Honestly, if I think about Walnut Hills, I'll jump the picture of a 19. Centenary farm colony in the head, which developed over time into one of the most quirky districts of Cincinnatis. The first settlers came here in the 1800s, dressed by the gentle hills and the fertile soil – a bit like a little Ohio-Idyll, which was later overwhelmed by industrialization. Today, old brick houses swept between modern loft living units, and the whole is practically in the heart of Hamilton County, not far from the pulsating downtown.
I take the bus (line 2 or 22) from downtown, get off at the corner where the roads of trees are lined, and immediately feel this mix of history and present. The neighborhood is a bit like a well-proven curry: too much hectic is missing, too much rest also not. I don't quite understand the hype about the hip cafes, but the little bakeries next to the old churches are really great – a piece of home you don't find in every guide. And yes, if you ask yourself where you have to go: the Walnut Hills sights are rather hidden in the streets, the people who live here, and the spontaneous street musicians who fill the air in sunny afternoons. So, grab your bike, take the 71 north and let yourself be surprised by this neighborhood.
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The first place I barely thought was that American Sign Museum near Over-the-Rhine – a shrill paradise for those who love neon light and retro characters, and at the same time a place where I wondered why I didn't come here earlier. I parked in a tiny side street that was an adventure for itself, because parking there is usually a real problem, especially on Fridays after work. Inside, I was surrounded by bright advertisement boards that tell more story than any history book, and I had to admit that I really understand the hype about Instagram wall images only now.
A short hopper with the tram (line 2, which runs directly through Walnut Hills) brought me to Findings, the oldest public market in the state. There are not only fresh vegetables, but also the best roasted cheese balls I've ever tried – no joke, that was a culinary highlight. I stood in the serpent, while an older gentleman told me he had been shopping here since the 60s; the conversation was a short time jump that immediately made the market alive. Parking? Just a few meters further, there is a free Park-n-Ride, which is almost empty on working days.
A bit further south, on the banks of the Ohio River, this is Roebling Bridge, the first suspension bridge system of the USA, which is still accessible today. I went there by my bike because I thought that was a bit too touristy, but the view of the Cincinnati skyline was so impressive that I almost forgot that I actually wanted to cycle over the bridge a few minutes. The footpath is well-developed and parking is best in the nearby lot, which is quickly full on the weekend – so be there early.
A few miles to the interior of the country, in the charming town of Hamilton, this is waiting Hamilton Museum of Art. I was lucky to land there on a random Saturday afternoon when there was a special exhibition on local artists. The rooms are small, but the atmosphere is intimate, and I have discovered a painting that reminds me of my childhood in the 80s – a real hit for my nostalgic vein. The museum has a small café that serves surprisingly good espresso, and parking is almost always a clack, because the area is hardly visited.
Back to Cincinnati, but not in the city centre, this is Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. I never felt the Zoo ticket as a “ticket”, but rather as a ticket to a wild mix of animal observation and botanical discovery. The Gorilla look was the highlight, and I had to laugh as a nurse told me that the gorillas know more about my favorite series than myself. The zoo has a huge car park that is quickly full on weekends, so better travel by bus (line 51) if you want to avoid stress.
A short detour to the east leads to Eden Parkwhere I settled on a sunny afternoon at a bank and enjoyed the view over the river. The park is famous for Krohn Conservatory, which I could not leave – a tropical paradise in the middle of winter, which almost brought me to take off my winter jacket. Parking is a bit tricky here, because most places are reserved for residents, but a small parking lot on the edge of the park is usually enough when you come early enough.
Next time you're in Walnut Hills, don't forget that the environment has more to offer than just its own streets – from glowing neon complaints to historical markets to breathtaking bridges and green oases. These experiences show why Walnut Hills Attractions not just a name on a map, but a real promise for explorers who want a bit of irony and a lot of local authenticity.
So, next time you land in Cincinnati and think you've seen everything, let me give you the Walnut Hills Library to the heart – this is the true heart of this neighborhood for me. I came there on a rainy Tuesday because I thought a bit of reading was the only thing that protects me from the gray sky. Instead, I found a quirky cafe serving more espresso than an Italian bistro, and a reading room that is so cozy that I almost forgot that I wanted to go by for a while. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then all the hipsters from the neighboring district will flow here to present their laptop artworks.
A short walk down the next road leads you to St. Francis of Assisi Church. I don't quite understand the hype about Gothic architecture, but here the whole thing has something that reminds me of my childhood every time I went to church with my grandmother and the organ play was almost louder than the prayer itself. The stained glass windows throw a colorful light pattern on the benches – perfect for an Instagram photo you will regret later, because you should enjoy the real light.
Now it becomes a bit annoying: The Cincinnati Observatory is practically on the border of Clifton, but it belongs to Walnut Hill's sights inseparably for me. I was there on a clear summer evening when an elderly man told me that the telescope has been watching the stars here for over 150 years. I then set myself on the old wooden bench, studying the sky and asking myself why I don't just spend a little more time with the universe instead of constantly looking for the next food truck.
Another place I always like to visit is that Clifton Cultural Arts. It is not just a museum, but rather a living meeting place for local artists who present workshops and exhibit their works. I remember an evening where I attended a ceramic workshop and almost broke the whole piece because I was too enthusiastic. The instructor only laughed and said that this was “artistic freedom”, which gave me a bit of comfort, because otherwise I always feel like screwing everything up.
If you're looking for something that really reflects the pulse of the neighborhood, look at this Walnut Hills High School Campus-Mural an. The huge mural on the side of the school building shows a collage of historical photos, graffiti and modern symbols. I once did a spontaneous photoshoot with my friend, because we thought the picture would immediately upgrade our Instagram profile. Spoiler: It worked, but the real highlight was the conversation with a former student who told me how the school has been a magnet for creative minds since the 70s.
Last but not least, Walnut Hills United Methodist Church Forget that is often overlooked because it is not as magnificent as St Francis. Nevertheless, the church has a small garden in which cherry blossoms blossom in spring – a perfect place to let the soul dangle while you consider whether you want to drink a coffee in the library or rather visit the next art event at the Cultural Arts Center.
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