Honestly, when I tell you about Dent, I always start with the story because this is not an Instagram filter, but a real piece of Ohio. The municipality was founded in the early 1830s, named after the local dentist family name Dent, and grew thanks to the railway line, which then cut through the green green of Green Township. Today, Dent is located in the heart of Green Township, Butler County, and is hardly more than a sleepy cross between Hamilton and the suburbs, but that's exactly what makes the charm. I don't always understand the hype about small towns, but here there are a few Dent sights that you shouldn't overlook – for example, the old village church from 1854, whose barring benches tell more stories than any guide. The way there is easy: a short detour from US‐27, a few minutes on County Road 126 and you are in the middle of what is happening, while most visitors are still stuck in traffic on I‐75. When you arrive by train, the Amtrak will get off in Hamilton, and a short taxi ride will take you directly to the heart of Dent, where you can enjoy the peace while the world continues to cry outside.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey was Miami Whitewater Forest, a forest that sounds more like an over-ambited amusement park than a place where you can still admire the trees. I have to admit that the network of wooden bridges and climbing course has reminded me of my youth – only that I now have a little more back pain when I flash down the rope slide. Parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you don't move on Saturday night with a horde of families from the whole southwest of the state; then the field behind the visitor center becomes the battlefield around the last free pitches.
A short detour leads me to Great Miami River Trail, an 80-kilometre strip, which lies around the region like a narrow, slightly dirty belt. I once tried to ride a section with my old mountain bike, just to realize that the track is more intended for cozy walkers and ambitious joggers – the percussion hole I almost overlooked was a real wake-up call. Nevertheless, when you see the water glittering and the sun dances over the trees, you feel almost like in an indie movie, only without the excessive soundtrack drama.
A bit further south, almost like a secret club for nature lovers, lies the Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve. There are no exaggerated signs here, only the rough noise of the river that shoots through the narrow gorge. I remember standing there with a friend, while a wanderer with a megaphone loudly explained that the “Gorge experience” is a must – I gave him only a tired head nodding and continued to get into the green. The path is well marked, and parking is almost always easy as long as you do not come to the high season when the families with picnic baskets flood the field.
A small detour to the east brings me to Cincinnati Nature Center in Milford. This is not the typical “zoo experience”, but rather a quiet retreat where you can walk between beech and oak without being crowded by tourist crowds. I once made a picnic with a local beekeeper who told me that the bees have almost a life here – a bit exaggerated, but the honey glasses were really good. The entrance is free, and parking is an open field that is rarely full, unless there is a special event.
A little further north, almost on the edge of the city, this is Hamilton County Fairgrounds. Every year, the big shows are held, and I have had the pleasure of standing between the carousels and the oxen, while a local musician played an oblique version of “Sweet Home Ohio”. The terrain is huge, so you always find a place to park the car even if the main road is full – you just have to drive a few blocks and park a little in the grass.
At the end of my little tour Great Miami River not missing. I once rented a kayak and tried to force the rapids, just to find out that the water flows rather leisurely than triggering an adrenaline rush. Nevertheless, the flow of the river has some calming, and the small docks along the shore are usually unmanned so that you can park your bike or car without great lift.
So next time you think about what you could do in the area of Dent, Green Township, Hamilton, Ohio, remember: Dent sights offer a mixture of nature, light adventure and a pinch of local peculiarity that can satisfy every traveller – even the easy cynical one.
So, next time you climb over Highway 68, take a trip to Dent – that's not some sleepy place, that's my personal favorite Mini Microcosm. The first station I want to put to your heart is that Historic District by Dent. Imagine a road that looks like she forgot the time, but not for lack of charm. The old brick buildings from the 1800s are still standing, and each one has its own story that I could tell you in half an hour while we stroll past the old post office. Parking is almost always a Klacks – a small parking lot behind the old painting shop is enough, as long as you don't arrive on Friday night after the local barbecue festival, it will be tight.
A short walk on (I mean, you don't even have to tick your phone to find the way) Dent Schoolhouse Museum. The old school building from 1905 was transformed into a mini-museum that lets my grandparents live. I remember how I tried a few old wooden bench chairs as a child there and almost landed in a dust grain corn field, which served as an exhibition on the agriculture of the region. The exhibition is not just a high-tech experience, but that makes the charm – you get the feeling of traveling to the past without anyone trying to sell you a ticket for an audio guide.
If you have enough of dusty classrooms, see them Methodist Church which since 1885 forms the heart of the municipality. I don’t always understand the hype about church architecture, but here’s a simple but solid bell game that can be heard on Sunday afternoons – no joke, that sounds almost like an alarm clock for the whole city. The interior is surprisingly well preserved, and the small museum in the cellar tells of the many weddings that took place here – I even discovered an old wedding photo of my uncle that was exhibited there.
A real secret tip I put to the heart almost every visitor is the Dent Community Park. The park is located on the edge of the village, right next to the river, and offers a playground, baseball field and a small amphitheater, which is used for local bands in summer. I once made a picnic with a few friends, while an older gentleman practiced his fishing hobby in the background – that was the most relaxed picture I've ever seen. Parking is usually easy here, but on Saturday night, when the annual “Dent Days” festival starts, you have to adjust to a few cars in the way.
And because I'm just at the festival: Dent Days is what the city holds together every year. There is a flea market, local craftsmen, a few food stands (my personal favorite is the Chili-Dog-Ständchen of “Marty’s Diner”, which I will mention later) and a small fireworks in the evening. I took part in 2012 for the first time and since every year I met a bit more of the villagers – this is the true “heart blood” of Dent.
Another little jewel I don't want to conceal is the Dent Bridge about the Little Miami River. The bridge is not particularly spectacular, but it offers a great view of the river, especially in autumn when the foliage turns. I took a photo there that is now hanging in my living room – not because it is artistic, but because it reminds me of the moment when I drove over the bridge with my bike and was almost overtaken by a duck pack.
Finally, a culinary note: If you are looking for a place to strengthen you for all the visits, go to Marty’s Diner on the main road. The diner is a classic American place that has existed since the 70s and still has the same red vinyl style. I ate the best breakfast burrito in the region there – no joke, that was really good. The staff knows everyone and asks you if you are “like the family” when you come in for the first time. Parking is possible directly in front of the diner, but be warned: if you arrive there on Sunday after the festival, you may have to wait a few minutes until a place becomes free.
If you now think that this is too much, then don't let yourself be deterred – Dent is small enough that you can do everything on a day, but big enough that you can rediscover yourself. And if you ask where you can read all this: simply google “Dent Sights” and you’ll find that most people only have the basic info while I give you the real insider tips.
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