A Day in Mount Adams
6/15/2009 | Tanya Bricking Leach
Put on your walking shoes, because that’s the best way to explore Mount Adams, a charming hillside neighborhood boasting winding streets and sweeping vistas. Locals and visitors flock here to hit the one-of-a-kind shops, galleries, restaurants and clubs. When locals are looking to impress their out-of-town guests, this is most often the destination of choice.
Morning Glory
Koka Coffee Lounge, a neighborhood gathering spot on St. Gregory Street, makes a fine place to start the day's journey. Folks fuel up on coffee, hop onto the Internet, or snag an outdoor table for people watching. If live music is in the plans for later, check the bulletin board to see which bands will be playing on the hill that evening. Everything on the café's menu is priced below $5, leaving plenty of cash for other pursuits, like shopping.
Ask a local where to shop in Mount Adams and he or she will likely point you in the direction of The Gilded Age (1120 St. Gregory St., 513-421-6122). This jewelry and gift shop specializes in women’s accessories, such as amazing handbags from Paris. Gift givers will appreciate the great selection of artsy sterling sliver pieces. Here, you can spend as little as a few bucks on a greeting card or drop a wad on a gemstone necklace or ornate antique side table.
One of the real beauties of the neighborhood lies just underfoot. The sweeping, sculptural
Ida Street Viaduct links Mt. Adams with picturesque Eden Park. Walk across the span to reach The
Cincinnati Art Museum, where a lovely café and courtyard – not to mention a collection of some 60,000 stunning works – awaits visitors. Fans of both art and baseball will have a tough time resisting the gift shop's autographed posters of Pete Rose that Andy Warhol created decades ago.
If a leisurely stroll is in the cards, step beyond the museum gates for a loop around Mirror Lake, where locals walk their dogs, go for a jog, or stop to simply admire the panoramic river views. For an extra dose of serenity, pop into the park’s
Krohn Conservatory, one of the country’s largest public greenhouses and indoor rainforests. In springtime, check out the ever-popular butterfly show.
Afternoon Delight
When the time comes to grab a drink and a bite, wend your way down a crooked little side street to the loveable
City View Tavern. This tidy dive is tucked right into a row of residential homes, and the place dishes up juicy burgers, ice-cold beer and equally impressive views of the city skyline. For more contemporary chef-driven fare, climb the hill to the brand-new
Rookwood Bar & Restaurant. Set inside the former studio of the celebrated Rookwood Pottery Co., the sharp eatery showcases pieces the prized pottery while offering table seating inside the former kilns. Tuck into fresh and creative dishes like poblano chili, braised-pork sliders, and grilled Amish chicken.
For a truly divine “Kodak moment,” make the short trip over to
Holy Cross-Immaculata Church. A lengthy trek up the stairs of this 150-year-old landmark lands visitors at one of the highest points in town, where they are rewarded with heavenly views of the Queen City. Don’t ignore the lovingly restored interior, with its historically significant art. An annual Good Friday tradition attracts scores of faithful pilgrims to the church’s famously steep steps.
Sadly, many of the area’s artist studios have been replaced by neighborhood pubs, but The
Wessel Gallery of the Cincinnati Art Club offers art lovers some solace. The last public gallery left in Mt. Adams is home to a community of artists that host sketch groups, alfresco painting workshops, and impressive art exhibits.
Spice-Filled Night
Thanks to the wonderful
Teak Thai Cuisine & Sushi Bar, Asian food fans needn’t decide between Japanese and Thai food. Adored for its sparkling-fresh sushi and tongue-tingling curries, this sleek bistro packs them in night after night. On warm summer evenings couples flock to the outdoor patio to share platters of colorful sushi.
To tame the heat from those exotic chiles, do as the college kids do and hit
Monk’s Cove for $1 Jell-O shots. If the rowdy Spring Break atmosphere seems a bit too youthful, stroll down the block to the decidedly more laid-back
Blind Lemon. The inside of this cozy den is jammed with all matter of funky memorabilia. On cool nights, folks sip hot buttered rum cocktails next to a warming bonfire. The Lemon is also a great place to enjoy some live acoustic tunes.
There may be no more perfect way to cap off a day spent in Mt. Adams than with a nightcap at The
Celestial Steakhouse’s Incline Lounge. Sip on a martini while taking in the amazing views, top-notch jazz, and swank surroundings. If the feet have any fight left in them, consider a twirl on the dance floor. You won’t be alone.