Tips for Enjoying a Writer's Digest Workshop in Cincinnati, Ohio

So, you're an aspiring writer. Sooner or later you will buy a Writer's Digest book or attend one of their conferences. Writer's Digest offers the largest collection of books on writing of any publisher from where you get your ideas to how to publish your finished manuscript and keep writing. I recently attended a Writer's Digest Workshop in Cincinnati, Ohio and took the opportunity to have a great time. Here's what I learned about how to enjoy yourself.

Take One or More Extra Days to Explore the Town of Cincinnati, Ohio

Yes, you can just fly into Cincinnati's Airport located just across the state line in Kentucky. The hotel Writer's Digest recommends, Hannaford Suites offers free shuttle service to and from the hotel and to and from the conference held at the Writer's Digest headquarters. But, if you're visiting a new town, why not take the opportunity to learn about Ohio? A cab or public transport might get you to one or two of the local experiences with less cost then a car rental.

We took several days extra and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Cincinnati has at least six museums we visited, a waterfront park, plays held on an old Mississippi paddle wheel gambling boat, sports, and places that are easy to get to just outside town.

Choose A Writer's Digest Conference Date with Great Weather in Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati, Ohio weather can be hot and humid in the summer. The town is set in low hills. Daytona is nearby as is an escape north to the Great Lakes. Spring and Fall are cooler but if you plan to swim wait until later in the summer. Winter can involve lots of snow.

Print Out Map Quest Maps for Many Popular Tourist Activities in Cincinnati, Ohio

Once we oriented ourselves, we found Cincinnati easy to get around. The Writer's Digest recommended hotel Hannaford Suites was on exit 12 and most tourist activities were on exit 3 or 4. We did make the mistake of crossing the freeway just after taking the correct exit and ended up wandering around the town.

Visit Any One of these Fun Tourist Activities in Cincinnati, Ohio

The Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal has no less than three museums and a movie theater where you can spend at least three hours wandering amongst dinosaur bones, watch bats fly, examine rocks, experience old Cincinnati including many war time exhibits, learn how to build a raft for portage and see old cars.

Fans that plan ahead can get tickets to see the Cincinnati Reds play in season, or just visit the sports complex.

The National Underground Freedom Center on the waterfront contains many stories and artifacts from the slave trade in the US. Artwork and interactive exhibits are very impressive. Also on the waterfront is the Friendship Park where one can take a mile long (each way) stroll and the Showboat Majestic Theatre in an old paddle boat. The cast for the production of Thoroughly Modern Millie we attended was awesome.

The Cincinnati Zoo has a wonderful collection of animals from around the world with one of the neatest bug exhibits I've ever seen. Tubes run through the area and visitors can watch leaf cutter ants do cut and haul the pieces around the many showcases of beetles, tarantulas and stick bugs.

A nearby park in Kentucky, Big Bone Salt Lick State Park has an exhibit on the location where dinosaurs were first found in America. The find was so big, many of the world's museums have dinosaur bones taken from the area. A hiking trail takes you past the tiny hot spring that hasn't drained, through woods along a river, and to the buffaloes. Picnic and play areas with restrooms are fun for kids.

Cincinnati Art Museum has a huge collection of art through the ages including a tape of wedding, sarcophagi, pots from the pottery battle, and some new works. The view from the top of the hill makes you feel like you've fallen back 100 years in time. The Tate Art Museum is a fine old home turned into a museum that contains many of the Taft's artworks and furnishings.

Pick a Terrific Pre-Conference and Post-Conference Restaurant

Our first restaurant was recommended to us in general by the Avis guard who suggested we try taking Hwy 20 because it would connect up with I-275. This turned out to be a good choice since we found a steak house. We both liked Willie's Sports Cafe best across from the Hannaford Inn, but Max & Erma's down I-71 was also good.

Take a Snack Pack For Writer's Digest Conference Days if a Picky Eater

I had trouble eating the mostly cheese based dishes provided by the lunch so if you're dairy intolerant, be sure to bring nuts or a sandwich with you.

Send in Your Manuscript Early to a Writer's Digest Conference.

The staff recommends sending your manuscript in early, if one is used as part of the conference.

Other Facilities at the Writer's Digest Conference

Expect to have minimal need for a PC, but bring it if you use one normally, there's plenty of room at the tables. There's also snack machines and bathrooms. The building is within walking distance of the hotel, but would take about 15 minutes to get there.

More Information

Writer's Digest Headquarters, 4700 E Galbraith Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45236
Hannaford Suite's, 5900 E Galbraith Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45236, intersection of I71 and Galbraith Rd at exit 12
More photographs "Fun Spots Visited in Cincinnati, Ohio"

Have fun at your Writer's Digest conference or just go explore Cincinnati, it has much to offer everyone.