Have You Explored Cincinnati by Streetcar?
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1. Over-the-Rhine Neighborhood
Founded in the mid-1800s by the mass of German refugees that arrived in Cincinnati, the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood experienced an economic decline during World War I that only got worse from there. Fast forward to 2004 when Cincinnati’s non-profit Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (C3DC) started investing more than $200 million into renovating dilapidated buildings, developing vacant lots, and attracting businesses.
Today Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood is once again bustling with restaurants and boutiques. Experience it all at the 12th & Vine stop on the Cincinnati Bell Connector, Cincinnati’s streetcar.
Sage Advice: While you’re exploring Cincinnati, don’t miss these two iconic food favorites.
2. Findlay Market
Named after General James Findlay, an early Cincinnati settler and former mayor, the Findlay Market is the only surviving public market house of the nine that once operated in Cincinnati. When the Queen City was rapidly growing in the 1800s and 1900s, public markets were the primary place that city residents could purchase perishable food like meat, fish, cheese, bread, fruits, and vegetables. Today the Findlay Market continues to showcase a variety of merchants, from Areti’s Gyros to Zinncinnati. See the complete list of vendors here.
Sage Advice: This Best Bites and Sites Tour includes a Cincinnati streetcar ticket.
Cincinnati’s streetcar makes it easy to visit the Findlay Market. Use Cincinnati streetcar stop #10 on Elm or stop #12 on Race to hop off the Cincinnati Bell Connector to shop at and savor the goodies at the Findlay Market.
Related Article: 48 Hours in Cincinnati
3. Cincinnati's Brewery District
At the turn of the 19th century, Cincinnati was the nation’s third-largest beer producer by population. This was largely due to the Queen City’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of German immigrants who brought a strong brewing tradition with them from their homeland. Sadly, America’s prohibition against alcohol in 1919 closed many of Cincinnati’s breweries forever. In the years that followed, the majority of brewery buildings were either torn down or fell into ruin.
As the overall Over-the-Rhine neighborhood started experiencing a renaissance in the mid-2000s, so did its Brewery District. The Rhinegeist Brewery brewed its first batch of beer in June 2013 in the remains of the old Moerlein bottling plant built in 1895. While parts of this Over-the-Rhine neighborhood is still rising like a phoenix from years of neglect, you can exit the Cincinnati Bell Connector at stop #11 to grab a pint at the Rhinegeist or take a brewery and barbeque tour.
Fun Fact: Cincinnati’s annual Oktoberfest is not only the largest in the United States, but the largest Oktoberfest outside of Munich, Germany.
4. Washington Park
Between 12th and 14th Streets at the north and south and Elm and Race Streets on the east and west, Washington Park is an eight-acre park located in the heart of the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Like much of this area, Washington Park received a face lift courtesy of the C3DC in 2012. In addition to a gazebo that reminds me of Stars Hollow, Washington Park also features an interactive water fountain, playground, and dog park.
Sage Advice: Explore Cincinnati’s iconic landmarks, great green spaces, and gorgeous public art in this interactive scavenger hunt that includes Washington Park.
Use Cincinnati’s streetcar to visit Washington Park. Use Cincinnati streetcar stop #8 at 14th & Elm to visit Washington Park from the northwestern corner or streetcar stop #14 to enter the park from Race & 12th Streets.
Related Article: Read Why Cincinnati is an Up and Coming Travel Destination
5. Cincinnati Public Library
I appreciate that most folks don’t want to take time away from exploring a new place by visiting a library. Believe me, I get it. But the Amelia Valerio Weinberg Memorial Fountain (also known as the book fountain) is pretty dang cool and it will only take you a few minutes to jump off the Cincinnati streetcar at stop #16 and walk around the block to 8th & Vine and experience the beautiful fountain in person.
Fun Fact: The book fountain features water spilling over a stack of books symbolizing the free flow of information and ideas conveyed through the printed word.
7. Fountain Square
You can visit the fountain and enjoy the activities at the Fountain Square by taking Cincinnati’s streetcar to stop #18.
Sage Advice: Explore Fountain Square, the Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and Lytle Park via this interactive scavenger hunt.
8. Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Intentionally located in Cincinnati, where thousands of slaves escaped to freedom once they crossed the Ohio River, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center portrays nearly 400 years of slavery, from the first Africans brought to the “new world” in 1619 to present day.
Visit the Freedom Center, be Rosa Parks that day back in 1955 via the Rosa Parks Experience, or see a piece of the Berlin Wall by taking the Cincinnati streetcar to stop #1.
Related Article: A Visit to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
9. Cincinnati Waterfront
Also accessible from Cincinnati streetcar stop #1 is the Smale Riverfront Park, nestled between Paul Brown Stadium, where the Cincinnati Bengals play football, and the Great American Ball Park, where the Cincinnati Reds play baseball. It offers 32-acres of green space along the Ohio River including play areas, fountains, an arbor, and rose gardens.
The riverfront park is bisected by the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge that spans the Ohio River and connects Ohio to Kentucky. At a round trip of less than a half mile, it’s a beautiful, easy walk across the bridge into Kentucky.
10. Cincinnati Murals
No matter what you choose to do and see via the Cincinnati Bell Connector street car, you’re sure to experience several of Cincinnati’s more than 130 murals thanks to the talented artists of ArtWorks, a non-profit organization founded in 1996 by Cincinnati native Tamara Harkavy. Jump on and off the streetcar to explore the murals in different areas of downtown Cincinnati, or sit back and watch the murals along the 3.6-mile roundtrip loop of the streetcar.
Related Post: Cincinnati Murals – Self-Guided Walking Tour
Have You Traveled by Streetcar in Cincinnati?
What was it like? What did you do and see? Share your experiences in the comments section below!
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What is the cost of the streetcar tour and can you get off and on at the sights?
It’s not really a “tour” per se, but a streetcar that you can use to explore downtown Cincinnati. According to the Cincinnati Bell Connector’s website, the current prices are $1 for two hours and $2 for a day pass. Locals and children may be eligible for discounts. And, as long as your ticket is valid, you’re welcome to get on and off the streetcar as many times as you like! Hope that helps!
I love viewing some of the fading advertisements from the streetcar.
My favorite are the Paramount Vodka fading ads near Findlay Market
I had no idea they had a street car! I visited there a few years ago and had really nice weather so walked everywhere. I’ll have to try this next time!
The streetcar is relatively new, but clean, fun, and convenient. We really enjoyed it!
I love this article! Even if we drive to a city, it’s nice to leave the car parked in one place and let someone else do the driving. And I do like to visit libraries.The book fountain is cool!
My kids would love this! Thanks so much for sharing!
I love the book fountain!!! That’s so cool!!!
Love reading articles about fun things to do in the US!
My children would love taking the street car around town, and I want to see that book fountain at the library! Such a fun idea for a tour around Cincinnati!
We had a BLAST visiting Cincinnati for the first time in October. And, I now have a mega crush on the Queen City…
Streetcars make exploring cities so much more interesting and easy – thanks for the stops to look for in Cincinnati!
I love Findlay Market! Some of the city’s tastiest foods of all kinds is right there. Makes for a nice midday break when you work nearby!
This is such an awesome ideas and these sights are so breathtaking. I will definitely use your post as a guide. Excellent post! 😉