National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Review

I liked to see what had changed our history for the better

Amazing structure full of a powerful history we cannot forget. Friendly staff, exquisite event spaces, community oriented, and in it for the right cause.

Incredible museum that should not be missed. The exhibits are thoughtful, detailed, and honest. As an adult, I honestly felt like I learned more about the struggle of black folk from this museum than I did in school, simply because so much of the content is either hands-on, or real artifacts. That said, the exhibits are appropriate for children and would be a great learning experience, especially with an adult there to provide context. I was amazed at the physical objects they had in their collection (shackles, printing presses, civil war paraphernalia), and it really made the institutions of slavery, abolition, and the civil war seem more real and visceral.

They also have a nice exhibit on slavery in the modern world, with a lot of helpful resources for people wanting to help. I'll definitely be making a return trip to check out their genealogy department and the second floor. I highly recommend going on a day when there's a live performance scheduled. I had the opportunity to see a chorus of young black students perform classical music written by modern black composers.

Informative without being preachy. Recommend it for anyone coming to Cincinnati.

Wow! Must see attraction. Great for field trips or on your own.

Excellent!!! Awesome place to visit, plenty of
Black History

Very good presentation of the Underground railroad. Sad the Harriet Tubman theater was closed. But it was an overall excellent trip

I really enjoyed being at this museum, it was very informative.

Another part of History revealed. Volunteers helpful.

Great layout and wonderful space. Lots of really good information!

Cincinnati was my last stop on a 4,000 mile road trip. l unfortunately did not have much time to spend in Cincinnati, but I am happy I decided to visit this museum. They do offer AAA discounts, but no student discounts. The exhibits are phenomenal. When I visited, June 5th, 2016, they had an exhibit about the use of Native Indians as mascots, modern slavery, and a limited time exhibit about the Emancipation Proclamation along with their permanent exhibit. The photography exhibit they had was absolutely breathtaking. It is a very interactive museum. Make sure to check out the Berlin Wall Memorial right beside the entrance to the museum.

Great place to learn from the history. Need a few hours to see it.

Unique experience and very valuable perspective. Take the time to do it right.

Was disappointed that ther gift shop was closed . The visual presentation was not working correctly. The first part worked but the second part was inoperative. We were very disappointed. Some of the other exhibits were not working. It is a beautiful building. I hope that they get it together.

Excellent museum in the perfect area. I appreciated the way they detailed the history and travel paths that were utilized. This was a very pleasant, unexpected history lesson.

Such a powerful reminder of the sad truth of our country's history. I love how they are committed to stopping modern-day slavery.

A really great place to learn the history of slavery

An important part of American history that should not be forgotten.

Great place to take the family to learn about African American history and so much more!

Really enjoyed the guided tour through the main 3rd floor exhibit hall. The tour guide did a excellent job conveying information, telling stories and engaging group to keep us interested. The 2nd floor modern slavery exhibit hall had many displays that were broken or in poor repair.

What a great and important museum! Situated on the bank of the Ohio River in Cincinnati. The museum tells the story of slavery, the journey to freedom, all the way to modern day slavery. Highly recommend a visit.

If you are ever in Cincinnati please visit this museum. You need not forget all those who died for our freedom.

Spent all day there. Such a historical vault. I was overwhelmed at times trying to imagine the struggles of peoples. From historical slavery to modern day there s 3 floors of knowledge everyone should take time to experience.

Great place to learn about black history, you got to go once in your lifetime. So much to learn here.
Nice and clean. Great view of river.

There is so much to learn here. I was amazed by the quality of the exhibits.

Great history museum! The exhibition is really well planned and gives a clear view of the history of slavery and the work that lies ahead. The building is beautiful with great views

A truly memorable experience. Heartbreaking in many respects, but the displays are so expertly presented you are simply captivated. We started on the third floor and worked our way to the second floor, which I would recommend. This museum exceeded my expectations.

Excellent location! Virtually at the location where the underground railroad existed.

Great place for history but very expensive so stay for the day to get through it all.

Powerful experience that my family still talks about.

Definitely a good museum but really for history geeks. If not, it can be pretty dull

We enjoyed learning more about the important role the underground railroad played in our nation's history and the story of American Civil rights. As a black woman of mixed heritage it was very interesting. My husband who is whiiye enjoed it too. We did not buy the extras just the basic ticket so we did not do the Rosa Parks Experince or art gallery etc. We were there about 2.5 hours. We did notice that some stories were repeated multiple times. It was easy to self direct your tour. We reccomended this museum. We we're glad they didn't get thier message coopted by the gay movement like other civil rights museums. In my opinion it detracts from the ma,y miseries that African Americans suffered due to slavery and Jim Crowe.

What an experience of a lifetime. Very informational.

I was excited to go here and see some artifacts and stories from the underground railroad. What I didn't expect was modern day slavery, which wasn't bad, but that's where I happened to start, but it turned out to be the best part of it. Unfortunately many of the interactive parts were broken. There was also a lot to read, even for someone that likes museums and reading. They also recommend that you start on the 3rd floor and work your way down, but I didn't realize that most of the stuff is on the third floor and there is nothing on the first. Spend most of your time at the top and don't worry about splitting it between the floors evenly.

A lot of information. I took my 8 year old daughter. She loved it and had fun, but she didn't want to slow down and read everything. Very nice museum.

Breathtaking place to be! Great view point for taking pics and enjoy the scenery on top of the fabulous history housed here.

So much to see and learn. My father would have love this museum if he was still here. I'm coming back to learn more about history and trying to find out about my families on both sides.

Wasn't the experience I was expecting after Reading all the reviews and website
I enjoyed the experience and it provoked thought and discussion from the group I was with. The children with us didn't enjoy all of the reading but advised that he "enjoy the artifacts."

Glad to look into the life of others and seeing how blessed some of us are.

Definitely recommend planning a few hours for this experience

Very nice museum. Lots of historical information. Well put together exhibits. Very informational. We wished we had more time to spend here.

This place is worth the trip. Better than other museums in the area. If you can fit it into trip, do so. Amazing!!

Incredible architecture and well curated content. Truly an unforgettable place.

Museum was amazing. Did not have enough time to see every level, but will definitely be going back to see the rest.

Very poignant and sobering history of slavery. The history of enslaved people must be talked about and recounted in an educational platform to help society understand the horror and tragedy of such atrocities. The freedom center does just that.

Such a cool place to be! You learn a lot and it takes you on an emotional and intellectual ride. They even help you with ancestry find.

The experience was very informative, however I expected more information and history about Harriet Tubman.

I went every time that I went to the Cincinnati Jazz Fest. IT WAS A MUST for me.We have a long and deep history that has been stolen and suppressed. I will never forget. Next week I will be in DC at The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture for my Birthday Celebration.

Moving experience. Brings the evils of slavery to life.

Artwork here is amazing&historical learning significant. Definitely a must see.

The question that should be posed to the black American and all man kind that visit this place called the Underground Railroad is. How far did they transgress against the word of God to where he placed such a tremendous trial apon them.

An awesomely historic facility. The staff is professional and friendly. The building is modern and well curated.

Historical Value & Even learned about some distinct relatives.

My first visit left me so impressed and in awe I find it hard to describe how rewarding a visit here is.

Being a Canadian and seeing this was really blind blowing.

Great tour guide and look at slavery that goes beyond standard school teaching.

The Mandela exhibit was one of the best I've ever seen on him.

I fully expected a 1-hour visit, but was impressed at the depth and breadth of what the Freedom Center had to offer. Start at the top floor, and work your way down, and you can easily spend a day (or a solid morning or afternoon) looking and learning. This is really worth a visit.

Now, my complaint: far too many displays had something broken. I'll estimate that 1 out of every 4 had some kind of issue. The Freedom Center costs money. Some of that .money needs to go back into fixing the displays.

Aside from the broken exhibits, this was really a great place to go for a day. I look forward to going back.

Worth visiting but lacking some details of underground railroad. We can never forget.

Such important voices, perspectives, and stories shared here. Keep us accountable!

Amazing experience! Highly recommend to all visiting cinci!

My students really enjoyed this and it was very educational

Proclamation was not on exhibit. Staff was clueless-said "it needed to rest". Lighting was out in much of the museum; manager said they had a power surge.
Exhibits were mostly art, not artifacts.

Very interesting - lots of reading. My 10 year old lost interest about half way through.

Great experiences and informative exhibitions. You need a bit of time to explore

Excellent experience to visit the Cincinnati Freedom Center. The history of Slavery past and present are displayed here. The Underground Railroad was a real sad part of history. Must see and learn about the slave trade that affected our country. The historical evidence helps us to learn about the path that led us to today. The African Americans who have overcome this long history of slavery are true survivors. It is inspirational. The present day stories are shockingly common. Interesting Rosa Parks exhibit. Wonderful theater has a short documentary. Wonderful paintings are displayed..

Very educational and a wonderful set up learning as you walk through the exhibits

Deep sooo deep!! Excellently put together. Definitely a must see! Visit the 4th floor and have your ancestry researched

Beautiful exhibits. Fairly balanced reporting. Interesting stories and exhibits. Incredible building. A must see!

Why is it in order to visit National Underground Railroad Freedom Center you must pay $15 per person when an individual can visit the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC free of cost is it because it's a black Museum a museum dedicated to the freeing of slaves??? For African Americans This Museum represents African American Holocaust so why must we be forced into pay $15 to view our history and America's dark history of slavery and the escape and fight to be free man and women in America