This Off-The-Beaten-Path Park In Ohio Is The Perfect Place To Escape
By Sarah McCosham|Published July 24, 2023
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
One of the best parts about living in my hometown as a parent is being able to experience my hometown now, as an adult, with my kids. In this case, Cincinnati is my home town, and as a kid, my adventures were generally limited to the immediate neighborhood, with the occasional outing to Riverfront Stadium (now Great American Ball Park – go Reds!) and the Cincinnati Zoo. As an adult and a mom of four and a travel writer, I’ve made it our mission to explore Cincinnati — and all of Ohio, really — to the fullest, and French Park is an off-the-beaten path gem we return to again and again. It’s a place many locals don’t know about; a hidden gem full of breathtaking scenery, a picture-perfect wedding venue… and some of the most relaxing hiking in Ohio, including the eponymous French Hike trail.
One of Cincinnati’s numerous city parks, French Park is located in Amberley Village, a treasure of a neighborhood that's a hidden gem in and of itself! The park is perhaps best-known for its eponymous French House, which was built in the early 1900s and is a popular venue for weddings and special events. The French House stands regally at the end of the park’s driveway, in front of perfectly manicured lawn.
But make no mistake about it: this is no stuffy British manse. While French Park is beautiful and its historic home a popular wedding venue, it's also immensely accessible and, as long as a wedding or special event isn't on the schedule, generally quite quiet and peaceful. I love coming here with my kids in the spring; the rolling green hills will make you want to have your very own "Sound of Music" moment!
It's also home to some wonderful hiking trails (the French Park Short Loop is a perfect kid-friendly trek) and some babbling creeks that make for amazing creek stomping conditions come summertime.
I've taken my kids here many times during the summer, and it's always a hit. Even on the hottest summer afternoons, the forest canopy provides cooling shade, and the water feels refreshing beneath our feet.
During the colder months of the year, these very creeks and forest trails transform into a real-life ice palace; a place of otherworldly beauty and sublime silence.
Wandering around the grounds and woodlands of French Park, you might feel you've entered the world of FernGully or Middle Earth -- this gem of an Ohio park truly is that peaceful!
Whether you choose to wander or walk, traipse through creeks or simply sit and take in the scenery, I guarantee you'll leave French Park with a full heart and calm mind. What a wonderful place to discover!
