Honestly, if you go to Ohio and ask yourself what it has with the “North Bend Sights” you are right here – and since 1797, when the first settlers founded the little town on the Ohio River. I have the feeling that the story is not only in dusty history books, but in every old house that you pass on Main Street, and in the conversations of the locals who are proud of their heritage. North Bend is located in the heart of Miami Township, Hamilton County, and this is not without reason: the whole area was once an important hub for trade and shipping, and you can still feel it today when you cross the old bridge over the river by car – a short trip from I‐75, which takes you in the middle of it.
I don't quite understand the hype about the big metropolises, but there's something I find really great here: the mix of historical calm and a touch of modern land life. A walk along the river bank, a short stop in the local café (no worry, this is not a tourist cliché, here people just drink good coffee) and you feel that you are part of a story that is still written. And yes, if you ask where you can park – the small town hall offers a few free places, and most visitors can easily find a free space along the main road. So, it was from me, but believe me, the “North Bend Sights” have much more to offer than I can put here in a few sentences.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey was John H. Parker House, a gnarly piece of history that is barely more than a few minutes walk outside of North Bend. I spent a rainy afternoon there, while an elderly gentleman in a dashed suit told me the story of the house – and that even though I could never fully understand the whole hype about “historical villas”. Parking is almost always a Klack, as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the field becomes the battlefield of families with strollers.
A short jump to the south leads to Great Miami River Trail. I straightened the route of about three miles along the river, and that was a real fresh fuck after the dusty house visit. The path is well developed, and the only thing you need to consider is the occasional construction site detour sign that gives you the feeling that you are in a bad movie about infrastructure. Nevertheless, the plumping of the river and the occasional ducking make the whole almost meditative.
A bit further, near Milford, this is Cincinnati Nature Center. I was there on a sunny autumn morning when the leaves were lit in all conceivable red tones – yes, this is a bit cheesy, but I admit it was beautiful. The trails are clearly signposted, and the visitor centre offers enough information to not look completely planless. Parking is available in abundance as long as you do not arrive at lunchtime when the school classes appear for excursions.
If you have enough of nature, it is worth a trip to Cincinnati, where this Winton Woods wait. I made a picnic with a few friends there, while we were fighting to see if grilling is allowed in the park – the answer is clearly yes, as long as you don't throw the garbage into the lake. The lake itself is a popular spot for canoeing, and the car park is surprisingly well signposted, which for me is a small victory over the chaos of the city.
Another highlight I didn't want to leave is that Hamilton County Fairgrounds. I was there during a local fair, and the atmosphere was a mix of seasonal fragrance and industrial smell of tractors. The stands are densely crowded, but this makes the charm. Parking is a patience game here – you have to come early, otherwise you are caught between the food trucks and the carousels.
For the stars among you there is Cincinnati Observatory in Mount Lookout district. I watched the first stars there in a clear evening after a long day in the car. The observatory offers free performances, and the staff is surprisingly loose – they explain the constellations without needing an astronomy degree. The parking lot is small, so better to be there early, otherwise you have to park a block further and manage the steep way up.
A short trip to Troy leads to Miami County Historical Society Museum. I ran an old photo album that documented the development of the region from the 1800s to today. The museum is small, but the exhibits are well maintained, and the staff is friendly though a little tired of the many visitor groups. Parking is free at the museum grounds, but the street next to it fills up quickly when a local event takes place.
Last but a short stop at Smale Riverfront Park in Cincinnati. I took a walk along the Ohio River, while a street artist jongled and sold a food truck pommes. The park is barrier-free, and parking is best done by the nearby public garages – that is not exactly romantic, but it works.
Whether you are a history fan, nature lover or just someone looking for a good place to relax – the environment of North Bend has more to offer than you would suspect at first glance. These North Bend Attractions show that the surrounding area is full of small treasures waiting to be discovered.
I have to admit that I was never a big fan of exaggerated guides – most of them sound like they were written by a PR team that has never set foot outside the airport. Nevertheless, there are a few in North Bend North Bend Attractionsthat surprises me every time I cruise through the small alleys with my old combination.
That's right. William Henry Harrison Tomb State Memorial. Yes, the ninth president is located here between a few old oaks, and yes, the monument is a bit cheesy, but this is exactly what I love in such places: you feel like a forgotten family photo album entry, which you only find when you accidentally grow in the basement to old boxes. The way to the grave is well signposted, parking is usually a Klack – until you arrive on Saturday evening with a group of historians, then the field behind the monument suddenly becomes a battlefield for pitches.
A short walk on (I mean, you can do this in 10 minutes if you don't stop to take photos) John Rankin House. The house is a real relic from the time of underground railroad, and I don’t understand the hype about the “hidden escape tunnelling” completely, but what really impresses here is the simple, almost bleak facade that stands in contrast to the history that is in the walls. I met a local guide who told me that Rankin secretly sent people about the Ohio River at night – I didn't check this, but the atmosphere is still fucking authentic.
If you have enough of historic tombs, look at this North Bend Historical District on. It's not a museum, it's a collapsing neighborhood of half-timbered houses, small shops and a few cafés that have more charm than an Instagram filter. I met an old man there who told me that he lived here since his childhood and still visited the same bakery he knew as a child. This is the true “local” experience you don’t find in every guide. Parking is a bit tricky here because the streets are narrow, but a few minutes walk are worth it.
A bit further south, directly on the river, lies the North Bend Riverfront Park. I was there on a lukewarm summer evening when a few young people held rubber boots competitions – no joke, that is actually an annual event. The park offers a narrow walk along the Ohio River, a few benches, and if you're lucky, you'll see a few boats that just slide into the sunset. This is the place where I sort my thoughts while I wait for the ice to melt in my drink. Parking is usually free except when the local football team has a game nearby – then the field becomes an improvised parking lot.
Another little jewel is that Old North Bend Schoolhouse. The building has not been used as a regular school since the 1900s, but the municipality has transformed it into a venue for art exhibitions and occasional readings. I was there at a reading of a local poet who wrote about life on the river – that was kind of poetic, but also a bit cheesy, which I just love. Parking is an old farm that now serves as a parking space; you just have to drive around the corner to find a free place.
Finally, almost as an excuse for my own curiosity, there is North Bend Public Library. This is not some library, but a small but fine building operated by the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. I once found an old city archive that showed photos from the 1920s – a real look into the past that reminded me of why I came here at all. Parking is a bit chaotic here, because the library is in a busy street, but a short walk from the main road is not a problem.
So, if you think the next time you want to spend your time in a small place like North Bend, remember that there is more to discover than you would suspect at first sight. And yes, I found some of my favorite places here – maybe you'll find your own.
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