Stats:

1801 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Open year-round
Tuesday through Friday, 9am to 6pm
Saturday, 8am to 6pm
Sunday, 10am to 4pm
Closed Mondays
There are a couple dozen full-time merchants, but the market expands considerably from April through November on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
That’s when it hosts an outdoor Farmers Market that brings many additional vendors as well as entertainment and other activities.

Back Story:

The Market is built on land donated to the city by the estate of James & Jane Findlay in the early 1800s. First founded in 1852, the market was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. The structure was among the first markets in the United States to use iron frame construction technology and is one of very few that have survived. A large mosaic sits at the center of the market floor depicting 150 years of the market’s history.

Impressions:

Findlay market is a gem in the somewhat blighted area at downtown’s northern edge. Located in the area known as Over-the-Rhine, the neighborhood runs the gamut from a collection of historic Italianate architecture to dilapidated vacant buildings. The area surrounding Findlay Market is not the greatest but, in recent years, has seen significant gentrification.

But if you are looking for local and fresh, this is the place to be! It’s a great stop for fresh produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, prepared foods and a smattering of vendibles. Many of the shops here have been family owned and operated for generations. Also on hand are some foods from the nearby Amish and Mennonite neighborhoods that border Cincinnati. This market attracts a very socially, economically and culturally diverse crowd, and is great for people watching and for a quintessentially urban shopping experience.

Tourist-wise:

Weekends can get extremely crowded, but they are also the most lively and exciting. If you want a more relaxed experience with quicker service you should go during the week. If you enjoy experiencing the atmosphere at fever’s pitch, elbow your way through any Saturday, (especially in the warmer months), and enjoy all the sites and sounds! Also check out their calendar of special weekend events…there are lots!
This marketplace is extremely friendly. You’ll find many Cincinnatians doing their daily shopping, stopping in for a quick lunch or meeting up with friends, and it’s a favorite tourist stop pretty much year-round.

Travel Tips:

Parking is available (for modest fees) in several parking lots surrounding the marketplace.
Public Transit: Metro bus routes 46, 64, and 78 stop directly in front of Findlay Market on Elm and Race.
And you might want to bring cash. Many merchants accept credit cards, but not all. There is an ATM in the market, but it seems to be out of service a lot.

Contacts/Links:
The Corporation for Findlay Market
P.O. Box 14727
Cincinnati, OH 45250-0727
Web site: www.findlaymarket.org
Phone: (513) 665-4839
Email: info@findlaymarket.org

Map:

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