Queen City Treasures: 23 Iconic Cincinnati Landmarks You’ll Love!

Cincinnati, a city on the bank of the Ohio River, is a treasure trove of historic sites and unique attractions. Known as the Queen City of the West due to its location on the precipice of western expansion, the city has a fascinating past. It was a continuously cultivated home for the Shawnee tribe, a beacon of hope for enslaved peoples looking to find freedom north of the river during the Civil War, and the last glimpse of civilisation for many pioneers headed west.

Named after the citizen-soldier of Rome, Cincinnatus, Cincinnati was originally known as Losantiville before Governor Arthur St. Clair changed its name in 1790. At one time, Cincinnati was the most densely populated city in the United States but is now the third-largest metropolitan area in the state, with a population of over 302,000 people. Today, Cincinnati is a modern metropolis well known for its professional sports teams, the Cincinnati Bengals and Reds, and local food like Skyline Chili and LaRosa’s. Home to dozens of craft breweries and boutique restaurants, it has enjoyed a prosperous era of expansion and modernisation in the last 10 years and is now one of the fastest-growing cities in the Midwest.

Cincinnati Landmarks

23 Landmarks in Cincinnati

1- Tyler Davidson Fountain

The Tyler Davidson Fountain, also known as The Genius of Water, is an iconic monument in Cincinnati.

Its location in the very centre of downtown, also known as Fountain Square, drives home its title as the city’s centrepiece.

Created by architect Ferdinand von Miller in 1871, The Genius of Water is a symbol for Cincinnatians of the natural water source that runs through the city.

No trip to Cincinnati is complete without a visit to Fountain Square to see this masterpiece of bronze sculpture.

To this day, it is a lively area dedicated to bringing the city’s inhabitants together through festivals, watch parties, an ice skating rink in the winter months and community events like “Salsa on the Square”.

Fountain Square is at 520 Vine Street.

2- Carew Tower

Perhaps the most famous building in Cincinnati is Carew Tower, which was once the tallest structure in Cincinnati.

Constructed in 1930 by architects Walter W. Ahlschlager and James W. McLaughlin, it’s an exquisite example of Art Deco architecture and is also home to the Netherland Plaza Hotel, another famous representation of Art Deco.

The hotel and tower are registered National Historic Landmarks.

Don’t miss the Palm Court for a drink and a peek at the Rookwood Pottery fountain.

The Carew Tower Observation Deck is an integral part of any visit, as you can see the entire city stretching out between its seven rolling hills.

The elevator to reach the top is an adventure in itself! General admission is $6 and $3 for children under 3.

3- Union Terminal (Cincinnati Museum Center)

Completed in 1933, Union Terminal was the original train depot for residents before becoming the Cincinnati Museum Center.

Now home to three museums and the Omnimax Theater, Union Terminal combines historical significance and modern attraction.

It’s home to the Western Hemisphere’s largest half-dome and is an awe-inspiring example of Art Deco.

The famous Winold Reiss mural, displayed on the back of the rotunda, depicts a historic timeline of US history and the modernisation of Cincinnati.

The artist included several local people in his mural, from his brother to a train conductor.

Passenger services went on a 19-year hiatus before resuming operations in 1991 with Amtrak.

Now Union Terminal is the only active train station in Cincinnati, continuing to fulfil its original purpose.

Aside from the museums and view of the rotunda, be sure to make your way up to the train observation deck, also known as Tower A, at the back of the building.

This was the original control deck for the (still active) railyard.

Amtrak trains leave from Union Terminal to this day. Another secret feature of Union Terminal is The Whispering Fountains, located at either end of the rotunda.

Have two group members run to either side to communicate by whispering into the fountain.

The Rookwood Ice Cream Parlor, entirely made from Rookwood tile, is a great place to grab a scoop of Cincinnati’s famous Graeter’s ice cream before exploring further.

Union Terminal is at 1301 Western Ave.

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4- John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge

Built by famous architect John A. Roebling in 1881, whose work was influenced by suspension bridge innovations in Europe, it is said that the bridge was the model for the Brooklyn Bridge.

When it was first completed, it was the longest suspension bridge in the United States.

It risked beeing defunded multiple times and almost wasn’t completed but was saved by the Civil War when Cincinnati was at risk of being sieged by Confederate Troops.

It was also famously supposed to be a connector for the Cincinnati metro system, the nation’s largest abandoned subway.

Today residents enjoy walking across to the neighbourhood of Covington and for views of the river.

5- Great American Ballpark

If there’s one thing that most Cincinnatians can agree on, it’s their love of baseball.

The Cincinnati Reds was America’s first professional baseball team and were originally known as the Cincinnati Red Stockings.

Great American Ballpark replaced the former Cinergy Field on 31 March 2003.

It has a gorgeous view overlooking the Ohio River and is a great place to try local favourites like Skyline Chilli, LaRosa’s Pizza, Graeter’s ice cream and local craft beer, all under one roof.

If you’re lucky, a home run will earn you fireworks streaming out of the smokestacks, modelled after the historic steamboat American Queen.

Great American Ballpark is at 100 Joe Nuxhall Way. Book your Cincinnati Reds Baseball Game Ticket at Great American Ballpark online here.

6- Paul Brown Stadium

Home to the world famous Cincinnati Bengals football team, Paul Brown Stadium replaced the original Cinergy Stadium (shared by both the Bengals and Reds) in 2000.

The open-air stadium offers beautiful views of the Ohio River and shares The Banks neighbourhood with Great American Ballpark.

Its location adjacent to the Reds stadium has created the perfect opportunity for the new DORA zone, a designated area where patrons can bar hop and enjoy festivities in the street that connects the stadiums.

Football season begins in late September. Don your orange and black gear and head to the parking lot just under the stadium for the best tailgate in the city!

Paul Brown Stadium is at 1 Paul Brown Stadium.

7- Music Hall

Cincinnati’s Music Hall is one of the last great examples of Gothic Revival architecture, designed by Samuel Hannaford in 1878.

Several presidents were known to have attended events at the Music Hall, including Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ulysses S. Grant.

These days, the Music Hall, which is a National Historic Landmark, is home to the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, the Cincinnati Ballet, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Opera.

The Springer Auditorium is the centerpiece of the music hall and features ornate details, breathtaking chandeliers, and a rich red-and-gold colour scheme.

The reputation of hauntings at Music Hall goes as far back as 1875, when a local newspaper reported ghostly encounters in the area.

Music Hall was built on the burial site of members from a horrific steamboat accident as well as a pauper’s graveyard and the original site of the state’s first insane asylum.

Recommended tour: Haunted Cincinnati Ghost and Pub Walking Tour

8- Purple People Bridge

Cincinnati has 24 bridges, but perhaps the most iconic is what is fondly referred to as the Purple People Bridge, connecting downtown to Newport, KY.

The Newport Southbank Bridge is an iconic part of the landscape.

Originally built in 1872 for railroad passage, it had several purposes before becoming a pedestrian walkway in 2001.

Sawyer Point Park surrounds the Ohio side, while the Kentucky side is home to Newport on the Levee, a popular area for riverfront dining and the Newport Aquarium.

The purple paint has faded over the years, but its lavender hue still marks this pedestrian attraction.

9- Cincinnati Observatory

Cincinnati Observatory was founded in 1843 by Ormsby McKnight Mitchel after he went door to door collecting $25 from local families to fund the Observatory’s telescope.

President John Adams inaugurated the telescope and it was the last speech he ever gave, resulting in the city renaming the hill on which it was built as Mt. Adams.

The lens for the telescope itself was made in Germany, and the final product was shipped from New Orleans along the Mississippi River onto the Ohio River before making it to the telescope’s resting place.

The original telescope is still in use today, and observers can peer through its lens to view everything from galaxies to shooting stars.

Tickets vary depending on which program or event you want to attend, as well as at which time.

Make sure to go to their website at cincinnatiobservatory.org to see which programs they’re offering.

10- Capitoline Wolf Statue

Controversially gifted to the city by Rome during the Mussolini era, the Capitoline Wolf Statue is a representation of the city’s namesake, the Roman statesman Cincinnatus.

Cast entirely in bronze, the statue is a replica of the Lupa Capitolina statue in Rome, depicting the twins Romulus and Remus suckling the she-wolf that raised them.

11- Findlay Market

Findlay Market is the longest-running public market in the state and has been operating since 1852.

Originally serving the Over-the-Rhine neighbourhood, it is a fantastic place to try cuisine from all over the world and to shop for local handmade products.

The Over-the-Rhine (OTR) neighborhood is a vibrant and historic district with stunning 19th-century architecture and rich cultural heritage.

Once home to German immigrants, OTR is one of the largest, most intact historic urban neighborhoods in the United States. Today, it blends its historic charm with modern energy, featuring trendy restaurants, breweries, boutiques, and arts venues.

Local farmers flock to the market on weekends during the warmer months to sell organic produce and flowers, while food stalls inside the building sling everything from Belgian waffles to seafood.

Several small shops line the streets surrounding the market, like the famous Eli’s BBQ and The Arepa Place, a new Colombia restaurant.

Be sure to hop across the road to The Rhined, a local cheesemonger with the best charcuterie boards in town.

Recommended tour:

• Cincinnati Streetcar Food Tour With Findlay Market
• Top 10 Sites + Top 5 Foods of Cincinnati Morning Tour
• Hidden Brewery Caverns Tour in Cincinnati with Beer Tasting

12- Washington Park

Washington Park comes alive in the warmer months with live music, exercise classes, and a splash pad for children.

Its proximity to Music Hall and location in the OTR neighbourhood make it a great place for a picnic on the lawn.

At the time of the Prohibition and during the Great Depression, the neighbourhood fell into disrepair as many people moved to the suburbs.

Renovations began in 2008, and the area reopened in 2012.

Washington Park is at 1230 Elm St.

13- Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption

Look familiar? The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption was inspired by none other than the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France.

Perhaps its most notable feature is the stained glass window, said to be the largest handmade stained glass window in the world.

The window shows Mary’s Coronation after her Assumption.

The cathedral also showcases several elements of Gothic design, including a rose window and flying buttresses.

Located in the Covington neighbourhood this would be a great addition to a visit to the local bakery, North-South Baking Company or the Mainstrasse Village.

Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption is a historic place at 1140 Madison Ave, Covington, KY 41011.

Recommended tour: Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Cincinnati Sights & Stories

14- Krohn Conservatory

The Krohn Conservatory, a behemoth Art Deco greenhouse located in Eden Park, has welcomed locals since 1933.

It is home to a rare orchid collection, bonsai trees, and a tropical house that showcases a cacao tree.

The Conservatory is particularly enjoyable during winter as it’s usually a balmy 80F (27C) degrees inside.

The Conservatory holds a Butterfly Show for Mother’s Day, a local favourite every May.

Live butterflies from various corners of the globe flutter around the Conservatory, creating a dreamlike illusion.

The Krohn Conservatory is at 1501 Eden Park Dr.

15- Cincinnati Art Museum

Located atop one of Cincinnati’s seven hills, the Cincinnati Art Museum has been a staple of society since its induction in 1886.

This was the first important museum to be built in what was considered “the West” at the time, far from the more sophisticated towns of Philadelphia and New York.

Today, it houses collections that date back as far as 6,000 years ago and is home to works from some of the last century’s most famous artists, including Renoir, Picasso, Van Gogh and Monet.

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16- Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Named “Best Zoo in America” in 2021 by 10 Best, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is the second oldest zoo in the United States.

The oldest structure in the zoo is the Reptile House which was standing at the zoo’s grand opening in 1875.

Its original guide was written in German as German immigrants heavily populated the city.

Probably the most famous modern feature of the zoo is Fiona the hippo, who became a national hero after Americans watched her fight for her life after being born prematurely.

During the winter months, The Festival of Lights is held at the zoo drawing in millions of spectators and lighting the city with over four million LED lights.

17- National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is a significant feature of the landscape.

Its location on the Ohio River is of great significance as this was the line between slavery and freedom during the Civil War.

Even today, it is a beacon of hope and stark remembrance of a dark time in United States history.

Dedicated in 2004, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center has exhibits detailing the history of slavery, including artifacts like the slave pen, brought there from a farm in Kentucky and reassembled on site.

Tickets start at $15 for adults and $10.50 for children ages 3 to 12.

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is at 50 E Freedom Way.

Recommended tour: Ultimate Queen Underground Tour

18- Isaac M. Wise Temple

Named after Isaac M. Wise, founder of American Reform Judaism and popular rabbi during the mid-1800s, the Isaac M. Wise Temple was the first temple of its size in the area.

Elements of the temple were designed after The Alhambra in Granada, Spain, taking inspiration from the Jewish architectural influence during Spain’s Golden Age.

It’s one of the USA’s oldest synagogues.

Isaac M. Wise Temple is at 720 Plum Street.

19- Taft Museum Center

The Taft Museum Center is an institution of fine art located in downtown Cincinnati.

Perhaps the most famous work of art housed here is the Portrait of Mr Taft by Joaquin Sorolla, an oil painting of William Howard Taft, who was born in Cincinnati.

The building itself was a private residence built in 1820, once the home of his half-brother, Charles Phelps Taft.

The collection includes several works related to the Taft family, but the portrait of William Howard Taft is especially notable and if you’re planning to visit, it’s a good idea to check its current exhibitions to ensure the portrait is on display.

Several prominent Cincinnatians have called it home through its lifetime, including Nicholas Longworth, but most importantly the Tafts.

Many establishments are named after the Taft family, including the Taft Ale House, whose emblem is a likeness of Henry Taft in his famous bathtub.

20- Spring Grove Cemetery

Spring Grove Cemetery is a US National Historic Landmark, near the St. Bernard neighbourhood, is and a lovely place to walk, and admire nature and the resting place for over 40 Civil War generals.

Local historians lead daily tours of the grounds, but it’s also possible to do a self-guided tour through the established trees and gardens in this 733-acre (296 ha) plot of land.

Several famous Cincinnatians are buried here, including Nicholas Longworth and one famous actor, George Reeves, who played Superman from 1952 to 1958.

Be sure to look for the Dexter Memorial and the Weeping Statue.

Spring Grove Cemetery is at 4521 Spring Grove Ave.

21- Harriet Beecher Stowe House

Harriet Beecher Stowe House is a historic building in Mount Auburn that celebrates the legacy of the renowned author and abolitionist.

Stowe lived here in the 1830s, where she drew inspiration for her influential novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

The house tells the story of her contributions to the anti-slavery movement and women’s rights.

Visitors can explore exhibits on Stowe, the Beecher family and the city’s pivotal role in abolitionist history. It’s a must-see for history and literary fans.

22- Betts House

Betts House is of historical importance because it’s the oldest brick house in the state, built in 1804. This historic building offers a glimpse into early 19th-century life and architecture.

It now serves as a museum, featuring exhibits on construction, preservation and architectural history.

Betts House also explores the story of the Betts family and the city’s development over two centuries. A visit provides a fascinating connection to the city’s past and its enduring heritage.

23- Cincinnatus Statue

The Cincinnatus Statue honours the city’s namesake, the Roman statesman Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus.

Located at Sawyer Point, this striking bronze statue depicts Cincinnatus holding a plow in one hand and a fasces in the other, symbolising his dedication to both farming and leadership.

The statue celebrates his legacy of selfless service, as he famously left his farm to lead Rome during a crisis and returned to private life afterward.

It’s a powerful tribute to civic virtue and leadership.