Built in 1878 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1975, Cincinnati’s Music Hall is among the City’s most recognizable buildings. Impressive from the outside for its Victorian-gothic architecture, it’s arguably more remarkable on the inside as the home to the Cincinnati Opera (the nation’s second-oldest opera company), Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (the nation’s sixth-oldest symphony orchestra), May Festival (the longest-running choral festival in the Western hemisphere), and Cincinnati Ballet.
Originally serving the City as its first convention center, the three buildings which make up the familiar Elm Street façade were early destinations for nationally-acclaimed Industrial Exhibitions, which firmly established the multi-use character of this unique venue. Continuing through the 1970s, programming included everything from sporting events (boxing, wrestling, tennis, ice skating, basketball), traditional exhibits (art, home, military, horticultural, automobile, and trade shows), and everything in between (circuses, big band dances, conventions, and political events, including Republican and Democratic national conventions and campaign appearances by several Presidents).
In addition to hosting some of the world’s most famous music acts, the Hall has a reputation as one of the country’s most haunted buildings – in part due to the cemetery history of the site on which it was constructed, and in larger part to reports of strange phenomenon in and around the building.
Following a lengthy closure for extensive renovations during the 2016-17, Music Hall re-opened in October 2017 and has re-established itself as Cincinnati’s premiere special events and concert venue and an integral part of the vibrant Over-the-Rhine neighborhood in which it is located. Over the past several years, OTR itself has experienced nothing short of a renaissance, spearheaded by local developer 3CDC, and Music Hall now finds itself surrounded by trendy restaurants and shops, the School for Creative and Performing Arts, Memorial Hall, and the new Shakespeare Theater. The renovation of Washington Park (directly across the street) provided Music Hall with an expansive front lawn, returned a beautiful greenspace to the daily use of its community, and further enhanced the experience of first-time visitors – ensuring Music Hall will be enjoyed and appreciated for generations to come.
Cincinnati Opera, Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Distance: 0.04 mi (straight line)
Washington Park, Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Distance: 0.11 mi (straight line)
General History Outdoor Experiences
View Listing
The Candle Lab OTR, Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Distance: 0.21 mi (straight line)
Simply Zero, Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Distance: 0.22 mi (straight line)
Taste of Belgium - Over The Rhine, Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Distance: 0.25 mi (straight line)
Scotti's Italian Restaurant, Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Distance: 0.36 mi (straight line)
Old St. Mary's Church, East 13th Street, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Distance: 0.36 mi (straight line)
Cincy Shirts, Main Street, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Distance: 0.39 mi (straight line)
Findlay Market, Race Street, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Distance: 0.40 mi (straight line)
Aronoff Center for the Arts, Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Distance: 0.58 mi (straight line)
Galleries and Venues Guided Tours
View Listing
Contemporary Arts Center, East 6th Street, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Distance: 0.60 mi (straight line)
Galleries and Venues Museums and Interpretive Centers
View Listing
Pendleton Art Center, Pendleton Street, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Distance: 0.68 mi (straight line)
Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon, Linn Street, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Distance: 0.73 mi (straight line)
Fun and Sports Festivals and Events
View Listing
Taft Theatre, East 5th Street, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Distance: 0.81 mi (straight line)
William Howard Taft National Historic Site, Auburn Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Distance: 0.91 mi (straight line)
Museums and Interpretive Centers
View Listing
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, East Freedom Way, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Distance: 0.92 mi (straight line)
Museums and Interpretive Centers
View ListingOur bi-weekly newsletter provides news, history, and information for those interested in traveling along along the Lewis & Clark Trail.