What makes Huntsville sights so special is the way the little town from the 19. Century suddenly appears in a modern context without losing its rough roots. I remember driving over the old railway bridge for the first time – a relic of the time when the area was still dominated by coal and wood – and I thought that the story here is not only to be felt in dusty history books, but in every sticky board. McArthur Township, which surrounds the whole, acts like a silent observer who follows the course of time with a slightly sceptical smile.
If you arrive from Logan, which is only a few miles south, you can simply take Route 78 by car – no drama, just a short stop for a coffee in the only diner I would ever call “authentic” (and that’s a word I don’t use easily). I have the feeling that the locals are a bit too proud of their tranquility, but that makes up the charm: one can almost hear the quiet whispers of the fields while strolling through the main road and discovering the few but fine shops that have more personality than some big city chains.
A little hint I don't want to conceal: The “Huntsville Sights” are not to be found in an overcrowded guidebook, but in the conversations with the old farmers who tell you in a sip of self-brown apple wine, why the annual autumn festival is the true highlight – and why I can’t fully understand the whole hype around the big festivals in the metropolis, but here the local fireworks find simply brilliant.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey is the legendary Hocking Hills State Park, a place each Ohio fan has seen at least once in the social media – and that is right. I spent the afternoon stabbing through the narrow canyons until I arrived at Old Man’s Cave, where the echo of your steps was almost as loud as the sound of the brook. Parking is usually a children's game as long as you don't arrive at the weekend between 2:00 and 4:00; then the parking lot turns into a battlefield of SUVs and family vans.
A short detour to the south leads you to Ohio Caverns, the only real dripstone caves in the state. I have to admit, I was skeptical because I thought it was just a tourist gag, but the underground halls with their crystal clear stalactites have completely knocked me around. The leader, an older gentleman with a mustache, told Anecdotes about the discovery of the caves in 19th. Century – a bit of history that you only know from school books. The entrance is not cheap, but this is what you pay for a bit of light in the dark.
If you are looking for a place where you can unpack your fishing gear, then Lake Logan That's right. I caught a couple of trouts there on a lukewarm Saturday night, while a few youngsters on the shore loudly discussed the latest season of “Stranger Things”. The lake is well maintained, the water is clear enough to see your own feet, and the boat landing is almost always free – until you arrive on Friday night, then there is a small crowd that reminds you of your patience.
A little away from the known paths lies the Hocking College Arbortum. I spent a few hours there to photograph the native trees and was surprised by a student with a remotely controlled drone project that floated over the treetops. Arboretum is free, and parking is an old, slightly sloping parking behind college – perfect if you want to feel you are in another world, far from the hustle and bustle of the main roads.
For those who love a little nostalgia and the sound of steam, the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway A must. I got into the old train that went from a small town to Logan and let me be enchanted by the slow ride through the hilly landscape. The service on board is simple, but the smile of the locomotive leader who offered you a piece of cake makes the difference. You get the ticket at the station, and parking is right next to the track – a small but fine bonus if you don't want to come too late.
A little adrenaline? Then try the Hocking Hills Canopy Tours. I registered there for the first time in the summer of 2022 because I thought that would be just another “letterpark” – and was surprised with a series of zip lines over the canopy that almost give you the feeling you're flying. The guides are super friendly, and the seatbelts are done faster than you can say “adventure”. Parking is a little tight, so better get early if you don't want to be in traffic.
A little shy stop is that Hocking Hills Museum of Earth History. I was there because I thought it was a dinosaur museum, but instead I found a collection of artifacts linking the biblical creation history with geological finds. It's a bit like a religious amusement park, and that's exactly what you need when you're looking for an unusual perspective. The museum has a small parking lot behind the building – mostly empty, except when the school classes come.
At the end a sip culture: The Hocking Hills Winery lies a few miles outside of Logan and offers a selection of local wines that are surprisingly good. I tried a Pinot Noir there that reminded me of a lousy autumn evening, and the staff was so loose that I almost felt at home. Parking is right in front of the winery, and you can take your bottle – a perfect conclusion for a day full of discoveries.
Whether you are looking for nature, history, adrenaline or a glass of wine, the surroundings of Huntsville, McArthur Township and Logan have more to offer than you would suspect at first sight. My personal favorite route connects all this Huntsville Attractions to a small but fine adventure that satisfies both the curious traveller and the easily cynical explorer.
The history of Huntsville begins long before the first asphalt I have ever overlooked, and I swear that the old railway depot is the heart of this sleepy spot. I experienced my first train ride in a bustling steam train – no joke, the thing squeaked more than my old stereo system, but the flair is real. The depot, which today serves as a small museum, houses a few rusty tracks and a shield that claims to have been the fastest locomotive in the region. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't meet all the barbecue fans from the neighborhood on Saturday night – then the field before the depot becomes the battlefield of parking search.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Huntsville Community Center, a place where the locals are hosting their weekly bingo nights, and I once accidentally landed in a yoga hour, because I misinterpreted the shield “distension”. The building is a true chameleon: during the day a gym, in the evening a concert hall for local bands that have more heart than talent. I drank a few beers there with the guys from the building office, who explained to me that the center has been the “socialist centre” of the city since the 70s – a joke, but you feel the connection.
If you're looking for a place where you really feel like a local, go to St. John Lutheran Church. The stone benches crawl, the organ game sounds like someone had worked the keys with a chain saw, and the community is so warm that they still offer you a piece of apple cake before you ever asked. I remember sleeping at the Sunday divine service and suddenly being awakened by a loud “Amen!” – that was the loudest awakening I have ever experienced.
Another jewel I can hardly praise enough is that Huntsville Schoolhousea small, red brick building that used to teach the whole city. Today it is a museum that revisits the school age of the 1950s – with old wooden writing tables, chalkboards and a dusty globe that still asks for “Atlantis”. I got a lead there with a retired teacher who told me he once had a student who later became mayor because he never left the classroom. Practical: the museum is located right next to the cemetery, so after the visit you can Huntsville Cemetery where the tombstones tell more stories than some city leaders.
For those who believe that the land life consists only of field work, there is Huntsville Farmers Market – a weekly market that takes place every Wednesday in the small square in front of the town hall. Here there are fresh strawberries, self-made jams and a stand where an older gentleman claims he has the best maize bread of the state. I tried a piece there and was sure that it was the only bread that made me cry – before joy, understands. The market is a perfect place to gather a bit of “Huntsville Sights” because each stand has its own history.
Last but not least, Huntsville Park not forget a small green piece with a playground, a picnic area and a tiny lake that houses more ducks than fish. I did a campfire there on a hot summer day (yes, this is allowed as long as you have permission from the Fire Department) and enjoyed the sound of the grills while an older couple played chess and discussed the policy loudly. This is Huntsville – a place where you feel at the same time standing in time and still getting surprised.
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