Honestly, if you think Ohio is just corn fields and endless highways, then you've never entered the small but surprisingly charming Fairfield in Butler County. The city was founded in 1815, at the time still a wild border, and has experienced more change since then than some Hollywood star – from an agricultural settlement to a suburb that proudly carries its historical roots without completely sticking in retro mode.
I usually drive over the I‐75 because it is the fastest way to reach the “office” in the city, but the real pleasure begins as soon as you take the exit to Fairfield Township and see the sign with the word “Fairfield” – a bit like a secret club, just that everyone is welcome here. People here have this slightly merciful charm, which invites you to sit down and tip a beer in the local pub, and at the same time asks you whether you want to go back to New York.
A walk through the old town makes you feel the traces of the early settlers, while the modern residential areas show that someone here has not completely ignored the “new” one. And yes, I don’t always understand the hype about the “Fairfield Sights” but the small cafes next to the old town hall are really great – no joke, this is the place where you taste the true Ohio while you think about the next destination.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey leads me to the legendary Huffman Prairie Flying Fieldwhere the brothers Wright continued to experiment after their first flight at Kitty Hawk – a piece of heaven that can almost be smelled when you strip over the grass in the summer. I once made a picnic there, while an elderly man in a devastated pilot helmet declared that he had spent his youth here; the conversation ended with the fact that he offered me a piece of his homemade apple cake – no joke, that was really great. Parking is usually easy as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the field will quickly become a parking space for a local music festival.
Only a short detour over the I‐70 brings you to National Museum of the United States Air Force In Dayton, with its endless collection of jets and historic aircraft, every aeronautical freak is buried. I spent more time admiring the old B-52s than I actually wanted – the noise of the visitors who are staunchly bent over the cockpits is almost hypnotic. A little hint: The museum is free, but the café at the entrance serves the best coffee in the area, and this is a reason enough to stay there longer.
A few miles away Carillon Historical Park, a huge open-air museum that depicts the history of Nordohios from the Stone Age to Modernism. I remember standing as a child in the shadow of the 151 meter carillon and trying to sum up the melody that sounded there for every full hour – that was a bit cheesy, but somehow charming. The park offers a well-preserved railway museum, and parking is always a Klack at the main gate, as long as you do not come to the main event “Railfest”, then the whole thing becomes somewhat more chaotic.
If you are looking for art and culture, that is Dayton Art Institute A must. I spent a weekend there because I thought a museum visit was a quiet alternative to a loud everyday life – and I was not disappointed. The collection ranges from European masters to contemporary American artists, and the building itself is an architectural jewel. A small tip: The café in the Atrium has the best croissants of the city, and this is a reason to justify entry even if you are only there for the pastry.
For a little urban flair leads me Oregon District in Dayton, a historic district with stone pavement, vintage bars and a lot of local boutiques. I once spent an evening in a pub that dept as a jazz club, and suddenly I was surrounded by people who knew more about vinyl records than about the weather. Parking is a little adventure here – most visitors park on the street, but this is part of the charm as long as you don't want to be too late for the next concert.
A short walk along the Great Miami Riverwalk offers a relaxed view of the water and the Skyline of Dayton. I often unpacked my running shoes there and turned a few rounds while families picniced on the shore and played children with water pistols. The path is well illuminated and parking at the beginning of the Riverwalk is usually free, unless a big city festival is in progress – then it can become narrow.
At the end of my small tour Dayton Dragons Stadium, the home stadium of the Minor League baseball team. I have visited a game there because a friend said it was “a real American experience”, and I must admit that the sound of the cheerful crowd and the aroma of hot dogs in the air is almost nostalgic. The stadium offers cheap parking in the surrounding garages, and this is a real plus if you want to enjoy a beer after a long day.
Whether you're looking for history, art, nature or a bit of sporty distraction – the surroundings of Fairfield have more to offer than you would suspect at first sight. These Fairfield Attractions show that a short trip from the city can be a real adventure that satisfies both the curious traveller and the easily cynical explorer.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Fairfield is not some hip café, but that Fairfield Heritage Center. The small museum in the old railway barn has more charm than some overpriced art temple – and this without a buckling taste. I once saw an old carnival from the 1920s, which was almost as crude as my patience after a dam on I‐71, and suddenly I realized why the city is so proud of its history. So if you want to sniff a bit into the past, this is your spot; Parking is usually easy, except on the first Saturday of the month when the local historian meeting blocks the entrance.
A short walk further leads you to Fairfield Community Park, one of these green oases, which are almost self-evident in suburbs, but rarely so well maintained. The lake there is not huge, but the water reflects the sun so beautiful that I almost forgot that I was looking for a place to relax and not for a photo studio. I once made a picnic with my neighbour who claimed he could communicate with the ducks – no joke, the ducks actually seemed to react to his voice.
If you're wondering where you can experience a bit of culture and a bit of everyday life in Fairfield, see this Fairfield Public Library on. The library is not only a place to rent books, but also a meeting place for local author readings and occasional board games. I was there on a Thursday afternoon when an older gentleman organized a box tournament – I lost, but had a few nice conversations about the best pizzerias in the city. And yes, Wi-Fi is faster than what you get in many hotels.
Another highlight that I do not want to conceal is the Fairfield Farmers Market. Every Saturday, the city centre turns into a colourful collection of fresh vegetables, handmade soaps and the usual “I-bin‐a-local baker” stands. I don't quite understand the hype about the organic carrots, but the homemade apple cakes there are really great. The market is small, but it makes it all the more charming – and parking right in front of the marketplace is a small adventure, because the residents always turn off their cars there.
For those who want to do a little sport, there is Fairfield Community Center. The building is a bit like a Swiss pocket knife: swimming pool, gym, climbing wall and even a small room for dance classes. I tried a Zumba course there – honestly, I looked like a drunk flamingo, but the energy was contagious. The center is easily accessible, and membership is cheaper than you think if you don't drag in there every day.
A little away from the hustle Fairfield City Hall, a historical building from the 1920s that still beats the heart of the city. I took part in a public meeting where the new bike route planning was discussed – a real wire rope act between residents who want to keep their entrance, and the city planners who want more green spaces. The architecture is impressive, and the interior has this venerable atmosphere that makes you almost believe you would be in a movie from the 1940s.
And because you are Fairfield Attractions I shouldn't have asked Fairfield Golf Club forget. The 18-hole course is not just a paradise for professionals, but for hobby players a nice place to spend the afternoon. I once missed a hit because I was too busy talking to an older gentleman about the best fishing spots on the Ohio River – the result was a ball that landed in the bunker, and a smile that reminded me that golf goes more about patience than precision.
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