Honestly, if you ask yourself why anyone should talk about Northbrook at all, let me serve you a little story: the village was born in the early 19th. Century as an agricultural base for the growing city of Hamilton and has since preserved more or less the charm of a forgotten road. I have the feeling that the old barns are telling more stories here than some city tours in New York – and that without overpriced entry.
A short trip by car over the I‐275 is the fastest way to get here; The approach is almost a ritual because you are suddenly surrounded by endless corn fields that remind you that you are not in the heart of Ohio, but at the edge of a rural idyll. As soon as you cross the small roundabout in Northbrook, you can feel the typical “small city feeling” that I kind of love, although I also smile at it a bit.
I don't quite understand the hype about the usual “Northbrook sights”, but the small café on Main Street, which is run by a retired teacher, is really great – her homemade apple cake could almost be considered an official landmark. And if you happen to stumble over the weekly peasant market on a Saturday, you've experienced the true heart of this place before you get back to the highway.
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Advantage:
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The first place I could not miss was the Great Miami River Trail, an endlessly shining path that moves like a gray stripe through the green of the region. I have cut my running shoes there on a lukewarm Saturday morning and ran almost to the bridge in Hamilton before I realized that parking at the main entrance is usually a children's game – as long as you don't come on Friday night, then the whole becomes a little patience game with the residents who block their cars like small fortresses.
A short detour to the south leads to Miami Whitewater Forest, a state park that seems to have more water than forest. I stood there once in the spring when the foliage was still half green, half gold, and watched how a few young people with inflatables suffered from the rapids – a sight that reminds me of my own misfortune attempts not to drown. The entrance is free, and parking is still good on the main roads, although the weekend drives the visitor numbers up.
A bit further, almost a piece outside the usual radar range, this is Hueston Woods State Park. I spent a weekend there because I thought a little “forest air” would heal my city tiredness. The trails are well marked, and the visitor center offers a map that is not completely incomprehensible even to someone like me who can never orient himself. A little hint: The picnic places are quickly occupied on Sunday morning, so better come early if you don't want to sit in the rain.
If you have enough of the usual paths, it is worth a trip to Cincinnati Nature Center in Milford. I was there in autumn when the leaves were holding a firework of red and yellow tones. The center has an impressive treetop boardwalk that gives you the feeling of floating over the forest – a bit like in a movie, just without the excessive drama. Parking is sufficient at the main parking lot, but the smaller accesses can become somewhat narrow on busy days.
A real secret tip I almost accidentally discovered is that Loveland Castle, a medieval mansion built by a former lawyer who apparently spent too much time with knight movies. I stood there once in summer when a small swarm of pigeons circled over the tower, and thought that the whole thing is more an Instagram spot than a historical monument – and that's also okay because the view from the terrace is really breathtaking. The castle has a small parking lot behind the property; he is usually free as long as you don't come to the main event.
Another piece of local history I didn't want to leave is the Clifton Mill Little Miami River. I ate an ice cream there on a sunny afternoon and heard the sound of the water that goes out over the old mill. The place is perfect for a picnic, and parking is possible directly on the river bank – but only if you are not lucky to be there at the same time as the local angler group.
Last but not least a short trip to Old Courthouse in Hamilton, a building that has more stories to tell than I can handle in a single visit. I stood there once in winter, when a light snowfall dipped the rocker into an almost fairy-tale light. Parking is still relatively uncomplicated at the Town Hall Square as long as you do not park there during the monthly city meetings.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing walk by the river, an adventurous day in the forest or an unusual photo pot – the surroundings of Northbrook, Colerain Township, Hamilton offers a colorful mix of activities that satisfy every traveler. And if you pack all this together, you have a solid list of Northbrook Attractionsyou shouldn't miss.
So, if you're going to Northbrook for the first time, let me get you the Number One show: the Northbrook Park. I've seen more sunsets there than in some of a big city, and that's without any entrance fee. The small lake is not deep enough for swimming, but perfect for a bit of duck observation – and yes, the ducks here seem a little bit overwhelming as if they had reserved the whole water for themselves. Parking is usually a Klacks, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the local football team stops its weekly tournament. I once sat down there to read a book, and was briefly woken up by an enthusiastic trainer with a trillion whistle concert – an experience I don't forget so quickly.
The Northbrook Community Center is a short walk away (approximately five minutes, if you don't stop by the ducks). Here the inhabitants meet to Yoga, Bingo and occasionally to an improvised karaoke evening, where the neighboring skiers roar loudly “Living on a Prayer”. I don't have to admit, I don't understand the hype about the weekly senior cooking classes, but the homemade pancakes that are served there are really great – and that without a buckling taste. The center has a huge parking lot, but if you want to go there on Friday after work, you better come early, otherwise you fight through a labyrinth of cars that reminds you of a mini parking lot puzzle.
If you're looking for a place where you can retreat and at the same time feel like being part of a small but fine community, the Northbrook Library is just the right thing. I spent more time there than I would like to admit, because Wi-Fi is faster than the Internet in some big cities. And yes, this is one of these rare cases where a public building is actually clean and well organized. In addition to the usual shelves with novels, there is a small reading café serving surprisingly good coffee – no joke, that is better than some expensive hipster café in the city centre. Northbrook Attractions of course also include this library because it is a real attraction for book lovers.
For those who believe that golf is just something for suitors, there is the Northbrook Golf Club – a place that has more character than many 5 star resorts. I once tried to play a round, and was overtaken by a group of retired ladies who swung their bats like magic sticks and chatted louder about their grandchildren when they hit the ball. Nevertheless, the fairways are well maintained, the green is faster than my last sprint to the bus, and the clubhouse offers a small restaurant that surprisingly serves good burgers. Reservations are recommended because the clubhouse is quickly booked out especially on weekends – and not only because the golfers celebrate their discount rituals there.
Another highlight you shouldn't overlook is the Northbrook Shopping Center. Here you will find everything from a well-stocked crockery to a few local boutiques selling handmade soaps and candles – perfect if you are looking for a souvenir that doesn't land in the garbage right away. I once bought a T-shirt that was allegedly “Made in Northbrook”, and had to find that the “Made in” was rather a marketing gag because the shirt was produced in China. Nevertheless, the center has a huge parking lot (almost too large if you ask), and the shop opening times are flexible enough that you can also pick up a snack late in the evening.
Last but not least, if you want to sniff a bit of history and architecture, look at the Northbrook United Methodist Church. The building is a beautiful example of neo-Gothic architecture, and the glass windows are so clear that you almost feel they would secretly whisper you stories from the past. I took part in a Sunday worship service, only to see if the famous choirs are really as good as everyone says – and yes, they are actually impressive, although I am not a great church musician. The entrance is of course free, and parking directly in front of the church is usually easy as long as you do not visit the weekly cake buffet at the same time as the municipality.
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