What makes the Hunter sights so special is their inconspicuous charm, which is only revealed when you leave Franklin Township's dusty country roads and reach the heart of Warren County. I remember coming here for the first time in the 1990s with my old Ford Crown Victoria – the crunching of the tires on the asphalt was the only sound that broke through silence. The history of Hunter dates back to early 19. century, when pioneers colonized the area because of its fertile soils and access to the Ohio-River vessel; Today the village is a silent witness of this era, without the exaggerated tourist turmoil that is found in larger cities.
A short detour from the State Route 2, right next to the I‐76 node, takes you to the middle of the village – no wonder that I enjoy the tranquillity again and again, while others are looking for the next hipster café. The old half-timbered houses along the Main Street tell stories of blacksmiths who still have the sound of hammer and amboss in their ears, and families who have lived here for generations. I don't understand the hype around modern art centres, but the authentic “Hunter Sights” – a small cemetery from the 1800s, a restored post office and the annual harvest festival – are the real highlight for me. So whoever searches for a place that breathes history and at the same time scarcely touches modern life should definitely plan a detour here; the car can be parked easily, and a short walk is enough to get the feeling that time here is slower.
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 Hunter, 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 place I could not miss was that Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which is just a short drive south of Hunter and feels like a green junction between industry and idyll. I tried the Brandywine Falls Trail there – a short but steep ascent that rewards you with a dead waterfall that is almost as loud as the morning horn on I‐80. Parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you do not arrive at the weekend with a horde family from the suburbs; then the car park chaos becomes an attraction for itself.
A few miles further north, almost like a secret retreat for all who have enough of urban noise lies Lake Milton State Park. The lake is not exactly a crystal clear alpine lake, but the quiet ploughs of the boats and the occasional quakens of the ducks create an almost meditative atmosphere. I remember renting an old rowing boat on a hot July afternoon – the thing was so shaky that I almost thought I had landed in a floating carousel. The beach is well maintained, and the small visitor center has more local artwork than souvenirs, which provides a bit of culture during the sunbathing.
If you'd rather be on foot, then the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail That's right. The path stretches through fields, small villages and past historical ruins that still preserve the old water transport heritage. I have explored the section between Lock 31 and Lock 33; the highlight was an old mill wheel that still crawls in the wind, as if it wanted to remind you that there was once hard work instead of leisure. The great thing: you can leave your bike almost everywhere, and parking at the trail entrance is free – a rare luck in this area.
A short jump to the east leads you to Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor. The museum is a bit like an honest mirror of the region: It shows the glorious days of steel production, but also the hard times after. I was particularly impressed by an old welding machine that still sprayed sparks when a visitor mistakenly activated them – a small horror, but a good example that history is not only dusty, but alive. The entrance is free, and parking is right in front of the building, but after lunch you have to share with a few students who complete their internships there.
A little further south, almost on the border to Pennsylvania, this is Pymatuning Reservoir with its famous Audubon Center. The lake is huge, and the bird watching here is legendary – for the first time I saw a rare cormorant while standing on the wooden platform and trying not to be disturbed by a horde duck. The visitor centre offers interactive displays that reveal more about local ecology than you would find in a normal guide. Parking is generous, but at weekends it can be filled because anglers and families want to enjoy the water alike.
At the end of my small tour through the surroundings of Hunter I still have to Mill Creek Park in Youngstown. The park is a real patchwork of lakes, hiking trails and even a small zoo that is more for children than for adults – but hey, who doesn't love the feeling of being a child again when feeding a cheeky monkey? I spent a sunny afternoon there, a picnic on the meadow and enjoyed the quiet noise of the brook. The car park is well signposted, and the entrance fee system is so straightforward that you hardly have time to complain.
Whether you’re looking for nature, history or a relaxing day in the water – the surroundings of Hunter offer a colourful mix of experiences that go far beyond the city centre. These Hunter Attractions show that the little Franklin Township has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance.
This guide invites you to stroll with me through the rather inconspicuous but surprisingly charming Hunter in the heart of Franklin Township – yes, just the small corner that you would easily overlook if you don't want to accidentally shorten the way to Warren County Fair. I must admit, I have never understood the hype about the “big” cities in Ohio, but the Hunter Attractions have their own, slightly slanted shine, which I would like to share here with you.
For the first time, what I always call the “heart”: Hunter Park. A small but well-maintained green strip that stretches along the old railway line. There is not only a playground that has more rusty chains than colourful colors, but also a small lake where ducks – and occasionally a confused frog – turn their rounds. Parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you don't want to host a barbecue with the entire Franklin Township on Saturday night – then parking becomes a small adventure.
A short walk (or a short Uber, depending on the mood) leads you to Warren County Fairgrounds. I experienced the annual County Fair there for the first time, and that was a mix of sugar cane, rumble and a lot of local craftsmanship, which you can only see in Instagram posts by “rustic” influencers. The halls are huge, the terrain is well signposted, and the best: there is always a small kiosk that offers you a freshly baked apple cake – no joke, that is better than any Michelin star creation when you ask me.
If you're looking for a story, that's it. Warren County Historical Society Museum That's right. Located in the old courthouse of Warren, just a few minutes from Hunter, the museum houses everything from ancient maps to a collection of ancient oil barrels that once shaped the local industry. I discovered an old photograph there that shows how the area was still pulled over the fields by horse cars – an image that reminds me every time that we do not live here in a futuristic metropolis, but in a place that still knows its roots.
Another jewel I like to mention is the Franklin Township Library. Yes, you have read correctly – a library that has more to offer than just books. The corner with local authors who regularly organize readings there is a real secret tip. And the staff? Friendly, a little lazy, and always ready to recommend you a coffee that tastes better than what you cook at home. Parking is almost always free here as long as you do not come to the “Book Club Night”, then parking suddenly becomes a mystery again.
For nature lovers among you there are Ohio & Erie Canal Towpathwho's just passing Hunter. I packed out my running shoes there several times and tumbled along the old canal, while I enjoyed the quiet strollers of the water and the occasional quaken of frogs. The path is well maintained and you can stop at any time at one of the small piers to make a picnic – provided you have not forgotten to take your blanket.
A short trip to the centre of Warren brings you to Warren County Courthouse. The building is an impressive example of classical American architecture, and although I have never really visited a trial (and that does not want), the interior is impressive – high ceilings, marble columns and a small museum that documents the legal history of the county. Here there are always a few tourists who take photos, and this is the only time that you really feel like being part of a bigger story in Hunter.
Finally, a small note for those who like to buy fresh products: The Warren County Farmers Market takes place every Saturday morning near the Fairgrounds. I tried the best tomatoes of my life there – sweet, juicy and without the usual “supermarket feeling”. The market is a bit messy, but that makes the charm. And yes, parking is a bit tricky here, so come early, otherwise you have to decide between a stand full of pumpkins and a parking lot.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
