Eden Park in Mt. Adams is the Perfect Weekend Escape from Cincinnati’s Rush Hour

18 August 201919 September 2024

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

A Visitor’s Guide to Mt. Adams, Cincinnati, OH

24 November 201616 September 2024

Having lived in Cincinnati, I spent many weekends in Mt. Adams, enjoying its old-world charm and fabulous restaurants. Steep winding roads lead to a hillside neighborhood that towers over the city’s downtown district. With parks providing spectacular views, Mt. Adams is also a perfect getaway for locals who want to experience a location that seems more like a European village than a suburb of the Queen City.

I began this trip with a visit to Rookwood Bar and Restaurant which is located at 1077 Celestial Street. First established in 1892 as the location for the production of world-renowned pottery, a visit to Rookwood is one that will not soon be forgotten. Eat on the outdoor patio or request to dine inside of the kiln for a unique experience. I love the views from here and the food is spectacular.

UPDATE: Rookwood Restaurant now closed!

Across the street at 1071 Celestial is the upscale restaurant, The Celestial. This four-star restaurant requires a dress code, but the food is exceptional as well as the views of downtown Cincinnati. This piece of land was once part of Mt. Adams’ “entertainment district” where an amusement center and beer garden stood until they were destroyed by a fire in 1895.

UPDATE: The Celestial Restaurant has closed after 50 years.

I followed Celestial Street until it met Hill Street. Next to the Mt. Adams steps is a beautiful park. Quite often I would pass by runners and joggers along this path which opens up to phenomenal views of Kentucky and the Ohio River. This area was once owned by Nicholas Longworth who planted his vineyards along this hill. Soon thereafter, immigrants from Ireland and Germany took residence here. It was in this part of southwest Ohio that Longworth developed the Catawba grape which would be used to produce “America’s first champagne” known as Golden Wedding.

One of my favorite places to hang out with friends on the weekends was Mt. Adams Bar and Grill, located at 938 Hatch Street. This place has some great history and I love the fact that the backbar came from a speakeasy owned by “The King of Bootlegging”, George Remus. Remus was a Cincinnati criminal attorney that became famous for defending murderers, but was most known for making and distributing alcohol during the Prohibition. It is said that he was the inspiration for the famous character of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book, The Great Gatsby.

A small entrance leads to The Blind Lemon next door to Mt. Adams Bar and Grill and could easily be missed. Another hidden gem with lots of history, this amazing bar is the perfect place to enjoy the summertime garden patio or wintertime bonfires.

Most bars and restaurants on Mt. Adams are within walking distance, so finding a great streetside parking spot is essential. Since spaces fill up quickly, there is also the three-level parking garage on St. Gregory.

It was not unusual for us to start our night at Mt. Adams Bar and Grill for dinner, stop at The Blind Lemon for a couple of drinks and end the night at Yesterday’s Old Time Saloon where the drinks were strong and the prices were cheap.

A short walk from the Holy Cross Church is The Monastery that was once the location of the Cincinnati Observatory. Dedicated by President John Quincy Adams in 1843, the telescope was considered the most powerful scope of its time. Today the Monastery houses the property management firm of Towne Properties, while the Observatory has long been moved to the Mount Lookout neighborhood.

From the Monastery, I traveled down Pavilion to the next corner where I stopped for a Cafe Mocha at The Bow Tie Café. I took a seat at the Piazza where I took some time to enjoy the view, catch up on some of my notes and look over a few of my photos.

I sat under the shade of the monk statue who stood with grapes in his right hand and a cup of wine in his left. What a perfect representation of historical Mt. Adams when it was once a successful vineyard.

I continued my walk heading east on Pavilion where I reached Guido Street. Making a right, the street dead ends into The Holy Cross Immaculata Church. Built in 1859 for mid-19th century German immigrants, Mass continues to this day with one service on Saturday and two on Sundays.

Since the 1860’s, the Mount Adams steps leading up to the Holy Cross Immaculata have a great significance to Christians during the Good Friday holiday. The tradition is similar to the Santa Scala in Rome where believers start at the bottom and recite the rosary while advancing up each of the 85 stairs until reaching the top. Beginning at midnight on Holy Thursday until midnight on Good Friday, the ritual begins at the “Good-Friday Arch” on Adams Crossing, across Columbia Parkway.

Backtracking towards St. Gregory on Pavilion, I passed another popular spot on Mt. Adams, known as Crowley’s. Located at 958 Pavilion, Crowley’s is Mt. Adams’ oldest Irish Pub. Irish immigrants made Crowley’s their meeting place when it first opened and it has remained in the Crowley family for decades.

Mount Adam’s Pavilion has been a favorite bar on Mt. Adam’s for as long as I can remember. With a packed schedule of live entertainment, this location is also perfect for enjoying fabulous views of the river.

Along St. Gregory’s are several bars and restaurants to include:

Quincy’s, located at 111 St Gregory, Mt. Adams

Longworth’s at 1108 St. Gregory Street, Mount Adams

UPDATE: Longworth’s is now permanently closed.

Monk’s Cove, at 1104 St. Gregory, Mt. Adams

Tavern on the Hill, found at 1111 St. Gregory, Mt. Adams

Mt. Adams remains an artistic community and location for some of the best museums in Cincinnati. I have visited both the Cincinnati Art Museum and Krohn Conservatory. The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park is a two-time Tony Award winning theater which sponsors a wide variety of productions. For a period of meditation, visit Eden Park with its gardens, fountains and spectacular scenic views of the Ohio River, downtown Cincinnati and Kentucky.

I imagine Mt. Adams as it would have been when the German and Irish immigrants first lived here or when it was a community of artists, who enjoyed the quiet solitude away from the city.

I love this neighborhood’s strong history and its European charm where one can easily walk from one side of town to the next. So many things have changed over the years but one thing remains constant. Mount Adams is one of my favorite places to visit in Cincinnati.

Have you spent time in Mt. Adams or have a favorite Cincinnati neighborhood that I should visit? I would love to hear your recommendations if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for visiting Mt. Adams with me through my blog post and Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

The Monastery
1055 Saint Paul Place
Cincinnati, OH 45202

The Holy Cross Immaculata Church
30 Guido Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513 721 6544r

Where to Eat:

Mt. Adams Bar & Grill
938 Hatch Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513 621 3666

The Bow Tie Cafe
1101 St. Gregory Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513 621 2233

Where to Drink:

The Blind Lemon
936 Hatch Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513 241 3885

Yesterday’s Old Time Saloon – permanently closed
930 Hatch Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513 421 9998

Crowley’s Bar
958 Pavillion
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513 721 7709

Mount Adams Pavilion – permanently closed
949 Pavilion Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513 744 9200

Quincy’s – permanently closed
1101 St. Gregory Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513 381 3132

Monk’s Cove
1104 St. Gregory
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513 703 7600

Tavern on the Hill – permanently closed
1111 St. Gregory St, #1
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513 421 3309

Where to Stay:

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Cincinnati Midtown
610 Eden Park Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513 381 8300

Mt. Adams is located on the east side of Cincinnati and can be accessed by taking Columbia Parkway. For more information about this fabulous hillside location, pick up a Mt. Adams map by the parking garage or visit their website at www.mtadamstonight.com.