After a long day of work in downtown Cincinnati, Eden Park was always one of my favorite places to escape the five o’clock traffic. From here, I could watch the barges float down the Ohio River and count the number of cars passing over the freeway into Kentucky.
The yellow Big Mac Bridge (Daniel Carter Beard Bridge) stands out with its bright color and my favorite bridge, the historic, blue John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge was once the longest suspension bridge in the world. The views from here are breathtaking, serene and the perfect spot for winding down from my work day. I reveled in the sites, watching the traffic thin out while the number of boats increased on the Ohio River.
Many times I would bring a book to read and find a seat on one of the benches surrounded by a rainbow of colorful flowers. To hear the low humming of the bee’s buzz and smell the blooms were moments of therapy and meditation. Occasionally, I would be visited by a friendly puppy out for his afternoon walk, or distracted by a jogger passing by on his afternoon run, but most of the time I found the overlook soothing and quiet.
Wondering what it would be like to visit on a weekend, I packed up a picnic lunch and set off for the park on a Sunday afternoon. Families enjoyed each other’s company as they barbequed near the parking lot at Twin Lakes . Children played on the lawn as their parents caught up with friends and family.
On Saturdays, when the park was less busy, I would stop by for a visit after enjoying some time at either the Cincinnati Art Museum or Krohn’s Conservatory. I loved driving through the grand entrance of the two small towers where eagle sculptures guarded the Melan Arch Bridge. Built in 1894, this regal gateway was the first concrete arch bridge in the state of Ohio.
The area, known as Twin Lakes, was once an old quarry. Updated to include walking paths and gardens, a footbridge was built to connect the two bodies of water. Several sculptures dedicated to the Queen City stand along the pathway where ducks enjoy floating about in the ponds as children launch their motorized boats in the water.
One of my favorite sculptures in the park is quite unique and stands out among the rest. Unlike the other statues is the Japanese man with a cormorant bird, a gift from Cincinnati’s sister city, Gifu, Japan.
According to the Japanese tradition of ukai, the fisherman would first tie a leash around the bird which would then dive for a fish, catching it in its throat. Unable to swallow the fish because of the tie around its neck, the fisherman would release the fish from the bird’s mouth for his own.
Another beautiful art piece in the park was a gift from Rome, Italy, a replica statue of the Capitoline Wolf. The city of Cincinnati was named after Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus, a Roman statesman and aristocrat, so it only seems fitting that Cincinnati would receive this sculpture from it’s sister city, Rome. The Capitoline wolf was the legendary mother of the ancient city’s founders, Romulus and Remus.
Within walking distance of the Twin Lakes is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. From the park, I took a set of stairs to the Melan Arch Bridge where I stopped for a moment to admire the eagle statues. Nearby was a pathway leading to the monument which stood in memory of those who served in the Vietnam war.
Leaving the park’s center, I approached the ruins of the Eden Park Reservoir. Built between the years 1866 and 1878, designed by Samuel Hannaford, this architectural wonder once took up the space of 12 acres and held 96 million gallons of water. Only a small section remains of the jagged rock ruins that could have easily been mistaken as an ancient Roman relic.
Turning around to retrace my steps, I noticed a large red tower standing over me. Water was once pumped into this stand pipe from the Ohio River. Once designed to hold water for local residents, it is another reminder of Cincinnati’s architectural past and industrial advancements.
From the reservoir ruins, I walked the open field of grass which once contained water for local residents. At the end of the park is Mirror Lake and its tall fountain which surges 40 feet high. A paved walking path surrounds the perimeter of the lake with spectacular views of the city. A popular location for runners, joggers and pet walkers on a sunny day, I have come to enjoy its tranquil atmosphere watching the ducks bathe and and feeling the sun’s warm rays on my face.
Nearby Spring House Gazebo is perfect for shade against the sun or unexpected rain. It is the oldest structure in the park, standing here since the early 1900s.
The history of Eden Park is interesting in the fact that this land was once owned by Nicholas Longworth, “Father of the American wine Industry”. Grape vines once covered this landscape where Longworth developed the Catawba grape and produced America’s first champagne.
Today aver 186 acres of Longworth’s property has been converted into an urban park, home to some of Cincinnati’s most influential artistic institutions. Here you can find the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Krohn Conservatory and Cincinnati’s Playhouse in the Park. Open all year around, this park is the perfect place to visit regardless of the season, and don’t forget to check out nearby Mt. Adams.
What is your favorite spot in Eden Park? Do you like visiting during the busy season or do you find it a wonderful place of solitude? I would love to hear your thoughts about Eden Park if you will kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Maybe you have another Cincinnati Park that I should visit, let me know and I would love to explore it as well! Many thanks for taking this journey with me to Eden Park! Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Eden Park
950 Eden Park Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513 352 4080
- Admission Fee: There is no admission fee to visit Eden Park.
- Hours: Open daily from 6AM to 10PM
- Amenities: A gazebo, walking paths, Memorial Lake and Bettman Fountain at Hinkle Magnolia Garden; Twin Lakes with a footbridge, walking paths, scenic views of the Ohio River, a number of sculptures, a picnic area, amphitheater and a playground for children.
- Scenic View: Spectacular views of the Ohio River and the state of Kentucky cross the river.
- Length of Visit: 1 – 2 hours
- Tips for Your Visit: Sundays afternoons can be crowded at the Twin Lakes. This is also a popular place on the weekends for brides to be posing for wedding photos.
Where to Stay:
Springhill Suites by Marriott Cincinnati Midtown
610 Eden Park Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513 381 8300
Where to Eat:
Terrace Cafe
953 Eden Park Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513 639 2986
I enjoyed an afternoon lunch at the Terrace Cafe located inside of the Cincinnati Art Museum. Visiting several times, my favorite menu items are the Pear Salad, with winter pears, craisin, feta cheese, candied walnuts and raspberry vinaigrette and the Chicken Salad Sandwich of diced chicken, carrots, chives, celery, lemon aioli, aged white cheddar, lettuce, and tomato on a toasted croissant. Enjoy!
What to Eat:
- Skyline Chili: My go-to meal at Skyline is the 4-way chili with onion served with oyster crackers and hot sauce. I always pick up two York peppermint patties after cashing out. Cincinnati chili is a beef based sauce served over spaghetti noodles and cheese. Additional toppings include onions and beans.
- LaRosa’s Pizza: A local chain pizzeria, this Sicilian style pie is made with a sweet crust and sauce. My favorite menu item is the Caprese pesto Flatbread Pizza.
- Graeter’s Ice Cream: It’s the French Pot process that makes Graeter’s Ice Cream so decadent and rich. Towards the end of the process, they pour chocolate into the mix creating large chunks of yummy goodness.
- Montgomery Inn BBQ: Visiting the original Montgomery Inn BBQ at the boathouse is a culinary and scenic experience. Their ribs are served with a sweet and tangy sauce that has since made them the “Ribs King” and a favorite among locals. Load up on their amazing BBQ flavored Saratoga chips,
- Glier’s Goetta: While it looks like a slab of corn beef hash, this breakfast staple is made of sausage and oats, cooked until crispy. Most breakfast restaurants carry it as a side, especially the local cafes and diners.
- BonBonerie: One of the most decadent pastry shops in Cincinnati, their rich confections are absolutely amazing.
Where to Drink:
AC Hotel Rooftop Bar
135 Joe Nuxhall Way
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513 744 9900
What to Read:
- Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride & Prejudice, by Curtis Sittenfeld
- Running, by J.T. Cooper
- Dead Witch Walking, by Kim Harrison
- Beloved, by Toni Morrison
- Double Dutch, by Sharon M. Draper
- Romiette and Julio, by Sharon M. Draper
Photo Guide to Cincinnati:
- City Hall – Inside and Out
- Smale Riverfront Park
- Union Terminal
- Roebling Suspension Bridge
- Washington Park
- Krohn Conservatory
- American Sign Museum
Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.
Elsinore Arch built in 1883
Beautiful Flowers at Eden Park
Twin Lakes at Eden Park
Ducks Enjoying Twin Lakes
Stairs Leading to Melan Arch Bridge
Another view of the reservoir structure located at Eden Park
Welcome to Eden Park
Views of Mt. Adams from the reservoir ruins at Eden Park
The view of the Eden Park fountain from the ruins of the reservoir
A lock that was added to the fencing that once surrounded Eden Park’s reservoir
