Cincinnati Union Terminal Rotunda Tours

Discover one of Cincinnati’s National Historic Landmarks, Union Terminal. During a FREE 45-minute tour, docents explain construction, architecture and art of one of the finest examples of Art Deco style. Hear details about the world-famous mosaic murals and visit the Cincinnati Union Terminal President’s Office, today’s Amtrak waiting room and Rookwood Tea Room. Complimentary tours are offered on:

Saturdays at noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m.
Sundays at 1, 2 and 3 p.m.

Tours can also be arranged for groups during the week with advance notice.

2013 Cincinnati Heritage Programs Tours

Click here to download our 2013 brochure!

Cincinnati Museum Center Heritage Programs is proud to present its 2013 schedule of historical, cultural and architectural tours. For more than 30 years, the docents have enjoyed sharing their passion for history through hundreds of audio-visual presentations, lectures, motorcoach and walking tours.

As an outreach association of the Cincinnati History Museum, the all-volunteer Cincinnati Heritage Programs has unlocked doors to privately owned places generally not open to the public. All topics are thoroughly researched for accuracy. The Ambassadors of Cincinnati Heritage Programs strive to inspire people to learn and appreciate the region’s history.

All tours include lunch unless specified. All bus tours depart from the front of Cincinnati Museum Center. There are no refunds after the registration deadline.

Click on a tour name for more information:

Thursday, February 21
Cincinnati Jewish Culture and the Dead Sea Scrolls

NEW! Visit the historically-significant 1866 Plum Street Temple resplendent in its Byzantine and Moorish design. At the Skirball Museum at Hebrew Union College, learn about Jewish immigration and contributions to America and archaeological items from Egypt, Palestine and Israel interpreting festivals, life cycles and daily customs. Return to Cincinnati Museum Center for lunch on your own. With a timed-ticket at 2:30 p.m., explore the exhibit, Dead Sea Scrolls: Life and Faith in Ancient Times. Before entering, you will receive an overview that will explain the most significant archeological discovery of the last century containing religious artifacts, stone carvings, textiles, mosaics and jewelry. 

Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fee: $60 Members; $70 Non-Members
Registration Deadline: February 19

Saturday, February 23
Behind-the-Scenes Tour of Union Terminal

Tour our National Historic Landmark to see non-public areas that reflect its history as a busy train station and as a modern multi-museum complex. Explore the high steel above the Rotunda. Visit the train platform and the engineering departments. Walk behind the OMNIMAX screen and through the projection room. Climb into the workings of the Terminal's illuminated clock. Meet the curator in the Cincinnati History Library stacks and view rare documents preserved in the collections. This is a 3 1/2-hour walking tour with climbs on ladders in confined, dark spaces and more than 300 steps. No personal carried items or cameras are permitted. No photos are permitted. Sturdy shoes are required. No open toed shoes permitted. Must be 12 years of age and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Not handicap accessible. Lunch is not included. Attending a free weekend Union Terminal Rotunda Tour prior to the event will enhance the experience of this tour!                                                                          

Time: Tours start at 9, 9:30 and 10 a.m.
Fee: $30 Members; $40 Non-Members
Registration Deadline: February 15

Sunday, March 3
Union Terminal Photo Shoot

Attention photography enthusiasts! This is your opportunity to take pictures of Union Terminal at your leisure. Capture photographs of areas not routinely open to the public such as the restored President’s Office, The Cincinnati and Losantiville Dining Rooms and the original Men’s Lounge, now the Amtrak Waiting Room. Visit Tower A, once the main control tower for Cincinnati Union Terminal where the Train Director managed all incoming and outgoing trains. Also, the balcony will be available for shooting the Grand Rotunda. Attending a free weekend Union Terminal Rotunda Tour will enhance the experience of this event!

Time: 4 to 7 p.m.
Fee: $25 Members, $35 Non-Members
Registration Deadline: February 28

Saturday, March 23
The Treasures of the Queen City

Museum Center’s Geier Collections and Research Center is the prized repository of our city’s historic objects and fine art. Visit a treasure trove of Cincinnati memorabilia with the Curator of History and Fine Art, David Conzett. View a plethora of cherished historical items such as furniture owned by Alice Roosevelt Longworth, the baby cradle of General U.S. Grant along with the personal Civil War artifacts of General Lytle and Colonel Neff. See the private wine goblet of Nicholas Longworth, known as the Father of American Grape Culture. This is a rare opportunity to view the collections which are not normally open to the public. This tour has some steps and standing. No purses or personal items allowed. A mid-morning snack will be served. Lunch is not included.

Time: 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Fee: $30 Members; $40 Non-Members
Registration Deadline: March 21

Saturday, April 27
Afternoon Art Deco Tea at Union Terminal

NEW! Celebrate the 80th anniversary of the opening of Cincinnati Union Terminal with a special tour on the works of art throughout the National Historic Landmark. Learn about the various artists, including Winold Riess and Pierre Bourdelle, who were commissioned to create the now famous paintings and mosaics. Tour the restored Historic Dining Rooms and see the dazzling Bourdelle ceiling murals. Partake in an afternoon tea in the Cincinnati Dining Room and the Rookwood Tea Room. Learn about the fashions of the 1930s. This event has a lot of walking and standing. Not all areas are handicap accessible.

Time: 2 to 6:30 p.m.
Fee: $40 Members; $50 Non-Members
Registration Deadline: April 18

Thursday, May 9
The Emery Family Legacy

SOLD OUT! Start the day with an audiovisual presentation about the Thomas Emery Family, who were known as the builders of Cincinnati. View some of the town houses and city-apartments built for “moderate rent housing” still occupied today. Visit the acoustically perfect Emery Theater. Have lunch at the Palm Court and tour the Netherland Hotel, part of the Carew Tour complex that was built to be “a city within a city”. Tour elegant Peterloon, the Indian Hill country estate designed for the Emery family. On a tour of the Village of Mariemont, hear why and how in the 1920s, Mary Emery created the community, designed to meet the needs of all of its residents.

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fee: $75 Members; $85 Non-Members
Registration Deadline: April 24

Saturday, May 11
Subway Talk and Walk

SOLD OUT! Hear the history of Cincinnati's Rapid Transit Subway tunnel, intact since 1928. Enter the subway for a five-block walk underground. The "talk and walk" lasts approximately two hours. Be aware that the tunnel is dark and dusty. Walking surfaces are uneven and may be muddy with standing water. Sturdy shoes or boots and a flashlight are required. Release forms and notification of the meeting site will be mailed upon registration. No cameras or headlamps permitted for safety reasons. Lunch is not included.

Time: 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.
Fee: $50 Members; $60 Non-Members
Registration Deadline: April 13

Saturday, May 18
When the Queen City was King of Recording

NEW! Did you know that The Twist was first recorded in Cincinnati and that James Brown started his career in Cincinnati with King Records? Hear how Cincinnati, in the 1940s and 1950s, was known for its recordings of country, bluegrass and soul music. Visit a state-of-the-art recording studio. View the site that was home to King Records and hear about the famous musicians who recorded there. At historic E.T Herzog Recording Studios on Race Street, now the Cincinnati USA Music Heritage Foundation, see the recording studio that once was filled with the music of Hank Williams, Patti Page and Rosemary Clooney. At the Blue Wisp Jazz Club, enjoy lunch with a little "jam."

Time: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Fee: $50 Member; $60 Non-Member
Registration Deadline: May 7

Saturday, May 25
Barnstorming to Business at Lunken Airport

Located on the site of Cincinnati’s first pioneer settlement, Lunken Airport was the largest municipal airport when dedicated in 1930. Hear stories of 1920s barnstorming days to becoming the birthplace of Aeronca and Flamingo Aircraft companies. The famous Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University was founded at Lunken Airport. Learn how the complex, hosting private and business operations, is vital to the region’s economy. See Art Deco hangars and aircraft companies that perform major maintenance operations on business jets.

Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fee: $70 Members; $80 Non-Members
Registration Deadline: May 15

Saturday, June 1
The White Water Shaker Village

In 1822, the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing established a settlement along the Dry Fork in Crosby Township. Today, thanks to Hamilton County Parks and the Friends of the White Water Shakers, walk through one of the few remaining Shaker meeting houses in the U.S. and 20 original Shaker-built structures. Enjoy the sounds of a Shaker Sunday morning assembly performed by the Western Shaker Singers. Lunch is not included.

Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Fee: $45 Members; $55 Non-Members
Registration Deadline: May 28

Saturday, June 8
Cincinnati Blooms!

On a behind-the-scenes tour of the Queen City’s botanical landmark, Krohn Conservatory, learn about its history and its well known seasonal displays, including the annual Butterfly Show. Visit the Warder Nursery, where the flowers and other plants used by the Krohn and Cincinnati Parks are grown. At the Civic Garden Center, enjoy a program on popular plantings for homes and get information on "green" issues. Visit a historic, family-owned greenhouse and nursery which provides fragrant flowers and plants to the general public.

Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fee: $65 Members; $75 Non-Members
Registration Deadline: June 4

Saturday, July 13
Take Me Out to the Ballparks

SOLD OUT! Immerse yourself in Cincinnati’s baseball history with a visit to the site of the Palace of the Fans (1902-1911) and Crosley Field (1912-1970) led by the Reds Hall of Fame Chief Curator. At Great American Ball Park, enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour that includes the press box and dugout. There will be a special site visit with the VP of Ballpark Operations who will explain day-to-day operations. Explore the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum filled with record-breaking memorablia, highlights from championship eras and artifacts from the first professional baseball team. Guests will drive their own cars on this tour. Upon registration, you w ll be given specific directions to the old Crosley Field and then to the Great American Ball Park where arrangements have been made for convenient parking close to the entrance. The cost of parking can range from $9 to $20 per car depending on the downtown events of the day.

Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fee: $55 Members; $65 Non-Members
Registration Deadline: July 5

Wednesday, August 28
Starry, Starry Night

View the summer sky through the world’s oldest operational telescope at the Cincinnati Observatory, the birthplace of American astronomy. Enjoy the evening with wine and cheese, and learn why President Adams laid the Observatory’s original cornerstone in Mt. Adams in 1843 and why the Observatory was moved to its present site in 1873. On a tour of this National Historic Landmark, discover how 19th-century astronomers determined time for Cincinnati and how the first U.S. weather prediction was achieved. Parts of this tour are not handicap accessible.

Time: 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Fee: $30 Members; $35 Non-Members
Registration Deadline: August 21

Wednesday, September 11
Small Marvelous Museum Gems

At the Sign Museum walk amongst the brilliant artwork that reflects the history, technology, commerce and culture of the American landscape. Tour Vent Haven, home to the world’s largest collection of ventriloquist dummies and memorabilia. Visit The Lloyd Library, founded in 1864, which contains history and archives on medical botany, eclectic medicine and horticulture. At the Gambling Museum, view a collection of paraphernalia and hear the scandalous stories about Newport, KY when it was the gambling capital of the U.S. and where celebrities entertained and tempted ole Lady Luck.

Time: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $75 Member; $85 Non-Member
Registration Deadline: September 3

Friday, September 20
Cincinnati's Art Deco Architecture

If there is a stand-out style of architecture in the Queen City, it’s art deco, which Cincinnati developers embraced in the late 1920s. Visit structures that celebrate the rise of commerce, technology and speed that were hallmarks of the distinctive style. Tour the Art Moderne Union Terminal, the bejeweled Cincinnati Bell Telephone Building, the stunning Carew Tower Arcade, the splendid Netherland Plaza, the highly detailed Times Star Building and the futuristic Coca Cola Building.

Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fee: $70 Members; $80 Non-Members
Registration Deadline: September 10

Saturday, September 28
Historic Farmsteads of Butler County

Visit farmsteads that continue to reflect the lifestyle of early settlers in Butler County. See the Doty Farm in Hueston Woods Park and explore a period "bank barn" filled with antique machinery from plows to horse-driven carts. At the privately-owned Lewis Farm, our hosts, only the second family to have title will explain the various outbuildings dating back to 1802. Tour the "new" home built in 1853 filled with authentic period furniture. Ask the cook what a good recipe is for the coal-burning kitchen stove. Visit the Lewis Cemetery with the graves of family members and soldiers from the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $70 Members, $80 Non-Members
Registration Deadline: September 23

Wednesday, October 2
The Industrious Ohio River

SOLD OUT! The Ohio River supports numerous industries that are vital to our wellbeing. It is an aquatic highway that delivers goods efficiently and in a cost-effective manner. Visit a barge terminal to learn of its day-to-day operations of transloading, warehousing, shipping and distribution. See the Meldahl Lock and Dam control center which manages the river as a transportation system. Tour a major power plant to see how electricity is generated. Stand inside a nuclear reactor that was never put into operation. Sturdy shoes are required. There is a lot of walking, stair climbing and standing. This tour is not handicap accessible.

Time: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $75 Members; $85 Non-Members
Registration Deadline: September 22

Saturday, October 19
Inclines and Overlooks

During the late 1800s, Cincinnati boasted five inclines that carried people and freight away from the smoke, noise and crowds of the city basin up to fresh air. Visit the sites of the inclined planes. Hear about the hilltop resorts built as beer gardens and entertainment venues. Hear the story of Cincinnati’s “seven hills” and the wonders of 19th-century transportation engineering. Lunch is not included.

Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Fee: $40 Members; $50 Non-Members
Registration Deadline: October 15

Tuesday, October 22
The Cincinnati Police Department

At the 911 Telecommunications and Homeland Security Center, observe dispatchers receiving emergency calls. Find out about the newest Digital Detective devices that assist officers in tracking down suspects. Step into the newest SWAT and Command Post Center vehicles. Watch maneuvers of the Canine and Mounted Police Squads. At the Police Academy, watch recruits in tactical and physical training classes. Assess your decision making skills using the Firearms Training Simulator which depicts realistic law enforcement scenarios. Explore the Greater Cincinnati Police Museum and peruse the vast collection of police equipment and stories of men and women sworn to honor and protect all citizens. This tour has steps and standing throughout the day.

Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fee: $65 Members; $75 Non-Members
Registration Deadline: October 12

Saturday, November 2
High Steel of Union Terminal

Explore the arched steel structure of the city’s most recognized landmark. After an audiovisual presentation on its construction, climb to the high steel trusses supporting one of the largest half-dome rotundas in the world. The tour lasts about two hours, ascends 300 steps and has ladders in dimly lit areas. No cameras or personal carried items are permitted on this tour. No photos are permitted. Sturdy shoes required. No open toed or high-heeled shoes permitted. Must be at least 12 years of age and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Not handicap accessible.

Time: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Fee: $25 Members; $35 Non-Members
Registration Deadline: October 31