Lockland's sights are more a sensation for me than a catalog, and this is already due to the history of this small village in the heart of Hamilton County, which was founded in 1830 as a “Lockland” on the Ohio River to serve the new locks of the Miami and Erie Canal. I have always wondered why a place that is barely larger than a suburb has developed so much self-life – perhaps because the old brick houses and the quiet, trees-lined streets remind a bit of the disappeared America that we all miss in Instagram filters.
When you get out of Cincinnati by car, you just follow I‐75 to exit 9 and let you drive from the short drive over the bridge to the village; the train that keeps here occasionally is a nice coincidence for those who prefer to travel by public transport. I have to admit that I cannot fully understand the hype around the “Hipster Cafés” in the neighborhood – that is a place I really like, serving the best coffee I ever had, and that without excessive latte art.
A walk through the old industrial area, which is now converted into a quiet residential district, makes you sniff the traces of blacksmith art and early railways. And while most visitors are looking for the famous Lockland Lock & Dam, I find the quiet moments on the river banks much more satisfying – where the water goes quietly and you feel that the time here actually goes slower. No joke, this is my personal favorite place, and I'd be happy if you enjoy it as much as I do.
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Advantage:
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The first stop of my little Odyssey was American Sign Museum near Cincinnati – a shrill paradise for those who believe that neon lights existed only in the 80s. I have seen more flashing advertising boards there than I would ever plan for a single road trip, and the whole feels like a trip through the forgotten advertising stories of America. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you don't come on Friday night, then the car park becomes a battlefield.
A short detour about John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge takes you across the Ohio River, where you can enjoy the panoramic view of Cincinnati and the adjacent Kentucky – a picture that you better take up with a coffee in your hand, because the weather is often surprising up there. I once tried to make a selfie while a wind blow turned my hairstyle into a work of art; the result was not Instagram-worthy, but the view was really great.
Continue south Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, which is not only famous for its Pandas, but also for the surprisingly well-maintained gardens that convince even the most sceptical plant muffle. I spent more time watching the exotic birds than feeding the monkeys – and that's not a joke because the monkeys here really insist that you share your sandwich. Admission is of course not free, but parking is a real patience game on the weekend because the visitor numbers are shooting up.
A little further, in the heart of Eden Park, waiting Krohn Conservatory with its tropical oasis that catapults you in a warm, humid paradise in the middle of winter. I remember standing there in the middle of orchids and suddenly heard the quiet sum of a bee – a moment that reminded me that even in Ohio the green does not always have to be gray. Admission is free if you are a member of the local nature protection association, otherwise you need to loosen a few dollars.
If you have enough of plants, that is National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati a must. The exhibition is not only educational, but also emotionally enthralling – a place where history not only hangs on the wall, but also really embraces you. I found there an old diary written by an escape officer from the 1850s; that made me really thoughtful because you feel the human resistance.
A short jump over the bridge to Newport, Kentucky, brings you to Newport Aquarium. The sharks here are not the biggest, but the experience of running through a glass tunnel system while the fish swim above you is just wow. I saw a little boy there, who was thrilled to “welcome” the sharks, and that reminded me that some childhood dreams were never outdated.
For those who prefer to immerse in the past, this is Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal an architectural jewel. The Art Deco building itself is a photo motif, and there are everything from natural history to contemporary art. I spent hours in the exhibition on the history of the railway, because I thought it was a short stop – but the interactive displays tied me up.
A last but not least important stop is that Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum. Yes, a cemetery, but one that looks more like a park, with artistic tomb monuments and a huge tree stock that invites you to stay. I made a picnic there while thinking about the history of the city – a strange but somehow satisfying feeling of sitting between the old trees and hearing the quiet rustling.
Whether you're looking for flashing neon complaints, historical stories or a quiet place to think about – the surroundings of Lockland offers a colorful mix that surprises every traveller. This selection Lockland Attractions shows that the small village has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance, and that a short trip to the nearby surroundings can become an unforgettable adventure.
So, next time you get to Cincinnati via the highway and suddenly see the sign “Lockland – 5 miles”, I will stop you because this is my personal favorite place: Lockland Historic District. I mean, who needs the glittering New York skyline if you can stroll in a street full of Victorian façades that look like they just got an Instagram filter update? The houses here are so well preserved that I almost feel I could travel back to the 1890s at any time – and this without a time machine. Parking is usually a Klacks unless you arrive with your crew on Saturday night; then the main road turns into a small battlefield of parking cars and pedestrians who desperately seek a free place.
A short detour from the historical flair leads you to Lockland Presbyterian Church. The building is a real red brick jewel that has been home to the municipality for over 150 years. I don't always understand the hype about church architecture, but here the whole thing has something of the tranquility that you need after a long working day – and that without the usual scent of incense that you smell anywhere else. If you're lucky, you just hear an organ piece that's so melancholic that you almost forget that you're here after a photo stop.
Now it becomes a bit more sporty: Lockland Riverfront Park on the banks of Little Miami. I once tried to make a picnic and was almost overwhelmed by a group of canoe drivers – no joke, the guys paddled so fast that I thought they would start a sprint competition. Nevertheless, the Greenland is perfect for practicing some yoga pots or just letting the soul dangle while the sun goes down above the river. And yes, parking is a bit more tricky here, because the car park is just a little shed, but that only makes the charm.
Another highlight I always mention is that Lockland Community Center. In the past, this was the old school, and today it turns into a pool for everything possible – from bingo finishes to hip hop workshops for seniors. I once took part in a “Coch Course for Beginners” where the only ingredient we really understood was salt. The building itself is a good example of how to revive old walls without completely disfiguring them. Practical: the center has a small parking lot behind the building, which is usually free as long as you are not at the same time as the local pathfinder group there.
If you want to know a little more about the history of the city, look at this Lockland lock a relic from the time when the Miami and Erie channel was the backbone of the trade. I took a picture there that looked almost as good as that of a professional photographer, just that I almost fell into the shaft because the railing was a bit shaky. Nevertheless, the piece of channel history is a must for anyone who wonders why Ohio is called “The Buckeye State” at all – that has nothing to do with booking, but rather with the many old industrial plants that once formed the backbone.
A little less romantic, but nevertheless interesting, the Lockland Library. I've found my favorite book series that I haven't read since my childhood – and all this in a library that's so small that you feel you'd land in a housebook store. The librarian, Ms. H., knows every visitor by name and always gives you a tip which Krimi is just hotly sought for. Parking is a children's game because the library is located directly on the main road and there is a small, free parking space that is rarely occupied.
Last but not least, a place I almost always look over because it is not so “instagrammable”: the Lockland Cemetery. Yes, a cemetery, but not some – here are the founders of the city, a few old politicians and a few unknown faces that still tell a story. I once discovered an old tombstone there, on which there was a swinging book “Here read a man who loved his town more than his own life”. This made me really thoughtful because it shows that people are really hanging in their place. The cemetery is well signposted, and parking is practically directly at the entrance where you can easily park your car without looking for a long time.
If you now think that this is too much, let me give you one last word: Lockland has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance. The Lockland Attractions are not only points on a map, but small chapters of a story that I would like to share with you – as long as you are willing to walk a bit, marvel and smile on my slightly cynical comments.
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