Visit Saint Marys Auglaize Ohio and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the beautiful small town of Saint Marys in Ohio! Experience the historic centre with the old station and the St. Mary's Church. Walk in the park of Auglaize River or enjoy the beach at Grand Lake St. Marys. A must: The Delicious Orchards Farm Market for Fresh Fruit and Homemade Food!
Honestly, if you think Ohio is just endless corn fields, you haven't experienced Saint Marys yet. The city was founded in 1840 by German immigrants who wanted more than one piece of land – they wanted a piece of home. Today it is located in the Saint Marys Township, Auglaize County, and still carries the traces of this pioneering period in its old brick houses and the slightly sloping town hall, which somehow radiates more charm than any modern glass facade.
I don't quite understand the hype around the big metropolises, but here there is a small but fine network of land roads that brings you to the centre without stress – just take the US‐33, a short trip to Saint Marys and you're in the middle of action. And if you like the train, the Amtrak is close, so you don't have to do the car.
A walk at Saint Marys Lake is not a joke: the water glistens, the boats swing, and you can ask why you have ever thought that a lake is only there for fishing. And right here, between the waves and the ancient oaks, I find the true Saint Mary's sights – not the tourist clichés, but the small cafes, the best pancakes in the region and the people who give you the feeling that you had always been here at the first "Hello".
So, next time you go to Saint Marys, let's go first St. Marys Riverfront Park strolling – this is my personal favorite place, because it acts at the same time the heart of the city and a bit like a overlooked secret tip. I once made a picnic there, while an older gentleman swore loudly about the “good old time” and I just thought: “Let’s be honest, that’s exactly what I love in small cities.” The park is located right on the river, the water is almost too much, and parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you don't arrive with the whole family circus on Saturday night – then it becomes a real problem.
A short walk upstream leads you to St. Marys Riverwalka narrow path that moves like a red thread through the city. I don't quite understand the hype about long, straight walks, but here there are enough old industrial buildings that you can photograph, and a few nice cafés where you can get a coffee without paying a fortune. The path is well signposted and you can at any time St. Mary's Memorial Library stop – a small but fine building that offers more than just books. I once borrowed a local history book that later provided me some insider information when visiting the historic museum.
The Saint Marys Historical Museum is a place I always underestimate until I see the old photos of the city's foundation and realize that there is more history here than you suspect at first sight. The exhibition is not huge, but the curators have a good sense of humor – a sign next to an old tractor asks: “Who parked this?” – and I had to laugh loudly. It is practical that the museum is located right next to the town hall, so you can leave your car there and have a short view of the city administration, which is housed in a beautiful, restored building.
If you're looking for a place to do some sport, then it's Saint Marys Golf Club That's right. I once made a 9-hole game there because I thought a bit of golf was “relaxing”. That's what it was until I realized that the group was loudly discussing their latest business deals next to me – no joke, that was almost a mini-conference. Nevertheless, the facility is well maintained, the clubhouse has a small bar area, and parking is right at the entrance, so no stress.
A little culture? Then look at the St. Mary's Catholic Church with its red brick roof top almost defines the cityscape. I once had a concert of a local choir, and the acoustics was so good that I almost forgot that I was here because of the architecture. The entrance area has a small museum with religious artefacts – not what you find in every guide, but definitely an interesting view of the local community.
Another point I repeatedly mention is that Saint Marys Community Center. Here the locals meet for swimming, fitness and all kinds of courses you would hardly find on the Internet. I tried a yoga course there once, because I thought that was “relaxing” and the trainer almost forced me into my knees – but hey, that's Saint Marys, where everyone gets a little more out than he wants to admit. The center has a large car park that is usually free except when a local tournament takes place.
And because I can't forget you're after the Saint Marys Sights I have to St. Marys Riverfront Marina mention. This is the place where you can rent boats if you want to feel like a real adventurer, although you just want to spend a few hours on the water. I rented a small inflatable there, and the weather was so nice that I almost forgot that I wanted to make a short trip from the city. The marina has a small café where you get an ice cream that is almost too good to be true.
Finally, a short hint: If you lose yourself between all going back and forth, just go to St. Marys City Park. This is the green heart of the city where you can rest on a bench while watching the kids play. I have often sorted my thoughts there, because the noise of the trees and the occasional quaken of the ducks is almost meditative – and that without you having to pay for it.
The first stop outside of Saint Marys is the Grand Lake St. Marys State Park, a huge water that offers more than just a beautiful photo motif – here you can really swim in the summer, sail or simply enjoy the sun on one of the many public beaches, while the children are swimming in the shallow water. I remember a hot July when I paddled over the smooth water with my old kayak and suddenly a swarm duck crossed the route – a picture I have not forgotten until today. Parking is usually easy on the main entrance, as long as you do not arrive on Saturday evening with the families of the County Fair, then the field becomes a small battlefield from cars and strollers.
A short detour to the north leads to St. Marys River State Park, a more underestimated jewel for nature lovers. The hiking trails slew through dense beech forests and along the river, where one occasionally observes a beaver on a tree, a rare spectacle that makes me smile every time. The park has no exaggerated numbers of visitors, so you almost feel the last piece of unspoiled wilderness in the Middle West. A little hint: The only toilet block is a bit off the main path, so better to look briefly beforehand.
If you have enough of water and forest, it is worth a detour to Wapakoneta where this Auglaize County Historical Society Museum wait. The museum is a collection of ancient land machines, local photographs and a small but fine exhibition about the rocket programs that have emerged here in the 1960s. I once saw an old tractor that had more rust than metal and wondered how people could work with it at the time – a real eye opener. Parking is free in front of the building, but at weekends it can be filled quickly because the school classes do not want to miss the excursions.
A bit further south, almost on the edge of Dayton, this is Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Rocket Launch Site. Although the actual museum is located in Dayton, the starting point itself is a fascinating place where you can admire the remains of old launching ramps and a few scattered metal parts that testify to the early space trials. I once met a former technician who told me that he was once involved in one of the first test starts – his stories are as dry as the Ohio weather, but still incredibly exciting. Access is free as long as you do not enter the base; a small parking lot behind the main gate is usually empty, except if there is a large military event.
A short jump to Delphos brings you to Delphos Opera House, a magnificent Victorian theatre that has been offering cultural highlights for over a century. The interior is a mix of opulent curtains and artistic stucco work that gives you the feeling of standing in another era. I was there at a local opera performance and had to laugh when an older gentleman shouted loudly “Bravo!” because he thought it was part of the show. Parking is right in front of the house, but the road is narrow, so better to bring a little patience.
For those who prefer to travel on two wheels, Auglaize River Trail A must. The cycle path follows the river over several miles and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside, which is particularly colorful in autumn. I once met an old farmer who told me that he used the trail to wed his cows – a picture I will never forget. The trail is well marked, and parking at the entry points is usually free, except for weekends when local groups occupy the field.
Whether you are looking for the water, history or cultural heritage, the surroundings of Saint Marys provide a colourful mix of experiences that can surprise any traveler. The places mentioned show that there is much more to discover than the small shops in the city centre, and they give a good impression of why the region has so much to offer despite its size. So, who goes to Ohio the next time, the Saint Marys Sights do not miss.
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