Honestly, when I hear the word "Cleves Sights", I immediately think of the inconspicuous street that swells through the heart of Miami Township, and the quiet whisper of history that has been blowing through the air since 1817. The city was founded by German immigrants who wanted to create a piece of home here, and that's what you feel today when you stroll past the old department stores – a bit cheesy, but somehow really charming.
I usually drive by car over the I‐75, because the traffic here is rarely a drama, and then park at the edge of the small square where an old tree donates shade. From there, the whole neighborhood can be explored on foot, and I have to admit that I don’t understand the “hype” around the modern cafés in Hamilton – the little diner on Main Street has the true taste of Ohio for me.
A short trip to Cleve's sights leads you to a historical cemetery where the tombs of the founders almost work like works of art. And if you happen to catch a bus to Hamilton, you can watch the local arts handicraft before heading back to Miami Township. I love this mixture of quiet land life and surprising proximity to the city – no joke, that's what Cleves really does.
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Advantage:
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The first place I put to each newbie is that Miami Whitewater Forest, a huge forest area with more than 2,500 hectares of unspoiled nature, which extends south of Cleves. Here you can hop not only through kilometer-long hiking trails, but also kayak – I once ventured to the Little Miami River in a folding canoe and almost overlooked the entire waterbed because the water was so sluggish. Parking is usually easy at the main parking lot at the entrance, as long as you are not there with the whole family on weekends, then this becomes a little patience game.
A short trip across the bridge leads directly to Great Miami River Trail, a well-developed cycle path that extends along the river to Cincinnati. I once tried to protect my e-bike battery by driving only with the motor, and then I was overtaken by a group of enthusiastic running boys in the middle of the trail – a real reality check that not only cyclists, but also joggers and dog walkers claim their territory.
If you have enough of green areas, it is worth a trip to the historical heart of Hamilton. The old town impresses with well preserved brick building from the 19th century century, and that Hamilton Museum of Art offers surprisingly high-quality exhibitions that are not immediately connected to a small town. I discovered an exhibition about local artists that impressed me more than some city exhibition – and this without crowded halls.
Only a few blocks away Hamilton Farmers Market, a lively place where peasants from the surrounding area offer their fresh products. I once tried a peach there that was so juicy that I returned almost the whole money I spent on a sandwich. The market is most lively on Saturdays, and parking is usually a children's game thanks to the surrounding streets as long as you get early enough.
A little further north, near Miami Township, the Miami County Historical Museum. Here the history of the region is told from the first to the modern age – I was particularly fascinated by the collection of old tools that show how hard the people used to work here. The museum does not have a large parking lot, but a small courtyard behind the building is usually enough if you do not come with the whole house full of visitors.
For those who love the rural flair, this is Miami County Fairgrounds a must, especially during the annual County Fair in August. I once watched the oxen and wondered why I didn't go with myself – that was a real cultural shock, but the atmosphere was incomparable. In most days there are enough parking spaces, but on the main days the terrain fills up quickly, so it is better to arrive early.
A little further west, almost on the border with Cincinnati, lies this Cincinnati Nature Center in Milford. The place is a bit further away, but the journey is worthwhile if you want to experience the well-kept hiking trails and the nature school. I made a guided tour through the forest piece where I learned more about local bird species than I would have ever thought possible. The parking lot is large enough to park with a motorhome as long as you don't get to the high season.
Whether you are looking for quiet forest trails, cultural highlights or authentic rural life – the surroundings of Cleves offer a colourful mix that surprises every traveler. And if you have experienced all this, you will understand why the Cleves Attractions have more to offer than one would suspect at first glance.
I must confess at the beginning that my heart for the St John the Baptist Catholic Church not because I am a church freak, but because the building is simply a monument from a time when craftsmen still had some pride in their work. The brick cellar still smells like old mortar, and if you stand there on a sunny afternoon, you can almost hear the echo of the organ that has not been retuned for over a hundred years. Parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you don't arrive on Sunday morning after worship, then the small car park becomes a battlefield quickly.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Cleves Historical Society Museum. This is actually just an old school house that is now full of dusty artefacts from the founding period – from handwritten diaries to an original railway map that I personally consider to be a bit too romantic. I don't quite understand the hype around the museum, but the fact that you can take a real 19-century Cornfeld trade fair into your hands is a little triumph over modernity.
If you have enough of dusty exhibits, look at the Miami Township Park on. The park is huge, with a lake, a playground and even a disc golf facility that I recently tried – and yes, I completely ground the first litter, but that was still a fun one. The garage is practical, and the only problem is the weekend when families with picnic baskets turn the field into a battlefield. Nevertheless, a bit of chaos makes it more authentic.
Another of my favorite places is this Cleves Community Center. The most crazy events take place here, from yoga classes for seniors to rock band samples you hear from the window on Friday night. I took part in a “Koch-und-Kunst-Abend” where we cooked spaghetti in an Italian way and at the same time a local painter painted a picture of the Cleves skyline – a bit cheesy, but really great. The center has a small parking space that is usually free as long as you are not there at the same time as the weekly Bingo night.
For those who prefer to catch fresh air, there is Great Miami River Trail. The path winds up along the river and you can enjoy the same view that I have every time I drive home and ask myself why I should not just build a house on the river. The trail is well marked, and the best thing: you don't need a ticket, just a bit of energy – and maybe a few insect bites when you're on the go in the summer.
A small but fine secret tip is the Cleves Library. I spent more time there than I would like to admit, because the librarians always give me new local history books. The building is a bit crispy, but that makes the charm. Parking is a children's game, because the library building is right next to the city's parking lot – a real bonus if you want to borrow a book after a long walk.
If you happen to be in town on a Saturday in the summer, you may Cleves Farmers Market do not miss. Fresh vegetables, homemade jam and a stand that is supposed to serve the best homemade pancakes in the region – last time I had a pancake that was so fluffy that I almost thought he was a piece of cloud. The market is right at the main square, so there is enough space to park as long as you don't get to the whole circle of friends at the same time.
Last but not least a short trip to the Cleves AttractionsI don't want to tell you about it because it sounds too much like a guide. Instead, I recommend simply strolling through the streets, exploring the small shops and inhaling the local flair – this is the true recipe to understand Cleves, and that is what this city is.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
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