Visit Fairfax Hamilton Ohio and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Fairfax, Ohio - Experience the natural wonders of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park! A paradise for hikers and photographers.
What makes Fairfax landmarks so special is the way history and everyday life are almost already struggling with each other as if they are struggling for domination in a small but stubborn little town. I remember driving the first time over the old landing tongue, which was colonized by pioneers in 1815, and immediately got the feeling of standing in a lively history book – only that the book here is a shaky notebook that is constantly made redundant by new cafés and pubs. The Village of Fairfax, nestled in the larger Fairfax Township, has developed since the early days when the first court building was still a rebuilt barn gate, into a charming mix of rustic farm atmosphere and easily overhauled suburban flair.
If you're driving down the I‐75 by car, you'll notice that the driveway here isn't just a road trip highlight, but that's part of the charm – a bit of traffic jam, a bit of “welcome in the Middle West”, and then suddenly the sign that greets you in Hamilton County, as if it were an exclusive club. I don't quite understand the hype about the old mills, but the proximity to the Great Miami River gives the place an almost poetic note that you can feel while walking on the shore while the locals do their daily care with a tired smile. And yes, the local bakeries serve croissants that taste better than what you find in most big city chains – a small triumph for the city that makes me a bit more proud to stay here every time.
This guide invites you to make with me a small but surprisingly charming trip through the heart of Fairfax – yes, just the inconspicuous village that you would easily overlook if you don't accidentally turn off into Highway 50.
Of course I start with what I personally do as that Jewel the municipality: Fairfax Community Park. At first glance, the green piece looks like an ordinary suburban park, but once you turn around the old oaks around the playground, you realize that there is more history here than in some expensive city park. The gamers are not exactly designer pieces, but they work – and this is more than enough for the many families who let their children die here this weekend. Parking? Mostly a Klacks as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the field behind the basketball basket becomes the battlefield for parking cars.
A short walk further (approximately five minutes if you don't want to be constantly reminded of the neighbor's barbecue smell) leads to Fairfax Historical Society Museum. The museum is housed in a restored school house from the early 1900s – a place where I first asked myself why I should not rather read a book about the history of Ohio, instead of marveling dusty school benches. But then I saw the original classbooks and an old gramophone that actually worked, and suddenly I was intrigued. The museum is free, and parking is right in front of the building where a small but well signposted parking is waiting.
If you have enough nostalgia after a portion, Fairfax Library next stop. I admit, I've never been a big bookworm, but the library has a small reading room with windows that capture the afternoon sunshine – perfect to swallow a book that was discovered in the museum. The librarian, Ms. Henderson, knows every regular guest by the name and always recommends local authors that you would never find. And yes, Wi-Fi is faster than what you get in some cafes in downtown.
A little later, when the stomach grows, you'll get to Fairfax Farmers Market. The market is not active all year round, but during the summer months the main road turns into a colorful collection of fresh vegetables, handmade jams and occasional live acts of local bands. I once tried a homemade apple cake there, which was so good that I almost forgot the money for admission – fortunately there is no entry here, just a few dollars for what you buy.
A short detour to Fairfax Community Center shows why the church is so close together here. The Center is a multifunctional space where yoga classes, bingo evenings and occasionally a movie classic from the 80s are shown. I took part in a “Retro-Game-Night” where we played old Atari games while the neighbors cracked popcorn. The parking lot is a little cramped, but this is part of the charm – you just have to bring some patience.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that Fairfax Fire Department Museum. The museum is a small but fine collection of old fire trucks, helmets and historical photos that document the development of the volunteer fire brigade in the village. I don't quite understand the hype about large urban fire stations, but here you get the real, grounded feeling you only know from movies. The museum is located right next to the active fire station, so you can hear the silent siren cry in the background when you enter – a sublime soundtrack that completes the experience.
Last but not least, Fairfax Village Hall not overlooked with its small but fine collection of works of art by local artists. The Hall is not only an administrative building, but also a place for exhibitions where you sometimes even keep a glass of wine in your hand while discussing the latest community projects. Parking is a bit tricky here because the road is often blocked by vans, but a short walk away from a few houses solves the problem.
So the next time you're looking for a place that isn't overrun by tourist crowds, but still has enough character to give you the feeling that you've discovered something really authentic, then the Fairfax sights That's right. And if you ask yourself why I spend so much time here – well, I just have a flaw for small places that have more to tell than you would suspect at first sight.
The first stop I never miss is that Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. I have spent more than once a day watching the penguins while I thought why the visitors still take the same picture of the elephant – as if it were a new miracle. Parking is usually a children's game as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the car park becomes a battlefield. Nevertheless, it is worth walking through the tropical houses, where the air is so humid that you almost feel like standing in the rainforest, and that is exactly what I love in this place: the small piece of nature, which is in the middle of the urban jungle.
A short trip to downtown leads me to National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. I don't always understand the hype about historical museums, but here history is not only told, but almost tangible. I remember standing in the exhibition “Freedom’s Path” and suddenly heard the quiet sum of the visitors that was almost like a collective chicken – a sign that people really think about here. The building itself is an architectural statement that rises like a lighthouse above the Ohio River, and parking on the Riverfront is surprisingly uncomplicated when you use the small but fine parking behind the museum.
A little slanted culture can be found in American Sign Museum. Who would have thought that glowing neon slaves from the 50s could spray so much charm? I spent almost a whole afternoon counting the flashing signs – a little waste of time, but a real eyebrow. The museum is located in a former factory building, which still exudes the smell of old paint, and this is for me the most authentic souvenir. Parking is a bit tricky here because the terrain is hardly more than a parking lot, but this is part of the adventure.
If I'm looking for something greener, I'd like to stroll through the Krohn Conservatory in Eden Park. The tropical hall is a miniature jungle where I almost feel like an explorer who has just discovered a new paradise. I once visited a rare orchid workshop and learned that the casting of plants is almost as complicated as the operation of a coffee machine in a hipster café. The entrance is free, but parking is a bit a mystery, because the car park is often overrun by visitors of the nearby zoo.
For those who prefer to travel on two wheels, Little Miami Scenic Trail A must. I have straightened the trail several times along the river, repeatedly surprised by the small villages that look like hidden gems. Once I stopped at a small café on the river, which had only “coffee and cakes” on the shield, and there I ate a piece of apple cake that was better than any gourmet decorations I have ever found in a restaurant. The trail is well signposted, and parking at the access points is usually easy as long as you don't get to the main traffic time.
A little further out there Miami Whitewater Forest, a state park that has more to offer than just a few hiking trails. I rented a kayak there and explored the quiet lake while I thought about why I still don't have enough of Ohio. Nature here is unpretentious, but that makes it so appealing. Parking is an open field that is quickly full in the summer, so better to be there early if you want to enjoy the water in peace.
At the end of my small tour through the surroundings of Fairfax, Hamilton Museum of Contemporary Art. I must admit that I was initially skeptical – contemporary art can sometimes act as an expensive attempt to sell confusion. But a work by a local artist consisting of recycled car parts actually made me think, and that is the most important thing for me. The museum is located in a former factory building that still radiates industrial charm, and parking is a Klacks thanks to a small but well-organized area right in front of the entrance.
So if you're next time near Fairfax, Village of Fairfax, Hamilton, Ohio, you should Fairfax sights do not miss – they offer a mixture of history, nature and a bit of slanted culture that will unleash every traveler a smile (or at least a light eye role).
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