Honestly, when I hear the word “Tipp City Sights”, I first think of the dusty tracks that brought the small village to the Ohio River in 1850 and transformed it into today’s Monroe Township in the heart of Miami County. I have the feeling that the city was only really alive when the railroad called the “Tipp” – a little joke that the founders probably didn’t mean quite seriously. Today I usually drive by car over the US‐36, because the bus of Dayton is reliable, but not an adventure; I still appreciate the occasional rats of the 33-Route if I want to feel like a real local.
I don't quite understand the hype about the annual Oktoberfest, but the small cafes on Main Street, where the Barista serves you with an eye-catcher a “Midwest-Latte” are really great. And yes, the old town hall from the 1880s has more charm than some modern glass facades – a perfect place to consider why you even flee to the big city. If you ask where to park, simply take the free parking behind the supermarket; it is large enough to hide your car while exploring the local “Tipp City Sights”. I could chat about the story for hours, but the real pleasure is to simply take off and see how the old heart of Monroe Township still strikes.
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The first stop of my little odyssey leads me to Hueston Woods State Park, where the water of Lake Hueston is so clear that you almost feel like walking in an overpriced Instagram filter. I spent a weekend with my old mountain bike and that was less a “adventure in the wilderness” than a short trip into a well maintained forest paradise – the paths are wide enough that even my aunt Gerda, who never enters more than the supermarket, could easily come along. Parking is almost always a Klacks on the main parking lot, only on Saturdays when the families move on with barbecue equipment, it becomes a bit tight; then you just have to walk a few meters further and accept the quiet rustling of the trees as an excuse.
A short descent westward will take me to the Grand Lake St. Marys State Park, the largest inland waters of Ohio’s. There are more boats here than people, and this is exactly what I appreciate in such places: the soothing sum of the engines, the occasional circles of a discouraged duck pack and the feeling that one is really “different” here – although the garage is full and the café at the lake is almost always overrun by Anglern. I remember standing at the pier once at sunset, a freshly caught carp in my hand, and thought: “No joke, this is almost too idyllic for my cynical soul.” Practical: The toilets are clean, the grill field is free, and the bike rental switch always has a few spare hoses if you suddenly get a plate like me.
A leap back into history leads me to Troy, where the Miami County Historical Museum resides in a charming, slightly crunching brick building. The exhibition is a colorful mix of old land machines, photos of horse carriages and a collection of advertising posters that remind me every time that “retro” is not just a word for Instagram filters. I once discovered an old coffee table where my great-grandfather allegedly dropped his tax records – a bit cheesy, but I had to admit that the ambience was almost as good as the beer in the local pub. The museum has a small parking lot behind the building; that is usually free except when the school classes come in the summer holidays and turn the terrain into a living classroom.
Only a few kilometers further, the Miami-and-Erie channel swells through the landscape, and at Lock 31 near Troy you can still see the old waterwork in operation – a relic from the time when canals were the backbone of the trade. I spent a few hours there because I thought to see a bit of “historical” water, could calm my soul; Instead, I watched a squirrel that courageously put a cookie out of my pocket, while an older gentleman in a discarded flannel shirt told me that the sluices are still served by hand. Parking is possible at the small visitor's parking lot next to the Schleusentor, but only when you arrive early enough – otherwise you have to roll the car down the road a bit further and sell the whole as a “mini walking”.
For those who prefer to travel on two wheels, the Great Miami River Bike Trail is a must. The path follows the river from Dayton to Hamilton and offers breathtaking views in some places, in others rather a monotonous image of concrete and graffiti. I tried the section between Tip City and Dayton because I thought a little “city flair” would make the tour more interesting; the result was a mix of quiet forest sections and suddenly emerging construction sites that slowed down the pace. The trail is well signposted, and parking at the beginning of the section is usually easy – apart from the weekends when local groups turn the field into an improvised gym.
One last but not least important stop is the Miami County Fairgrounds, which offers a collection of fairs, concerts and annual County Fairgrounds all year round. I once visited a local craft beer festival where I learned more about the art of hop brew than in any blog I've ever read. The atmosphere is a bit like a huge family brunch, only that the cousins here appear in overalls and the uncles in cowboy hats. Parking is available in abundance, and the terrain is so large that you can easily walk a few kilometers without having the feeling that you run – a rare consolation in a world that becomes faster and faster.
Whether you're looking for a quiet lake, a historic canal, a museum visit or a lively festival – the surroundings of Tip City, Monroe Township, Miami, Ohio has something to offer for every taste. My personal highlights show that the region has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance, and that a little cynicism never hurts to Tip City attractions to enjoy with an eye-catcher.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Tipp City is not some hipest café, but that Riverfront Park at the Great Miami River – yes, exactly where you almost always see a few kids in the summer at the water balloon throwing and the older men in the garage are looking for a parking lot because the weekend is the only time the parking here becomes a real problem. I once made a picnic with my mate, and while we talked about the “big” plans for the next year, a duck rush came by, which looked like it had just completed a seminar on “How to annoy people”. Nevertheless, the view of the river, the quiet noise and the occasional quaken of the frogs are really great if you want to honestly enjoy a bit of nature in the middle west.
Right next to the park is what I like to be Heart of Tip City Sights sign: the Historical Museum. The old railway station building, which used to hear more train noises than visitors, is now home to a collection of artifacts that let you believe that Tipp City was not just a fast food chain. I remember when I found an old wooden chair there that was supposed to be used by one of the first mayors – I immediately took him home to show him to my cat. Admission is free, and the staff is so friendly that they even “liberate” a piece of history – in the transmitted sense, understands.
If you have enough of dusty relics, just sneak the Main Street along. The small shops here have the charm of a small town that tries to work modernly without completely losing the relation to reality. I bought a handmade leather wallet there, which was more expensive than a fast food machine, but which lasts much longer – a real tip for those who like to invest in quality instead of constantly buying new clothes. And yes, the café around the corner serves the best coffee in the city, but that's not a secret that every tourist already knows.
Another highlight I do not miss every year in spring is the Farmers Market. It takes place every Saturday at the community center's car park – a place where you can find more fresh products than in a supermarket that tries to overwhelm you with special offers. Last time I tried some local strawberries that were so sweet that I almost forgot that I was looking for a quick snack. And the best thing: the sellers are so warm that they almost give you the feeling that you would buy with relatives.
For those who want a little action, there is the Skate Park behind the Riverfront Park. I once tried to learn a few tricks, and I quickly fell into a bunch of gravel – no joke, that was so painful that I almost felt I had triggered a small earthquake. Nevertheless, the atmosphere is loose, and the local skaters like to give tips as long as you don’t talk too loud about your “epical” stunts.
A place I often overlook because it works more functionally, this is Community Center with his indoor swimming pool. I swept a few lanes there on a hot summer day, while the children in the adjacent gym played their “workout playlist” loudly. The swimming pool is clean, the staff is friendly, and parking is usually a Klacks – except of course when a local tournament takes place and the whole center is full.
Last but not least, for those who believe that golf is just something for old men in golf clubs, there is the Tip City Golf Club. I once tried a 9-hole game there, and although I had more balls in the water than on the green, the green was so well maintained that I almost forgot that I am not really good at golfing. The club is private, but visitors can come with a guest pass – a small hint that you should call beforehand because the registration does not always work immediately.
All in all, if you ask the next time through Ohio and ask yourself if you should make a trip to Tip City, remember: the city may be small, but it has more character than some big city node. And if you sit in the car next time, consider if you don't prefer to spend some time in one of these places instead of just chasing through – I think that's the true tip I can give you.
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