Forest Park sights are more than just an ad poster for me, they are what this small town is in the heart of Hamilton County. The city was born in 1908 from rich peasant land, which was once ordered by German immigrants, and has since seen more construction sites than a Hollywood set – but that gives it the charm I love in small suburbs.
Honestly, if you arrive by train from Cincinnati, you will be greeted by the inconspicuous main road that houses more local bakeries than you could eat in a whole day. Bus 30 is going through here, and the car is of course still king if you want to quickly become a “Lake Drive” where the old oaks are almost as old as the city itself.
I don't quite understand the hype around the big amusement parks, but the small café on the corner that has served the same donuts since the 70s is a real secret tip. And while you sit there, you hear the quiet sum of the neighborhood – a mix of children's laughs, the occasional lawnmowers and the distant siren sound of Hamilton.
A short detour to Anderson Township leads you to a hidden playground that hardly anyone mentions, but that is the true heart of Forest Park for me. So next time you scroll across the map, remember: the true Forest Park sights are not in brochures, but in the small moments you find between the streets.
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 Forest Park, 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 old millstone on the shores of the Great Miami River, where the water is still a bit louder than the city life, is my unofficial starting point when I hit through the surroundings of Forest Park. There is the historic Hamilton Mill, a knorriger brick from 19th. Century, which today serves more as a photo motif because it carries the city history in each of its ridges. I once tried to enter the old mill – the sign “private” was clear, but the sound of the cracking wooden beams still attracted me. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole city flows to the Mill event.
A short walk leads me to the Great Miami River Bike Trail, which winds like an endless band through the river landscape. The trail is not only a magnet for cyclists, but also for walkers who want to enjoy the scent of moist grass and the occasional tassels of frogs. I met an older gentleman there who told me that he has been jogging here every Sunday since the 80s – a real veteran who then gave me a piece of his homemade jam, because I told him about my favorite café in Forest Park.
The Hamilton Museum of Art is located on the south, almost in the shadow of the old factory slut. The building itself is a rebuilt industrial building that now shines with contemporary art and local exhibitions. I must admit, I don’t always understand the hype about modern sculptures, but the exhibition “Rustic Reflections” really surprised me – a mix of metal and recycled materials that reflects the industrial past of the region. The museum has a small café serving surprisingly good espresso; this is a real secret tip when you look for a break from the trail.
A small detour to Oxford, about 15 miles away, brings me to Miami University. The campus looks like a Miniature New England with its red brick buildings and the famous “Oxford Clock”. I once took part in a public lecture on local history – the professor was a real character that spiced the history of Hamilton and Forest Park with a pinch of sarcasm. Parking is easy to find on campus as long as you do not arrive during the test phase, then the car park becomes a battlefield.
When the weather plays, it is worth visiting the West Chester Farmers Market, which pulsates every Saturday morning in downtown West Chester. Fresh vegetables, homemade cakes and a stand where an older couple sells handmade wooden toys – this is the real heart of the region. I tried an apple cake there that was so good that I almost forgot that I was looking for a quick snack. The market has enough parking, but the best places are always occupied at 8 o'clock, so better come early.
A little further north, almost on the edge of Forest Park, is the John H. McGowan Park. The park is a small natural paradise with hiking trails, a small lake and a playground that reminds more of the 90s than modern design. I have arranged a picnic with friends there, while an older gentleman unpacked his fishing gear in the background – a picture that captures the mixture of tranquility and vitality perfectly. Access is free, and parking is almost always available at the small car park next to the main entrance.
The Hamilton County Fairgrounds, which hosts various events all year round – from cattle shows to rock concerts. I was there at a local music festival that was surprisingly good, although the stage was built from an old barn. The terrain is huge, so plan enough time to guide you; the parking spaces are numerous, but there can be traffic jams at large events, so better get early.
Whether you're exploring the industrial history of Hamilton Mill, cycling along the river, enjoying art in the museum, sucking up Miami University's campus flair, tasting fresh products at West Chester Farmers Market, inhaling nature at John H. McGowan Park or experiencing the colorful drive on Hamilton County Fairgrounds – Forest Park's surroundings offer more than enough variety for modern travelers. And that's exactly what makes Forest Park Attractions to an indispensable part of any Ohio discovery tour.
So, next time you're in the area, let's go first Forest Park Going yourself – yes, the green heart of the city, which I repeatedly call “the only thing that is not suffocated here by concrete”. I don't understand the hype around huge metropolises, but here there is a small lake, a few old trees that have seen more history than some politicians, and a playground that makes more noise than the city center on Friday night. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the peasant market starts and everyone tries to get a free place.
Right next to the park lies the Forest Park Library, an inconspicuous brick box, which is a true treasure box for readers. I once borrowed a book about local history that told me more about the city than any city tour. The library has free Wi-Fi (a blessing if you want to catch a bit of Netflix after the walk) and a cozy corner with armchairs that are so comfortable that you almost forget that you actually wanted to go by for a while.
A short walk further leads you to Community Center. Here there is an indoor swimming pool that almost looks like a mini holiday in the summer, and a gym that smells more like “center of the 80s” – that is part of the charm, I find. I took part in a yoga course there; the teacher was so relaxed that I almost thought she was part of the institution itself. If you're looking for a place to kill you or just chill, this is your spot.
Now comes what I personally see as the true Forest Park Attractions-Highlight would call: Weekly Saturday morning. Imagine a small place where you smell the scent of fresh bread, roasted coffee beans and locally cultivated vegetables while you stroll between stands with handmade jewelry and homemade jams. I once met an old man who sold me a glass of honey from his own hive, telling me that he's been here every Saturday since 1972 – that's almost cult.
If you have enough of crowds, make a detour City Parka tiny green piece that is more than a picnic place. There is a small monument to the founding family of the city that I look over again and again because I am too busy feeding the ducks. The park is perfect if you just need a few minutes of rest before you return to the hustle and bustle.
A little hidden, but a must for historians, this is Historical museum in the old school building. The exhibition is not exactly spectacular, but the old class photos and the handwritten diaries give you the feeling that you would travel through time – at least until the 1970s fashion. I once discovered an old photo of me as a child that I had never seen before; that was a real “Aha-Moment”.
Finally, a short note for those who come by car: The Administration has a small visitor park behind the town hall, which is usually free as long as you do not come to the Annual General Meeting on the first Monday a month – then the whole becomes a small parking lot. And if you prefer to travel by bike, there is a well-developed bike path that leads from the Community Center to the park and passes a few nice cafés that I always feel for a fast espresso.
Well, that would be my personal tour of Forest Park, City of Forest Park. If you're here the next time, let's have a coffee on the market together and then stroll a bit in the park – I think that's the best recipe to feel the little charm of this city.
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