If you are looking for Reading Sights, first you have to understand that this little town has not just emerged from nothing – it is rooted deep in the early 19th century. Century, when pioneers from Pennsylvania settled the country here in Hamilton County and named the township after their old hometown. I have the feeling that the story is almost tangible here when you stroll past the old town hall on a rainy afternoon and imagine how carts roam over unsettled paths. Honestly, the whole sounds romantic, but the reality is a bit more dusty: a few old brick houses, a few yellowed posters and a painting of a bear hanging on the wall for decades because no one else has the means to replace it.
I usually come by bus from Cincinnati, because parking here is a small adventure – the streets are narrow, and the places are rough, so you save the Gedöns and you can walk from the locals through the alleys. On the way I see the typical suburbs that slowly turn into green spaces, and that reminds me that reading is not just a point on the map, but a small network of people who have their own rituals. I don't quite understand the hype around the big metropolises, but here, between the old barns and the new cafes, I find a strange mixture of nostalgia and modernity that keeps me moving back. And yes, if you ask yourself where to spend your time, just look at life here – this is the true Reading Sights experience.
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The first stop was John Bryan State Park, a piece of wilderness that is like a forgotten chapter from a 19. Century-Roman feels. I spent a couple of hours on the long-distance hiking trail, while an older gentleman with a little fishing hat, loudly weakened over the “good old times” – a contrast to the quiet streams that actually smell like pine and moss. Parking is almost always free at the main entrance as long as you do not arrive at the weekend with the whole family; then the field becomes a small battlefield of strollers and picnic baskets.
A short detour to the north leads to Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve. Here the river cuts the rock so sharp that you almost feel that the earth itself would be a little bit shy here. I spent a few hours climbing the steep paths, only to find out that the panorama over the canyon is hardly torn – until you hear the wind whistling through the rocky niche. The entrance is free, but parking is a bit tricky, because the small accesses are quickly blocked by cyclists who use the same route as I.
Further west, almost like a secret retreat for stressed cities, lies the Miami Whitewater Forest. The name sounds like an adventure park, but here there are more gentle hiking trails, a few hidden lakes and a visitor center that reveals more about the local flora than one would expect from a forest. I remember renting a small canoe in a sunny afternoon and glitting over the quiet water while a squirrel bravely sniffed the boats. Parking is generous at the main parking lot, but during the summer holidays you can easily park a few meters further behind and take a short walk to the entrance.
The Great Miami River Bike Trail is what I would call the backbone of the region – a long, narrow strip of asphalt that moves like a red thread through the landscape. I have straightened the route from Hamilton to Cleves while experiencing the changing city views, industrial facilities and suddenly again open fields. The trail is well signposted, and parking at the access points is usually easy, except on Saturday afternoons when local groups have the same in mind.
A little off but still in the vicinity of Reading, this is Hamilton & Rossville Railroad Museum. I was there because I thought a small railway museum was only for nostalgics, but the lovingly restored locomotives and the stories about the former importance of the rails for the region have completely surprised me. The museum is located in an old railway station, whose brick structure still exudes the scent of old wood and lubricating oil. Parking is available directly in front of the building, but they are quickly occupied when the museum offers special events.
Last but not least a short trip to Great Miami River Lock and Dam #3. This inconspicuous building is a technical miracle that regulates the river while being a popular spot for anglers and photography enthusiasts. I stood there on a cool morning, watched the quiet noise of the water and noticed that parking is almost always free at the Dam – a small bonus when you look past spontaneously.
Those who move around Reading, City of Reading, Hamilton, Ohio will find a colourful mix of nature, history and small surprises that go far beyond the city centre. Whether you are looking for a quiet forest walk, a sporty bike tour or a view behind the scenes of regional railway history – this selection of Reading Attractions provides exactly what the heart of a curious traveller desires.
I have to confess that what I am about Reading most dear, not the shiny cityscape, but the old railway depot that sneaks like a lost relic from another era into the main road. The Reading Railroad Depot, built in 1915, is a rocky brick box with a roof that has more character than some hipster cafés in Cincinnati. I once met an old train driver who told me that the tracks are still being driven by local freight trains – a bit like a living museum, only that the museum has not opened every weekend, but just keep going while you're running your coffee.
Right next to the depot Reading City Hall, an imposing building from the early 20th The century that reveals more about the city's bureaucracy than one would expect from the outside. I once tried to get a form for a building application and was greeted by a secretary with a smile that looked more like a tired cat. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem – then the cars like Tetris sticks are on the sidewalk, and you ask yourself if you should not walk.
A short walk leads you to Reading Public Library, a charming little building that was opened in 1915 and still beats the heart of the city. I borrowed a book about the history of Ohio River Valley, just to see that the staff knows more about local legends than about the latest bestsellers. No joke, the librarian told me about an alleged ghost stuff in the cellar, which is supposed to be active every time someone returns the last copy of a book.
If you have enough of dusty archives, look at this St. Mary’s Catholic Church since the 1860s the cityscape has been decorating. The church is not only a place of prayer, but also a parade example of neo-Gothic brick architecture, which has almost become a landmark here. I remember trying a choir once during a Sunday fair, singing more wrong than a drunk karaoke star, and still the experience was kind of gripping – a bit like a bad musical you don't want to miss.
A few blocks further Reading Community Center, formerly the old high school, which now serves as a leisure and sports centre. The gym is so big that you could almost organize a basketball game between the neighbors and the city politicians – and that would probably be the only time you see them both in action at the same time. I took part in a yoga course where the instructor knew more about the history of the city than about the correct execution of the Asanas. Nevertheless, it was a relaxed moment, especially when you get an espresso in the adjacent café.
For a little green and fresh air I recommend the Reading City Park. The park is small, but it has a pretty pond, a few old benches and a playground that is used more by the children of the city than by the adults. I once made a picnic with friends, while an older gentleman threw out his fishing next to us – he insisted that he “just a little” would like to fish, and then pulled a huge carp on land that almost tore the entire picnic towel. That was a moment I will never forget, and he shows that even in an inconspicuous small town like Reading, something unexpected can always happen.
And yes, if you ask yourself what else is going on here, just look at the Reading Attractions that you can unleash in a single day – from historic buildings to small green spaces that have more charm than some big city hotels. I don't quite understand the hype about some “small” cities, but here there are at least enough real stories to deal with you, and enough small peculiarities to make you sneak when you go over the map the next time.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
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