Uptown Central Core, Cincinnati

Right outside of Downtown Cincinnati, you’ll find yourself in the Uptown Central Core area. This includes communities like Avondale, Camp Washington, Clifton, Walnut Hills, and Northside—our city’s most eclectic collection of neighborhoods. Here you’ll find some of Cincy’s best ethnic food, an indie theater, and two of the region’s major universities.

Northeast of Downtown Cincinnati, Avondale, Ohio is flanked on the west by the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and #1 ranked Cincinnati Children’s Hospital (USA Today, 2023), and on the east by Xavier University. Area parks include Rockdale Urban Learning Garden, Hauck Botanic Garden, the Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati and one of the Queen City’s gems, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden—ranked by USA Today (2021, 2022) as the #1 Zoo in the Nation and home of the world-famous hippo, Fiona.

Located just a few miles north of Downtown Cincinnati, Camp Washington is largely an industrial area that is seeing a rebirth as an up-and-coming arts and culture hub. Places like CampSITE Sculpture Park, a free outdoor sculpture park filled with works designed by local residents, and the American Sign Museum, the largest public museum dedicated to signs in the U.S., are helping reframe the neighborhood into a creativity-driven community. Cincinnatians continue to flock to the neighborhood cornerstone, Camp Washington Chili, which has been serving their award-winning chili to “Chili-heads” from Cincinnati and all over the world since 1940. And, a relative newcomer, Mom’n’em is a great stop for coffee or wine with friends.

Best known as home to the University of Cincinnati, Clifton has two distinct areas. North of campus is the Gaslight District—still lit by original gas lamps along the streets—a quaint, leafy area known for cafes and other casual dining options along bustling Ludlow Avenue. The long-running indie Esquire Theatre is a neighborhood staple. Bordering campus is Burnet Woods, a popular park with 90 acres of trails, picnic areas and greenspace. South of campus is Clifton Heights, a laid-back area around McMillan and Calhoun streets popular with students for its late-night bars, budget eateries, and cafes.

Clifton 101

Highlights of the Gaslight district

Known for its upbeat culture, urban vibe, and a history of community activism, Northside offers residents and visitors the opportunity to support dozens of independently-owned restaurants and businesses. Grab a vegan chili mac at Melt or relax in Sidewinder Coffee’s courtyard with a cup of fair-trade coffee. The walkability and social connections of Northside make it a popular destination for artists, musicians, college students, young families, and long-time residents. The area caters to a multitude of lifestyles as evidenced in their annual Northside 4th of July Parade and Rock ‘n’ Roll Carnival, both showcasing some of the city’s biggest and brightest personalities and eccentricities.

Located just 2 miles northeast of downtown Cincinnati, Walnut Hills, Ohio has been known for its cultural, ethnic, religious, and socio-economic diversity since its founding in 1804. The neighborhood played a key role in history as part of the Underground Railroad and home to Harriet Beecher Stowe. Today, Walnut Hills is known for Eden Park, a beautiful urban oasis with amazing views of the Ohio River. Located within Eden Park are the Cincinnati Art Museum, Krohn Conservatory, Seasongood Pavilion, and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.