Walking Cincinnati. Danny Korman

cross Celestial Street to the right side—only when you are safely past the intersection; traffic can approach quickly here.

On your right is The Rookwood, an upscale bar and restaurant. It is located in the former studio and factory of the famous Rookwood Pottery Company, started in 1880 by Maria Longworth Nichols Storer, granddaughter of Nicholas Longworth, mentioned earlier. Rookwood Pottery was an important American brand, designed to be both decorative and useful, and some of its original tiles and pieces are still found in houses and institutions throughout Cincinnati. Although Rookwood Pottery went through some rough patches, it has returned to Cincinnati and now operates in Over-the-Rhine (see Walk 3).

      Just past The Rookwood, continue straight into the parking lot of Highland Towers and walk to the end of the lot. Here you’ll see an unrivaled view of downtown and the river. You’re standing on the site that used to be the top of the Mount Adams Incline, the fourth of five inclines that connected Cincinnati to the surrounding hillside neighborhoods. Built in the 1870s and open until 1948, the incline carried passengers, cars, and buggies to the top of the hill, and it brought great growth to Mount Adams. The Incline remained a popular tourist attraction, as folks from the city rode up to eat, drink, and dance at the legendary Highland House.

By midcentury, Mount Adams was mostly home to blue-collar workers, and the neighborhood had fallen into disrepair; redevelopment and renovation began in the 1960s and started the upturn that the area is still experiencing today. Highland Towers, the high-rise apartment building to your left, was built on the site of the old Highland House in 1963.

      Walk back across the parking lot to Celestial Street, turn right, and continue. Turn left on Jerome Street, still paved with brick, and head slightly uphill once more. When Jerome Street ends, turn right on St. Gregory Street to return to your starting point.

      Points of Interest

Holy Cross Immaculata Church 30 Guido St., 513-721-6544, 2011.hciparish.org

Mirror Lake Eden Park, cincinnatiparks.com/eden-park

       Seasongood Pavilion Eden Park, cincinnatiparks.com/eden-park

       Cincinnati Art Museum 953 Eden Park Dr., 513-721-2787, cincinnatiartmuseum.org

Playhouse in the Park 962 Mt. Adams Cir., 513-421-3888, cincyplay.com

Mt. Adams Bar & Grill 938 Hatch St., 513-621-3666, mtadamsbarandgrill.com

The Blind Lemon 938 Hatch St., 513-241-3885, theblindlemon.com

Academy at St. Gregory 1125 St. Gregory St., condokey.com/academy

Longworth’s 1108 St. Gregory St., 513-873-3850

Bow Tie Café 1101 St. Gregory St., 513-621-2233, bowtiecafe.com

Holy Cross Monastery 1055 St. Paul Pl.

The Rookwood 1077 Celestial St., 513-721-5088, rookwood.com

Highland Towers 1071 Celestial St., 513-241-2121, highlandtowersmtadams.com

      6 Walnut Hills

      From Prominent Suburb to Urban Neighborhood

      Be sure to visit Twin Lakes Overlook for a spectacular view of the city.

      BOUNDARIES: Gilbert Ave., William Howard Taft Rd., Victory Pkwy., Eden Park Dr.

      DISTANCE: 2.75 miles

      DIFFICULTY: Moderate

      PARKING: On-street or at the Walnut Hills Branch Library

      PUBLIC TRANSIT: Metro bus to Taft Rd. and Gilbert Ave.

      Walnuts Hills is a unique Cincinnati neighborhood that is in the process of redefining its identity through deep introspection and a genuine celebration of its history of diversity, walkability, and proximity to great amenities such as Eden Park. This walk traverses some of Cincinnati’s most beautiful parkland, as well as some historic and commercial districts of Walnut Hills.

      Reverend James Kemper purchased 150 acres for his homestead from John Cleves Symmes in 1791 and called it Walnut Hill. Kemper’s legacy stretches far beyond naming Walnut Hills, however, as he and his family helped to establish the First Presbyterian Church of Walnut Hills and supported the development of the neighborhood as a racially and spiritually diverse community. During the 1830s, Kemper sold land to the Lane brothers, who opened the Lane Theological Seminary. The seminary was home to famous abolitionists Calvin and Harriet Beecher Stowe during those early years, and soon after Harriet