Over-the-Rhine has more old buildings than almost any neighborhood in America, and this walking tour uses them for ghost stories. The Ultimate Queen City is Haunted Tour is a two-hour guided walk run by American Legacy Tours, meeting at 1332 Vine Street and returning there at the end. The route passes Washington Park, Cincinnati Music Hall and Memorial Hall OTR, and admission to the stops is listed as included. Reviewers also mention going inside other historic buildings, though the tour page itself does not list them, so treat that as a possible extra. It is rated 4.8 from 203 reviews, and is a good evening activity for travellers who like history told as a story. The group is capped at 30 travelers.
What the tour covers
The guide leads you on foot to Washington Park, about 12 minutes from the start, then to Music Hall about ten minutes later, and then to Memorial Hall OTR about ten minutes after that. The tour uses the stories of the neighborhood, with its German brewing past, theaters and cemeteries, as its source, and it is a way to see the district's architecture after dark. Bottled water is included, and the tour is operated in English with a mobile ticket.
Price and booking
Tickets start at 32 dollars per person. The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before it starts, in local time. Start times are chosen when you book, and reviews mention a 9pm departure, though the page does not list the operating days, so check availability for your dates. The tour is usually booked well ahead, so reserve early for weekends and for October.
Accessibility and age
There is no stated minimum age, and one reviewer describes it as family friendly, but the stories are ghost stories, so use your judgement with young children. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, though service animals are allowed. The tour page lists private transportation under what is included, which does not fit a walking tour, so confirm it with the operator if it matters to you.
Making it count
Dress for the weather, since you will be outdoors for most of two hours, and wear comfortable shoes for the pavements of Over-the-Rhine. Arrive a little early, because the tour meets on Vine Street, and eat beforehand or plan dinner afterward in the neighborhood's restaurants.
If you also want the history without the ghosts, the Hidden Brewery Caverns Tour covers the beer past underground, and the Music Hall tour takes you inside the hall from the route's second stop. The streetcar stops close to Washington Park, so you can reach the meeting point without a car.
Who it suits
Couples looking for an evening activity, history fans who like a narrative, and small groups of friends. If you do not enjoy walking at night or ghost stories, choose a daytime tour instead. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, the tour is a pleasant way to learn the neighborhood's layout, because the route links the park, the hall and the memorial building that anchor Over-the-Rhine. It is also a sensible first-night activity, since it orients you before you explore the district's restaurants and bars on your own.
What to expect
The experience
A guided two-hour walk through Over-the-Rhine with ghost stories, passing Washington Park, Music Hall and Memorial Hall.
Best time
An evening departure; choose your start time when booking.
How long
About two hours, back at the start point.
Tips
Book ahead, wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather, and note that the tour is not wheelchair accessible.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Couples, history fans and small groups.
- Families
- No minimum age is stated, but the stories are ghost stories.
- Couples
- An atmospheric evening followed by dinner in the neighborhood.
- Pair with
- The Music Hall tour or the Hidden Brewery Caverns Tour.
- Time needed
- Two hours.
Good questions
How long is the Queen City is Haunted tour?+
About two hours, starting and ending at 1332 Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine.
What does the ghost tour visit?+
Washington Park, Cincinnati Music Hall and Memorial Hall OTR, with admission to those stops listed as included.
Can I cancel?+
Yes, with a full refund up to 24 hours before the start, local time.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?+
No, though service animals are allowed.
How big are the groups?+
The tour is capped at 30 travelers.
