Mount Vernon is located on the banks of the Ohio River and has a surprisingly quiet charm. The mix of historical buildings and vast natural landscapes makes the city an underestimated photo pot. I especially like the open light on the river, which almost every motif dips into a soft gold. If you're looking for new motifs, you'll find the best spots and some tricks to crack the picture. The keyword Sightseeing in Mount Vernon leads you directly to the highlights.
I plan to shoot the image that captures both the city and nature in a breath. The Civil Twilight is ideal to catch the first lights of the city – the soft blue almost magically acts. For the classic light mood I use the search term “Golden Hour” and position me on the river banks where the light dances over the water. The sunset over the silhouettes of the old warehouses provides dramatic contrasts. In the Blue Hour I set on long-term exposures to turn the lights of the bridges into flowing strips. The map tool of poi‐travel.de, which is embedded here, shows you the position of the sun, the azimuth values and the exact line in which the sun shows at this time – practically for lighting planning.
The Posey County Courthouse is the central attraction in Mount Vernon. The impressive brick building from the 19th century The century offers a classic façade with columns, which is particularly photogenic at sunrise. The clock in the tower throws an interesting light game on the street at the Blue Hour. Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9–17, free admission. Best early in the morning photograph when the light from the east illuminates the front. Insider tip: From the opposite road you have a clear view of the mirroring in the small fountain in front of the building.
This nature reserve is one of the most popular landmarks for landscape photography. The gentle hills and the dense forest piece offer a red and gold color play in autumn. The view tower on the southern edge is a perfect photo location for the Golden Hour, because the sun goes behind the trees. Entrance: 5 USD per vehicle, opening hours: 7–22 a day. In the morning there are hardly any visitors, the light is clear and the air fresh. Insider tip: The small waterfall behind the main path can be transformed into a silver band at Blue Hour.
The Pearson Mill is a historic mill that serves today as a museum and photo pot. The old mill wheel in the foreground, which is surrounded by the river, creates a strong image motif, especially at sunset, when the water glitters. The mill is well preserved as a sight and offers guided tours that take place daily in the summer. Entrance: 3 USD, opening hours: 9–18. For the best picture you should photograph the mill from the west side when the sun is behind the river. Insider tip: The small café next to the mill has a terrace overlooking the water – ideal for a relaxed shooting at the Blue Hour.
The Red Bridge is a striking red iron bridge that leads over the Ohio River and is a popular photo motif. The structure is particularly strong at the Civil Twilight when the city lights begin to shine. The bridge is part of a larger attraction that includes hiking trails and picnic areas. Entrance: free, opening hours: round the clock. The best time is shortly after sunset when the red metal lights in counterlight. Insider tip: From the left side of the bank you get a symmetrical reception of the bridge with the river in the foreground.
This historic street is a piece of local history, which today serves as a quiet road. The old field stones and the sections lined by trees offer an idyllic image, especially in spring, when the leaves are freshly sprinkled. The street is an official attraction that is maintained by the city. No entrance fee, available at any time. For the Golden Hour it is recommended to stop at the old barn, which gets a warm light in the backlight. Insider tip: Look out for the small signs that give historical facts to the street – this gives your picture context.
Modern Campground is located on the edge of Mount Vernon and is a modern attraction for outdoor photography. The well maintained pitches and the wooden bridges over small streams offer numerous perspectives. Especially at the Blue Hour, the lights of the campsites create a cozy flicker. Entrance: 10 USD per night, opening hours: 24 hours. Early in the evening, when the campers turn their lights on, an atmospheric picture is created. Insider tip: The small wooden pavilion at the lake is a perfect place for long-term exposures with reflective water.
The Miami State Recreation Area is a large lake with many water sports facilities and a popular photo pot. The wide water areas reflect the light of the Golden Hour especially beautifully. The park is a landmark and offers boat rental, picnic areas and hiking trails. Entrance: 4 USD per vehicle, opening hours: 6–23. The best image is created in the late afternoon when the water is almost still and the light gently slides over the surface. Insider tip: From the small ridge at the north end you have a clear view of the silhouette of the surrounding trees, which shine in opposite light.
The Seasonal Campground is a seasonal campsite that is open in summer and is considered a sight for nature and night photography. The open meadows and the campfire setup offer great motifs for the Blue Hour. Entrance: 8 USD per parking space, opening hours: from May to September, 24 hours. For long-term exposures, a place near the campfire is recommended, where the flame play is in the foreground. Insider tip: The small wooden path leading to the lake is particularly photogenic at sunset because the light falls through the trees.
Asherwood is a small town park that serves as a local attraction for relaxed recordings. The old oaks and the small monument in the center create a quiet image that fits well with the Civil Twilight. Entrance: free, opening hours: daily 5–22. The best time is just after sunset when the lights start slowly in the park. Insider tip: On the left side of the park there is a small bridge over a brook that creates a beautiful mirror image at the Blue Hour.
The combination of historic buildings, river landscapes and well maintained parks makes Mount Vernon a versatile photo motif. Whether you're looking for sunsets, blue-hour moods or urban details, Sightseeing in Mount Vernon offer enough choice. With the map tool of poi‐travel.de you always have the light planning handle and can time every image optimally.
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 Mount Vernon, 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.
| Phase | Characteristics | Top Attractions in Mount Vernon |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Hour | Warm, soft light shortly after sunrise or before sunset; long shadows, golden reflections. | Posey County Courthouse, Hogback Ridge State Recreation Area, South 810 East, Miami State Recreation Area |
| Sunset | Intensive colors, silhouettes, glittering water. | Pearson Mill State Recreation Area, Red Bridge State Recreation Area |
| Civil Twilight | Dark blue light, city lights begin to shine. | Red Bridge State Recreation Area, Asherwood Park |
| Blue Hour | Cool blue, long exposures, lights become stripes. | Posey County Courthouse, Hogback Ridge State Recreation Area, Pearson Mill State Recreation Area, Modern Campground, Seasonal Campground, Asherwood Park |
| Photos | Settings (ISO/Blende/Zeit) | Professional tip |
|---|---|---|
| Posey County Courthouse | ISO 200 / f/8 / 1/125 s | Use the tripod to capture the tower light in the Blue Hour clearly. |
| Hogback Ridge State Recreation Area | ISO 400 / f/5.6 / 1/60 s (Golden Hour) – ISO 800 / f/2.8 / 30 s (Blue Hour) | Position at the view tower to use the sun behind the trees. |
| Pearson Mill State Recreation Area | ISO 100 / f/11 / 1/250 s (sunset) | Photographing from the west side to emphasize the sparkling water in counterlight. |
| Red Bridge State Recreation Area | ISO 400 / f/5.6 / 1/80 s (Civil Twilight) | Left side choose for a symmetrical composition. |
| South 810 East (Historic Route) | ISO 200 / f/8 / 1/100 s (Golden Hour) | Use old barn as a foreground to emphasize the counterlight. |
| Modern Campground | ISO 800 / f/2.8 / 20 s (Blue Hour) | Wood pavilion at the lake as mirrors for the lights. |
| Miami State Recreation Area | ISO 100 / f/11 / 1/200 s (Golden Hour) | Take photos from the Nordsteig to take advantage of the calm water surface. |
| Seasonal Campground | ISO 800 / f/2.8 / 30 s (Blue Hour) | Fire in the foreground, using trees as natural light. |
| Asherwood Park | ISO 400 / f/5.6 / 1/60 s (Civil Twilight) – ISO 800 / f/2.8 / 25 s (Blue Hour) | Use small bridge over the creek for a blue mirror image. |
A short trip to Evansville is worth looking for urban street scenes. The old factory building on Riverside Drive cast interesting shadows, especially in the late afternoon.
However, the small town of Newburgh is rather a quiet place. There are a few abandoned barns that almost have their own lives with their patina.
Madison am Ohio River has a historic neighborhood that is well suited for brick buildings. The bridge over the river also provides a good motive for long-term exposures.
If you want to cross the border to Kentucky, look at Henderson. The old port area sometimes acts somewhat overrun, but the combination of water and rusty cranes is photogenic.
Metropolis, Illinois, is not only known for Superman, but also has a few abandoned warehouses that almost seem scary in fog.
A detour to the Hoosier National Forest can be worthwhile if you are looking for nature photos. The paths are not always clearly marked, which gives the image a slight breakdown.
Vevay on Ohio River has a small winery that brings a little color to the picture in autumn. The vines are quite relaxed there, almost too relaxed for dramatic recordings.
A short stop in Cannelton, Indiana, offers old quarries. The rough rock walls are a good counterpart to the smooth river landscapes.
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