Building the Queen City of the West

Between 1830 and 1850, Cincinnati’s population more than quadrupled as a wave of German immigrants settled in the region. Escaping political and economic hardships in Germany, these immigrants brought with them their skills as craftsmen as they came to America in search of economic opportunity and religious and political freedoms. By 1850 German immigrants made up 27 percent (30,758) of Cincinnati’s total population. By 1860 Cincinnati was recognized as the third-ranking industrial center in the nation and leading manufacturing city of the West with pork-packing plants, soap and light industries. Cincinnati also was among the ten most populous cities in the country. Over-the-Rhine became the center of Cincinnati’s German community, and the Germans greatly influenced the character of the entire city, including the establishment of many churches, theaters, performing arts groups, breweries, bakeries, and markets, some of which still exist today.

One- to Three- Day Itinerary

Day 1

Afternoon
Start the day with a stop at Fountain Square. Get an overview of “Zinzinnati’s” German heritage on a driving tour, including Over-the-Rhine, many churches and breweries.

A stop at Izzy Kadetz’s will give guests a taste of delectable potato pancakes and great fresh kosher dill pickles. Enjoy the lively banter and find out why "You’re only a stranger once" in this delightful culinary institution in Cincinnati.

Experience how a wealthy German brewer’s family lived over a century ago, at the John Hauck House on Dayton Street, once known as Millionaire’s Row.

The oldest German Catholic Church in the city, Old St. Mary’s, dates back to 1825. You’ll marvel at the beautiful Bavarian stained glass windows and woodwork.

Evening
Enjoy dining in the area’s oldest German Bier Garden, Mecklinburg Gardens, with its famous grape trellises. Listed on the National Historic Registry and a must see in Zinzinnati with over 200 beer and wine selections.

Day 2

Morning
Enjoy a back stage tour of Music Hall, a beautiful 125-year-old building constructed to house the German May Festival Chorus. Today, it’s also used by the Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and Cincinnati Opera.

Discover MainStrasse Village, a charming restored 19th century village. Browse colorful shops, marvel at homes in a German motif, listen to the Carroll Bell Tower Chimes, with its Pied Piper of Hamlin Display, and view the Goose Girl Fountain.

Afternoon
Located in the former Union Terminal, Cincinnati Museum Center includes three museums, including the Cincinnati History Museum, which beautifully displays Cincinnati’s growth, and the influence of the German immigrants.

Enjoy a riverboat cruise down the Ohio River, and see why Germans were reminded of the "old country." Look for BB Riverboats or Queen City Riverboats.

Evening
A new Cincinnati addition, Hofbrauhaus, is the third of its kind in the world, (besides Munich and Hong Kong). Take a guided "Taste Testing Tour" of the brewery with world famous beers of the Royal Brewery in Munich and dine on Bavarian cuisine.

Day 3

Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati, always the third weekend of September, is the second largest Oktoberfest in the world. Join the world's largest kazoo band and chicken dance, and take in the food, music, and ambiance of Germany.

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