As crowds gathered for the annual Riverfront Arts & Music Festival last weekend, thousands of attendees relied on Mapquest Driving Directions to navigate busy city streets and temporary detours. Held in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, the event featured over 50 live performances, local food trucks, artisans, and interactive installations stretched across multiple venues.
For many festival-goers, getting to the event was half the adventure. With several roads closed and parking lots at full capacity, MapQuest's real-time traffic updates and alternative route suggestions proved invaluable. “I checked MapQuest before heading out,” said visitor Amanda Ruiz. “It rerouted me around construction and got me to the closest open lot—it saved me at least 20 minutes.”
City officials had partnered with local media outlets and event organizers to promote the use of GPS tools ahead of time. MapQuest's interface allowed users to not only find the best driving routes but also locate nearby restrooms, ATMs, and shuttle stops. For those unfamiliar with the area, the platform's simple turn-by-turn directions helped reduce congestion and kept traffic flowing.
Vendors and performers also used MapQuest to coordinate load-ins and back-of-house access. “It's not just for attendees,” said logistics coordinator Mark Taylor. “We sent out custom links using MapQuest routes tailored for our teams—setup went way smoother than last year.”
As the city continues to host large-scale events, digital navigation tools like MapQuest Driving Directions are becoming essential. Organizers praised the tool for its accessibility and clarity, particularly for out-of-town guests unfamiliar with the local layout.
With record attendance and positive feedback, the Riverfront Arts & Music Festival has set a new standard for city events—and MapQuest helped everyone get there.