What makes Quincy sights so special is the quiet way, with the story here snoring at every street corner while I drag myself through the little town. Founded in 1815, the town has its name of John Quincy Adams, and that's what you can feel right now when you walk past the old brick buildings that tell more stories than some Instagram influencers. I don’t understand the hype about the “historical” facades completely, but the cracking wood of the old barns has a charm that can only be found in a place like Quincy.
A short detour from Miami Township, Logan County, often lets me get over the US Route 68 by car – no drama, just a little country-road feeling that reminds me of the 1950s. Anyone who visits the local market quickly discovers that the residents here have more humour than the municipal coat of arms allowed; a friendly chat at the checkout will quickly become a mini-history hour over the railway, which once drove through the city. And yes, if you go to “Quincy Sights” you will find not only the old town hall, but also the small café on Main Street, which serves the best apple cake wide and wide – no joke, that is really great.
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The old court building of Logan, which proudly runs over the main road, is for me the first thing that comes to mind when I think of the surroundings of Quincy – not because it is a must for tourists, but because it is simply a piece of lively history that you cannot overlook when you walk the road. I put a spontaneous photo stop there, because the brick and the artistic columns reminded me of a set of films from the 30s. Parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you don't get to the County Fair on Saturday night, then the field in front of the building will quickly become a car park chaos.
A short detour to Zanesville leads you to the famous Y‐Bridge that spans the Muskingum River – an architectural curiosity that is more than just a photo motif. I don’t understand the hype around the “Y” completely, but the sound of the old steel beams, when driving over it, has something almost nostalgic-romantic. The access is free, and a small parking directly on the river bank is enough for a few cars; this is practical if you want to get an ice cream after a long day in the car.
Only about 30 miles further Ohio Caverns, an underground maze of crystals that feels like a secret club for geology fans. I was there on a rainy afternoon, and the light that falls through the artificial lamps on the glittering stalactites seems almost hypnotic. Admission is of course not free, but this is the only time I was ready to spend some money for a bit of dust. The visitor parking lot is large enough that you can easily park the car and there is a small souvenir shop that sells more than just magnets.
If you are looking for an adrenalinkick in winter, Mad River Mountain the next destination – a small but fine ski lift that is not as crowded as the big resorts in the north. I made my first attempts in snowboarding and after a few falls I am still thrilled with the view over the valley. Lift operation is reliable, and parking is right on the hill, so you don't have to carry your ski equipment far. A little hint: On particularly cold days, the slope can be somewhat slippery, so keep your hands warm.
A bit further south, almost half an hour drive, this is Hocking Hills State Park, a true paradise for hikers and nature lovers. I explored the Old Man’s Cave Trail there and was surprised how well the trails are marked – no GPS needed, just a little curiosity. The park is accessible free of charge, and parking is usually sufficient at the main entrances as long as you are not on the weekend with a school class. The waterfalls and rock gorges are really impressive, and the noise of the brook is almost therapeutic.
Back in Zanesville, it is worth a trip to Zanesville Museum of Art. The collection is small, but surprisingly diverse – from regional artists to a few modern installations that I do not quite understand, but still find fascinating. I took part in a guided tour where the curator told more about the history of the city than about the works of art, which is somehow suitable for this area. The museum is located in the city centre, so you can easily visit one of the cafés on Main Street.
A last but not less important place is the Zanesville Riverfront with its well-developed river trail. I have often made my morning jogging round there, because the fresh air from the river and the quiet water plunders offer a perfect start to the day. The trail is free, parking is at the end of the way, and you can stop at any time to make a picnic or just enjoy the view.
Whether you are looking for historical architecture, underground crystals, winter thrills or quiet natural experiences – the surroundings of Quincy, Miami Township, Logan, Ohio have something to offer for everyone. And when you pack it all together, you get a pretty good picture of what the region has to offer when you get the Quincy Sights test.
Those who come to Quincy, Miami Township, Ohio for the first time will immediately notice that the city has more charm than one would expect from a place with less than 1,000 inhabitants – and that without the usual tourist glamour you otherwise love.
I always start my personal tour with the Quincy Historical Museumhoused in the old school building from the 1920s. There are old school books hanging next to dusty photos of horse-drawn carriages, and I was lucky that a retired teacher told me about the history of the first football team in the city when I went through a yellowed yearbook page. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the weekly “Heritage Night” event takes place and everyone tries to get a place next to the old tractor.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Quincy Public Library. The building is a small architectural jewel that looks like someone stole it from a film by Wes Anderson. I once borrowed a book about local wildflowers, only to establish that the librarians – a resolute lady with a preference for knit jackets – gave me a copy of “Ohio’s Forgotten Ghost Towns” because she said I needed more “spiritual” reading. Don't worry, borrowing is free, and Wi-Fi is faster than talking to the mayor.
If you're looking for something green, Quincy Community Park Your goal. The park has a small lake, a few baseball fields and a playground that has more rust than color – a real indicator that kids prefer to play with the ball than post Instagram stories. I once made a picnic with some locals who told me that the annual “Duck-Calling-Contest” is the highlight of the summer. Practical note: The toilets are open only on weekends, so plan your “nature calls” accordingly.
Another must is that Quincy Village Hallat the same time as the town hall and venue. There art exhibitions of local hobby artists take place regularly, and I remember an exhibition of self-painted potato portraits that created more smiles than any professional gallery. The building is easy to find because it is the only one that is illuminated at night by a single, lightly flickering light bulb – a real lighthouse for nightwarmers.
A little away from the center is the Quincy Water Tower, a rusty colossus from the 1950s, which watches over the fields. I took a photo there that I posted later on Instagram, just to see that the picture got more likes than my selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower. The tower is not accessible to visitors, but the surrounding field is a popular spot for local photographers who want to capture the golden light of the sunset.
For those who want to taste the authentic land, there is the Quincy Farmers Market, which takes place every second Saturday in the summer in the parking lot of the Community Center. Here there are fresh strawberries, homemade jams and a stand where an older gentleman named Earl sells his self-baked apple cider – a drink that is so strong that it immediately reminds you of the “Quincy Sights” you have seen this day, and at the same time asks why you haven’t been here before.
At the end of my slightly cynical, but warm guided tour I recommend a trip to the old Quincy Railroad Depot. The building is a relic from the time when trains still formed the backbone of the region, and today it serves as a warehouse for local antique dealers. I once found an old, handmade wooden chair that is supposed to come from a carpenter from the 1930s – a perfect souvenir if you want to show your friends that you not only collect “Instagram photos of sunsets”.
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