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Top 9 tips for enjoying Oktoberfest Zinzinnati

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CINCINNATI -- Oktoberfest Zinzinnati has much in common with Taste of Cincinnati: Both events run three days, attract hundreds of thousands of people and offer a surplus of food and beer.

WCPO Contributor Julie Niesen Gosdin shared these tips for Taste earlier this year, but they are good to keep in mind for Oktoberfest, too.

Leave your car at home. If you're in Ohio, check Metro for bus schedules, and if you're in Northern Kentucky, you can take either TANK from the suburbs or ride the Southbank Shuttle between Cincinnati, Covington and Newport. There are stops for all public transit near Oktoberfest, and you won't have the hassle and expense of paying to park -- which means more money for food! Also, try ride services such as Uber or Lyft. Trust me, you don't want to get caught in the traffic (the Bengals are also in town this weekend), and this also will allow you to enjoy all that craft beer without worrying about how to get home.

Wear comfortable shoes. Oktoberfest spans several city blocks, and it's easy to walk them several times during your visit. This is not the place to rock high heels or dress shoes. Wear sandals, sneakers and flats, and thank me later.

Plan ahead. Don't just eat the first thing you see; otherwise, you'll get a quarter of a block and already be full. Take a look at the event map, do a quick lap around Oktoberfest to see what looks good, then plan accordingly.

Pace yourself. Remember, it lasts for three days, and you can always come back. 

Stay hydrated. And I don't mean with beer. Make sure to drink water. 

Come for the food, stay for the fun. There's more to do at Oktoberfest than just eat and drink. Click here for the entertainment schedule.

Bring a friend! Or two, or three. There is nothing more fun than sharing bites with a friend, and that also allows you to try more food! 

Bring the kids. Oktoberfest features rides, games and plenty of child-friendly food. Don't forget the sidewalks behind tents as a fast way to navigate with strollers.

Tired of crowds? Most of the restaurants around Fountain Square are open during Oktoberfest. Pop into restaurants like Rock Bottom, Via Vite, Palomino and McCormick & Schmick's to take a break, have a drink and use the restroom.