Finneytown attractions are for me less a catalog, but rather a small, slightly slept chapter in the history of Hamilton County, which was founded in 1815 as an agricultural village by the Finney families and since then exists more or less tacitly alongside the pulsating Cincinnati. Honestly, the city never has the splendour of downtown, but that's exactly what makes the charm – a mix of old barns that still carry the echo of horse hooves, and modern suburbs that slide on the edge of the Ohio River.
When I take the train from Cincinnati to Hamilton, I slide through a mosaic of fields and small industrial parks before I get out in Finneytown; the connection is surprisingly good, thanks to the I‐275 and the 68 bus line, which regularly fades through the township. I don't quite understand the hype around the huge shopping centers in Cincinnati, but the small café on Main Street, where the Barista is still juggling with the name of its regular guests, is really great. And yes, the local high school football game is a social event that you shouldn't miss – here neighbors meet to chat about the weather and the latest construction projects.
A short trip to Hamilton, just a stone's throw away, shows that the region has more to offer than just suburban flair: historical buildings, a quirlige art market and the Riverfront Park scrubs that make every traveler's heart beat faster. Finneytown sights are not only points on a map, but small experiences that are scattered between the great attractions of Cincinnati and Hamilton to taste the true Ohio.
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 Finneytown, 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 the legendary Findings in over-the-rhine – a lively market that offers more than fresh vegetables; Here you will meet the city that is never quite quiet, and in the heart of Cincinnati. I once tried to get some local honey glasses there, just to find that the snake was longer before the cheese stand than my patience. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there is a real problem because everyone tries to get the last place while looking for the perfect avocado toast at the same time.
A short jump over Roebling Bridge leads you directly into the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, which I love because it balances between historical brick architecture and hip craft beer bars. The street is lined by small galleries that show more art than you could see in a whole day, and I met a street artist there who told me that his sculptures consist of recycled bicycle parts – a real talk for the next dinner.
If you have enough of urban hustle and bustle, take a look at Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. Yes, I know zoos are a bit controversial nowadays, but this one has one of the best gorilla pools in the country, and the staff is so friendly that they even tell you a few facts about the diet of the animals while you ask why you didn't just buy a ticket for the next movie. Parking is a bit messy at the weekend, but on weekdays you can find a place when you get early enough.
A few kilometers upstream, this is Smale Riverfront Park, a place that is perfect for a spontaneous picnic – provided you have the weather under control. I once discovered a small jazz quartet playing in the middle of the green, and that was a moment that reminded me that Cincinnati has more to offer than just sports teams. Access is barrier-free, and parking is not a drama thanks to the many public garages nearby.
A bit further, right on the banks of the Ohio River, is the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. This is where history is not only told, but almost tangible. I was there on a rainy afternoon and lost myself in an interactive exhibition that made me think about the brave escapes from slavery – a serious contrast to the cheerful vibes of the zoo, but equally important. The building is well connected, and parking is usually easy as long as you do not come to the main exhibition season.
A short trip to Hamilton leads you to Little Miami Scenic Trail, a 78-kilometre long cycle path that runs through picturesque forests and along the Little Miami River. I spent half an hour there with a local cyclist who told me he was using the trail almost every week to escape the city noise. The trail is well signposted, and parking at the entry points is usually sufficient as long as you do not come to the weekend bike festival.
In conclusion, Cincinati Art Museum in the heart of Eden Park. The collection ranges from ancient Egyptian artefacts to contemporary art, and I discovered a painting that reminded me of a rainy afternoon in Finneytown – a bit melancholic, but somehow beautiful. The museum offers free parking on the museum grounds, which is a rare consolation in a city otherwise notorious for its parking fees.
If you are looking for a mix of history, culture, nature and a bit of urban chaos, you will find a whole range of experiences in Finneytown. From the bustling streets of the Over-the-Rhine to the quiet paths of the Little Miami Scenic Trail – these Finneytown Attractions show that the surrounding area has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance.
I have to admit that my favorite place in Finneytown is not some hipest café, but that Finneytown Community Center – a place where you can feel the true heart of this suburb while trying not to be overtoned by the loud basketball shoes of the teenagers. I was there on a rainy Wednesday to test the indoor swimming pool, and the water was so warm that I almost thought I had landed in a spa. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, it becomes a real problem because then the entire neighborhood uses the center as a meeting point.
A short walk (or a short sprint, depending on the mood) leads you to Finneytown Park, a small green piece that has more charm than some urban parks in Cincinnati. The playgrounds are not exactly futuristic, but the old wooden swings have this nostalgic smell of freshly cut grass I kind of love. I once made a picnic with my neighbour who claimed he could hear the grill sounds from 20 miles away – no joke, that was the loudest sound of the day.
If you're looking for a place where you can move away from the hustle and bustle, look at the Finneytown Library on. The library is part of the Cincinnati Public Library system, but here you feel more like in a cozy living room with shelves that extend up to the ceiling. I borrowed a book about local history and randomly discovered a poster about the “Finneytown Sights” – a hint that even the city administration is a bit proud of its little jewel.
A bit of history? Then you have to St John the Baptist Catholic Church visit. The building is not an imposing Gothic building, but the simple modernity from the 60s has its own charm. I remember how I accidentally switched on the microphone once during a Sunday Mass and the whole community heard my voice for a moment trying to sing the church song – a embarrassing but unforgettable moment.
For those who like to see something more green, there is Finneytown Community. Tomatoes, peppers and a few surprisingly great zucchini grow here, which would have impressed even experienced gardeners. I once met an old neighbor there who told me that he used the seeds of his grandmother from the 1950s – this is a real heritage that one does not find in every suburb.
Another little treasure is that Finneytown Fire Station, which is not only a functioning deployment centre, but also houses a museum for old firefighters. I've seen an old hose there that crawled so that I almost thought he'd roll right away from himself. The fireman who just took a break told me that the building has been in operation since the 1970s and still forms the heart of the neighborhood.
Last but not least, Finneytown Shopping Center not to forget that does not offer luxury brands, but for this I found a charming mix of a small supermarket, a bakery and an antique shop, where I found an old radio that is supposed to come from the 1940s. Parking here is almost always a children's game as long as you don't come to the main selling time on Friday night – then the field will be before the entrance to the battlefield.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
