Honestly, when I think of Lawrenceburg, I immediately jump into my brain the year 1802 – that was the founding year, and since then the city has experienced more turns than a badly written crime. Originally a small trading spot on the Ohio River, Lawrenceburg, thanks to the river, grew into a true hub for shipping and later for the railroad, giving the place a robust, slightly rusty charm. I don't quite understand the hype around the historic warehouses, but the sticky wood and the old bricks somehow have something authentic that you're looking for in vain in the sparkling metropolises.
When you arrive by car, take the I‐74 – which leads you directly to the heart of the township, where the cityscape is torn back and forth between old half-timbered houses and modern fast restaurants. I have the feeling that the locals are a bit too proud of their “small city” here, but that makes the whole thing even more lovable. And yes, the Lawrenceburg sights are not only museums; They are the small cafes that are hidden from Main Street, and the old bridges that stretch across the river, as if they wanted to remind us that history is not just living in dusty halls. So, grab a beer from the local brewery, sit on the shore and let yourself be surprised by the mix of past and present.
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 Lawrenceburg, 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 of my little Odyssey leads me to Falls of the Ohio State Park in Clarksville, where the old river bed of the Ohio reveals one of the most spectacular fossil finds in the USA – a huge layer camp made of Devon fish, which can only be reached on foot or by bike, otherwise the car sinks in the mud immediately. I made a picnic there, while an older gentleman in a devastated tractor swarmed loudly over the “good old time”; that was almost a local cult. Parking is usually a Klack at the main entrance, but when the weekend starts, the field turns into a battlefield of crowded picnic blankets and scattering ducks.
A short trip down the road brings me to Auroraa tiny little town that has more charm than a whole neighborhood in the city. There is the famous Cedar Creek Covered Bridge, a wooden bow that gets more photos than most Instagram stars. I crossed the bridge at sunset, while a local musician played a crooked bluegrass on his guitar – that was so authentic that I almost wanted to put the phone out of my hand. The parking spaces are a small field behind the Café “The Old Mill”, and that’s practical as long as you don’t come on Friday night when the locals hold their weekly beer session.
Further north, almost in the heart of the state, this is Hoosier National Forest. There are not only endless jaws, but also the notorious Trail of Tears, a trail that traces the history of the Cherokee expulsion. I explored the trail on a foggy morning, while a squirrel bravely shoved my snacks – a small but impressive indication that nature still has the upper hand here. The approach is simple: a small parking space at the entrance, but it quickly becomes full when the group of school classes arrives from the surroundings.
A few miles further south lies the Shakamak State Park, a popular destination for families who want to plan their children in clear water. I rented a kayak there and pushed down the lake, while an older gentleman in the deck chair spoke loudly about the “good old time” of the 80s – a conversation that almost brought me to rethink my own youth dreams. The park offers numerous picnic places, and parking is almost always free, except for the hot summer days when the visitor numbers are shooting up.
If you have enough water and forest, a relaxed drive along the Ohio River Scenic Byway. The road stretches along the river, past small villages, old mills and occasional art installations, which were erected by local artists. I put the radio on an old country station and enjoyed the scenery while I passed a sign that proudly announced “Welcome to the River of Dreams”. Parking along the Byway is usually not a problem as long as you do not stay in the busy tourist areas of Cincinnati.
A short jump over the bridge to Ohio leads me to Cincinnati Nature Center in Milford. There is a natural museum that tells more about the local flora and fauna than you would find in every guide. I took part in a guided hike where a natural pedagogue with an eye-catcher explained that the trees look “better than in any Instagram filter”. The entrance is free, but parking is limited – a small parking lot behind the visitor center fills up quickly when the school classes arrive.
All in all offer Lawrenceburg Attractions in the surroundings a surprisingly wide range – from prehistoric fossils to historical bridges to relaxing nature experiences – and all this with a portion of local peculiarity that makes every visit a small adventure.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Lawrenceburg is not exactly what you find in every guide – this is the Lawrenceburg Riverfront Park. Imagine you park in the small parking lot behind the old railway depot (usually no problem, except on Sundays when the families flood the field with their picnic blankets) and then stroll over the gravel path that borders directly on the Ohio River. The river has an almost melancholic splendor here, and if you're lucky, you'll see a few boats that walk past while you get an ice cream from the mobile stand that's been standing there for years. I don't quite understand the hype about the big metropolises on the water, but here the whole thing is honest, undefeated and somehow satisfying.
A short walk further, and you land in the heart of the city: the Historic Main Street. The old brick buildings seem to have survived a few centuries, and the shop windows are full of local crafts that you otherwise only see in hip Instagram posts. I bought a handmade leather belt here – a real find, because the shop owners here prefer to talk about their family history rather than sales figures. Parking is a bit tricky here, especially on Friday night when the pubs are full, but a few blocks further there is a public garage that you can easily open with a few coins.
If you're looking for history, that's it. Dearborn County Historical Museum your next stop. The museum sits in the old court building, which itself is a piece Lawrenceburg Attractions is, and houses everything from old maps to the uniforms of the local militia from 19th. Century. I saw an exhibition on the Underground Railroad, which really made me think about – not what you expect from a small town, but that's what makes the charm. The entrance is free, and the staff will not leave you with a dry fact sheet, but will tell you anecdotes you don't hear anywhere else.
A few streets on, away from the hustle and bustle, Lawrenceburg Carnegie Library. Yes, this is really a Carnegie library, built in the early 20th. Century, and she still has the creeping wooden chairs you know from old movies. I once borrowed a book about local wine culture – a strange find, because the region is more famous for beer – and the librarian immediately gave me some tips on the best wineries in the neighbouring Kentucky. Parking here is a Klacks because the building is located directly on a small side street that is rarely visited.
Now comes what I personally consider to be the true highlight: Lawrenceburg Brewing Company. This is not some pub, but a small brewery that has been driving their craft in a rebuilt warehouse for a few years. I was there on a Friday night when the city just started to welcome the weekend, and the beer – a hop-stressed IPA with a hint of citrus – was so fresh that I wanted to pour back almost the glass because it was still too cold. The brewers stand behind the tress, talk about their latest experiments and give you the feeling of being part of a small but passionate community. Parking is a bit tight here because the road is only one-lane, but a few meters further there is a small parking lot that is usually free.
A short detour to Dearborn County Courthouse completes the picture. The building is an impressive example of the classic American architecture of the late 19th century. century, and the dome can be seen from almost everywhere in the city. I took part in a guided tour where an older judge told us about the most scrupulous cases that have ever been negotiated in this court – from disappeared chickens to a dispute about a piece of land that was allegedly inhabited by a spirit. This is not only a photo object, but a piece of lively history that you can feel when you walk down the cool marble staircase.
Finally, a small secret tip that not everyone knows: St. Mary Catholic Church on the edge of the city. The church is not particularly large, but the interior is surprisingly artistic, with colorful glass windows that break the light in warm colors. I once experienced a small concert from a local jazz quartet – a moment that filled the silence of the place with an unexpected energy. Parking is a bit like a riddle here, because the street in front of the church is often occupied by residents, but a few blocks further there is a public parking space that almost always has space.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
