We love farmers markets, and I love this trip that Jessie Voigts shares with readers here at Midwest Guest. It makes my mouth water just looking at these images and reminds me that it has been way too long since we last visited Cincinnati, Ohio! Check out what Jessie found at the Findlay Market!
The one thing I always try to find when I travel? Great markets! There's something about the markets that teaches you much about a place - maybe it's the friendly people, who care about the food they share. Maybe it's the essence of being in a place - you discover the area through what is important at the market. And maybe it's just the great food - always a given!
We recently visited Findlay Market, in Cincinnati, Ohio. We'd been scoping out the Second Street Market in Dayton (love the bread from Rahn's), and a friendly barista in the downtown Boston Stoker coffeeshop pointed us south to Cincinnati. Only an hour from Dayton, this was doable. We went the day before it officially opened for the season, so it was not packed and several vendors were not there yet. I also asked about the mustaches everywhere - yes, it's for the baseball team, the Cincinnati Reds.
Mustaches everywhere at Cincinnati's Findlay Market
Come the weekend, it would NOT look like this:
The structure of Findlay Market is beautiful and historic - it's an iron-framed building that is rare to see. There are a few streets surrounding the main building that house excellent shops and restaurants, making it a several-block complex. The tower bell is rung at the start of each market day. The market consists of several buildings: the Farm shed, store fronts, an open market (on the two side streets), the market house (in the old, original building).
This tile floor welcomed us to the main building:
The history of Findlay market is interesting - it's Ohio's oldest surviving municipal market house, and dates from 1852 (!!). It is located in Over-the-Rhine, a renowned downtown neighborhood. General Findlay was an important part of Cincinnati's history - an early settler and entrepreneur, he was also the mayor, established a public library, was elected to Congress, and also served as a Major General of the State Militia's first division. His wife, Jane, was also an important civic player, even residing in the White House to help her niece, Jane Irwin, assist her father-in-law, President William Henry Harrison, by providing First Lady duties.
But once you go, you'll see why countless visitors come to shop - and eat - at Findlay market. It's brightly colored, making you smile. There are plenty of parking spaces, and there's a city-wide bike sharing system if you want to get there that way. The streets bracketing the market on two sides are pedestrian-only. There are tables for picnicking, and the entire area is handicap accessible.
And the food... take a look at what we discovered at Findlay Market.
We loved the delicious smoked meats at Eckerlin Meats - and discovered a local delicacy - Goetta. Let me tell you: TRY IT. It's worth a trip to Cincinnati just for that! And the people are SO friendly and kind. My favorite store at the market!
and enormous dog bones!
Olives galore at Silverglades
Gelato at Dojo Gelato
Bouchard's
more olives
fudge!
cookies and tarts and macaroons, oh my!
did someone say crepes?
and a sense of humor: sid and snuffleupagus in vegetable form
let us meat your needs
fresh vegetables and fruit
a Vietnamese cafe
Findlay Market details:
Hours:
The market is open Tues-Friday 9am-6pm, Sat 8am-6pm, and Sun 10am-4pm
Note: Not all merchants are open every day. Please check the website for details. Some merchants are open on Mondays.
Location:
1801 Race Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
http://www.findlaymarket.org/
Parking:
There are pay meters all around the market, including in some lots and on the street. The parking is very inexpensive - 50 cents per hour, first hour free on the weekdays, $1 an hour on the weekends, 2 hour minimum (that will NOT be a problem).
Get inspired:
https://www.instagram.com/findlaymarket/
https://twitter.com/FindlayMarket
https://www.facebook.com/FindlayMarket
Merchant categories include:
- Weekend
- Farmers Market
- Artisan Gifts
- Baked Goods
- Beer & Wine
- Catering
- Cheese & Dairy
- Delivery
- Desserts & Chocolate
- Flowers
- Fresh Seafood
- Meat & Poultry
- Prepared Foods
- Produce & Organic Produce
- Specialty Groceries
Jessie Voigts is the publisher of WanderingEducators.com, and loves travel, eating, and coffee (they go together!). All photos courtesy and copyright Wandering Educators
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