Let Friends of Music Hall Program Guides take you on a fascinating trip through history with a Music Hall tour!

There are several ways you can take a tour of Cincinnati Music Hall. Choose from:

  • Indoor Tours, offered weekly
  • Outdoor Tours, by appointment only, please email musichalltour@friendsofmusichall.org
  • Speaker Series, where we bring the tour to you, with photos and stories about this National Historic Landmark

See Cincinnati Music Hall as you've never seen it before. Take a Music Hall Tour!

Indoor tours are offered year round while outdoor tours are offered by appointment only. Tickets must be purchased in advance through the Cincinnati Arts Association either online (links on the right side of this page) or by calling (513) 621-2787 to contact the ticket office.

NOTE: Ticket sales will be stopped three hours before the tour start time.

As of February 24, 2023, the following revised protocols will become effective and are informed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) latest guidance based on COVID-19.

  • For Indoor Tours, masks, proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test certification are not required.
  • For Outdoor Tours, masks, proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test certification are not required.
  • Guests and tour guides are asked to continue to use hand sanitizer and wash hands regularly for at least 20 seconds.
  • Everyone should always cover coughs and sneezes with an elbow or tissue.

Indoor Tours meet and depart in the lobby of Cincinnati Music Hall at 1241 Elm Street, in front of the CSO Box Office.

Outdoor Tours meet and depart from the front steps of Cincinnati Music Hall located at 1241 Elm Street between 12th and 14th streets.

The Friends of Music Hall Tour Guide will be checking registration 15 minutes prior to the start of the tour. Guides will be wearing badges and dark polo shirts.

Many local merchants offer special discounts.  Just show your Friends of Music Hall sticker (that you receive on your tour) OR your paper ticket.

Cincinnati Food Tours - 10% off Signature Over-the-Rhine tour with promo code LETSGO

Cincinnati Hemp Company - 15% off

Colonel De Gourmet Herbs & Spices - 5% discount

Continuum - 10% off

Design Lab - 10% discount

Findlay Market's Market Center (located next to Em's Bread and Taste of Belgium) and online store will offer 10% off all merchandise (excluding gift certificates). For the online store, use  code MUSICHALL at checkout to receive 10% off

Idlewild - 15% off one full priced item

Kitchen 1882 in The Eatery – located on second floor of Kroger. Buy one get one half off deal for signature sandwich and salads. Closed on Saturdays.

MiCA  - 10% discount

Ombré Gallery - 10% discount

Over the Rhine Premium Cigars - 10% off cigar purchases

Paper Wings - 10% discount

Poke Hut   - Free spring rolls or cheese wontons with purchase of an entrée (poke bowl or hibachi).

TMBTITWI – 15% discount

Washington Park Garage - $3 for 2 hours or less. You must request validation ticket from Friends of Music Hall Tour Guide. How to use: when you arrive at the Washington Park Garage, pull a ticket and park. When leaving, insert your original ticket into the exit machine. A fee will be displayed. Insert the validation ticket you received from the tour guide into the same slot you used for the original ticket. The fee will be reduced to $3. Use your credit or debit card to pay by inserting your card into the upper right slot.

We offer 10% off tour tickets for OTR Chamber, Cincinnati Arts Association, Friends of Music Hall and Cincinnati Tourism Ambassador members. If you have any questions on how to use your discount please call (513) 744-3293 or email us. Group and student discounts are also available.

Indoor Tours are 75 minutes and Outdoor Tours run 90 minutes long. Because our tour guides encourage participation, the exact time of each tour varies.

Most children under the age of 12 will not enjoy the tours.  The tour content is focused on history, architecture and the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood and is geared to adults, not to young children.  Walking for 75 to 90 minutes with very limited seating can be tiring for very young children. Leaving the tour early requires an escort out of the building.  Our school programs and fields trips are designed just for children under the age of 12.

Indoor Tours provide some opportunities to sit briefly. This tour is completely ADA accessible however, please let us know at the time of your reservation if you have trouble climbing minimal stairs.

We are happy to make reasonable accommodations for all people and the building is completely wheelchair accessible. Indoor Tours are not recommended for very young children or people for whom walking is difficult without a walker or wheelchair. Wheelchairs can be borrowed from Music Hall however Friends of Music Hall tour guides are not allowed to push the wheelchair.  Guests must be able to self-use or ask a companion to assist.

The Outdoor Tour is also completely ADA accessible.

  • There are limited opportunities to sit along the tour route.
  • Wear comfortable shoes, bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, umbrellas or ponchos in the event of rain.
  • Children under 16 must be accompanied by a guardian at all times; the tour is not recommended for very young children.
  • No pets.

Please note the Outdoor Tour does not go inside Music Hall.

Email us or call (513) 744-3293, Monday–Friday between 9am and 5pm to make arrangements that best serve your needs.

We do not stop at any restrooms or take any bathroom breaks during our tours. You are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes before your start time to use the restrooms. Outdoor Tour guests should visit Washington Park’s public restrooms.

Refreshments are not permitted during the Indoor Tour other than water bottles.  We encourage you to bring your own snacks and water if you would like refreshments for the Outdoor Tours. The Porch in Washington Park is open most afternoons and evenings and serves soft drinks, wine, beer and cocktails. Visit the Washington Park website for details.

Walk to one of these nearby restaurants:

Or take the FREE Cincinnati Bell Connector Streetcar to Findlay Market for a variety of dining and shopping choices.

Outdoor Building Tours occur rain or shine.

In the event of severe weather conditions we will cancel the Outdoor Tour. In this case, we will be happy to reschedule your tour or refund your ticket price. Refunds or rescheduling due to severe weather can only be processed by calling the Cincinnati Arts Association at (513) 621-2787.

Since the Friends of Music Hall is a non-profit operating small, intimate group tours with a limited capacity, we cannot refund tickets for missed tours.

  • If you are unable to attend a tour, consider giving your tour tickets to a friend or family member.
  • Ticket exchanges and tax-deductible ticket donations can be processed up to 24 hours before a tour.
  • Exchanges can be accommodated by incurring a $2 ticket exchange fee.
  • Refunds are only made in the event of severe inclement weather cancellation (typically when lightning is present).

In the instance of any other unforeseen emergency when a tour may be canceled, we will do our best to contact you before the tour using the information you provide. Friends of Music Hall representatives have the prerogative to cancel a tour for any reason or ask any individual to leave the tour group for any reason without a refund.

Refunds or rescheduling due to severe weather can only be processed by calling the Cincinnati Arts Association at (513) 621-2787.

Established as a non-profit 501(c)3 in 1992, Friends of Music Hall was founded to “preserve, promote, improve and provide education about Music Hall.” The Friends of Music Hall offers tours, a speaker series, education programs, Mighty Wurlitzer Organ Concerts, and funds renovation projects.

All tour guides and speakers are highly trained volunteers with a passion for Music Hall. To find out more about how you can support Friends of Music Hall by becoming a member or to volunteer, go to FriendsofMusicHall.org, call (513) 744-3293 or email us.

  • Washington Park Garage: 1230 Elm St., 45202. Just $3 for 2 hours or less with a special validation ticket. See details listed under the promotions and discounts tab.
  • CET / Town Center Garage: 1251 Central Pkwy., 45202
  • SP Parking Lot (uncovered): 1228 Elm St., 45202

Parking rates are subject to change and are posted at each lot or garage.


On Street Parking: Parking meter rates are posted on each meter and vary by location, so be sure to check the meter. Credit and Debit cards, coins and Cincy EZ Park app for smart phones are accepted methods of payment.

Hours of operation for parking meters:

  • Over-The-Rhine (South of 14th Street):
    • 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday
    • 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday
    • 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday
    • 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday.
  • Over-The-Rhine (North of 14th Street):
    • 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday
    • 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday
    • 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Download the Music Hall Parking Map for directions or for more information,

Take the FREE Cincinnati Bell Connector Streetcar to the Music Hall stop at 14th and Elm Streets.

Volunteer at Music Hall

We're looking for personable individuals to attend the Information Desk in the Ticket Office area of Music Hall. Volunteers in that position greet the public, give directions, and provide mini-tours. Complimentary parking is provided as a benefit. Available shifts are: Mon-Fri, 10:30am to 12:30pm, and 12:30 pm to 2:30pm. Get more information or sign up online right now!

Friends of Music Hall Tour Partner: The Symphony Hotel & Restaurant

SPECIAL THANKS to the Symphony Hotel and Restaurant for the generous donation for a voice amplification system for Friends of Music Hall Tours!

Visit the Symphony Hotel website for dining information.