Honestly, if you think Bridgetown is just another suburban gem in the shadow of Cincinnati, then you donated the story: 1800s, a small trading post on the old wooden bridge over the Great Miami River, and suddenly a separate neighborhood in the heart of Green Township, Hamilton County. I crossed the dusty path along the old bridge for the first time, while a bus from Hamilton (Route 30, if you don't want to walk) conveniently pushed by – that was my first impression of “authentic” Ohio-land life.
What I like about the Bridgetown sights is the mix of historical simplicity and modern everyday comic. The small park on Riverside, where the kids swing their rubber boots, is practically next to the old post office, which today serves as a café – I don't understand the hype about hip cafes, but this has character, no joke. If you arrive by car, take the I‐75 until exit 10, then a short trip to the US‐27 will take you in the middle of action; the signage is so discreet that you almost feel like a local before you even arrive.
And yes, people here like to talk about the weather, but they also have a surprisingly good feeling for good burgers and local craftsmanship. I've seen more than one road trip companion who suddenly became an enthusiastic fan of Bridgetown after a walk through the quiet residential streets – this is the real highlight when you ask me.
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 Bridgetown, 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 place I have to mention is the John Bryan State Park, which is just a short drive from Bridgetown and is hidden in the green like an ungrounded gem. I once made a picnic with a friend who insisted that we try out the “Wanderparadies” – and I must admit that the 2 miles loop along the Clifton Gorge is actually a bit too beautiful to ignore them. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't show up with the whole family there on weekends, then the field full of Vans becomes a patience test.
A few miles further, almost a cat jump, lies the Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve, where the river cuts through narrow rock gorges and the water is so clear that you can almost see your own mirror image – if you are not being persecuted by a swarm of curious ducks. I once tried to shoot a photo there, and the result was an involuntary selfie with a duck that almost stole my lens. Nevertheless, the trails are well marked, and a short stop at the visitor center is enough to understand the history of the place without having to roll a history book.
A bit further south, near Oxford, is the famous Miami University Campus. Many tourists come because of the old library and the iconic "Oxford Clock", but I don't understand the hype about the college feeling, because the weather smells like wet leaves in autumn rather than romantic nostalgia. Nevertheless, a walk over the campus is a nice trip, especially when you discover the small café at the “College Green” that serves the best espresso in the area – no joke, the stuff could make a barista in Cleveland jealous.
If you have enough of an academic atmosphere, the path continues to the Great Miami River Trail, a 16-mile-long path that stretches through the cityscape and offers surprising views of old factory buildings and modern residential quarters. I once saw a sunset with my bike that dipped the water into an orange-rosa glow – a picture that I don't get out of my head until today. The trail is well developed, and parking at the starting point is usually easy as long as you do not arrive there on Friday night after work, then the whole becomes a small crowd.
A short trip to Hamilton itself is also worth it, because the historic city centre has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance. The old brick buildings are now home to hip boutiques, art galleries and a few pubs that have more character than some 5 star chain. I remember an evening when I tried a local beer in the “Old Town Pub” that supposedly tastes for cherries – that was rather a sweet leap, but the atmosphere was really great, and the staff was so friendly that I almost had the feeling of being part of a small community.
Another highlight I can't miss is the Hamilton Museum of Contemporary Art. Many visitors think that this is only a small museum that can be quickly defied, but the changing exhibitions are surprisingly provocative and stimulate to reflect. I once saw an installation where old car parts were joined to a huge sculpture tree – a bit crazy, but somehow suitable for the region that was once characterized by the automotive industry. The museum is centrally located, and parking is right in front of the building, which is a real plus if you don't want to go home after a long walk.
All in all, the surroundings of Bridgetown and the surrounding communities offer a colourful mix of nature, history and urban flair, which satisfies every traveller – whether it is nature lover, history fan or culture junkie. So who travels to Bridgetown the next time should not miss these spots because they show why the Bridgetown Attractions more than just a name on a map – they are experiences you don't forget.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Bridgetown is not just a hip Rooftop bar hotspot, but the inconspicuous Bridgetown Park. If you come here, you might expect a little green space and a few play equipment – and that's exactly what you get, just that the playgrounds here look more like an 80-year design and the baseball fields are regularly occupied by the kids of the neighborhood. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the weekly barbecue of the local church community starts and everyone is looking for a place on the asphalt.
A short walk over the main road leads you to St John the Baptist Catholic Church, a brick building that breathes more history than most museums in Cincinnati. I don't quite understand the hype about huge glass windows, but the creeping wood of the benches and the quiet marble of the municipality give the place an almost calming authenticity. Last year, I randomly got a choir sample concert there – no joke, the voices sounded like they had practiced all day in the cellar.
If you're looking for a place where you can take power without entering a gym, see the section of the Little Miami Scenic Trail that leads directly past Bridgetown. The path is well maintained, but the signage sometimes leaves too much to be desired – I almost lost myself in the woods because a sign “direction Green Township” showed while I actually wanted to go to the next café. Nevertheless, the view of the river is really great, especially in autumn when the leaves shine in all possible red tones.
Another highlight I always mention is that Green Township Community Center. Locals meet here for basketball, yoga and infamous bingo evenings where prices usually consist of self-baked muffins. I once went to a course “Creative Writing for Beginners” – the teacher was so enthusiastic about her own poems that I almost felt I landed in a Poetry-Slam bar, only without the loud audience.
For those who want to catch a little culture, there is the small, but fine Bridgetown Library Branch. It is not the largest archive, but the selection of local history books is surprisingly good. I found an old photo album there that found the foundation of the city in the early 20th. Century documented – a real treasure for historical lovers who want not only to pick up the usual tourist facts.
Another, often overlooked jewel is the weekly Bridgetown Farmers Market Saturday morning, next to the park. Here there are fresh vegetables, homemade jams and one or the other stand that sells handmade ceramics – all at prices that you can hardly believe when considering that the sellers usually pack their own children in boxes to transport the products. I tried an apple cake there that was so good that I almost forgot the money for the whole shopping.
And because I'm not just the usual Bridgetown Attractions I have to count the annual Summer Festival that takes place in July in the heart of the city. There are live music, a fireworks and a competition in the “Kuchen-Backen” where the jury consists of three retired teachers who have stricter criteria than a Michelin star inspector. I took part the last time and cleaned my chocolate cake almost to the last fork – a small victory for the taste buds.
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