Honestly, if you ask me, the true heart of Cheviot is not to be found in any tourist brochures, but in the dusty stories surrounding the city since its foundation in 1868. The founders, a bunch of Scottish immigrants, named the whole thing after the Cheviot Hills – a bit of pride considering that this is rather flat suburban. Nevertheless, the small piece of land, which today is considered to be City of Cheviot in Hamilton County, has its own charm, which you can only understand when you trace the old railroad tracks along the former Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway. I don't quite understand the hype about the “historical” houses, but the sticky wood and the bright red bricks give the whole an almost film-ready feeling.
When you arrive here, take the I‐70 best and get off at exit 2 – this saves the eternal creep through traffic. The local bus, line 22, takes you to the center where you can watch a bit of people between the small cafes and the only but fine park that believe they are in a big city. And yes, if you ask yourself what you can see here at all: the “Cheviot Sights” are less monuments, more the authentic everyday life that pulsates between the old brick houses and the modern residential blocks. I could talk about the little alleys for hours now, but that's the nice thing – there's always something new to discover here if you just keep your eyes open.
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 Cheviot, 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 Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, only about 15 km southeast of Cheviot. I have seen the Gorilla-Gorilla-Blick there more than once – not the usual “sweet” photo, but the real, contemplative staring that reminds you that this is not an amusement park but a protected area. The zoo is located directly on Vine Street and parking is usually uncomplicated as long as you don't arrive at the weekend in the afternoon, then the car park is quickly filled.
A short detour to the east leads you to Krohn Conservatory in the Eden Park district. The greenhouse is a bit like a botanical wonderland that you could see in a movie, just that the plants actually live here. I discovered a rare black orchid bouquet there, which I almost thought was a joke. The entrance is free, and parking is almost always possible thanks to the nearby parking spaces – a small luck for spontaneous visitors.
If you are looking for a place where you can lose yourself between market stalls and local odors, then it is Findings in over-the-rhine exactly the right thing. I have tried the best fried chicken in the region, not only because I was hungry, but because the sellers have a real hand for quality. The market is reachable on foot from the underground station, and parking is not a problem thanks to the surrounding car parks as long as you don't arrive at lunchtime when the stands are full.
A bit off the mainstream is that American Sign Museum near Camp Washington. I have to admit, I was skeptical, whether bright advertising signs are really worth a museum, but the collection of neon and vintage signs is a real eye-catcher. I found an old “Coca‐Cola” sign there that reminded me of my childhood – a short moment of nostalgia that upgrades the whole. The museum has a small parking lot behind the building; this is practical, because the road is hardly driven there.
Another highlight I can't leave is that National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on the banks of the Ohio River. The exhibition is profound and lets you think about the history of the escape routes that led through Ohio. I saw an original document that contained the names of more than 200 fleee workers – an impressive proof that history is not only living in dusty books. The center is located directly on the Riverfront and parking is usually easy thanks to public parking on the shore.
For a relaxed afternoon I recommend Smale Riverfront Park. The park extends along the river and offers walks, fountains and a small amphitheater. I often spent my lunch break there while I enjoyed the view of the Cincinnati skyline. Parking is best done through nearby public parking; they are usually free except for big events.
A short jump over the bridge to Kentucky brings you to Newport Aquarium in Newport. I was there once to see the sharks and was surprised how close you can really come to the animals. The aquarium is a bit touristy, but the quality of the exhibitions is indisputable. Parking is available directly on the aquarium, and the fees are moderate compared to other attractions.
The Cincinati Art Museum not missing. The museum is located in Eden Park and houses works from Monet to Warhol. I discovered a painting by Edward Hopper that reminded me of rainy evenings in Cheviot – a strange but beautiful echo. The museum area has its own car park, which usually offers enough space as long as you do not come to the main exhibition period.
Whether you're an animal lover, a history-interested or just a curious explorer – the surroundings of Cheviot have something to offer for everyone. The mixture of nature, culture and a bit of nostalgia makes the region a surprisingly versatile destination. And if you have experienced all this, you will understand why the Cheviot Attractions take a special place in my head.
So, next time you go around the area, let's go first Cheviot Community Center – this is almost the heartpiece that I always call “small Olympus”. The building is located right on Cheviot Avenue, parking is enough as long as you don't show up there on Friday night after the basketball game, this will be a little patience game. I once experienced a yoga-hour marathon where the trainer shattered more about my lack of flexibility than about breathing, but the sauna afterwards was really great and has forgotten every effort.
A short walk on and you stumble over the Cheviot Public Library. I don't quite understand the hype about libraries, but here the staff has a humor that almost reminds of a comedy club – they recommend books while chatting about the weather at the same time. The building is an old brick house that was opened in 1935, and the shelves are so well sorted that I almost feel like a treasure hunter. If you're looking for some rest, grab a seat on the window; the light is perfect for a good book, and the WLAN even works if you want to complain about the “Rural-Internet problem”.
Here's a little side move: Many tourists talk about the great museums in Cincinnati, but the true Cheviot Attractions where the city history is still tangible. The Cheviot City Hall is a good example. The building is not only an administrative building, it houses a huge mural that represents the industrialization of the region – a bit cheesy, but somehow fascinating. I met the mayor there, who told me that the painting is repainted every year by a local artist to “show the city in change”. Parking is usually easy, except on the first Monday of the month when the town hall stops a public meeting and blocks the street.
If you prefer to be outdoors, the Cheviot Park That's right. The small park on the corner of Cheviot and Oak Street has a playground, a basketball field and a tiny pond in which ducks paddle in front of themselves. I once made a picnic with friends that was disturbed by a horde geese who apparently decided that our sandwich is their new favorite dish. The park is free, and parking is practically directly on the road – just a few meters from the main road, so no long search is necessary.
A little nostalgia? The old Cheviot Train Station-Building, which today serves as a community space, is a relic from the 1900s, which still radiates the charm of past times. I saw a small concert of a local folk band that took place in a room that used to train. The acoustics are surprisingly good, and the walls tell stories of travelers who once came out and entered here. The building is easy to find because it lies directly on the old railway line, and parking is a small parking lot behind the building – perfect if you don't want to waste too much time with searches.
Another jewel that is often overlooked is the St John the Baptist Catholic Church. The nave from 1925 has an impressive stained glass window that dips into a kaleidoscopic paint game at sunset. I was there for a baptismal ceremony and asked myself why I don't go to churches more often – the light, the silence, the quiet sum of the organ, that is almost meditative. The church is open to visitors, and parking is possible on the small road before, as long as you do not arrive there on Sunday morning when the municipality overruns the car house.
Finally, a small hint for those who like to taste local products: The Cheviot Farmers Market takes place every second Saturday a month in the community center parking lot. Here there are fresh vegetables, homemade jams and a few handmade candles that you don’t need, but still buy because they look “so rustic”. I bought a pumpkin there that later served as a decoration for my Halloween party – no joke, he even got a face that I painted myself. The market is easy to find because it is always where the city has the heart, and parking is convenient because you can park right next to the stands.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
