Mount Lookout

Home to Cincinnati's only astronomical observatory and to one of the city's largest parks, Mt. Lookout is a trendy, affluent neighborhood that attracts singles, young families and well-to-do professionals. Only a short, scenic drive along the river from Downtown, Mt Lookout's upscale apartments, condos and homes are also within walking distance of Mt. Lookout Square, the neighborhood's mini-business district full of restaurants, bars, a concert venue, and independent retailers.

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Mt. Lookout is one of Cincinnati's "close-in" upscale suburbs: close enough to Downtown to be a handy commute, yet trendy, safe, well-preserved and beautifully maintained. Singles, young families and older professionals enjoy the older, elegant homes and apartments on lovely, tree-lined streets. Newly constructed condos and houses provide more modern options, but the overall "feel" is traditional and affluent. Many of the more modest homes in the area have been rehabbed, giving bargain-hunting homebuyers attractive choices.

The neighborhood is a haven for walkers, joggers, and runners with its safe, quiet streets and wide sidewalks. And then there's Ault Park, with its 224-acres of green space and miles of trails. The park, site of a popular Fourth of July Fireworks display, also attracts a variety of other special events, including an appearance in 2008 by then-candidate Barack Obama. The Ault Park Pavilion, built in 1930 and renovated in the 80s, hosts dances, weddings, and offers a 360 degree view of the surrounding area from its upper level.

Just a few blocks from the Park, the Cincinnati Observatory Center houses the oldest working telescope in the United States and provides one of the city's most unique learning opportunities.

Mt. Lookout Square is at the heart of the neighborhood, with one-of-a-kind, independent specialty shops, restaurants, bars and commercial offerings. Shopping is varied and quirky; food and drink is available at a handful of excellent non-chain restaurants, and nightlife rocks at both traditional and more upscale bars. Nearby Hyde Park offers additional dining and shopping options, and Downtown is just a 12-minute scenic drive along the river on Columbia Parkway.

With its beautiful old residential streets, gorgeous park, quirky shopping, varied dining and nightlife options--plus convenient access to Downtown and the rest of the city--Mt. Lookout is a popular place to live or visit.

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Dining

Dining in Mt. Lookout is located around Mt. Lookout Square and features a number of excellent, non-chain restaurants. Perhaps the best known is Zip’s Café. Featured on the Food Network’s “Cheap Eats” show, its Zip Burger is has won multiple awards as Cincinnati’s best burger. On the other end of the scale is Zagat-Rated Nectar, where Cincinnati foodies swoon over Chef Julie Frances’ contemporary upscale creations using local (often organic) ingredients.
One of the newer additions to the Square’s food lineup is Annabel’s, with sophisticated offerings for breakfast, lunch and Sunday brunch (think carrot cake French Toast).
The Square has three restaurants that feature sushi: Dancing Wasabi, offering sushi specials on Wednesday and Thursday nights, Aqua, with upscale sushi plus contemporary Asian cuisine, and Ruthai’s Thai Kitchen where Thai cuisine is the main draw. There’s also two pizza places, Lucy Blue’s and Ramundo’s Pizzaria.
Deli sandwiches are available at Beacon Food Market, with tables outside for an al fresco lunch. Excellent roasted-on-the premises coffee is served all day long at Lookout Joe, which also features outdoor tables and free wi-fi.
Nightlife

Mt. Lookout’s nightlife is varied and conveniently concentrated on Mt. Lookout Square. The Redmoor, in the renovated Art Deco building that once was the Mt. Lookout Cinema, is a special events venue that also features live music most weekends. Next door, The Stand is an upscale bar that stays open late on weekends and has a DJ on Saturdays and a “bring your own vinyl to spin” on Sunday nights.
At the end of the Square, Million’s Café and Mt. Lookout Tavern face off across Linwood Avenue. Mt. Lookout Tavern has a patio for good-weather fun, and features a weekly karaoke night, live music four nights a week, and a popular trivia night. Million’s Café has pool and TVs tuned to sporting events, plus an excellent menu of bar food. They attract a crowd during happy hour with reduced prices on beer and wine.
Arts & Entertainment

Mt Lookout’s entertainment scene is concentrated on Mt. Lookout Square. The Redmoor offers live music concerts when its space isn’t being used for special events. Live music is also available four nights a week at the Mt. Lookout Tavern, which also hosts a karaoke night and a trivia night. For those who want more arts and entertainment options, multiple art galleries are located in neighboring Hyde Park, and the heart of Cincinnati’s entertainment scene in Downtown Cincinnati is only minutes away by car.
Recreation

Ault Park is the jewel in Mt. Lookout’s recreation crown. This park is so popular that Hyde Park tries to claim it, but the Cincinnati Park Board insists it belongs to Mt. Lookout. The Park’s 224+ acres include miles of trails, including a Tree Trail with markers identifying the many beautiful specimens. There are picnic areas, children’s play areas, and beautiful gardens. The Park hosts a Fourth of July fireworks display, concerts, and special events like the Concours d’Elegance, an exhibition of collector automobiles.
The Ault Park Pavilion, built in the 30s and restored in the 80s, has long been used for dances and concerts, and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area.
Special Interest

One of the most unusual establishments in Mt. Lookout, Broadway Hobby Shop, is a haven for those with an interest in models and board games. Folks from all over the city gravitate to this shop for modeling supplies and hard-to-find, old and rare models. Board game aficionados enjoy the varied selection of classic as well as unusual games. A few steps down Delta Avenue, Unicorn Miniatures has a wide selection for those who collect miniatures.

Confetti Cats, also on Mt. Lookout Square, advertises itself as a Boutique for Feline Fanciers; cat lovers would be hard-pressed not to find something beguiling in this little shop. Bibliophiles head to Dust Jacket Books to peruse old and rare books, and audiophiles gravitate to Stereo Advantage for the latest and coolest stereo gear.
Shopping

Shopping in Mt. Lookout is all centered around Mt. Lookout Square, where one-of-a-kind shops are full of unusual offerings. Looking for a rare book? Try Dust Jacket Books. Or if you’re searching for a hard-to-find model or an old version of your favorite board game, Boardwalk Hobby Shop either has it or will locate it for you. Outfit your kitty at Confetti Cats, a Boutique for Feline Fanciers, or outfit yourself with a Vera Bradley purse or accessory at The Gift Box. Unicorn Miniatures has a store full of intriguing miniatures, and Stereo Advantage, voted 2008 Cincinnati magazine’s best stereo gear store, offers personal attention to your stereo needs. Another unique store is Vin Ecco Clock Shop, which has been repairing and restoring clocks for over 80 years (only the last 30 or so years in its present location). Finally, harkening back to the days before chain grocery stores, Beacon Food Market is a deli / meat market / grocery where you can get a great sandwich and buy a prime cut of meat or other fine groceries. And, they deliver.
Personal Care

Mt. Lookout is a neighborhood that values personal care, and a stroll around the Square uncovers multiple options depending on one’s needs on any given day. If it’s chiropractic care you’re looking for, Mt. Lookout Chiropractic and Sports Injury Center has been helping folks for more than 20 years. For full-service salon services, there’s Cura Bella and You-Nique, and Nailtique specializes in manicures, pedicure gel and acrylic nails.
Athletic types gravitate to Delta 1018 Fitness Center for its full range of fitness and training options. Dancers (even those with two left feet) are welcomed at Kama Salsa, which offers classes in Salsa and Merengue. And if your shoes are worn from all that Latin dancing, you can get them rejuvenated at Mt. Lookout Shoe Repair.

Other popular services on the Square: Keepsake Photo Studio, which offers photo-to-DVD service and passport photos, and, for your pets, The Animal Hospital on Mt. Lookout Square.

Dining in Mt. Lookout is located around Mt. Lookout Square and features a number of excellent, non-chain restaurants. Perhaps the best known is Zip’s Café. Featured on the Food Network’s “Cheap Eats” show, its Zip Burger is has won multiple awards as Cincinnati’s best burger. On the other end of the scale is Zagat-Rated Nectar, where Cincinnati foodies swoon over Chef Julie Frances’ contemporary upscale creations using local (often organic) ingredients.

One of the newer additions to the Square’s food lineup is Annabel’s, with sophisticated offerings for breakfast, lunch and Sunday brunch (think carrot cake French Toast).

The Square has three restaurants that feature sushi: Dancing Wasabi, offering sushi specials on Wednesday and Thursday nights, Aqua, with upscale sushi plus contemporary Asian cuisine, and Ruthai’s Thai Kitchen where Thai cuisine is the main draw. There’s also two pizza places, Lucy Blue’s and Ramundo’s Pizzaria.

Deli sandwiches are available at Beacon Food Market, with tables outside for an al fresco lunch. Excellent roasted-on-the premises coffee is served all day long at Lookout Joe, which also features outdoor tables and free wi-fi.

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Official Home Page of Mount Lookout:
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Home of Cincinnati's sixteen inch astronomic telescope and Ault park, Mt. Lookout boasts locally owned one of a kind specialty shops as well as upscale restaurants, and neighborhood watering holes.

Mount Lookout

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