Phillipsburg sights? Honestly, that sounds like one of these Instagram-Hype-Trips, which you only see from the window of the car while you're hitting through the flat middle of Ohio. The city itself was founded in 1815 by a certain John Phillips – a guy who thought a bit of land and a millstone would conquer the heart of the area. Today, Phillipsburg is located in the heart of Clay Township, which in turn decorates a piece of Montgomery County, and the whole looks like a forgotten chapter from a history book that is only found in the library of grandparents.
I don't understand all the rush around the old barns, but the honest, slightly weathered atmosphere here is really great. When you arrive by car, take the US‐40 – it leads you directly to the village, and parking is so straightforward that you almost feel you're the only one who found here. And yes, the small town hall, built in 1889, has more charm than some hip cafés in the city. I had some nice conversations with the locals who told me that the annual Thanksgiving Festival is the real highlight – a bit cheesy, but authentic. So if you're looking for a place that breathes history and isn't overrun by tourists at the same time, Phillipsburg is just the right thing.
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The first stop I put to every visitor is that National Museum of the United States Air Force on the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. I spent more hours there than I want to admit – not least because parking on the main building is almost always free, except on the rare Saturday afternoons when the museum has special events and suddenly every military fan appears from Ohio. The exhibition is a bit like a gigantic toy room for adults: from the bright jet engines to the crunching propellers of the 1940s, all in an endless hall area that gives you the feeling of standing in a set of films. Once I stood next to a fully restored B‐52 and heard an older veteran who told me that he flew over the Sahara – no joke, he had the whole face in dust, but the smile was real.
A short trip to Dayton leads directly to Carillon Historical Parkwhere history lives not only in dusty plaques, but in tangible objects. I saw the old Wright-Brothers aircraft work there, which looks almost like a huge toy screwdriver. The park is huge, so a little walk is necessary, but this is the best thing: you can lose yourself between the old railroad rails and the imposing 151 foot carillon. Practical: The visitor centre has a small café area where you get a coffee that is strong enough to keep an aircraft mechanic awake.
If you are looking for a place that offers more than just old machines, then stroll through the Oregon District in Dayton. I discovered a small jazz quartet in a tiny bar there on a Friday night, which suddenly brought the whole street to the ground. The cobblestone streets look almost like a movie from the 1920s, and the restaurants serve burgers that are so big that you almost have to hold them with a wrench. Parking is a little adventure here: Most public parking is full, but a short walk from a few blocks to a free place on the river bank is always worth it.
A little nature? The RiverScape MetroPark on Ohio River is my personal retreat if I want to escape the hustle and bustle. I discovered an open-air cinema there in the summer that showed classic films under the open sky – and in the middle of the green. Parking is a bit messy at the weekend because the city often hosts events there, but on weekdays there are always enough places. The river itself is ideal for a spontaneous kayak adventure, and I caught almost a fish that was bigger than my bike.
For those who prefer to walk in a forest, Englewood MetroPark an underestimated jewel. I found a path that leads directly to a small waterfall that offers a refreshing plough in the summer. The park is not overrun, and parking is practically directly at the entrance – no crowd, no stress. Once I made a picnic with a friend there, and we talked about the “good old time” while a squirrel jumped us curiously from one branch to another.
Another highlight I can't leave is that Dayton Art Institute. The collection is surprisingly wide: from impressionist paintings to modern sculpture. I discovered a painting that reminds me of the fields around Phillipsburg – a bit too romantic, but that's what the art is. The museum has a free car park that is usually empty as long as you are not there on the first Friday of the month when the museum has special exhibitions and the city blocks parking for visitors.
Whether you're an aviation enthusiast, an art lover or just someone looking for a quiet place to think – the area around Phillipsburg, Clay Township, Montgomery, Ohio has something to offer for everyone. The places mentioned show that the region has far more to offer than one would suspect at first glance. And that's exactly what makes Phillipsburg Attractions to a small but fine adventure you should not miss.
I must admit right at the beginning that my favorite place in Phillipsburg is not just a glittering tourist magnet, but that Phillipsburg Historical Society Museum – a tiny but surprisingly charming building located in a former school house. There old photographs, a few dusty tools and a handwritten diary of a former postmaster are stacked, bringing me more to the chimney than any modern art installation. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't celebrate a village party with the whole village on Saturday night – then the small car park becomes a battlefield quickly.
A short walk further (or a short stroller by car if you don't want to waste too much time with pedestrian paths) leads you to Phillipsburg Community Park. I don't understand the hype about huge, excessive amusement parks, but this little green strip with an old playground and a picnic table has something honest. Last year I held an improvised barbecue with a few locals, and that was really great – the children ran around, while the adults discussed the history of the place they didn't actually know. Access is free, and parking is right at the edge of the park, where a few trees donate a little shade.
If you're looking for a place where you can feel a bit like a real local, then look at them. Phillipsburg Library on. I borrowed more than once a book about the local flora there, only to find out that the librarian is a real storyteller – she told me the anecdote how an old man in 1972 almost demolished the entire building with a chain saw because he thought the roof was a “big tree”. The building itself is a classic example of the 1950s architecture, and parking is practically right in front of the door if you do not interrupt the weekly reading circle.
Another highlight that I do not want to conceal is the Phillips Bridge about the Great Miami River. I stood there for the first time when a rainbow spanned over the water, and thought: “Here you could almost make a selfie that doesn’t cries to Instagram filters.” The river isn't the wildest, but the pavement is soothing, and the bridge railing offers enough space to shoot a few photos without feeling like a tourist that only poses all day. Parking is best on the opposite side of the road, because the small entrance to the parking lot on the river is often blocked by vans.
For those who want to combine a bit of culture and a bit of shopping, there is the Phillipsburg Farmers Market, which takes place every second Saturday in summer. I once tried a homemade apple cake that was better than anything I could find in the big supermarkets – no joke. The market is located right next to the town hall, and parking is a bit chaotic, because the residents place their cars there, but a short walk away from a few houses is completely enough.
A short detour to Phillipsburg Cemetery may sound strange for some, but I find that the old tombstones and the calm atmosphere give an interesting insight into the family history of the place. I once met a descendant of the founder of the city who told me that his great-grandfather once built the first railway platform in the area – a detail that you can't find anywhere else. The terrain is freely accessible, and parking is best on the small road behind the cemetery, where you are not at risk of being crossed by a tractor.
Last but not least, a short hint for those looking for a comprehensive overview: If you are looking for a list of Phillipsburg Attractions googlest, you will quickly realize that most entries only repeat the same five places. My advice? Don't let yourself be dissuased by the short selection – precisely because Phillipsburg is small, every place has its own, slightly self-willing charm, and this makes exploring here a small adventure that you should not miss.
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