Western Hills

Western Hills is an area where old fashioned values prevail. A major component of the west side of the city, Western Hills exemplifies the "West Side" feel - with a focus on family, a blue-collar work ethic, conservative leanings and a no-nonsense approach to life. It's a no frills, straight-forward place where what you see is what you get.

Click here to read more about Western Hills

Second Look

Western Hills is a part of the city that operates with a certain amount of autonomy. A mix of residential neighborhoods and strip mall-style commercial zones, Western Hills offers all the basic necessities of life; one need never leave its boundaries - and, in fact, many never do. It is not uncommon to hear locals comment that they haven't left the west side of town in decades, or to refer to out-of-state travel in the same way others might describe international journeys.

There is a deep loyalty peculiar to the West Side of town; though much of the shopping available is through chain and big box stores like Target and Best Buy, there are still a fair number of small, local shops - which are supported by a group of die-hard regulars. Those born in the area tend to stay for the duration of their lives, with entire families living within five minutes of one another and with homes often passed down through generations.

West Siders tend to be tightly-knit, straight-forward folk with a fierce pride in their families, neighborhood, churches, country and sports teams (including the local high school teams). Residents are friendly and frankly honest, and though keenly aware of whether or not you are a local, they are also generally welcoming.

One of the benefits of living on the west side of town is the great recreational facilities, including large parks and ample sports and fitness centers. For those with families, it is also an area with a strong community feel, and where residents are highly active within neighborhood schools and local churches. Religion is an important part of life on the West Side, with a predominantly protestant Christian but also sizable Catholic population. It is commonplace to hear bible quotes inserted within casual conversation; being Christian is just a given on the west side of town, and, to a degree, being Republican as well.

If you are the type of person who enjoys a simple, uncomplicated life, home-cooked foods, a cold pint of domestic beer and a close-knit community with a focus on family values, Western Hills fits the bill.

Click here to hide the extended description for Western Hills

Dining

Western Hills has many established eateries, offering everything from Cincinnati chili to wings and gyros. Mom and pop diners are characteristic of the area, where service is friendly and folks take extra care to make you feel at home. A great place for brunch is Santorini Restaurant, located on Harrison Avenue. While this locale has had several name and ownership changes over the years, one thing that has remained consistent is the quality cooking. They offer standard breakfast fare, Greek specialties and a mix of the two, such as the gyro omelette, which consists of three eggs, slow-roasted lamb, tomatoes, onion, and their signature tzatziki sauce.
If it's game day and you can't travel with your favorite team, you can settle for second best with the crowds at Wild Mike's - order your wings "extra wet, extra hot" to really spice things up. J and J's, a very popular grub spot, serves double decker sandwiches, Cincinnati chili and tantalizing home fries. To unwind, Zen and Now and Front Porch coffeehouses are favorite hang-outs, and offer (besides coffee and tea) live music and sometimes comedy. Western Hills is also home to two of the city's longest-running soft serve ice creameries: Putz's and Zip Dip, which are open seasonally. Each is a small building surrounded with park benches and plenty of space to soak in the sun.
Nightlife

Western Hills has several local watering holes worth visiting. The Cheviot Entertainment District is located primarily on Harrison Avenue between North Bend Road and Glenmore Avenue. This burgeoning strip offers hole-in-the-wall haunts, a sports tavern and an Irish pub. Roswell's Pub has live music most nights of the week despite occupying a narrow, one-floor space in a building lined with small shops and a couple of other bars. Their huge glass mugs of domestic beer are a bargain, they have a wide selection of spirits and the bar staff always seems to be having as much fun as the guests.
The Cheviot Sports Tavern is a great place to hang out with fellow Bengals and Reds fans ... and with frequent pool and dart tournaments, is always high energy with an enthusiastic clientele.
Luckey's Irish Pub is one of Cheviot's bright spots, highlighted by its full-glass front face. A beautiful wooden bar, coin-operated pool table and karaoke stage band stand make this velvety pub a fun place to socialize.
One of the freshest night spots on the West Side is The Black Sheep, which hosts big-name local bands, has a great patio and sports plenty of pool tables. For the discerning clubster, this place is a must.
Arts & Entertainment

While the most popular arts scene in Western Hills probably exists within school productions and student recitals that parents attend, The Covedale Center for Performing Arts (which is technically in Covedale) produces famous musicals and other theatrical shows on a regular basis.
Another source for neighborhood arts are at the local libraries, which host craft workshops as well as book readings for both children and adults.
Recreation

The West Side's work ethic is matched by its impressive recreational options. A great place to start is Mt. Airy Forest, Cincinnati's largest park (at 1470 acres), which contains 14 miles of hiking trails, 16 miles of bridle trails, 23 picnic lodges, a special wedding area and, for your canine friends, a dog park. In the two-acre fenced dog park in McFarland Woods (on Westwood-Northern Boulevard), dogs may roam freely off-leash while their owners socialize.

The West Side is also home to one of the larger YMCAs in the city, Gamble-Nippert, and a private swim club, Phillips Swim Club. Those who enjoy roller-skating can do so at Western Rollerama, and Western Sports Mall accommodates volleyball, racquetball, basketball, soccer and dodge ball competitors. For serious skateboarders, Delhi Skatepark is nearby. Bowling is the great local pastime and can be played at both Western Bowl and Glenmore Bowl.
Special Interest

One of the most unique local treasures is (aptly titled) Auctions by Maggie. This Ebay predecessor is located at the corner of North Bend and Harrison, and hosts a live auction every Monday evening. Art, antiques, fine china, everything in the house and even the house itself can be found on the auction block at Maggie's. Maggie Beckmeyer, the auction's namesake, offers 25 years of experience with professional appraisal services, earned real estate accreditations, and estate liquidation.
Another local interest is bowling - which, on the West Side, is not just a sport, but an art. Western Bowl, owned by the Hoinke family since 1972 and home to the million-dollar Hoinke Classic tournament, has just been sold to new owners. Although there was some fear that this iconic spot might close, the new owners have announced that they will keep the bowling alley open and that the Hoinke Classic will return in 2010. Of course, Glenmore Bowl and Stump's Bowling Lanes are still going strong.
Another notable local pastime is hometown celebration - the West Side loves festivals and hosts many throughout the year. Some of the better known festivals include: the annual Skirt Game, where Delhi firefighters drop their fire-proof jackets and helmets for dresses and wigs in a softball game that even non-sports fans will love, Harvest Home Fair (which takes place around Labor Day), WestFest (which features local rock bands) and Party in the House (which involves live music performances in Cheviot Field House).
Shopping

Though there are a number of small independent specialty shops, such as Up, Up and Away (a comics store) and Cappels (a costume and novelty shop), most of the shopping in Western Hills is found in strip malls. There is an older shopping center called Western Hills Plaza, which is being redeveloped. Current tenants are Sears, Staples, Old Navy and others, with more to come.
Glenway Crossing Center is anchored by Michaels and Shoe Carnival, and has a number of smaller tenants. Those who enjoy crafts are in luck; right across the street from Michaels is a Hobby Lobby, so prices stay competitive and selection is doubled. Big box stores like Target and Best Buy are close by, making this a "hub" for shopping.
Personal Care

Whether you are looking for a perm, a manicure or just a simple trim, there is no shortage of salons or barbershops in Western Hills, many of which are likely independently-owned. For a complete spa experience, the best place to go is The Salon Professional Academy, which has a great selection of treatments and services. For those seeking fitness classes, such as Pilates or Yoga, Mercy Healthplex of Western Hills has many options to choose from.

Western Hills has many established eateries, offering everything from Cincinnati chili to wings and gyros. Mom and pop diners are characteristic of the area, where service is friendly and folks take extra care to make you feel at home. A great place for brunch is Santorini Restaurant, located on Harrison Avenue. While this locale has had several name and ownership changes over the years, one thing that has remained consistent is the quality cooking. They offer standard breakfast fare, Greek specialties and a mix of the two, such as the gyro omelette, which consists of three eggs, slow-roasted lamb, tomatoes, onion, and their signature tzatziki sauce.

If it's game day and you can't travel with your favorite team, you can settle for second best with the crowds at Wild Mike's - order your wings "extra wet, extra hot" to really spice things up. J and J's, a very popular grub spot, serves double decker sandwiches, Cincinnati chili and tantalizing home fries. To unwind, Zen and Now and Front Porch coffeehouses are favorite hang-outs, and offer (besides coffee and tea) live music and sometimes comedy. Western Hills is also home to two of the city's longest-running soft serve ice creameries: Putz's and Zip Dip, which are open seasonally. Each is a small building surrounded with park benches and plenty of space to soak in the sun.

Large Interactive Map
Show P&G Locations

Choose a Neighborhood

More Western Hills Online

Western Hills is more idea than geography. It is built on West Side traditions - long-time residents, community pride and a loyalty to community and neighbors.

Western Hills

Second Look

Large Neighborhood Map :: Western Hills