West Milton Attractions? Honestly, most of them think about endless corn fields at Ohio, but here the little town in Union Township, Miami County, has a surprisingly dense historical package. Founded at the beginning of 19. West Milton has never lost its charm – at least not when you look at the old brick houses and the slightly weathered Main Street. I came by train to Dayton and then jumped into the local bus that brought me directly to the city; that was faster than I thought, and much more relaxed than the continuous horn on the highway.
I don't understand the hype around the big metropolises, but this has something authentic that you rarely find in the crowded tourist centres. The old church of 1845, which is still used for worship and occasional concerts, has an acoustic that has convinced my sceptical ears. And then there is the small park on the river, where locals throw out their fishing rods on Sundays – a perfect place to watch the slow life while wondering why they even went to New York. So if you think about Ohio the next time, forget the usual hotspots; a detour to West Milton could be exactly what your desire to travel without feeling like a tourist.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey inevitably leads me to National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton – a place that is called “the largest collection of military aircraft in the world”, but I rather see a huge hall labyrinth of rusty propellers and shiny camouflage patterns. I spent a rainy Saturday there, because the weather in West Milton rarely played, and the museum saved me with a free parking right outside the door; only on Friday night when the special exhibition runs, it'll be a bit tight. The exhibition is so extensive that you can easily lose the overview – a good training for memory, if you later try to keep the names of all aircraft types.
A short trip to Carillon Historical Park, also in Dayton, feels like a leap into the past, only that here the story is not in dusty books, but in huge, rebuilt buildings and a real 151 foot bell tower. I remember crossing the old railway bridge as a child in the summer with my father there and suddenly being addressed by a friendly historian who told me that the original building dates back to 1860. Parking is almost always a children's game as long as you don't come to the main event on the weekend – then the field becomes a real battlefield from cars.
The Great Miami River Trail is what I would call the green vein of the region. He swells through fields, small villages and along the river, and I have explored him countless times with my mountain bike. Especially recommended is the section between Troy and Dayton, where after about five kilometers you stop at a small wooden bridge to observe the sun on the water. The trail is free, and the only thing you need to bring is a bit of stamina and a good GPS, because the signs are sometimes more art than clarity.
A little further north lies the Miami County Historical Museum in Troy, an inconspicuous brick building, which however houses a treasury of local stories. I spent an afternoon to learn more about the early settlers, and was almost persuaded by a friendly curator, an old diary from the 19th century. Fortunately I left my wallet in the car. The museum has a small parking lot behind the building; on working days he is almost empty, but on Saturdays you can spend a few minutes in the traffic jam because the school classes love the excursions.
If you're looking for the urban flair, there's no way past the Oregon District. This area in Dayton is a mix of hip cafes, vintage shops and a pub that claims to brew the best craft beer in the region. I spent an evening there when a local jazz musician entered the stage and transformed the audience into a spontaneous dance – a colourful mix of students and pensioners. Parking is a little adventure here: There is a public car park almost empty on working days, but on Friday night it fills up faster than a popcorn container in the cinema.
Another highlight I can't leave is the RiverScape MetroPark in Dayton. The park stretches along the Great Miami River and not only offers extensive green spaces, but also a water game that becomes a kind of free water show in the summer. I organised a picnic with friends there, and we enjoyed the fact that parking right at the entrance is free – a rare luxury in this area. The only drop of wormwood: On hot summer days it can be quite crowded, so better to come early when looking for a quiet place.
Lastly, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park must not be missing, especially the Huffman Prairie Flying Field, where Wright brothers continued their early flight attempts to Kitty Hawk. I spent a sunny afternoon there while a guide told me that more than 100,000 hours of flight have been completed since the beginnings. The field is freely accessible, and parking is free at the edge of the museum area – but you have to run a bit to get to the actual airfield, which allows the fresh air and the wide field to enjoy all the more.
Whether you are looking for history, nature or urban flair, the surroundings of West Milton have more to offer than you would suspect at first glance. From imposing aeronautical museums to charming neighborhoods to extended cycling and hiking trails – here everyone finds something that enthuses him. And that's exactly what makes West Milton Attractions to an underestimated jewel in the heart of Ohio.
I have to confess: the first thing that comes to mind at West Milton is the small but surprisingly charming Milton State Park. Yes, I know that sounds like a typical "nature hype", but here there is no overpriced entry, just a narrow path along the Scioto River, which places you in the middle of a picture of 1950s maps. Last weekend I made a picnic there, while an older gentleman in the T-shirt “I <3 Ohio” threw out his fishing loudly – that was almost a local cult. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole neighborhood comes to barbecue.
If you have enough of water and green, you'd better go down the main street of West Milton, where the West Milton United Methodist Church stands – a real gem from the founding period, which I repeatedly abuse for an Instagram photo, because brick Gothic is simply too good to ignore it. I don't quite understand the hype about church architecture, but here the building has a story that you feel when you open the cracking wooden door and hear the echo of the organ inside. The pastor was even so kind to give me a piece of cake because I complained about the “big window”.
A short detour from the ecclesial flair leads you to West Milton Community Center. This is the place where the whole city is gathered when it comes to bingo nights, senior caraoke and the annual “Pumpkin‐Palooza”. I visited a course for “art from recycled cans” there – no joke, that was actually better than some expensive exhibition in the city. The center has a small parking lot that is usually free as long as you are not at the same time as the local scout group there.
A few blocks further Milton-Union Township Park, an inconspicuous but well maintained place with a playground, a few baseball diamonds and a bench that is perfect to watch the children's drive while enjoying the quiet sum of the barbecue. I started a spontaneous baseball match with native teenagers there – they almost threw me out of the game because I played the drum too loud, but that was a real “West Milton Sights” moment I don’t want to miss.
For those who prefer to immerse in the past, Milton-Union Historical Society Museum. The museum is housed in an old school house that used to actually teach. The exhibition is small, but every exhibit – from an old barn bell to a handwritten diary from the 1880s – tells a story that you can't find anywhere else in Ohio. I discovered an old map that shows how the village was once crossed by a single horse car – a real eye-catcher for history-nerds.
Last but not least, West Milton Street forget where you stumble between antique shops, a small bakery and a shop called “The Rusty Nail” (a pub that has more screws than beer). I once found an old record player who still worked there, and convinced the owner to play me a piece of “Rock ’n’ Roll” from the 70s – that was the highlight of my day, because I didn’t get anything else to hear from a supermarket-performing system.
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