Walking Cincinnati. Danny Korman

Art Academy of Cincinnati. On the right is Know Theatre of Cincinnati. Formed in 1997, this theater group started in the basement of Gabriel’s Corner Church on Sycamore Street. Both the Art Academy and Know Theatre have played pivotal roles in stabilizing and energizing this section of Over-the-Rhine.

      Walk one block east to Walnut Street and turn right. Opposite are two popular local bars (Halfcut at 1126 Walnut St. and Below Zero Lounge at 1120 Walnut St.) and Gomez (107 E. 12th St.), a walk-up burrito-and-taco window. The first building on the right is Germania Building (1151–1199 Walnut St.), one of Over-the-Rhine’s architectural treasures from 1877. Johann Bast designed this delightful stone Italian Renaissance facade. Its second-floor nave holds the statue of Germania, symbolizing the German spirit.

      Proceed south down Walnut Street and notice the Crazy Cat, Crazy Quilt (1107 Walnut St.) mural on the back of the American Building (30 E. Central Pkwy.), one of the city’s first Art Deco office buildings from 1927, later converted into condos. The colorfully depicted mural honors the accomplished life and career of Cincinnati Master artist Edie Harper, who later met fellow artist Charley Harper. He remained her partner in life and love until his death in 2007. Turn left at Central Parkway and cross Walnut Street to get an expansive view of Emery Center Apartments. Formerly the Ohio Mechanics Institute Building, Emery is another pivotal building in Over-the-Rhine’s rebirth. Built in 1909 in Tudor Revival style, it contains 59 converted apartments upstairs, Coffee Emporium at ground level, and one of the city’s abandoned gems: Emery Theater. An acoustically exceptional concert hall, it was built specifically for the symphony and was the first theater in the United States to have no obstructed seats.

After refueling at Coffee Emporium, walk east to Clay Street and turn left. At 12th Street are two more drinking spots: rhinehaus sports bar (119 E. 12th St.) and Revel OTR Urban Winery (111 E. 12th St.). Cross 12th Street and walk to Old St. Mary’s Church. Built in 1842, it is Cincinnati’s largest and oldest remaining Catholic church. Masses are performed in English, German, and Latin. Tucked away next door are the Greek Revival parish house from 1845 and adjoining church school from 1843. Across the street are Brown Bear Bakery (116 E. 13th St.), specializing in sweet and savory pastries, and Longfellow (1233 Clay St.), a small corner neighborhood bar with great cocktails and creative snacks.

      Turn right on 13th Street and walk east to Main Street, one of the finest and most intact late 19th-century streetscapes in the city. Many cite Main Street as their favorite street in the neighborhood for its independent and artistic spirit. Cross Main Street, turn right before popping into a shop or two, and then go left on 12th Street. Much of Over-the-Rhine’s early revitalization efforts in the 1980s started here. At the end of this block on the left is the former Queen City Diner (1203 Sycamore St.). Built in 1955 and brought here in 1984 from Massillon, Ohio, it contrasts with its 19th-century neighbors and dazzles the eye compared to the vast parking lots across the street. Turn left on Sycamore Street past Olde Sycamore Square across the street. The five narrow Italianate buildings were beautifully restored in the mid-1980s, a decade before changes started on Main Street and two decades before Vine Street. Cross 13th Street. On the right is the massive Renaissance Revival structure built in 1910, the former Woodward High School and SCPA, recently converted into 142 apartments known as Alumni Lofts.

On the left is Ziegler Park, a 4.5-acre green space with a pool and rock wall, water features, basketball courts, and a running track. Immediately north of Ziegler Park is Peaslee Neighborhood Center, which has acted as an early learning center and welcoming place since 1974. Cross 14th Street. Go one block to Nicola’s (another neighborhood pioneer after more than two decades) in a former incline car barn. At the northwest corner of Orchard Street is the towering Salem United Church of Christ, which dates from 1867. Immediately to the north at 1427 Sycamore is a fine midcentury cube that stands out from its 19th-century neighbors. Turn left on Orchard Street, one of the loveliest residential blocks downtown. It features simple Greek Revival and early Italianate town houses, as well as a spectacular tree canopy. On the north side, the former Fourth Presbyterian Church from 1859 has a turreted tower.

Proceed to Main Street, the ideal place to end this walk. Looking to your right just across Liberty Street is neo-Tudor Rothenberg Preparatory Academy, from 1913. The restored school features terra-cotta figures of children and elves. Most late 19th-century buildings south of Liberty Street are occupied upstairs with residents. At ground level are unaltered cast-iron storefronts where small businesses congregate. A significant Main Street player is Woodward Theater, a music venue from the owners of MOTR Pub in a restored 1913 theater.

      To return to the start of this walk, head west along 14th Street from Main Street to Race Street and turn right, returning to Findlay Market.

      Points of Interest

Rhinegeist 1910 Elm St., 513-381-1367, rhinegeist.com

Rookwood Pottery Company 1920 Race St., 513-381-2510, rookwood.com

Findlay Market 1801 Race St., findlaymarket.org

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 1528 Race St., 513-621-7265, poplcmscinci.org

Taft’s Ale House 1429 Race St., 513-334-1393, taftsalehouse.com

Music Hall 1241 Elm St., 513-621-2787, cincinnatiarts.org