Honestly, when I hear the word “Addyston Sights”, I think first of all about the inconspicuous history of this little spot on Ohio River, which was founded in 1850 as an industrial site and has since built more bridges than glamour. I like to take the car from Cincinnati over the I-74, because the ride over the John A. Roebling Bridge is almost a ritual – a short jam, a look at the old steel construction and then the first time the sign “Welcome to Addyston”. The whole is located in the heart of Miami Township, which is part of Hamilton County, explaining why the administration looks more like a village planner than a city designer.
I don't understand the hype about the old factory buildings, but what I love on Main Street is the honest flair: a few old brick buildings, a café that serves more history than coffee, and a small park where the locals run their dogs while discussing the future of the city. When you arrive by train, you get off at the Hamilton Station and take the bus 30 – this is not the fastest route, but you get a real impression of the region. And yes, the “Addyston Sights” are not only what is in travel guides, but what you hear between the lines when an older master tells you about the days when the ship traffic terminal was still the pulsating heart of the city. I could continue forever, but this is the true salt in the soup – the unsightly, slightly cynical, but still enthusiastic whispers of a city that has more to offer than you suspect at first sight.
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 Addyston, 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 Great Miami River Trail is what you could call "the river that keeps everything together" in Ohio, not just because it sounds through the heart of Addyston. I packed my running shoes out there for the first time because I thought a little fresh air would release my writing blockade; Instead, I got a look at some anglers who had more patience than I was waiting for the next train. The path is well developed, so no reason to run, and parking at the main entrance is usually a Klacks, except on sunny Saturday afternoons, when everyone from Cincinati suddenly plans a day trip.
A short trip to Cleves leads you to the Miami Whitewater Forest, a state park that offers more zip lines than you would expect in an amusement park. I tried the “Adventure Course” there – a climbing course that gives you the feeling of being a squirrel on caffeine. The trails are clearly marked, and the visitor centre has enough seats to enjoy a cool sip of water after the adrenaline rush. Practical: The entrance fee is a few dollars, but this is hardly worth mentioning considering that you get more action here than in some larger amusement park.
Back in Hamilton, the heart of the region, is the Farmers Market, a place where you can taste the true “Midwest feeling”. I tried a freshly pressed apple juice there for the first time, which was so good that I almost forgot that I was actually looking for a snack. The market is open all year round, and parking is best done on the small but fine parking space behind the town hall – there is rarely a problem there as long as you do not come at lunchtime with a group of tourists who all want the same organic carrots.
A short walk leads to the Hamilton Carillon, a 46-meter-high bell tower, which gives a few tones of itself every hour in the summer. I don't quite understand the hype about the “sounding” sound, but the view from the platform above is really great – you can see the Cincinnati skyline in the distance and the vast river bank. The ascent is not particularly strenuous, and parking is free directly next to the tower, as long as you don't come at the weekend with a swarm of school classes.
Right on the river is the Riverfront Park, a small jewel that has more charm than some larger parks. There is an old carousel that is still operated by hand – a nostalgic experience that reminds me of my childhood when I thought that would be the highlight of every city. The parking lot is well maintained and parking is possible at the adjacent parking lot at the main road; a small note: On hot summer days, the place fills up quickly, so it's better to come early.
A few miles further is the Miami County Fairgrounds, which hostes the largest event in the region every year in August. I visited the fair for the first time because I thought there were only cattle and corn-döner, but the Fair actually offers a mix of rides, local crafts stands and an impressive exhibition of historical tractors. Parking is free on the grounds itself, but you have to count on some crowds when you arrive after the main act.
A trip to the Cincinnati Nature Center in Milford is worthwhile for those who want to drive a bit further. There are several hiking trails that lead through ancient forests, and a visitor center that informs about the local flora and fauna. I spent an hour listening to a rare bird whip that almost made me forget that I was looking for a quiet place to sort my thoughts. Parking is free at the main entrance, and the center is open all year round, so you can take a small nature trip at any time.
When you explore the surroundings of Addyston, you can quickly see that the region has more to offer than just a few industrial plants on the river. From trails to zip lines to historic markets – there is something to discover for every taste. And that's exactly what makes Addyston Attractions to a surprisingly varied destination for those who want to experience the authentic Ohio.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Addyston is not some hip café, but the old venerable one. Addyston Bridge – the massive steel structure that spans the Ohio River and seems to tell more stories than some bestsellers. I stood there the other day in the late afternoon, the sun reflected in the water, and I thought: “Here you have the real feeling that the city is not just a point on the map.” Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because the whole Bridge-Biker-Crew will appear and the seats will be occupied.
A short walk upstream leads you to Addyston Historical Society Museum. This is not a huge, overpriced museum, but a tiny cellar room full of old photos, newspaper clips and a yellowed map of 1902, which shows how the village looked. I found an old apron that was allegedly worn by one of the first factory workers – no joke that was part of the exhibition. If you ask yourself if this is a “must-see” here, I don’t understand the hype about large museums, but this mini-time capsule is pure magic for me.
Go on Miami Township Park, one of the few places where you really feel that the locals have a little spare time here. The park has a small lake, a few baseball-diamonds and a playground that offers more rusty chains than modern climbing stands – that's kind of charming. I made a picnic there, while an older couple spoke loudly about the “good old times”; that was almost a local soundtrack.
If you're looking for a place where you can beg a bit culturally, look at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church on. The building is made of red brick, has a simple but impressive bell game and an inner life that lives more of hand-carved altars than Instagram filters. I once experienced a small organ concert there – the music echoed through the halls, and I thought that would be the perfect counterpart to all the loud cars that are out of the bridge.
Another highlight I can't leave is that Addyston Community Center. This is the heart of local events, from bingo sites to occasional art exhibitions that testify more to hobby artists than established galleries. I once visited a Poetry-Slam where a 70-year-old pensioner jumped over his lost youth in the 70s – that was really great and showed me that Addyston had more to offer than you thought at first glance.
For those who want to read a bit, there are the Addyston Public Library. It is small, but well sorted, and the staff knows every visitor by name – this is almost scary if you don't like to be recognized. I found an old city planning book that documented the development of the place from an industrial settlement to the tranquil village I know today.
And yes, if you ask yourself what else you can do in Addyston, just look at the Addyston Attractions an – this is not just an advertising slogan, but a hint that the city hides a few real pearls despite its size. For example, I grilled on a lukewarm evening at the river bank, while some anglers threw their linen; that was the perfect end of a day when I learned more about people here than from any guide.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
