About
Meet Walnut Hills, a Cincinnati Neighborhood
Cincinnati’s “second downtown”
Founded in 1804 by Reverend James Kemper, Walnut Hills is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. The Kemper Homestead, once located between Park Avenue and Kemper Lane, is recognized as Cincinnati’s oldest house.
Throughout the 19th century, Walnut Hills grew with the arrival of wealthy landowners, skilled workers, and immigrant communities. The area became a hub for education, commerce, and culture—with the historic Peebles Corner flourishing as a “second downtown” and bustling business district.
rooted in history
We’re proud of our deep roots in the fight for freedom: the neighborhood was an active part of the Underground Railroad, with figures like Harriet Beecher Stowe and the abolitionist Lane Seminary shaping its legacy of justice and equity.
Walnut Hills also holds an important place in Cincinnati’s Black history—home to generations of Black-owned businesses, churches, civic leaders, and artists who helped shape the cultural and economic fabric of the neighborhood.
A Vision for the Future
In recent decades, Walnut Hills neighbors, stakeholders, and the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation have worked together to guide smart growth. The 45206 Alliance laid a foundation for community-driven planning, and in 2013, Walnut Hills adopted Form-Based Code—a progressive zoning approach that allows for mixed-use development while preserving our historic character.
Today, we continue to work together as a community to continue our legacy of welcomeness and vibrancy. Let’s grow together.
Neighborhood features
Arts & Culture
Walnut Hills has a long foundation of creative energy as the home to several arts institutions, hundreds of artists, designers, and musicians and an inviting entertainment district.
Our neighborhood boasts major cultural anchors like the Cincinnati Art Museum, with its world-class collection and free admission; the Krohn Conservatory, an Art Deco treasure featuring exotic plants and seasonal floral shows; and the Harriet Beecher Stowe House, a State of Ohio historic site honoring the author and abolitionist legacy rooted here, as well as Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and the Cincinnati Ballet. Just down the hill in Eden Park, you’ll also find Mirror Lake, Seasongood Pavilion, and outdoor spaces that host concerts, festivals, and community gatherings.
The neighborhood also thrives on grassroots creativity. Essex Studios provides space for hundreds of working artists and opens its doors for visitors during special events. Caffè Vivace combines coffee, cocktails, and culture as one of the city’s premier live jazz venues. Local galleries, design studios, and collectives continue to grow, adding energy to historic corridors like Peebles Corner. Organizations like ArtWorks, The Well, DanceFix, Cincy Nice and Mortar add to the vibrant community arts energy.
From historic architecture and public art to community festivals and block parties, Walnut Hills is a place where the arts aren’t just institutions—they’re everyday experiences. Here, culture lives on our walls, in our parks, and in the people who call this neighborhood home.
Dining, Shopping & Small Businesses
Walnut Hills is alive with the energy of local businesses that make the neighborhood a destination for food, drink, and community. From chef-driven restaurants to cozy wine bars, coffee shops, and creative boutiques, our business district reflects the diversity and creativity of the people who call this neighborhood home.
Food lovers will find plenty to explore—whether it’s a seasonal dinner at Aperture, inventive plates at King Pigeon, or neighborhood classics that keep longtime residents coming back. Esoteric Brewing Co., Cincinnati’s first Black-owned brewery, offers craft beers in the historic Paramount Building, while Caffè Vivace pairs morning coffee with evening jazz.
Wine enthusiasts are right at home in Walnut Hills. Iris Read offers a modern take on a neighborhood wine bar, while Market Wines, located inside historic Peebles Corner, is both a shop and gathering spot for tastings and events. Together, they add to the mix of relaxed, welcoming spaces that make it easy to connect with friends and neighbors.
Beyond food and drink, Walnut Hills is home to dozens of small businesses and creative shops—from design studios and art collectives to wellness spaces and neighborhood services.
Education & Family Services
Walnut Hills is a community that values learning, growth, and support for families at every stage. With a mix of neighborhood schools, early learning centers, and family resources, the community offers opportunities that help children and parents thrive.
The neighborhood is home to schools that serve families directly, including Frederick Douglass Elementary, a school with a powerful name and legacy. Early learning opportunities are also available through Head Start programs, faith-based preschools, and neighborhood child care centers. The historic Walnut Hills Library, Cincinnati’s first Carnegie branch, extends learning for all ages with books, technology access, and programs for children, teens, and adults.
For family activities and recreation, the Bush Recreation Center is a cornerstone—offering sports, fitness, and after-school programs that keep kids active and engaged year-round. The Melrose Impact Center also provides youth development, mentoring, and community gathering space.
Support services for families are woven throughout Walnut Hills. The Scholar House provides affordable housing and educational support for parents pursuing college degrees, while organizations like Mercy Neighborhood Ministries, local churches, and nonprofit partners offer child care support, health services, and programs that strengthen families.
Together, these schools, centers, and programs reflect Walnut Hills’ commitment to education and family well-being—making it a neighborhood where families can grow, connect, and succeed.
Heritage & History
From the Kemper Homestead, the city’s oldest surviving house, to Peebles Corner, once known as Cincinnati’s “second downtown,” our neighborhood has long been a center of culture, commerce, and community life.
Walnut Hills played a key role in the abolitionist movement, with the Lane Seminary hosting influential debates and the Harriet Beecher Stowe House standing as a lasting testament to the fight for freedom. The neighborhood also became a hub for Black heritage, with generations of Black-owned businesses, cultural institutions, and churches shaping its identity and influence across the city.
Our architectural landscape tells its own story: Italianate, French Renaissance, Victorian, Classical Revival, Art Deco, and Contemporary buildings line our streets, many accented with signature Rookwood tile and brickwork. Historic treasures like the Walnut Hills Library, Cincinnati’s first Carnegie branch, and cultural landmarks like the Krohn Conservatory in nearby Eden Park continue to connect past and present. Over the 20th century, Walnut Hills became a center of Black culture and leadership in Cincinnati. Black-owned hotels welcomed visiting Black entertainers and artists during segregation, while Black-owned groceries and small businesses anchored everyday community life. Leaders like Dr. Charles Dillard, a pioneering physician and civil rights advocate, helped shape both neighborhood and city progress.
To learn more about our rich history, visit the Walnut Hills Historical Society.
Parks, Gardens, Faith & Gathering Spaces
Walnut Hills is a neighborhood where green space, faith, and community come together to create places for connection, recreation, and celebration. Key highlights include:
Parks & Outdoor Spaces
- Eden Park – A sweeping urban park featuring walking trails, playgrounds, Mirror Lake, Seasongood Pavilion, the Cincinnati Art Museum, and Krohn Conservatory.
- Green Man Park – A neighborhood park offering play areas and open green space for everyday enjoyment.
- Cincinnati Recreation Center Parks – Facilities throughout the neighborhood for youth sports, fitness, and community recreation.
- Five Points Alley – A unique public space featuring art installations and opportunities for neighbors to gather and engage with local culture.
Faith Communities
- Over thirty churches representing a wide range of denominations and traditions.
- Offer worship services, mentorship, community programming, and social services for residents.
- Historic and newer congregations alike remain central to the neighborhood’s civic and cultural life.
Parking & Getting Around
Getting to and around Walnut Hills is easy, whether you’re visiting, running errands, or exploring the neighborhood on foot.
Driving & Parking:
Street parking is widely available throughout the neighborhood, with both free and metered spots along main corridors like McMillan Street and Gilbert Avenue, including ArtPark.
Public Transit: Cincinnati Metro buses serve key routes in and through Walnut Hills, providing easy access to downtown, surrounding neighborhoods, and local attractions. Routes along McMillan, Gilbert, and Park Avenue make hopping on and off simple for residents and visitors.
Walking & Biking: RedBikes stations located throughout the neighborhood. The neighborhood is just two miles from downtown Cincinnati, making short trips by car, bike, or public transit easy.