We Went to a Reds Game With Braves Fans. The Waiter Saw It Coming.

We walked into The Alcove for brunch — me and Jamie in full Reds gear, our friends in full Braves gear — and our waiter took one look at our table and said, "Well, I hope you all have fun at the game today."

Then he pointed at us.

"And I hope you two have more fun."

Sir. We have never felt so seen and so threatened at the same time.

That moment set the tone for the whole day. Which is honestly the best thing I can say about a baseball trip — that it had a tone. That it felt like something. That by the time we walked into Great American Ball Park that evening, we were already having the kind of day you tell people about later.

The Reds still lost, for the record.

But we had a really good time getting there.

How We Did Cincinnati

This is the part where I tell you that Cincinnati is a full city with great food and a beautiful riverfront and you should stop flying past it on your way somewhere else.

We started at The Alcove for brunch, and it was exactly what a pre-game brunch should be — pretty, relaxed, the kind of place where you linger a little longer than you planned because the atmosphere earns it. There are better ways to start a game day. I haven't found them.

(This is also where the waiter incident happened, and I will be telling that story forever.)

From there we made our way to Sam Adams Brewery for drinks — because if you're going to spend an afternoon with people rooting for the wrong team, you might as well do it with a beer in hand. Good call on our part.

Then dinner at Cincinnati Lager House, which had a full dining room and a view of the Ohio River that genuinely stopped conversation for a second when we sat down. Busy the way a good restaurant is busy — alive, not chaotic. And if you go, look for the base plaque by the host stand. It's one of those details that reminds you the whole city is in on this.

View from rooftop of Cincinnati Lager House

The Game

Great American Ball Park is one of the most underrated stadiums in baseball. I will say this every time until people believe me.

The Reds lost. Our friends were delighted. Jamie and I were dignified about it, mostly.

What I will say is this: there is something genuinely fun about watching a game with people who are rooting against your team — as long as those people are people you actually like. The banter is better. The stakes feel lighter. You stop watching the scoreboard so much and start watching everything else.

The river. The skyline. The very serious man somewhere nearby who definitely had a scoring notebook.

That's the trip.

The Comeback That Mattered

Here is the part I need the Braves fans to read carefully.

The Reds won the next day.

Not swept. We were not swept. Whatever hopes our friends had of a clean series sweep evaporated, and Jamie and I were completely gracious about it.

We said nothing.

(This blog post is the only thing we're saying.)

Great American Ballpark. View from section 528.

Why This Kind of Trip Works

I started the Baseball City Trip series because I believe the game is the excuse, not the destination.

The destination is brunch with a waiter who takes one look at your table and already knows how your day is going to go. It's drinks at a brewery with people you don't get to see enough. It's a river view at dinner and a base plaque that makes you smile before you even sit down.

The Reds may break your heart. The city won't.

Want to Plan Your Own Cincinnati Trip?

I've got a full guide — where to stay, how to build the day, what to do beyond the game.

👉How to Plan a Cincinnati Reds Weekend Trip

And if you want something to take with you — a planner built specifically for baseball travel, with space for every city you visit — I made that too.

👉 The Away Game Planner — $14.99

👉 Join the interest list for future Reds road trips

The waiter at The Alcove was right. I hope you have more fun.

Tracy is a travel agent and the founder of Harmony Horizon 360, a travel brand built around slower, more intentional trips for real people. She grew up in Cincinnati and has feelings about the Reds that she considers completely reasonable.

🚢 Alaska Adventure on the Eurodam

Alaska’s scale is impossible to capture — but Glacier Bay comes close.

Cruising Alaska with Friends & Family 

Last June, seven couples (including us!) boarded the Eurodam for an unforgettable cruise through Alaska’s Inside Passage. 
It was the perfect mix of breathtaking scenery, easy exploration, and plenty of laughs shared with friends and family — exactly why group cruising works so well in Alaska. 

🌟 Setting Sail from Seattle 

There’s something special about sailaway day — standing on deck, watching the city fade into the distance, knowing adventure is ahead. 
Seattle gave us beautiful harbor views and set the tone for the week ahead as we headed north toward Alaska. 

Looking down from the Space Needle to the cruise port.

🛳 Life Onboard the Eurodam 

The Eurodam quickly became our floating home. It struck a great balance between relaxation and entertainment, making it easy for everyone in our group to settle into their own rhythm. 

Our favorite onboard moments included: 

• Evenings at the Billboard Onboard and Rolling Stone lounges 🎶 

• Group dinners most nights in the main dining room 

• Quiet mornings on the aft upper deck, watching Alaska drift by 

Cruising Alaska with friends — unplanned moments were often the best ones.

Mornings on the aft deck, watching Alaska drift by.

Alaska cruising works especially well for groups — you get plenty of shared time without feeling over-scheduled, with space to wander and reconnect throughout the day. 

🏔 Ports of Call 

📍 Juneau, Alaska 

Juneau kicked off our Alaskan adventure with a mix of quirky sights and classic scenery. We toured Glacier Gardens Rainforest Adventure, home to the famous Flower Towers — fallen Sitka spruce trees flipped upside down and replanted with blooming flowers. 

The famous Flower Towers at Glacier Gardens — one of Juneau’s quirkiest sights.

Right after our tour, the skies opened up and the rain came down hard — a true Alaska welcome. Thankfully, our planned stop at the whale fountain statues gave us a relaxed way to enjoy the city despite the weather. 

And yes… we attempted to eat at Tracy’s King Crab Shack 🦀 
The line was packed, but I still grabbed a photo — sharing a name felt like a must 😄 

Outside Tracy’s King Crab Shack — packed, but still worth the photo.

❄️ Glacier Bay National Park 

Sailing through Glacier Bay National Park — quiet, massive, unforgettable.

Sailing through Glacier Bay National Park was one of the most memorable days of the trip. Towering glaciers, the sound of ice calving, and still blue water made it feel surreal. 

No excursion was needed — just bundle up, grab a camera, and find a spot on deck. This is one of those Alaska moments that truly stops you in your tracks. 

🌲 Icy Strait Point 

Icy Strait Point was charming and easy to explore. We walked the trails, browsed local shops, and even hopped on the free gondola. 

Sometimes the best ports don’t need a big plan — just time to wander and soak it all in with the people you’re traveling with. 

🐻 Sitka, Alaska 

Sitka blended Alaskan wilderness with fascinating history. One of our favorite stops was Fortress of the Bear, a rescue center where we saw brown bears up close. 

Watching them roam and play was both educational and unforgettable. Afterward, we explored town, admired totem poles, and took in Sitka’s Russian-influenced past. 

Alaska’s quieter ports offered time to wander, explore, and slow down

Rescued bears at Fortress of the Bear in Sitka.

🐟 Ketchikan, Alaska 

Known for its colorful buildings and Native heritage, Ketchikan felt like stepping into a postcard. We walked straight into town, explored Creek Street, and watched salmon climb the ladder. 

Somewhere along the way, we tried reindeer sausage — surprisingly delicious and very Alaska. 

🌆 Victoria, British Columbia 

Our final stop was Victoria, a late-night port on the way back south. We chose to stay onboard, though the photos from our group who went ashore were stunning — proof that even short port visits can be worth it. 

🌲 Memories Made 

Traveling with friends and family made this Alaska cruise extra special. Whether we were laughing over dinner, spotting wildlife, or simply standing in silence watching glaciers drift by, Alaska reminded us how powerful shared experiences can be. 

A favorite group photo before the cruise — memories made from start to finish.

✨ Final Thoughts 

This Alaska cruise aboard the Eurodam surprised and inspired us in the best way. Between ice-blue glaciers, charming ports, and time spent with people we love, it was the perfect blend of adventure and connection. 

If you were planning an Alaska cruise, which stop would you be most excited about — Glacier Bay, Juneau, or Ketchikan? 

💛 If you enjoy thoughtful travel and connection-first trips, join the newsletter here.