Honestly, if you think Mack is just another slept corner in the Middle West, then you have renounced the story: Founded in the early 1830s by German immigrants who settled in the shadow of the Ohio River, the town has experienced more strata over the years than a well-aged cheese. Today, Mack is located in the heart of Green Township, Hamilton County, and proudly carries the heritage of its founders, while at the same time trying not to mourn completely in the dust of modernity.
I usually come with the 30-bus from Hamilton, which sounds right through the main road – a short but surprisingly picturesque ride when you look at the old brick houses and the slightly weathered factory premises. Those who prefer to drive themselves can take the US‐127, which leads practically like a red thread through the township and cuts past the less respected but charming corners that I personally appreciate most.
A walk through the historic centre will make you feel the sights of Mack without feeling like a tourist catalog. The ancient churches, whose towers still protrude over the fields, tell stories of parish festivals that had more beer than prayers. And while most visitors overlook the large shopping mall on the edge, I discovered the best local diner – no joke, the food is really great, and the staff knows you by name as soon as you try the first sip of coffee.
So, if you want to experience the authentic, slightly cynical flair of Mack, forget about the usual guide-Cleanes and let you drive from the quiet streets, the friendly faces and the quiet sums of history. That's the true heart of Green Township, and I promise you, you won't regret it.
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The first place I could not miss was the huge green piece of Winton Woods in the Great Parks of Hamilton County – a true paradise for everyone who believes that a walk in the forest can not be a workout and a picnic at the same time. I remember the day when I turned the 12-kilometre round about the lake with my old mountain bike, while a swarm duck curiously harassed me; Parking was a Klacks, as long as you did not arrive at the weekend at 5:00, then the field becomes a small battlefield of cars and strollers.
A short detour from there leads you to Little Miami Scenic Trailthat sounds like an endless band through the gentle hilly landscape. I once tried to keep my jogging routines there, just to be distracted by a friendly dog owner with a huge Labrador who convinced me that the true goal of the trail is sniffing, not running. The trail is well signposted, and a small parking lot at the entrance of Spring Valley is almost always free – a real lucky handle when you are spontaneous.
If you have enough of nature and feel a bit of neon nostalgia, then that is American Sign Museum in Cincinnati a must. I don't quite understand the hype about flashing advertisements, but the collection of handmade luminescent complaints from the 50s and 60s really knocked me around; I stood there for hours and thought I was a piece of art better than a sign. The museum is located in a former factory building, which is itself a piece of history, and parking is a children's game thanks to the wide street right in front of the entrance.
A few blocks on, still in the heart of Cincinati, this is National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. This is where history is not only told, but almost tangible. I was there on a rainy afternoon and found myself in an interactive room where I was allowed to play a fleee for slaves by touchscreen – a bit cheesy, but the emotions were real. The center has its own parking lot, which is usually empty as long as you don't come to school, then it will be a bit tight.
For those who prefer to stay in an imposing building, this is Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal an architectural highlight. The Art-Deco building is not only a museum, but a landmark that impresses even the most sceptical visitors. I wandered back and forth between the exhibitions on the railway history and the natural history stories for hours, while an older gentleman, beside me, crawled loudly over the “good old time” – a real earworm for everyone who likes to listen. Parking is free on the main building, but on Saturdays there can be a small chaos when the city hosts a festival.
A short trip to the city centre of Cincinnati leads you to the Over‐the-Rhine-Viertel, with its cobblestone streets and the restored brick buildings, almost looks like a film set. I drank an espresso in a tiny café, while a street musician played a jazz improvisation – that was almost too romantic to be true. The area is walking well to explore, and parking is usually a bit expensive thanks to the many public garages, but you get plenty of flair for it.
The botanical jewel Krohn Conservatory not missing. I was there on a hot summer day and hid myself in the tropical hall, while the sun burned outside – a real life anchor for everyone who wants to escape the Ohio-Hitze fairy. Admission is not free, but this is worth the money if you want to see the exotic plants and the artistic sculptures. The Conservatory is located in Eden Park, where parking is usually easy as long as you don't arrive at noon, then there is a small crowd.
Whether you're looking for nature, history, or a bit of Neon-Glanz, the environment of Mack, Green Township, Hamilton, Ohio has more to offer than you would suspect at first glance – a colorful mix of parks, trails, museums and historic neighborhoods that all present their own Mack sights.
I have to admit right at the beginning that my favorite place in Mack is not exactly a shiny tourist magnet, but an inconspicuous strip of lawn and a few old metal benches that are the Mack Park called. There, where the children are loudly chasing their balls over the field and the seniors play chess, one senses the true pulsation of the place – no joke, that is the heart of Mack. Parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you don't arrive with your whole clique on Saturday night, then the field will quickly become a parking lot for the whole neighborhood.
A short walk (or a short sprint, depending on the mood) leads you to Mack Community Center. I once participated in an improvised karaoke evening – the microphone was an old vacuum cleaner connection, but the mood was really great. The hall is versatile: basketball court, fitness room and a small event area, almost always occupied by a local choir or yoga class. If you ask yourself if you need to bring something there: no, a towel is completely enough, and the WLAN is surprisingly stable for a village that has hardly more than one post office.
If you're looking for a place where you can retreat without fleeing nature, then this is Mack Library That's right. I borrowed more than once a book about the history of Green Township, because I thought I could embellish myself with local legends – and actually, the shelves are full of photos of old combine harvesters and newspaper articles about the annual pumpkin festival. The staff is friendly, but not excessively polite, which I feel as refreshing. And the best thing: The little reading room has a window that looks directly at the parking lot, so you always know when the next car comes.
A little further, on the edge of the Great Miami River, lies a piece of the Great Miami River Trail. I made my first attempts in the inline skates there – the water glitters, the bridges crack, and you feel you are in a movie from the 80s, only without the exaggerated special effects. The trail is well developed, and parking at the trailhead is usually easy as long as you do not arrive at lunchtime with a group of cyclists who use the path as their personal parade.
For those who want to sniff a bit of history, St John the Baptist Catholic Church A must. The building dates from the 1920s, and the stained glass windows tell stories you only know from old family albums. I took part in a fair once, because I thought that would be a good opportunity to get to know the local community – and indeed, the pastor offered me a piece of homemade bread after the fair, which was better than anything I found in the supermarket in the last few months.
Another highlight I don't want to hide is the weekly Mack Farmers Market. Every Thursday, local farmers are putting their fresh products – from crunchy carrots to honey, which is almost too sweet to eat it without feeling guilty. The atmosphere is loose, the prices are fair, and the best thing is that you can find a small stand with handmade soaps that you wouldn't afford yourself if you weren't on the market.
Last but not least, if you ask yourself where you can find a bit of art and culture in this rather rural environment, then look at the mural on the side of the Mack Elementary School on. It was designed by a group of local students and shows a collage of old maps, bicycles and a huge, laughing corn flask – a bit cheesy, but that's what makes the charm. The school grounds are open to visitors, and parking is always a children's play there, because parents usually park their cars on the farm.
So, next time you decide if you want to make a detour to Mack, remember: Mack Attractions are not the shiny landmarks of a metropolis, but the small, slightly slanted corners that make life here worth living. And if you take that one or other piece of cake from the church community, you have more than enough reasons to come back.
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