Visit Dillsboro Dearborn Indiana and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the beautiful nature of Dillsboro, Indiana: A small, idyllic village in Jackson-St. Andrews State Forest. Relaxation in nature and adventure on the Deamles Run Canoe Trail!
To be honest, when I hear the word “Dillsboro Sights”, I think first of all about the dusty road that winds through the heart of Clay Township, and not about any exaggerated tourist catalog. Dillsboro was founded in 1830 by a few brave pioneers who thought a bit of land on the Ohio River was paradise – and yes, the village still has the charm of a small but stubborn border town. The old wooden houses, which still line the main road, tell stories of railways that once went through here, and of the time when the post office was the center of the happening. I do not understand the hype about the “historical” signs completely, but the sound of the old barn beams is a real pleasure for me.
When you arrive by car, take the State Road 1 – it leads you directly to the village, and parking is so straightforward that you almost feel you are a local. If you prefer to take the train, you can get off in the nearby town of Lawrenceburg and get the short bus trip to Dillsboro; this is not the fastest option, but the landscape is a real eye-catcher. I have the feeling that people here have a little more time to make sense of life, and this is reflected in the cozy cafés I like to visit to sneak a coffee and forget everyday life. And yes, if you ask yourself if there is anything to see here at all – the Dillsboro sights I mean are less monuments than a feeling of resistance that you rarely find in the hectic of the city.
I have to admit that my heart beats a bit faster every time I get to the Dillsboro Covered Bridge think – this crunching piece of wood that has been running over the Whitewater River since 1868. I don't quite understand the hype about Instagram words, but here the old building actually has character, not only because it was built by a local craftsman who probably still dreams of the railway era. Parking is usually easy as long as you don't get to the whole family on Saturday night, then this becomes a real problem because the picnic places are full and everyone tries to get a photo from sunset.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Dillsboro Historic Districtwhere the old shop fronts and the cracking headstone paver almost let you believe you'd landed in a Western film. I once discovered an old coffee shop that seems to tell more about the history of the city than the local museum – and that without any entry. If you're lucky, you'll hear the quiet ringing of the shop, which almost looks like an echo from another time.
Right next to the historical core, this Dillsboro Town Hall, a rather inconspicuous brick building from 1905, which houses the city meetings and the annual autumn festival every year. I heard a lecture on the local history where the speaker knew more about the old villagers than his own mother. The building does not have a glistening lobby, but the acoustics are so good that you can hear every whisper from the rear corner – practical if you are looking for a quiet moment.
A few blocks further Dillsboro Public Library, a small but fine refugium for readers and those who simply seek a little rest from the noise of the road. I've discovered an old city archive there, up to the 19th. Returns the century – a real treasure for anyone interested in genealogy. The staff is friendly, but not exaggerated, enthusiastic about what I feel as refreshingly honest. And yes, the WLAN works, so you can post your Instagram stories directly from the reading table.
If you have enough of buildings, I suggest you Whitewater River to dare. The river is not just a wild water paradise, but it offers enough electricity to push a relaxed kayak, and the fishing spots are popular with locals. I caught a huge rush there, which was almost as big as my canoe – a real adrenalinkick that was worth the effort of the way to go. The shore is lined with a few narrow paths that are perfect for a late picnic, as long as you do not disturb the loud quaken of the frog too much.
A short detour leads you to Dillsboro Community Parkwhere a small playground and a basketball court are waiting to be used by locals and visitors alike. I once observed a spontaneous street football game that showed more passion than some professional leagues. The park is well maintained, and parking is usually not a problem, except when the local football team organizes a tournament – then the field becomes a parking lot.
A little off the hustle and bustle Dillsboro Cemetery, a quiet place that tells more about the history of the city than one would suspect at first glance. The gravestones from the 19th century Centuries are artistically decorated, and I found an old family chronicle there, which is reported by one of the founders of the city. It is a strange but fascinating feeling of walking between the yellowed names and feeling how time is almost tangible here.
Last but not least, Dillsboro Schoolhouse forget a small museum housed in a former classroom. The original tables and chairs are still there, and old class lists are hanging on the wall, reminding you of your own school hours – only with few mobile phone distractions. I got a lead there where the guide told more about the old school rules than about the current curriculum, which was kind of refreshing nostalgic.
If you now think it's too much, don't let Dillsboro sights aren't the biggest attractions in the country, but they have a charm you can only find when you're ready to walk a bit off the beaten path. And honestly, that's exactly what I love about this little town: the mix of history, local peculiarity and the occasional "no joke, that's really that" moment that keeps you coming back.
The first stop I couldn't miss was that Big Bone Lick State Park in Kentucky, just a short jump over the bridge from the Ohio River. I have entered a piece of land that was once perched by mammoths and mastodontes – yes, really, the bones are still in the ground, and the museum on site does not allow you to believe that you are just plucking over prehistoric ruins. Parking is almost always a children's game on the main parking lot, as long as you don't arrive with the families from the neighboring towns on Saturday night, then this becomes a small crowd.
A few miles further, back in Indiana, this is Dearborn County Historical Museum in Lawrenceburg. I must confess I was skeptical because I thought a small museum in a small town was just a collection of dust and dusty photos. Surprisingly, the museum has an impressive collection of artefacts from the early settlers, and the leadership of the former prison guard who still works as a volunteer there was a real crunch. The entrance is free, and parking right in front of the building is still an open field – you can leave your car there while you stroll through the halls.
If you have enough of dusty exhibitions, I recommend a detour to you Ohio River Scenic Byway. The road winds along the river and offers breathtaking views that remind you why you have even escaped from the city. I made a picnic on the shore, while a fisherman told me that he has been throwing out his rod for over 30 years – the conversation quickly turned around the best fishing spots and the inevitable question why the water is always a bit too cold to bathe in it.
A little off the main road lies the Whitewater Canal State Historic Site. Here you can explore the old waterway in the 19th century. century was the backbone of trade in the region. I went on a small hiking trail that runs along the canal, and suddenly I stood in front of a restored lock house that still works – at least in theory. Parking is at the edge of the park, and you have to run a few meters, but this is a small price for the feeling to travel to the past.
For nature lovers Hoosier National Forest a must, and this is not too far from Dillsboro. I drove the Trail of Tears there, a hiking trail that leads through dense forests and gentle hills. The path is well marked, and the signs tell of the tragic history of the Cherokee, which went along here. I lost a bit because I was too busy watching the birds that seem to give a concert here. Parking at the entrance is generous, and you can pick up your tent if you decide spontaneously for a night in the forest.
A short trip after Aurora is also worth it. The city is a small jewel with antique shops, a charming café and an old railway bridge that leads over the Ohio River. I drank a cappuccino there while I enjoyed the view of the water, and an older gentleman at the side table told me that he has been fishing here since his childhood. Parking is at the edge of the main road, but you have to run a few meters to get to the river – this is a good training for the legs.
Last but not least a short trip to Cincinnati Nature CenterJust a cat jump over the bridge. I explored the Wildflower Trail there and was surprised how many native plant species can be found here. The visitor parking lot is large enough that you can park your car without stress, and the center offers numerous information signs that explain why the bees are particularly important here – a small indication that you should not put your own bees at home.
Next time you drive over Dillsboro, don't forget that the environment has more to offer than just a few old barns – the Dillsboro Attractions in the surroundings are a mix of history, nature and a bit of unexpected charm, which makes even the most cynical travellers sneak.
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