Visit Oxford Butler Ohio and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the Oxford Community Arts Center in Oxford, Ohio! A cultural centre with exhibitions, workshops and concerts. Experience the University of Miami and its historic campus. Eat in the legendary "Campus Caf" or "The Sweeter Side of Oxford". Walk in the idyllic Tappan Square. An unforgettable travel insurance! #OxfordOhio #travel tips
Honestly, if you think that Oxford is just another slept town in the Middle West, then you've spooked the story: Founded in 1811, the village grew from a small border at the Great Miami River to a pulsating junction for agriculture and railway. Today it is located in the heart of Oxford Township, Butler County, and still carries the traces of its founders in the old brick houses and the slightly weathered town plan, which you hardly notice when you start over the I‐75, because you prefer to take the country roads – which are less crowded and give you the feeling that you really get there.
I don't understand the hype about the college atmosphere, but the campus feeling next to the historic center is really great if you want a quick coffee in the evening after a long day in the car. The Cincinnati bus stops here, but I prefer to take the train to Dayton and then jump into the local minibus – this is faster, and you can watch the fields that go through the whole county.
If you ask yourself what you can see here at all, let me tell you that Oxford sights are not the typical tourist magnets, but the small, slightly overlooked corners – an old water tower mooring that still dominates the cityscape, and a few original pubs that have more character than some 5 star restaurants. And yes, all of this is in the middle of the quiet Oxford Township, which is proud of Butler County without getting too loud.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Oxford is not what the brochures offer with bold letters – it is the honorable one Campus-Quadrat Miami University, where I first saw a student in an too narrow hoodie who tried to eat a sandwich while at the same time he missed a philosophical seminar about Kant. The square is not exactly a secret tip, but the mix of historical brick buildings and the occasional squeaking of the old wooden stairs has something unpredictable that I rarely find in overflowing tourist centers. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem – then you have to either enjoy a walk through the student residences or have the chance that someone will leave his car in the backyard of the Alumni Hall.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Oxford Town Hall, a building that looks like a Victorian architect had a bad day and then decided to “improve the whole with a touch of modernity”. I once caught a city order trying to adjust the microphone while talking about the latest construction project – a spectacle that was almost as entertaining as the annual Oktoberfest karaoke that never really takes place here, but the idea remains.
If you're looking for a place where you can feel like a real local, look at this. Oxford Community Arts Center on. There are regular exhibitions of local artists, and for the first time I saw a painting consisting of recycled beer lids – no joke, that was actually quite brilliant. The Center has a small café area where you get a fair coffee, and the staff knows you when you were there for the third time. Practical: The café has free Wi-Fi, so you can post your Instagram stories live while thinking about the “art of doing nothing”.
Another must I look over again and again is that Oxford Public Library. Yes, you have read correctly – a library. But this is not some dusty place, but a place where I found a book about medieval agriculture on a Sunday afternoon in a corner, which tied me for hours, while a rainstorm on the fields died outside. The library has a small reading room window that looks directly at the campus, and this is perfect if you want to feel that you would study at the same time and save the world.
For those who believe that “market” is just a word for crowded stands, there is Oxford Farmers Market – a Saturday morning ritual that I don’t want to miss for years. Here are fresh strawberries that taste sweeter than any Instagram filter creation, and handmade soaps that you don't really need, but still buy because you feel somehow grown up. Practical note: The market is right next to the town hall, so after strolling you can visit the town hall if you don't have enough of the architecture.
A short detour to Oxford Historic District lets you see the city from a different perspective. The old houses that stand here tell stories of families who have lived here for generations – and of the few who managed not to turn the houses into a modern loft. I remember a walk there when I was suddenly addressed by an older gentleman who told me that his great-grandfather drove the first car in Oxford. Such anecdotes give the place a flair that you rarely find in travel guides.
And because I don't just want to tell the usual suspects, I still have to Oxford mention – a well maintained bike and hiking trail that leads along the Little Miami River. I once made a picnic, while a swarm duck flew over my sandwiches loudly. The way is not particularly spectacular, but it is practical because you can catch a little fresh air there without much effort if you want to loosen your legs in the city centre after a long day.
Now if you think that's too much, let me give you a little hint: Most locals talk about “Oxford Sights” because they like to use the word to show that they know their city. But the true Oxford is what you experience between the sights – the smile of the baker, the quiet sum of the bees in the city park and the occasional ringing of a church bell that reminds you that you are not in a virtual world, but in a real, slightly chaotic, but lovable little town.
The first stop of my little Odyssey was Hueston Woods State Park, a piece of unspoiled nature, which is only about 20 miles south of Oxford, and nevertheless conveys the feeling that you have landed in the heart of Ohio. I spent a few hours there with the kayak on Lake Hueston – the water is clear enough that you can almost count the ducks, and the noise of the trees looks like a natural soundtrack. Parking is a bit messy at the weekend, because the families come in with grill accessories, but a free place is almost always to be found if you stay a bit further away from the main entrance.
A short trip to Troy brought me to the Miami County Historical Museum, where I lost myself between dusty maps and old peasant tools. The exhibition about the early railways has fascinated me particularly – I don't understand the hype about old locomotives, but the sound of a real steam locomotive, which is occasionally refurbished here, is really great. The museum is located right on the main square, so parking is practically at the edge of the road, which is a small bonus for me because I don't have to look for a parking lot.
Continue along the Great Miami River Trail, a 30-mile runway that stretches through fields, small villages and along the river. I tried the route from Oxford to Hamilton; the paths are well maintained, and the few cars that pass here usually stop to enjoy the view of the water. Once I was addressed by an older gentleman who told me that he has been jogging here since his youth – this has given the whole an almost nostalgic touch.
Hamilton himself is a little jewel you should not overlook, especially when you visit Butler County Fairgrounds. The exhibition hall is a collection pool for local craftsmen, food trucks and occasional Rodeos all year round. I was there on a Saturday in autumn when a local baker sold his famous apple cake – no joke, the pieces were bigger than my face. Parking is surprisingly uncomplicated at Fairgrounds; there is a large outdoor area that almost always offers enough space as long as you do not come to the main event.
A walk through the Hamilton Historic District is like a jump in the 1800s. The brick buildings, which still carry their original shop windows, give the place a charming, slightly rusted shine. I ate a piece of cake in a small café while I enjoyed the view of the old clock at the town hall – a perfect moment to forget the hectic of everyday life. There are hardly any parking problems here because most visitors walk; a small, free parking behind the town hall is usually sufficient.
The Great Miami River itself, especially the spot near Hamilton, is an underestimated highlight. I made a picnic there, while a couple of guns loudly discussed their latest competitions. The water is not particularly deep, but the shores are ideal for a bit of sunbathing when the weather plays. Parking is a bit improvised here – a few empty fields at the edge of the river serve as an unofficial parking space, and this is completely fine as long as you respect nature.
Last but not least, a trip to the Miami and Erie Canal Towpath, a historic waterway that today serves as a hiking and cycling path. I explored the path from Hamilton to Lockland and was surprised how well the old sluices were preserved. The signs tell the story of the canal, and I had to smile when a tourist asked if you could go canoe here – unfortunately only in the performance. Access to the Towpath is free, and parking is usually found on the small parking spaces along the road, which do not take more than a few cars.
So the next time you're in the area around Oxford, Oxford Township, Butler, Ohio, you should Oxford sights do not miss – from woody lakes to historical museums to relaxed river promenades, there is enough fabric for a day full of discoveries and a bit of cynical charm.
Find more vacation destinations near Oxford Butler Ohio using our map.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
