Honestly, Botkins doesn't have the reputation of a metropolis, but that's what makes the charm. The city was founded in 1858 when the railroad slit the prairie and a few brave settlers decided to build a piece of home here. The old town hall, which today still carries the official city sign, reminds of these rough beginnings – a bit creepy, but with more character than some glitter palace.
When you get out of Dayton by car, you simply follow US-33 until exit 71; the road takes you directly to the centre where you can feel the true Ohio between corn fields and small workshops. I don't quite understand the hype around the big cities, but here next to the highway there is a café that serves the best apple cake far and wide – no joke, that's almost a local cult.
A short trip to the neighboring Township of Dinsmore is worth it because there is the annual harvesting festival that has more heart than any tourist attraction. And yes, if you googlest to “Botkins Sights”, you will quickly realize that the true highlight is the authentic smile of the inhabitants who keeps you a little longer while leaving.
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 Botkins, 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 first stop I never miss is that Shelby County Historical Society Museum in Sidney – a place where the history of us small landlords almost screams too loud. I saw an old tractor display there that had more rust than metal, and yet I felt like I was inhaling a piece of real Ohio identity. Parking is usually a Klacks, unless you arrive at the County Fair on Saturday night, then the field in front of the museum becomes an improvised parking jungle.
A short descent towards the south leads you to Miami-and-Erie Canal-Towpath at Lockington. The path is a bit like a silent flirt with the past: cobblestones, old sluices and the occasional tassels of frogs, which apparently enjoy the tourists. I once tried to make a selfie, while a duck pair almost took away the camera – a real highlight moment I will never forget. The path is freely walkable, but take a bike if you don't want to walk down the entire path.
A bit further west, almost in the heart of the Middle West, lies this Neil Armstrong Museum in Wapakoneta. I don't quite understand the hype around the moon, but the original Apollo‐12 module, which is exhibited here, has made me amazed – and that, although I hardly believe in the 60s. Admission is free, and the staff is so friendly that they almost give you the feeling that you would be part of the NASA crew if you only shout loud enough “Houston, we have a problem”.
If you are looking for something that smells less for dust and more for sugar cane in the summer, then it is Shelby County Fairgrounds in Sidney your goal. I visited the annual County Fair for the first time when I was a child, and since then the giant wheel is my personal compass for good mood. Practical: The approach is a Klack via the U.S. Route 68, and parking is almost always sufficient – except when the weather suddenly hits and suddenly everyone touches a tractor.
A little off the beaten path lies the Bokes Creek Nature Reserve near Botkins. There are more trees than people here, and the noise of the brook is the loudest sound you will hear if you want to remove from the urban sirens. I once made a picnic that was sabotaged by a horde of curious squirrels – a small but fine reminder that nature still has the say here. Access is free via the County Road 12, and parking is a simple gravel path that hardly holds more than a few cars.
For those who want a little culture with a shot of nostalgia, this is Piqua Historical Museum an underestimated jewel. I discovered an old carousel from the 1920s that still works, and that was a real eye-catcher. The exhibition is small, but every exhibit tells a story that you would never hear – for example, the old phone, which is supposed to still call the “Hello” from the 1930s when you take off the listener.
Whether you're a history fan, a nature lover or just someone looking for a good place to relax – the environment of Botkins has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance. And if you have experienced all this, you will understand why the Botkins Attractions yet possess its own charm, which unleashes even the most cynical travellers a smile.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Botkins is not some hip-café, but that Botkins Community Park. Where the old oaks donate a little too much shade and the baseball diamonds are still playful by the kids from the 80s, I feel like a child who secretly stole the last piece of cake. Parking is usually a Klacks – a few free places right at the main entrance, as long as you don't come to the barbecue season on Saturday night, this will be a real patience game.
A short walk further (and a short trip over the old railway bridge, which has more rust than metal) leads you to Botkins Public Library. I don't quite understand the hype about huge, modern libraries, but here the old wooden shelf has a charm that you can only find in small towns, where the staff asks you if you want to read the book. I once borrowed a book about the history of the region and spent almost the whole lunch break studying the yellowed photos of the 1900s – no joke, that was almost more formal than a museum visit.
If you're already on the go, take a look at the Botkins Historical Society Museum. This is not the shiny, interactive museum you know from city-travel guides, but a small building full of old tools, photos and an amazingly well-preserved original clock that still ticks. I caught the owner there, as he explained to a visitor, that the old barn once served as a “dance hall for the whole city” next to the museum – even though the dance floor is still a parking lot today.
Another highlight I always mention is the weekly Botkins Farmers Market. Every Saturday morning, when the sun just sits over the fields, the street stands are filled with fresh vegetables, homemade cakes and a selection of handmade jams, which you can only find in fine food shops. I bought a pumpkin there that was so big that I almost didn't get it through the door of the car – that was a real test for my driving skills.
You might think that's all, but the iconic Botkins Water Tower also deserves a word. The tower stands over the village like a silent guard, and at night it shines in a slightly greenish shimmer, which almost seems romantic when you are honest. I took a picture there that I later posted on Instagram, just to see that no one really understands why a water tower should be a “must lake” – but hey, this is Botkins for you.
A short detour to Botkins Community Center is worth looking for a place where you can relax for a long day with a cool beer. The center has a small but fine selection of board games, and the staff knows each regular guest by name. I remember an evening when I hosted an improvised tournament with a few locals in “people don’t annoy you” – the result was a chaotic mess of dice and loud laughter that instantly relaxed the mood in the room.
Finally, and this is perhaps a bit too much of the good, there is still the inconspicuous but charming Botkins City Hall. The facade is a relic from the 1920s, and the interior houses a small but fine work of art: a mural depicting the history of the city in colorful colors. Once there I have an appointment for a building application, and while I was waiting, I couldn't help but study the details of the painting – it's amazing how much you learn about the soul of a city when you just spend a little time.
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