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09/15/2022 • 5 min
Exploring Underground Tunnels in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati has always had a lot going on above ground. The restaurant scene in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood is one of the best in the Midwest, and the beer brewing revival is going strong.
What surprises many visitors is the intriguing world hidden below the streets of the Queen City. For a different take on sightseeing, treat yourself to an underground walking tour and uncover an interesting part of Cincinnati's history.
History of the Tunnels
In the mid-1800s, there was no electricity and refrigeration. The beer brewers in the German immigrant neighborhood of Over-the-Rhine relied on subterranean chambers under the city to keep beverages cool. At their peak, these 36 breweries produced more than 30 million gallons of beer per year. They had to keep digging more tunnels and cellars to store it all. Most of the beer was for locals, which was an average of 40 gallons of beer per year for every man, woman, and child in Cincinnati at the time (2.5 times the national average).
Tunnel Tours
The vast majority of breweries were in the area north of the Miami and Erie Canal– referred to as the Rhine, as a nod to the local German population. The underground walking tour starts above ground, with great reference to Cincinnati's brewing history. The guides make great effort to highlight notable historic buildings in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Buildings in the Gateway District include eateries, saloons, and theaters, once a mainstay of Buffalo Bill Cody and other iconic entertainers.
Built in 1859, St. Francis Seraph Church is where the underground begins. The tour takes you past a crypt with the bones of early Catholic residents situated under a beautiful altar. It then proceeds down many winding, narrow staircases to get to the sub-basement level. Their function was to store and transport lager, an important product in an age before standard water sanitation.
American Legacy Tours runs the underground tours that originate from its office on Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine. If you'd like to see more of the area above ground, check out the Brewing Heritage Trail's guided tours.
Started in 1920, Cincinnati also has an abandoned subway system that was part of an ambitious transit project. Construction stopped in 1925 due to lack of funds and never continued. It’s interesting to see how failed governmental decisions in the past can shape lifestyles in the future. Tours are not allowed here, due to health and safety concerns.
Source: Shutterstock
Underground Dining
In keeping with the underground theme, dine at Sotto, a favorite with restaurant critics. This exquisite Italian restaurant is under Sixth Street downtown. If you don't look closely for the door, you might miss it. Descend a few flights of stairs to the entrance, before settling into a candlelit nook for a delicious meal. The restaurant also has private dining rooms for parties. A gastronomic delight, pleasure for your palate and tantalizing for your taste buds.
Explore Above Ground
After satisfying your curiosity and appetite, take time to experience Washington Park. This recently revived Over-the-Rhine picturesque green space bustles with family friendly activities all year round. These include, music concerts, food festivals, and cultural events.
A few miles south near the Ohio River, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center pays tribute to those who fight for the abolition of slavery, from ancient to modern times. Exhibits focus on important people in American history as well as activists from around the world.
For other unusual and interesting vacation ideas, check out our Facebook page.
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