Honestly, if you think “Union Sights” is just another cliché from the Ohio catalogue, then you have not yet experienced the history of Union City and the neighbouring Union Township. The city was founded in 1816 by a few brave pioneers who wanted to catch not only a piece of land but a piece of future – in the middle of today's Montgomery County. The old railway shed I repeatedly see on Main Street was at that time the pulsating heart of the region, a hub that connected the rural Ohio with the rest of the world. Today you take the bus from Dayton to Union City, and if you're lucky, you'll get the late train that's still a little nostalgia.
I don't quite understand the hype around the big metropolises, but here, between the fields and the quiet residential streets, there is a peculiar flair that I hardly find anywhere else. The people here are honest, the food is really great – especially the homemade at the corner you don't miss when you accidentally pass the old post office. And yes, the Union Township Museum (if you want to speak a word like “museum” at all) is a must because it keeps the story alive without dripping too much. So, if you think about Ohio the next time, forget about the usual tourist paths and enjoy a bit of “Union Sights” – that’s not a joke, that’s pure, slightly cynical authenticity.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey through the surrounding of Union is that National Museum of the United States Air Force on the Wright-Patterson base. I've seen more aircraft hulls there when I've collected leaflets all my life – and that's what I mean. The museum is huge, so plan enough time, otherwise you will end up like a confused tourist in Hangar 7 and ask yourself why you didn't just drive home. Parking is almost always a children's game as long as you don't arrive there on Friday night after a concert; then the field turns into a battlefield of overcrowded cars and stressed security people.
A short trip after Carillon Historical Park in Dayton makes me a little nostalgic every time. There is the huge bell game, which sounds a bit like an old, murky neighbor on every wind blow. I once walked close to the old railway museum and I almost stumbled into a historical school house that still blew the smell of chalk and old wood – a scent that you can't buy, but that gives you the feeling of being part of a long past era. The entrance is free, parking is usually a Klacks, except on Saturday afternoons when families with strollers block the main road.
If you have enough of dusty halls, the next destination will lead you to the wide fields of Huffman Prairie Flying Field. Here the Wright brothers started their first waghalous attempts before they even knew the famous Kitty-Hawk spot in Kitty Hawk. I made a picnic there on a sunny afternoon, while a few hobby pilots in old Biplanes flirted over the sky – a sight that almost looks too cheesy to be true, but that's what makes the charm. Access is free, parking is an open field, so just bring a few blankets if you want to make it cozy.
A little culture? Let's go Dayton Art Institute, which not only impresses with its collection, but also with its architecture that gives you the feeling of landing in a film from the 1930s. I once saw a modern work of art there that I did not understand, and then asked myself if I accidentally landed in a gallery for abstract mathematics. The entrance is moderate, the café on the ground floor serves a coffee that is strong enough to wake you up again after the walk through the halls. Parking is usually easy as long as you do not come to the exhibition “Pop Art”, then the car park becomes a battlefield.
For those who prefer to stay in the green, Five Rivers MetroParks- Network a real secret tip. The RiverScape MetroPark on the Great Miami River offers hiking trails that lead you through lush forests and along the river. I once experienced a family trip with my nephew, who suddenly decided to start a “waterfall adventure” by jumping into a small brook – the result was a wet, but happy boy and a slightly grained father who had to take the whole thing with a smile. Parking is usually sufficient, but on hot summer days it can be filled because people are looking for the cool wet.
A last stop, which is almost a must, leads you to the heart of Dayton: the Oregon District. This is where life pulsates, and the old brick buildings are home to bars, restaurants and small shops that have more character than some big city. I once heard a jazz set in a tiny pub that was so good that I ordered almost the entire menu just to stay longer. Parking is a bit of a gambling – most visitors park on the street, and this can lead to a small dance with local residents who defend their garage spaces.
So, if you ask yourself what Union sights really are, be sure: it is the mix of historical gravitas, surprising nature and a pinch of urban vitality that makes the Umland a distinctive experience. Each of these places has its own macks, but that's exactly what makes them my favorite places – and perhaps also to yours, if you dare to wander a bit off the beaten paths.
I have to admit that I would never have thought that the tiny Union City in Ohio could make a smile on my face again – until I get the old Union City Historical Museum a. The building is a converted court building from the 1880s, which has more cracking halls than I saw in my entire life at hip cafes, but that's what makes the charm. I stood there, between a collection of old maps and a dusty chest full of tools, and thought: “Here the story has more personality than some Instagram influencers.” Parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you don't want to go on Saturday night with the locals for a weekly barbecue at the Rathausplatz – then parking becomes a little adventure.
Directly next to the museum, the Union City Public Library – a small but fine house that houses more than just books. I spent an afternoon there, because I longed for a quiet place, and was surprised by a friendly librarian with a hot coffee that was almost better than that I get in the big chain coffee shops. The shelves aren't endless, but that makes the killing a sort of treasure hunt. And yes, the WLAN works – a small comfort for digital nomads.
If you want to get some fresh air, it's the Union City Park That's right. The park is not just a national park, but it has a baseball court, a playground and a small lake where the kids feed ducks in summer. I remember standing there on a warm July evening, an ice cream in my hand, and suddenly a local old-timer club with sparkling engines passed by – that was the loudest concert I've ever seen in a park. A note: the parking spaces are quickly occupied at weekends, so you'd rather come early, otherwise you'll have to park the block and walk the way.
Another highlight I can hardly overlook is that City Water Tower. This rusty colossus protrudes over the main road and is the unofficial landmark of the city. I have taken a photo that now hangs in my social media feed – not because it is particularly photogenic, but because it is a symbol that even the most inconspicuous things can have character. The tower is to be visited from the outside, unfortunately there is no elevator from the inside, so let the climbs over to the professionals.
For those who want to sniff a little local flair, the City Farmers Market a must (seasonal, but if you are there in summer, you don't miss anything). There are fresh vegetables, homemade jams and the notorious “Union Apples” that are supposedly sweeter than any other variety in the state. I once tried an apple cake there, which was so good that I almost took the whole piece home – a small shock for the seller, who then passed me with a wide grin.
A little away from the center lies Union City Community Center, which is more than just a venue. There are regular art exhibitions, dance evenings and even a weekly chess club. I took part in an “Open Mic” there, because I thought I could present a few lines over the city – the audience was friendly, but the acoustics left to wish, so I prefer to withdraw and enjoyed the buffet. The center has a small parking lot that is usually free as long as you are not there during a large community meeting.
And because I don't want to neglect everything, I still have to Union City Downtown mentioning that does not come up with glittering lights, but with charming antique shops and a small bakery that seems to have the best cinnamon chick recipe in the region. I spent half an hour there because I simply couldn't decide whether to buy the bread or cookies – a real dilemma I haven't solved until today.
So, if you think about the next time you want to spend your next little break, remember: Union sights may seem inconspicuous at first sight, but that's exactly what makes them a real secret tip for everyone who is looking for the authentic and not just the next Instagram spot.
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