Honestly, if you think “Arlington Heights Sights” is just another suburb-Clean, then you haven’t experienced the Township in Hamilton County, which was built in 1838 from a piece of forest and a few brave settlers. I have always wondered why the founders chose the name Arlington – perhaps because they found the sound of “Arlington” better than “Matschhausen”. The village itself, the Village of Arlington Heights, has since the 1900s mocked from an agricultural enclave to a sleepy suburb, which still sprays a bit of charm when you look at the old brick houses along Main Street.
I usually drive over the I‐275, because this is the fastest way to get from the pulsating Hamilton, Ohio, and the local bus lines (which, by the way, are on time, if you are not standing in traffic) take you to the heart of the small center. There, between the only café that claims to have the best espresso far and wide, and the small park where the seniors turn their morning Tai Chi rounds, you can feel the real “small city” feeling. And yes, I don't quite understand the hype about the new residential areas, but the old oaks at the edge of the park – this is for me the real highlight among the Arlington Heights sights. So, if you want to breathe a bit of history while watching how the modern sounds carefully at the edge of the old-known, you're right here.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey was FindingsThe heart of Over-the-Rhine, where I felt almost like in a vintage film between fresh peaches and loud sellers – only that the sounds of vans and children's laughs overtone the romantic music. I drank a cappuccino there, which had more foam than coffee, and had to admit that the crowd on Saturday morning was almost a social experiment: Who manages to survive without a scratch on the shopping trolley? Parking is usually a children's game as long as you don't celebrate the weekend with a friend, then the car park becomes a battlefield.
A short jump over the Ohio River brought me to Newport Aquarium in Kentucky – yes, I know that sounds like a tourist cliché, but feeding the sharks there while I tried to ignore my fear of water was somehow satisfying. The numbers of visitors are high, but the queues for the “Shark Tunnel” tour are surprisingly short when you arrive in the afternoon. I bought a souvenir T-shirt there, which now hangs in my closet and reminds me every time I bite almost a shark.
Back in Ohio, a walk through the Eden Park was like a small trip to nature without the urban crowd. The view of Krohn Conservatory, where exotic plants flourish in an almost exaggerated tropical air, reminded me of my childhood when I thought that every greenhouse is a secret garden. I made a picnic there with a sandwich from the nearby café – the bread was a bit dry, but the view of the Ohio River made it up again. Parking at the main entrance is free as long as you are there early enough; in the afternoon, however, there can be a small chaos when the joggers turn their rounds.
A little further south, Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, an imposing Art Deco building that exudes more history than a whole history book. I visited the exhibition on underground railroad and was impressed by the personal stories that touched me more than any tourist brochure. The elevator was a bit scary, but it didn't take the charm. Parking is easy to find at the main building, but paid – a small price for the amount of knowledge that you suck up there.
A short detour to Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden was another highlight I didn't want to miss. Feeding the giraffe while I tried to ignore the loud squeaking of the children in the background was a real spectacle. I took some pictures of the Red Pandas that were so clean that I almost forgot I was here because of the botanical gardens. Parking is well signposted at the zoo, but on the weekend it can come to a small traffic jam when the families move with strollers.
A little off the city, but definitely worth a detour, this is Cincinnati Nature Center in Milford. There are trails that lead through dense forests and overlook the Little Miami River. I spent an afternoon there trying to mock the rare birds I only knew from birdwatching books. The center has a small visitor center where you get maps – this is practical because the paths are otherwise easy to lose. Parking is free, but the places fill quickly when the weather is good.
At the end of my small tour I have to American Sign Museum mentioned, which is housed in an old factory building and houses a collection of lighting complaints from past decades. I spent hours staging over the tacky neon lights that remind me of the 80s when every store needed a grelle shield to attract customers. The museum is not exactly what one would call “culture”, but the irony that I learned more about advertising psychology here than in a business seminar is not to deny. Parking is possible at the rear end of the building, but only for a short time, because the road quickly becomes full when the school classes fly out.
If you are looking for a place that consists not only of a single road, but a kaleidoscope of history, nature and light cynicism, then these are Arlington Heights Sights in the surrounding area a real secret tip – at least for those who want to avoid the usual tourist path and rather enjoy a little slanted charm.
I have to confess that my favorite place in Arlington Heights Arlington Heights Park is – and not only because I have stopped my Sunday grill season there, but because the place simply beats the heart of the village. The small lake that you would almost overlook is surrounded by a narrow pebble promenade that is perfect for a quick walk after lunch. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole neighborhood brings their children to play. I once saw an older gentleman who drove over the lake with a remotely controlled model boat, while his grandchildren shouted loudly “Opa, this is too slow!” – a picture that always enchants me with a smile.
A few blocks further Arlington Heights Community Center, which I could almost call the “worm paradise” of the place. The indoor swimming pool is surprisingly large for a village of this size, and the slide is so steep that I feel every time I land in an amusement park. The opening hours are flexible, but I learned that the swimming team is already in the water on Sundays at 10 am – a good hint if you don't want to land in the middle of chaos. And yes, the gym there is rather a “small but finer” room, but for a few basic exercises it is completely enough.
If you are looking for a bit of spiritual food, then look at these Arlington Heights Library on. I found a book there more than once that I never wanted to read because the shelves randomly contain exactly what is going through my head. The library is part of the Cincinnati Public Library network, so you have access to a huge digital offer without leaving the house. The staff is friendly, but a bit too enthusiastic about the local reading circles – I once found myself in a discussion about “the best short stories of the 80s”, although I was just looking for a cookbook.
Another jewel I don't want to conceal is the Arlington Heights Golf Course. The place is not exactly a PGA tournament grounds, but the 9-hole facility offers enough challenge to not bore you, and the view of the gentle hills around the village is really beautiful. I once met a novice who thought he could hit the ball with a driver from 300 yards distance – the result was a short jump into the water, followed by a hearty laugh of both sides. The clubhouse serves a solid coffee, and the staff knows you by name as soon as you come over more often.
For history lovers among us there is Arlington Heights Historic District, a small but fine neighborhood that preserves the architecture of the early 1900s. I took a walk there while I imagined how the first families moved here to escape the noise of the city. The houses are well preserved, and some of the old lanterns still shine like from another time. There is no official guide, but a friendly neighbour liked to tell me the anecdote that the first house in the neighborhood once served as a post office – a detail I will never forget.
A little away from the known paths lies the St John the Baptist Catholic Church, which is not only known for his services, but also for the impressive organ. I visited a concert there where the organ sounds were halling through the high ceilings and an almost meditative moment emerged. The municipality is open to visitors, and the small café next to the nave serves homemade muffins that surprisingly taste good – a perfect stop when you stroll through the village after a long day.
Last but not least, Arlington Heights Farmers Market not to mention, which takes place in the summer on every second Saturday in the city centre. Here there are fresh vegetables, handmade jams and sometimes even a few local artists who exhibit their works. I once discovered a stand that sold self-pressed apple juice glasses that were so sweet that I almost felt I would play in a commercial for fruit juice. The market is small, but the atmosphere is authentic and lets you feel that there are real people who present their products with pride.
All this together Arlington Heights Sights to a mix of nature, history and local joy of life, which calms you at the same time and brings you a bit of wonder. Next time you drive through Ohio, just look over – I promise you you will take more than just a few nice photos home.
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