Hotel for Reds and Bengals games — 25 minutes to Great American Ball Park and Paycor Stadium

Both stadiums sit on Cincinnati's riverfront, a short walk apart, about 25 minutes from the hotel in normal traffic. One route is US-50 east, which follows the Ohio River through the small towns and west-side neighborhoods into downtown. The other is I-275 to I-74 east, then I-75 south into the city. When one is jammed, the other is usually moving.

On game days, the last mile is the slow part. Reds crowds tend to arrive in the hour before first pitch, and Bengals Sundays bring tailgaters into the lots around Paycor Stadium hours before kickoff. Give yourself extra time, especially for a 1:00 PM Sunday kickoff or a Friday night game that overlaps with rush hour.

Coming back after a night game, you are usually in your room within about half an hour of leaving the garage, and the 24-hour front desk is there whatever time the final out comes.

Great American Ball Park is home to the Cincinnati Reds, a club that traces its roots to baseball's first professional team. The regular season runs from late March or early April through September, and Opening Day is close to a city holiday, complete with the Findlay Market Parade. The Reds Hall of Fame and Museum sits right next to the ballpark.

Paycor Stadium hosts the Cincinnati Bengals from preseason in August through a regular season that runs into early January. Tailgating in the surrounding lots is a big part of the day, and December games on the riverfront can be cold and windy, so dress for it.

Between the two stadiums is The Banks, a stretch of restaurants and bars with Smale Riverfront Park along the water. It is an easy place to eat before a game or wait out traffic afterward. The same drive also works for FC Cincinnati matches at TQL Stadium in the West End.

Buy tickets through the Reds' or Bengals' official site or the team's official resale partner, and skip unofficial sellers near the gates. Both teams enforce stadium bag policies, and the NFL's clear-bag rule applies at Paycor Stadium, so check the team's current policy before you pack.

There are garages and surface lots all around the riverfront, including garages beneath The Banks. Prices rise on game days and lots near Paycor Stadium fill early on Bengals Sundays, so many fans reserve a spot in advance. Some fans park across the river in Covington or Newport and walk over the Roebling Suspension Bridge or the Purple People Bridge.

• Leave the hotel at least 90 minutes before first pitch or kickoff on busy days.
• Reserve game-day parking ahead for Bengals games.
• Check each team's current bag policy before you leave.
• If you are tailgating, set up a designated driver or a ride back.

Parking alone makes a difference. Many downtown hotels charge for overnight parking; ours is free, and so is the hot breakfast. On a Sunday, breakfast runs until 10 AM, so you can eat, check out by 11:00 AM and still reach downtown in time to tailgate before a 1:00 PM kickoff.

Groups of friends traveling for a game usually book the Two Queen Room, which sleeps 4, or a block of rooms for a bigger crew; connecting rooms are available on request. Couples often take the King Room or King Studio Suite. Every room has a mini-fridge for drinks and leftovers from The Banks.

Fans staying for a full homestand can ask the front desk about weekly rates, and the guest laundry keeps jerseys game-ready. Rooms start from $69 per night, about 25 minutes from the riverfront.