A hidden gem of hope is tucked away in Covington, KY, across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio, on top of a hill, cut by Interstate 75 in Northern Kentucky.
A Hidden Gem in Covington, Kentucky
Thousands of people pass by the Garden of Hope as they drive on the interstate every day and don’t even know it’s there.
The Story Behind the Garden of Hope
The Garden of Hope was the dream of Reverend Morris H. Coers who was inspired by a visit to the Holy Land in Israel in 1938.
He knew that many people wouldn’t be able to travel overseas and wanted to bring to bring a bit of the Holy Land back to Northern KY.
The Garden of Hope opened to the public on Palm Sunday, 1958.
The 2.5 acre park has an exact replica of Christ’s tomb in Jerusalem, historic artifacts, imported stones from the Jordan River, Jerusalem’s Wailing Wall, Solomon’s Temple, chapel and more.
Garden of Hope Tour
The best way to tour The Garden of Hope is to set up a free tour by volunteers.
Tours are made by appointment in advance.
You can visit the site without a tour, but you’ll miss out on hearing the stories of why this place is so special.
You’d also miss out on stepping into the buildings that have relics of history that are museum-worthy, that you’re also encouraged to touch.
The Carpenter Shop at the Garden of Hope
The inside of the carpenter shop had an extremely detailed mural that took the artist 2 years to complete.
Our guide showed us tools, hundreds of years old, previously used in carpentry shops.
It’s not every day you get to hold a piece of history that has outlived generations.
She showed us each tool and how it was used, and we got to hold a few tools too.
Enjoy An Incredible View of Cincinnati
After the carpenter shop tour, we climbed the stairs and took in the view. Garden of Hope has a beautiful vantage point of the Cincinnati skyline.
It’s a nice place for a quiet picnic too.
The Replica of the Garden Tomb
The Garden Tomb area is similar to what we saw on our trip to Israel in ’98. It was so special to visit a replica of the tomb on Easter.
You also need to take the tour to be able to step inside the tomb.
If you visit when the tomb door is locked you can still view inside through the gated door.
Inside the Replica Tomb at the Garden of Hope
Everything inside the tomb is built to scale like the one in Jerusalem.
Even the way the area for the feet had to be made bigger because they believe that the original person that the tomb was intended for was shorter than Jesus.
Even though it’s a replica tomb, it’s a great visual to help bring bible stories to life that our kids read about in the Easter story.
The Chapel at the Garden of Hope
There is also a small chapel you can tour with an interesting history.
The chapel can also be requested for small weddings or memorials.
Kids will enjoy ringing the bells outside the chapel.
Other Points of Interest at the Garden of Hope
You can also view a stone from Solomon’s Temple (as seen above), a stone from the Jordan River, and the Good Samaritan Inn.
There are stories about two miracles there, but you need to take the tour to hear them.
Where is the Garden of Hope Located?
699 Edgecliff St., Covington, Ky.
Parking at the Garden of Hope
There is a small parking lot for guests at the Garden of Hope.
When is the Garden of Hope Open?
The Garden of Hope is open year-round from sun up to sun down. I also want to note that may of the stone steps are uneven so be mindful of your footing.
The Garden of Hope has some steep inclines which can be a challenge if you’re pushing a wheelchair but there are paved areas and a ramp.
More Information on the Garden of Hope
For information regarding directions, a guided tour, a wedding, or a memorial service, call (859) 491-1777.
Sometime back in the late 1980’s, the devotional magazine “Guideposts” has a piece in it about the miracle of the creation of this amazing place. If anyone can find it, it will add to how very special the Garden of Hope is. I would love to re-read it, and have been trying to find a copy.
That’s great to hear! I’m so glad that you found the article on the Garden of Hope to be helpful.
Oh gosh, thank YOU!
Years ago, I remember seeing a banner advertising this place up on the hillside while occasionally driving south on I-75. Today is an important day for me and I really wanted to go someplace special (outdoors) to pray, but didn’t know where to go. I had thought about that banner for years, but as this particular day was approaching, I could not remember what it advertised.. Since there were no suitable alternatives, I considered that I could just go down that way and driving around until I found it. However, early this morning – on my special day, I was awaken with the words; “Garden of Jerusalem”. I sprung out of bed onto Google. Of course, that isn’t the name, but Googling those words with the location ‘Northern Kentucky’ brought me to YOUR webpage! LOOK AT THIS! [BTW – the address you posted and plugged into GPS saved me hours of driving, I am certain.
I am so very grateful. I spent the entire morning [alone] and it was so much more meaningful than any other place I could have visited. I have been to the Garden Tomb in Israel three times the last three years and this replica is identical.
The garden is very clean and well cared for, and the flowers were beautiful, but the grounds are definitely showing the wear of age. I do hope there will be an upsurge of interest and funding to keep this treasure preserved.
Thank you again and again for posting this!
It’s free to visit.
what is the cost?
699 Edgecliff St, Covington, KY
irections or address???
I would call before if you want an official tour to go inside the tomb, etc but you can still walk the grounds without a tour.
Is this place still open
Thank you so much for this little gem!! I can’t wait to take my family!
When I was a little, my church had an outting there. Since then I live in Indiana. I have brought my husband and my girls there. We have been there for Easter sun rise service!
This is awesome! I would have never known this was so close to me. Thank you for posting and sharing.