Named after the fashionable neighborhood in New York City, Hyde Park in Cincinnati oozes charm and luxury from every vantage point. The neighborhood was established in 1892 by several prominent Cincinnati businessmen who wanted to create a community exclusively for the city's wealthy citizens. Initially, only those deemed worthy by the gentlemen were able to purchase homes here, but the area has gained a lot of diversity since the early 1900s.
Today, Hyde Park is home to delicious restaurants, incredible boutiques, award-winning wineries and stunning parks—the only challenge is deciding what to see first!
Our guide includes the best ways to spend your day, starting with a visit to The Echo for breakfast and ending with stargazing at the Cincinnati Observatory and a nightcap at Dutch's. Enjoy!
Before you truly start your Hyde Park adventure, you'll need to fuel up. The Echo is one of the hottest breakfast spots in Cincinnati and has served the neighborhood for decades. Due to the friendly staff and comforting fare, the eatery has established itself as a local institution that people return to week after week. We love classics like the Oktoberfest omelet (featuring Glier's goetta), the corned beef hash, and the Belgian bird breakfast sandwich (with chicken tenders, a fried egg, cheddar and syrup).
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It isn't a day in Hyde Park without shopping. Located in the center of the neighborhood is Hyde Park Square, a two-block area on Erie Avenue that is full of one-of-a-kind shops. Spend a few hours exploring the streets and stopping into interesting stores. A few of our favorites include Cincy Shirts, Alligator Purse, 45/46, Soho Boutique and Fazel Rug Gallery.
For one of the best burgers in Cincinnati, you have to check out Arthur's Café. This casual and laid-back spot is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat during your Hyde Park adventure—or pretty much any other time. They have a great selection of local craft beers on tap, as well as some carefully crafted cocktails. Everything on their menu is especially good, but we highly recommend the black bean burger with a side of their homemade pink salsa!
Photo courtesy of the Miller Gallery | Featuring Work From Robert Mars, 40" x 60" Mixed Media
Established in 1960, the Miller Gallery is Cincinnati's oldest operating art gallery, specializing in contemporary art and sculptures. Their renowned exhibits actively promote over 40 artists in the global art market, featuring everything from photography to traditional painting. Take a breather and stop in to peruse some incredible artwork from local artists (and maybe purchase a piece) before heading on to your next destination.
Need a midday pick-me-up? We've got just the place! The Coffee Emporium has gained quite the reputation over the years—and with the gorgeous Victorian touches, outdoor patio and tasty bites, we're not surprised. This stop is a must for out-of-town guests and remains a local favorite. While you can't go wrong with any of the signature sips, we go wild over the cold brew aged in bourbon barrels.
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When you leave the Coffee Emporium, you'll notice something across the street. While you might feel like you've just been dropped into a Cincinnati-fied version of Alice in Wonderland, don't worry—it's just the Mushroom House! This architectural wonder was created after a local architect allowed his students to redesign one of his properties. While you can't go inside this adorably whimsical home, it's still definitely worth walking by and snapping a few pictures.
When you're looking for some seriously good food in Cincinnati, there's no better place to go than Forno! This incredible, rustic and approachable Italian restaurant offers some of the most delicious dishes around, from Gorgonzola Tortelloni to Spaghettini Arrabbiata. If you're in the area on a Tuesday, you won't want to miss their Bolo Tuesday special where $12 will get you some pasta with Bolognese sauce, bread and a few trips to the salad bar.
Photo courtesy of the Cincinnati Observatory
In 1842, Cincinnati professor Ormsby MacKnight Mitchel had a dream: to build a local observatory in the heart of Cincinnati that would help expand astronomy research. He went door to door, soliciting $25 a person to invest in his endeavor. Eventually, he was able to make his dream a reality, with the observatory building coming to fruition in 1843. The building served as a strictly research-focused center until 1999, when it was resurrected into a center for astronomy education. While you're in the area, a visit to this exquisite historic building is a must. And if you happen to be exploring on a Thursday or Friday—you'll definitely want to stop in for their weekly public stargazing sessions, just don't forget to RSVP online before you go!
This intimate local favorite is the perfect place to finish off the night. Not only do they offer the widest selection of refrigerated beer in the region, but you can also order an incredibly delicious charcuterie board made with locally sourced ingredients—all for a great price!
Do you have a suggestion on what we should add to our itinerary? Let us know in the comments!
So you've just moved to Cleveland—welcome! You've found yourself in one of the best cities on the planet, full of things to do, eat and see. But before you settle in, there are a few things you should know. 1) We prefer brown mustard to yellow. 2) We love craft beer. 3) We are a city full of sports fanatics.
That's right! Cleveland is definitely a sports city, home to the Browns, the Cavaliers and the Cleveland Indians, so don't be surprised if you start painting your face and collecting jerseys—it's expected when you live here.
Columbus' art scene is bursting with creativity, which is evident in the spectacular art that you can find throughout the city. Not only are we home to the Columbus Museum of Art, which was the first art museum registered in Ohio and home to hundreds of interesting exhibitions, but our area also boasts amazing art galleries, art festivals and public art...
It's no secret. Cincinnati has one of the finest restaurant and bar scenes in the country. But you may not realize that the city is home to a multitude of lesser-known hotspots, many of which are completely hidden from view. Let's take a behind-the-scenes look at some of the mysterious speakeasies and hidden bars in the Cincinnati area, from one concealed behind a secret door in a video shop to a classy, rooftop terrace with hidden elevator access.
It can be hard to eat out with a family—trust us, we know. And while it may seem tempting to head directly to the drive-thru or a fast-casual spot, you don't have to anymore! There are plenty of restaurants in Cleveland that now offer specially designed kids' menus, specials and fun atmospheres that make dining with the kids easier than ever.
To help make your dinner selection a bit easier, we rounded up some of our favorite restaurants in the Cleveland area that are 100% kid-approved. Happy eating!
20920 Brookpark Road, Cleveland
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This unique dining destination is located right across from the runways of the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Your kids will be entertained—and well-fed—as they watch the planes take off and land at the airport. Plus, the adults should be pretty happy too! The food at 100th Bomb Group is just as good as the view, from decadent brunch staples like French toast to upscale dinner options like filet mignon.
When looking for a family-friendly spot to feed your little rascals, you can't go wrong with Bearden's. They offer juicy steakburgers (including one with peanut butter on it!) along with grilled cheese, fried clams, sandwiches and much more in their retro diner. So head over to Rocky River and get a blast from the past, or you can find their food truck roaming the streets of Cleveland with plenty of burger goodness in stock.

Visit Corner Alley downtown for a family outing you won't soon forget. Before you eat, you can entertain the kids with a round of bowling in the posh alley. With its delicious menu options, craft beer on tap and invigorating cocktails, the Corner Alley is anything but your typical bowling experience—it even made the Food Network's list of 15 Great Bars for Fun and Games.
2258 Professor Avenue, Cleveland | 3000 St. Clair Avenue NE, Cleveland
Not only does Crust have some of the best pizza in town, but they also happen to be a fantastic place to dine with the family. Their pizza dough is made every morning in-house, resulting in a perfect thick crust that your entire entourage will love. Plus the sheer magnitude of pizza toppings that they offer—from pepperoni to fried eggs—will please even the pickiest of eaters.
5801 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland

Photo courtesy of Happy Dog
Do you have a hotdog aficionado in your family? Then you definitely don't want to miss Happy Dog. This neighborhood corner bar is the epitome of the Cleveland experience, offering a hip and friendly atmosphere, live music, beer on tap and hot dogs (of course). Pick your dog, and then smother it with any combination of 50 topping choices—including some quirky ones like Froot Loops, Cheetos and chunky peanut butter.
Five Locations Around Cleveland
We couldn't create a list of kid-approved restaurants in Cleveland without including at least one fabulous ice cream spot! Honey Hut Ice Cream is a Cleveland staple, offering delicious ice cream in a multitude of flavors at their five different locations around the city. While you definitely can't go wrong with any choice at Honey Hut, we recommend their signature Honey Pecan flavor which will ruin all other butter pecan ice creams for you forever.
14600 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood

Photo courtesy of Forage Public House
While many restaurants dumb down the kids' menu, at Forage Public House, you won't find a chicken finger in sight. Instead, kids can order from a selection of Amish chicken wings, Great Lakes Grilled Cheese, New Creations Sirloin Steak and Roasted Scottish Salmon. The adult menu is even more exceptional, boasting options like poutine and mushroom fettuccine with seasonally foraged mushrooms.
Just because you're eating with the kids, that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your sense of culinary adventure! This colorful Ohio City dining spot offers food that spans the globe, with a menu of wholesome and healthy food. They serve everything from Caribbean fried plantains, fried rice and Bangkok barbequed chicken to vegan and gluten-free options like nachos or fried tofu.
12301 Mayfield Road, Cleveland

Mamma Santa's has been cooking up delicious and authentic Sicilian dishes since 1961. Still settled in their original location, in a building that is over 100 years old, Mamma Santa's offers a variety of tantalizing options from pizza to handmade pastas. Because the restaurant is still family-owned, they have a family focus and work hard to ensure that every guest, regardless of age, is happy.
Located on the waterfront in Cleveland's Flats, Merwin Wharf is a casual eatery featuring some of the best views of the Cuyahoga River around. Your little ones will love to sit outside and take in the views of the boats and natural beauty that surrounds the restaurant. The large menu is almost as impressive as the view, offering homestyle eats like fish tacos and an enormous pretzel—perfect for sharing.
1086 West 11th Street, Cleveland

While this Flats lounge is considered a hotspot for adults at night, it is certainly a kid-friendly oasis during the day. The kids' menu features a plethora of delicious items like a banana almond butter sandwich, chicken tacos, mac n' cheese and flatbreads. Before or after you eat, explore all of the activities at Punch Bowl Social, such as putt-putt golf, bowling, arcade games and private karaoke!
1201 University Road, Cleveland
Cleveland's oldest family-owned restaurant was established in 1923, and since has drawn in a wide array of big names, including celebrities, presidents and musicians. Sokolowski's specializes in Polish and Eastern European cuisine, including Salisbury steak, chicken paprikash and pierogis. Here, you'll find hipsters and suburban families sitting side by side with tourists and steelworkers, all lured in by comforting dishes—just like you will be.
14510 Cedar Road, University Heights and seven other locations

Photo courtesy of Swenson's Drive-In
Swensons is actually known as basketball star LeBron James' favorite burger joint in town, and we're not surprised in the least. The old-school drive-in eatery serves a simple menu of burgers, fried dishes, sides and shakes, and although the venue doesn't take itself too seriously, the food is nothing to scoff at! So treat yourself and the family to an old-school dining experience and make sure to grab the Galley Boy, which is an award-winning and mouthwatering double cheeseburger topped with two special sauces.
1909 West 25th Street, Cleveland
Townhall believes that healthy does not mean perfect but that balance is the key to a happy and healthy life. They are committed to being completely GMO-free and serving mostly organic food to their customers. Their kids' menu is one of the best in town—tasty and fun enough to impress your little ones and healthy enough to make you feel good too! Choices include grilled chicken strips, Kobe burgers and cheese flatbread all served with a choice of fresh fruit or fries.
Tell us all about your favorite family-friendly dining spots in the comments!