.
posted by ThaBombShelterSmith at 2:09 PM on June 4, 2012

I checked the KY department of transportation and they say it's on 275 but it's not clear to me if it's still going on. I rarely go that way, too, so I don't know for sure.
posted by cooker girl at 3:46 PM on June 4, 2012