Travellers from all over the world appreciate Ryland Height's attractions because of their unexpected mix of rural charm and underestimated history. I have always wondered why this small town in the heart of Kenton County, embedded in the rural area of the Northern Kentucky, is reaping so little, although it has served as an agricultural centre since the 1850s and later experienced a little industrial upswing thanks to the railway. On the first steps through the main road you can immediately feel that there are more than just field paths and old barns – the echo of families who have lived here for generations is almost tangible. To be honest, most visitors come by car over the I‐275, because the public bus lines of Covington barely reach here, and this is no wonder: who drives here wants to experience the authentic “small city feeling”, not the crowded tourist tram. I don't quite understand the hype around the big metropolises, but the quiet stroller of the Little Miami River, which lies at the edge of the city, is the real highlight for me. So, if you're looking for a place that whispers history quietly, while modernity is just passing by the edge, Ryland Heights is just the right thing – and yes, Ryland Heights' sights are more than just a name on a map.
With the map tool, you can plan the ideal location for a photo online in advance – taking into account the sun's path and the surroundings.
Here's how it works:
Advantage:
You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site – ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Ryland Heights, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
The first stop I always imagine is that Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. I spent my childhood with a teddy bear in my backpack, and that was not just a trip, but a little ritual. The way over the bridge to Ohio is a bit like a mini adventure: the noise of the Ohio River in the background, the car packed with snacks, and suddenly you are faced with the majestic giraffes that seem to have more patience than most people in professional traffic. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem – then you have to run a few blocks, but this is just the charm, because you discover the small cafes at the entrance, which will otherwise be overlooked in passing.
A short trip to Newport, Kentucky, leads directly to Newport Aquarium. I don't quite understand the hype around the “Shark Tunnel” – a few sharks swimming through a glass tube path is not exactly what keeps me awake at night – but the huge octopus basin is a real eye-catcher. I remember standing there as a teenager, the hands on the glass wall, and suddenly a little boy next to me shouted “Wow!” because a starfish crawled over the ground. This is the real experience you can't plan. Parking is usually free on Riverside Drive as long as you don't get to lunchtime when the families with strollers block the street.
If you have enough of water life, it is worth a trip to Big Bone Lick State Historic Site in Union. This is not just a park that is a piece of prehistoric history that can be seen with your own eyes. I made a picnic there once, while a guide told Mammuts who had their home here more than 10,000 years ago. The trails are well marked, and the visitor centre has a small museum that reports more about the fossils than you can find in any Wikipedia article. Practical: The parking lot is large enough that you don't have any stress even on a sunny Saturday afternoon, as long as you don't get too late – the visitor center closes earlier than most attractions.
Another highlight I always mention is the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge. Yeah, that's the same bridge that later inspired the Brooklyn Bridge, and yes, it's a bit rusty, but that gives her character. I once stood there at sunset, the light played over the steel ropes, and I thought this is the perfect photo for Instagram – if you don't put too much value on likes, you understand. The pedestrian path is wide enough to drive by bike, and parking on the Covington side is usually free as long as you do not arrive in professional traffic.
For those who want to sniff a little culture, this is Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal A must. The imposing Art-Deco building is a landmark that you do not miss when you look at the city from the other side of the river. I spent a day there that began with an exhibition on the history of the region and ended with a short train ride in the historic train “Ohio River Scenic”. Parking is a bit tricky because the museum is a popular meeting place, but the nearby city park parking is a good alternative if you are ready to walk a few minutes.
A little nature? That's it. Cincinnati Nature Center in Milford, Ohio, that's right. I spent a weekend with my dog there, and the trails through the forests are so well maintained that you feel like walking in a movie. The Center offers a visitor centre with interactive displays that bring you closer to the ecosystem without having to be a biologist. The parking lot is large, but on holidays it can be filled – then it is worth coming early to get the best place.
Finally a short detour into the heart of Covington: the Riverfront Park. I have often sat there in the evening, enjoyed a beer from the local brewery and threw the view over the Ohio River on the Cincinnati skyline. This is the place where you can feel the real city life without being overrun by tourist crowds. Parking is usually free, but at special events such as the annual fireworks, it can become narrow – then a short walk from the main road is the better choice.
Whether you are a fan of wild animals, prehistoric bones, impressive architecture or quiet nature trails, the surroundings of Ryland Heights offers a colourful mix that delights every traveler. My personal favorites have shown me that the region has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance – and that is exactly what the Ryland Heights Attractions makes a worthwhile goal.
Already at first glance at the small, inconspicuous parking lot behind the Ryland‐Heights-Stadthaus it becomes clear why I repeatedly call this place a “secret epicentre” – here begins the true adventure that I put to my friends again and again.
I have to admit that I do not understand the hype about the “big” cities in Kentucky, but that Ryland Heights Community Center is the real heart for me. The pool is not Olympic, but perfect for a spontaneous leap bath when the weather suddenly becomes moody. I once met an old acquaintance who just came back from a road trip through the Appalachen, and we philosophized over life for hours while we were planning in the water. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, as it becomes a real problem – then you have to decide between a parking lot and a parking lot for the adjacent baseball field.
A short walk down the road leads you to Ryland Heights Park. The name sounds like a marketing campaign, but the reality is a small but fine place with a playground that has more rusty climbing stands than you think is healthy, and a narrow hiking trail that leads directly along a small stream. I once made a picnic with my sister, and we made fun of the fact that the only “wildlife” we saw was a stray dog that gave us curiously before he moved on. The park is ideal if you want to catch some fresh air without losing the whole day in the forest.
If you're looking for a little culture, look at the Ryland Heights Branch of Kenton County Public Library on. I don't understand why some people do libraries as boring – there are not only books, but also regular readings and a small café that serves surprisingly good coffee. I once met a local historian who told me about the early settlers that the area in the 19th century. The century settled. The conversation ended with showing me an old picture of a horse carriage he kept in the library. Practical: Wi-Fi is free, and parking is right outside the door, which is ideal for spontaneous visits.
A little away from the city centre St John the Baptist Catholic Church, a small church house with a surprisingly impressive stained glass window front. I once participated in a Sunday Mass, just to see how the church came together after the church service and distributed homemade cakes – a real taste of the hospitality that prevails here. The church is not only a place of prayer, but also a meeting place for local events, from choir samples to charity baars.
For those who love the water, a short trip to Ohio River Overlook on the nearby River Road. The view over the river is not exactly spectacular as at the big national parks, but the gentle noise of the water and the opportunity to observe a few anglers while ejecting their rods have something calming. I once saw an old fishing boat there, which seems to be anchored there for decades – a perfect place to just let the soul dangle.
And yes, if you are looking for a list that you can simply edit, here is a short overview of the Ryland Heights AttractionsI personally recommend for a visit: Community Center, City Park, Library, St. John’s Church and the Ohio River Overlook. Each of these places has its own charm, and the best thing is that you can reach them all without great effort – a short walk or a short drive.
At the end of the day, when you ask yourself why I spend so much time practicing these little corners, the answer is simple: in a world that constantly searches for the next big thing, there are the inconspicuous places that give you the feeling of having really arrived. And that, my friend, is the real gift of Ryland Heights.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
