Northgate landmarks are more for me than an advertising slogan, they are the result of a story that dates back to 19. The century began as an agricultural village and, thanks to the railway lines, developed into a small transport hub – a bit like an unnoticed cousin who suddenly appears in the family photo.
If you come from Cincinnati by car, follow I‐275 until exit 12; the road leads you almost unnoticed into the heart of Colerain Township, where I like to keep on old Main Street to inhale the scent of freshly brewed coffee from the local diner – no joke, that is better than any tourist brochure.
A short walk takes you to the historic town hall, which still carries the same wooden windows my grandparents admired in the 60s. Sometimes you meet the oldest inhabitants who tell you how the neighborhood was once dominated by forgings and cereal stores – and why they accept the modern supermarket with an armpit.
I don't understand the hype about the new shopping centers, but the small, family-run shops next to the old station are the true gold for me. Here, while waiting for the bus, you can discover the local art scene in the form of hand-painted signs – a real secret tip that I put to every friend looking for authentic charm.
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 Northgate, 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 is Miami Whitewater Forest, a huge forest area that spans more than 1,200 hectares and is famous for its wild water rafting stretch – yes, that is really a place where you can let the water flow so quickly that you almost feel to speed up life yourself. I rented a kayak there in the summer, which had more holes than a Swiss cheese, and still paddling was a real kick. Parking is usually a Klacks at the main entrance, as long as you don't arrive at the weekend with a horde family, then the car park chaaos becomes almost an attraction.
A short detour leads to Great Miami River Trail, a 40-kilometre-long path that stretches along the river and attracts both cyclists and walkers. I explored the trail in a cloudy morning when the sun just came out behind the trees – the light play on the water was almost too beautiful to photograph it, so I rather enjoyed it. The trail is well signposted, and if you have a bike, there is a small sign on almost every cross that tells you where to bend; that saves time because you don't have to constantly search for the next sign.
A bit further south, almost like a relic from another time, stands the Hamilton and Rossville Bridge. This old suspension bridge from 1890 connects the two cities across the Great Miami River and is a popular spot for photography enthusiasts. I stood there once in the autumn when the leaves formed a firework of red and yellow tones, and thought that this is probably the only time that I voluntarily walk over a shaky scaffold. Access is free, and parking is usually easy at the small parking lot at the foot of the bridge, as long as you don't get to the Rush hour.
Just a couple of miles away Lockland Lock & Dam #1, a historical lock and dam system that is part of the Miami Conservancy District. I made a picnic there, while a small boat pushed by – the sound of the water flowing over the sluices has something soothing, almost meditative. The facility is well preserved, and there is a small visitor center, but rarely overrun; that means that you can still suck up the story without being disturbed by a crowd.
Directly next to it, almost like a twin, there is Lockland Lock & Dam #2. Many visitors confuse the two because they look almost identical, but the second offers a slightly better view of the river, because it lies at a slight elevation. I once met a local angler who told me that the best fish can be found here in spring – a tip that I will never forget because I have been packing my fishing every time I am in the area.
A little further east, but still in the vicinity of Northgate, this is Hamilton County Fairgrounds. The site is the heart of many regional events, from year markets to concerts. I was there in the summer at a local music festival, and that was a real highlight: The stage was in the middle of the outdoors, the food was surprisingly good (especially the BBQ ribs), and parking was – as one would expect from a fairgrounds – a bit messy, but with a little patience you always find a place.
A short trip to Troy leads to Miami County Historical Museum. The museum is small, but the exhibitions about the early settlement of the Miami Valley are surprisingly well curated. I remember sitting in an old school room that was original and suddenly heard the sound of an old typewriter – that was not an installation, that was just a visitor who made his notes. The museum has a small parking lot behind the building, which is usually free as long as you don't get to school.
For nature lovers who want to drive a bit further, this is Cincinnati Nature Center in Milford a must. The Center offers several hiking trails, a visitor centre and an impressive butterfly house. I made a hike there on a sunny autumn afternoon and spent almost half the way philosophizing the variety of trees – a bit pretentious, but hey, that's what I bring here. The entrance is free, parking is sufficient at the main parking lot, and the visitor center has coffee if you need a small energy boost after a long hike.
Whether you're in the water Miami Whitewater Forest loves the historical Hamilton and Rossville Bridge or just the rest of the Lockland Lock & Dam #2 wants to enjoy – the environment of Northgate has something to offer for everyone. And when you count all this, you get a pretty good picture of what the Northgate Attractions really.
So, next time you ride around the area, let's go first abandoned Northgate Mall stop – yes, you have read correctly, the dusty relic that once the heart of Northgate Attractions was formed. I don’t understand the whole hype about “retro shopping” completely, but the abandoned atrium with its creeping corridors and the faded neon lights somehow has a charm that reminds you of a post-apocalyptic film set. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, it becomes a real problem because then the last hipsters from Cleveland turn their Instagram stories.
A short detour from the Gespenster-Mall leads you to Northgate Shopping Center. Here’s everything you need to strengthen yourself after the adventure: a well-stocked crockery, a target that still tries to lure you with free samples, and a small coffee shop that allegedly serves the best latte in the city – no joke that Barista knows my preference for extra foam and makes it perfect every time. I once made a 12-hour marathon shop there because I thought I could use the garage for a picnic. Spoiler: That was not a good idea, but people there gave me a friendly head shake when I came back with a car full of toilet paper and snacks.
If you have enough of consumption, look at the Colerain Township Park on. This is the green heart of Northgate, a huge park with hiking trails, a small lake and playgrounds that look more like “children’s paradise” than “adult frustration”. I once made a picnic with my neighbour who claimed he could feed every squirrel that runs over his way. The squirrel actually ignored him, but I discovered some rare wild flowers that I planted later in my balcony bed. The park is free, and parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you don't come at the main season on the weekend.
A bit of culture in Northgate Library, a small but fine branch of the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library. I was there to borrow a book about local history, and was greeted by a librarian who immediately offered me a cup of coffee – yes, this is standard here. The shelves are well sorted, and the staff knows every regular guest by name. If you're lucky, you'll get a reading or a small artisan event that usually takes place on a Friday night. I once saw a poetry slam where a 17-year-old jumped over the “lossal in the mall” – ironic, right?
For the sporty activities Northgate Community Center a real secret tip. The swimming pool is surprisingly clean, and the gym has equipment that no longer comes from the 80s. I took a bath there in winter because the water was so warm that I almost felt like being in a spa – a small comfort when the weather is gray and wet outside. The Center also offers yoga classes that I have tried out from pure curiosity; the teacher was so relaxed that I almost fell asleep, but that was okay because after that I felt my spine would be re-adjusted.
A little history is found in Colerain Township Hall, an old brick building that today serves as an administrative center. I once participated in a public meeting because I was curious how the local politicians talk about new construction projects. The discussion was dry, but the walls are decorated with old photos showing how the area of pure fields became a suburb with shopping centers. It's a short stop, but if you have a faible for local history, it's worth reading the tables – they give a good overview without beautifying too much.
Finally, if you feel that you have enough of all the “typical” sightseeing, make a trip to Great Miami River Trail, which passes near Northgate. The path is well developed and you can cycle or jog a few kilometers while you push the river. I watched a sunset there while some families grilled on the shore – a picture that reminds me that even in a suburb like this, where everything goes according to plan, life can still be a bit wild and unpredictable.
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