I tend to get a lot of comments about how much we go out and about with Dillon so I wanted to address that today on the blog! If you’re not familiar with our story, Dillon was a preemie born right when flu season was about to start, so we spent the first four months of his life chained to our house. The second Spring hit, we started taking him out and haven’t looked back. While, yes, he does get sick a lot (he got tubes at 11 months), I more think that’s a function of daycare versus going out. We enjoy having an on-the-go lifestyle and we’re lucky that Dillon really enjoys being out and interacting with people. Obviously, if you don’t live in Cincinnati this won’t help you, but I’ve rounded up some of our favorite places to go with Dillon that’s fun for the whole family. If you’re not local, just keep scrolling for the outfit, which is exactly the kind of look I go for when I’m heading out for the day with my family and/or friends! Without further adieu, here are some of our favorite baby-friendly places to take Dillon:
Taste of Belgium — This is a classic Cincy staple and now that there are more locations, it’s easier than ever to post up here for Sunday brunch. We typically frequent OTR, but we’ll hit Rookwood occasionally, too. D loves all sweet things, so the banana nutella crepe is a no-brainer. We’ve even gotten to eat in the private dining room which is such a treat since the tables are bigger and it’s more quiet/we don’t feel as bad if he’s loud! The staff is always super accommodating with him, too, which is nice.
Darkness Brewing — This brewery is in our neck of the woods and I’ve taken D here more times than I can count! The beer is really good, they have a spacious beer garden/outdoor sitaution that is super stroller [and dog!] friendly, and they have shelves of board games to keep the party alive. They always have food trucks on the weekends but I’ve even had Uber Eats deliver food there! We absolutely love this spot. One bartender in particular is super obsessed with D so it’s fun to see her from time to time! They are so friendly and the vibe is so fun and chill there. We highly recommend checking it out if you’re in the area.
Rhinegeist — This is another brewery that we’ve found has open spaces and an accommodating staff. The taproom is huge so you don’t feel bad bringing your stroller up. Heads up: there is no public elevator so be prepared to carry your babe up four flights of stairs. That aside, it’s a nice little hang out. This is another spot that you can have food delivered to, which is a bonus. You’ll see a ton of parents there, and even some patrons wearing their babes while enjoying a brew, which is awesome!
Buckhead Mountain Grill — If you know us personally, there’s a good chance you’ve been to Buckhead with us. It’s a family favorite, for sure. It’s also in our neck of the woods [down the street from Darkness] and a super easy spot to go for a quick dinner or drink. They have an outdoor patio and the best view of downtown you can get. This is usually the spot we end up at if we want to sneak out of the house but not go too far. Mike loves the chicken fried chicken and my parents always request the Nacho Mountain whenever they come to town! There are always a ton of kids there despite it having a bar atmosphere, which is nice.
Bar Louie — BL is a tried and true favorite. We used to frequent there a lot before we had D, but go a bit still. The Anderson location has a nice outdoor patio to sit at, but Newport is spacious, as well. While we wouldn’t hang here past dinnertime, it’s a nice spot to pop into for lunch or happy hour.
BJs — This is near Mike’s office so we sometimes do a post-work family happy hour here. It has a similar vibe to Buckhead in that it is a huge place with a huge menu and still a family-friendly vibe. They are also a brewery so have their own brews which is fun. Their pumpkin beer is AMAZING. They have a few locations so it’s easy to find one to post up in.
Findlay Market – Findlay is the perfect spot for a weekend stroll. Between the live music, food stands, unique shopping, and fun crowds, it’s a great place to spend a Saturday as a family. While it can get a bit crowded if the weather is really nice, it’s great to navigate your way through and feel the energy of the city.
Palomino/Via Vite – Both of these Italian restaurants are nestled right into or off of Fountain Square and have some of the best fare in the city. Plus, both venues are very large, have elevators, and are thus very stroller-friendly. D loves sitting by the huge windows in Palomino to look out onto the Square as well as on the patio at Via Vite. I’ve even taken D to a business dinner at Palomino! These are both spots I feel very comfortable taking Dillon to if we want a bit of a nicer meal without judgey stares.
Queen City Radio – We held my birthday party here and D was the star of the show. Again, with their large outdoor patio, it’s super easy to bring babe in tow. However, even during the colder months, the inside is super spacious and has two levels, so I don’t forsee us having any issues. They have pool tables, games, TVs, and a bustling atmosphere.
Top: A&F // Denim: AG // Boots: Steve Madden [love these under $100] // Bag: Gucci // Sunnies: Gucci // Watch: Michael Kors // Ring: David Yurman
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