Visit Verona Preble Ohio and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Verona, Ohio - Experience the Amish culture! Verona is a small village in Ashtabula County known for its Amish community. Discover traditional crafts, farms and markets. A must: The Amish bakery with its delicacies! On the way there you can explore the beautiful coast of Lake Erie or take a walk in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Verona offers a quiet and authentic experience in Ohio!
Honestly, if you think Verona sights are just a few dusty shields on the highway, then you haven't seen the story of this little jewel in the heart of Preble County. Founded in 1851, the town grew out of a tiny border post that once had the way between Dayton and the Great Miami River – a bit like a forgotten stopover that only locals still appreciate. Today the old main road winds through the heart of Harrison Township, and each house tells of a time when horses were still the main means of transport; that is at least the picture that comes to me when driving in the car when I leave the I‐70 and turn off on the road.
I don't understand the hype around the big metropolises, but here, between corn fields and the quiet sum of the wind turbines, you find a real piece of Ohio, which is not overrun by tourists. The County Road Bus, which lasts every two hours, is not a luxury train, but it will take you to the city centre, where you can get a coffee in one of the few cafés that is almost as strong as the local character. And yes, if you ask where you should spend your time: the small parks on the edge of the river, the old town hall with its slightly sloping clock and the annual autumn festival – these are the true Verona attractions that I recommend to anyone seeking a bit of authenticity without starting a selfie marathon.
So if you ask me, this is Verona Community Park the true heart of this little town – and I don't just mean that because I spend my Sunday Frisbee sessions with the kids. The park is practically on the edge of the main road, so parking is almost always a Klack, except you are lucky to land there on a Saturday night, then it becomes a real patience game. I don't quite understand the hype about the huge metropolises, but here there is a playground, a baseball field and even a small lake where ducks are shaking as if they had a meeting with the mayor. So if you're looking for a place where you can rest and watch the real life of the locals, you're right here.
A short walk on and you stumble over the Verona Public Library. I was there to borrow a book about local history, and was greeted by a friendly librarian who immediately showed me the way to the archive – a small but fine corner that hardly anyone uses because most prefers to drag their information from Google. Nevertheless, if you're looking for a little nostalgia and don't shy away from rolling some dusty yearbooks, this is your spot. And yes, the WLAN is faster than that in some cafes in Cleveland, so no reason to turn off the phone.
Now there is a place that I personally always underestimate: St John the Baptist Catholic Church. Many tourists think that this is just another historical building, but for us locals it is a living meeting place. I took part in a choir sample there – no joke, I tried to meet the high tones and more like a hot frog. Nevertheless, the architecture is impressive, and the bell game on Sunday morning is loud enough to remind you that you do not live in sleep mode.
If you're interested in history, you'll have to Verona Historical Society Museum in the old school building from the 1920s. I found an old photo album there that shows my great-grandparents how they drive through the main road with a horse car – a picture that makes me sneak every time I think of how much the city has changed, while the museum itself has hardly been modernized. The museum is small, but the passion of volunteers is huge, and they like to tell you anecdotes you don't hear anywhere else.
Another highlight that I cannot overlook is the Verona Farmers Market. Every Saturday morning, the car park behind the town hall turns into a colorful collection of fresh vegetables, homemade jams and handmade candles. I bought a pumpkin there that was so big that I barely got him through the door – a real proof that the farmers do not do half things here. The market is not only a place to shop, but also a social network where you meet the local baker who offers you a croissant that is better than that in most of the city's cafés.
For those looking for a bit of shopping and a café with good espresso, this is Verona Village Center That's right. The small shops here have more charm than the chains in the suburbs, and I have found a handmade leather wallet that I use until today. The café next to the bookstore serves a cappuccino, which is strong enough to tear you out of the morning's trot, and the staff knows you by name as soon as you swing past more often – a luxury that you rarely experience in larger cities.
A short detour into the green leads you to Mill Stream Nature Preserve the Cleveland Metropark, just a few minutes from Verona. I spent a few hours there to watch the river while I tried to take a few photos of the wild flowers – the result was rather a blurred picture, but the rest there is unpaid. The path is well marked, and you can watch almost all year round about birds that nest here because the area remains relatively undisturbed.
And if you're looking for a bit of history and a portion of outdoor action, look at this Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath that is not far from Verona. I drove along the route with my bike and admired the old locks and bridges that still characterize the image of a long past era. The way is flat, so no reason to complain if you're not just a marathon runner.
Finally, a little secret tip I almost always keep for me: the Verona Golf Club. It's not a huge resort, but a modest 9-hole course, where the members are friendly enough to give you a tip when you miss your crash. I once hit a birdie there, which was almost as exciting for me as a concert from a local band in the community centre. So if you're looking for a little green and a little challenge, this is your place.
And that's it from me – this is my personal map of Verona attractions, mixed with some honest thoughts and a pinch of cynicism. Next time you're here, don't let the shields dazzle you, but just follow my inner compass and discover the corners I've described here.
The first stop of my little Odyssey leads me over the bridge to Dayton, where the Carillon Historical Park how a huge open-air museum works – a bit too much nostalgia for my taste, but the huge bell that can be admired from the outside has made me dazzle. I remember standing there with an ice cream, while an older gentleman told me that the carousel came from the 1920s; parking was a children's play, as long as you did not arrive on Saturday night, then the field becomes a parking moshpit.
A short trip to Wright-Patterson AFB leads to National Museum of the United States Air ForceI almost thought of a huge toy store until I saw the original jet engines. I took a photo with a MiG‐21 – the staff was friendly, but the security control felt like a mini-airport check-in. A little hint: The visitor parking places are well signposted, but the sign “Reserved for Staff” is not always unambiguous, so it’s better to be there early.
Back to the city, but not back to the village, I stroll through the Oregon District in Dayton. This is where life pulsates, and I first tried a craft cocktail that tasted more like chemical experiment than drink – no joke, that was really great. The road is best to explore on foot because parking in the narrow alleys can be a real nightmare, especially when a food truck festival runs.
A couple of miles further Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, which actually consists of several sites. I visited the part of Huffman Prairie, where the Wright brothers tested their first flights. The field is today a quiet place, ideal for a picnic, if you don't want to be disturbed by the many cyclists who turn their daily rounds here. Practical: There is a small visitor center with toilets, and parking is free as long as you do not try to drive the field with a caravan.
For nature lovers Great Miami River Trail A must. I made a morning run there while the sun was rising above the river – that was almost too beautiful to be true. The path is well developed, but at the weekends it can be quite crowded, so if you are looking for peace, start early on the day. There are several entrances, and parking is usually possible on the small parking spaces along the river.
A short detour to Eaton brings me to Preble County Historical Society Museum. The museum is small, but the collection of local artefacts is surprisingly extensive. I found an old diary from the 1800s, which was a peasant from the area – a real treasure for historians. Parking is right in front of the building, but you have to share with a few cars, so a little patience.
Another highlight is the Dayton Art InstituteI visited a rainy afternoon. The exhibition of modern art was not my favorite genre, but the architecture of the building impressed me – high ceilings, huge windows, and a café serving the best espresso in the city. Parking is in the back of the museum, and the staff is always ready to show you the way when you walk.
At the end of my tour I have another trip to RiverScape MetroPark where I almost felt like being in a film at an open-air concert. The park is huge, with many green areas and a small lake where you can drive pedal boat in summer. Parking is free, but on concert evenings the terrain fills up quickly, so better to get early if you want to secure a good place.
If you are looking for a mix of history, nature and urban flair, you will find plenty of worthwhile destinations around Verona, Harrison Township, Preble, Ohio – from aviation museums to charming neighborhoods to extended trails. These Verona Attractions offer something for every taste and show that the environment has far more to offer than one would suspect at first glance.
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