West Price Hill - Cincinnati, OH Area Guide

Evan Price, a wealthy Welsh merchant, started investing in land on Price Hill in 1807, but it wasn't until 1824 that his son, General Rees E. Price, began developing the land. By the mid-19th century, Cincinnati's inner city became a noisy, bustling place, and West Price Hill experienced a population boom. Throughout the 20th century, the entire Price Hill area grew at a steady pace, eventually becoming a community filled with working-class families.

West Price Hill doesn't have a thriving arts scene. However, the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts showcases several productions throughout the year. Residents visit museums and attend events in other areas of Cincinnati. The Price Hill Historical Society & Museum and the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal sit within 5 miles of West Price Hill, and a short drive into downtown Cincinnati allows residents to experience several annual events, including Oktoberfest Zinzinnati and Taste of Cincinnati.

A short drive down Glenway Avenue takes you to a decent selection of fast-food, chain and locally owned restaurants that serve everything from American-style and sports-bar-style food to Chinese cuisine and barbecue dishes. However, like most of Cincinnati, West Price Hill is known for its chili.

In addition to Skyline Chili and Gold Star Chili, two chain restaurants known for serving dishes smothered in Cincinnati-style chili, West Price Hill houses two locally owned restaurants that specialize in chili dishes — Sam's Chili and Price Hill Chili. Even though both restaurants sit on Glenway Avenue, vast differences make them seem worlds away. The smaller of the two, Sam's Chili attracts a decent lunch crowd thanks to its famous chili dogs. The tiny establishment only has a few tables though, so avoid the lunch rush if you want to eat your chili dogs there. Price Hill Chili has been a Cincinnati staple since it opened its doors in 1962. The family-friendly diner features a wide menu with breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Several customers recommend Price Hill Chili's burgers and the create-your-own double-decker sandwich, but the locals know to order the chili-cheese omelette with home fries and goetta.

When Cincinnati residents have had their fill of chili — a rare occurrence, but it happens — most opt for pizza. LaRosa's Family Pizzeria originated in Cincinnati, and visiting the restaurant with the whole family has become an area tradition. Fortunately, West Price Hill houses a LaRosa's franchise, in addition to Price Hill's famed Queen City Pizza. You haven't experienced West Price Hill until you've eaten pizza from Queen City Pizza on Queen City Avenue. The family-owned restaurant opened its doors in 1994 and wowed the area's residents with its homemade pizza sauce. The sauce, made from an authentic Mediterranean recipe, features juicy chunks of vine-ripened tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil and fresh garlic and herbs. Many people consider Queen City Pizza's slices the best in town, and locals can't get enough of the pizzeria's Greek pizza.

You won't find an exciting nightlife scene in West Price Hill, but the area does house a few neighborhood bars that locals enjoy. Golden Fleece Lounge on Glenway Avenue, a full-service cocktail lounge with plush seating and an adjacent closed-in patio area, appeals to the after-work crowd and those meeting their friends for dinner and a few drinks. However, locals looking forward to a long night of drinking visit 52 Bar on Glenway Avenue or Sunset Pub on West Eighth Street.

Ample free parking and direct highway access make it simple to navigate West Price Hill by car, so most residents depend on their own vehicles for transportation. State Route 264 runs through the middle of West Price Hill. It connects to U.S. Route 50 in Queensgate, which connects to U.S. Route 42 and Interstates 71 and 75 in downtown Cincinnati.

Four bus routes run through West Price Hill, making it easy for residents without vehicles to get to other parts of the city. You can't hail a cab in West Price Hill. However, you can call one of the area's several cab companies or use your Uber app to arrange a ride.

Walking and riding a bike in West Price Hill isn't a feasible option. The area's hills make it hard for pedestrians and cyclists to navigate the area, and the roads don't have dedicated bike lanes — a must for cyclists brave enough to venture out into the congested Cincinnati traffic.

Parents have several free playground options in West Price Hill, including Hendy Memorial Playground on Woodbriar Lane and Carson/Covedale Playground on Rapid Run Road. These small neighborhood parks feature typical playground equipment and a quiet atmosphere suited to parents with younger children.

The Dunham Recreation Center on Dunham Lane and Rapid Run Park on Rapid Run Road also feature free public playgrounds. However, the larger, more popular parks both have other activities and attractions that draw bigger crowds, making them more suitable for school-age children.

The Dunham Recreation Center features a baseball field, gym, sand volleyball court, swimming pool, soccer field and teen lounge in addition to the playground, but these amenities are only available to those who pay a small annual membership fee. The center also offers a variety of classes and programs, including summer camps for kids.

Visit Rapid Run Park for outdoor exercise or family picnics. The vast park features paved walkways perfect for joggers, a shallow lake where people frequently sail toy boats and several picnic areas. Because West Price Hill doesn't have dedicated dog parks, people often walk their dogs on the trails at Rapid Run Park. However, even though the park welcomes dogs, they must remain on their leashes.

The average cost of living in West Price Hill sits approximately 3 percent lower than the average in the rest of Cincinnati. Fortunately, the lower costs extend to housing in the neighborhood, making it easy for residents to find an affordable place to live. Expect to pay around $434 per month to rent a one-bedroom apartment.

Other costs remain on par with the rest of the city. Expect to pay between $3 and $5 for a beer at a local bar. It costs $1.75 for one-way bus fare, as long as you're traveling within the main Cincinnati area. Bus fares increase the farther you travel, and you should expect to pay between $2.65 and $4.25 for one-way bus fare when you travel to the city's suburbs and outer counties. Gas prices typically hover around 6 percent lower than the national average.

West Price Hill residents head into downtown Cincinnati to shop at high-end stores and department stores. However, the neighborhood does house a few stores of its own, most of which sit along Glenway Avenue.

Rockin' Rooster Comics & Games specializes in comic book and gaming supplies. The store features a main comic book area and a separate gaming room to keep things organized. Gamers often visit the gaming room to play their own games, and the store's employees frequently help customers locate hard-to-find items the store doesn't keep in stock.

Antique lovers who enjoy the thrill of the hunt frequent Ferguson's Antique Mall on Glenway Avenue. The small mom-and-pop shop features one-of-a-kind items and showcases a constantly rotating inventory, so you might find something new and different with each visit. Don't expect to find a fancy shop with overpriced antiques. Reminiscent of an elderly person's attic, the shop specializes in old bottles, baseball cards, collectibles, old games, coins and other small treasures.

West Price Hill houses small markets, such as Maranata Store on Rulison Avenue and Glenway Market on Glenway Avenue, where residents purchase basic necessities they need between trips to larger grocery stores. For these larger grocery shopping trips, visit Kroger, Super Wal-Mart or Aldi's in Westwood or Kroger in East Price Hill. For fresh produce, visit the Lettuce Eat Well Farmers Market in Westwood. The year-round market opens on Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. Until 6:30 p.m. and moves inside the Cheviot United Methodist Church during the winter months.