The more I explore my home state of Ohio, the more convinced I am there is an endless amount of great things to do here! Maybe I’m a little biased, but every part of Ohio offers something unique and special. Right now though let’s talk about the best things to do in Butler County, a beautiful area in the southwest corner of the state.
Butler county is located between Cincinnati and Dayton, just off I-75. The whole county is full of historical beauty from homes and monuments to museums. Driving through the town of Hamilton I was in awe just looking at one incredible building after another. All the statues reminded me of driving around Munich, Germany.. not something I ever expected to feel in Ohio!
What makes this part of Ohio extra special is that intermixed with all the history is every modern amenity you could want for a weekend away. There are tons of shopping, dining and entertainment options to pick from.
I stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott and can’t recommend it enough. The hotel sits right in the middle of downtown Hamilton making it easy to walk all over town. The parking lot connected to the hotel is simple to access and even better, free.
There is a full service restaurant and bar on the first level. What I loved though was the Starbucks coffee bar. Although not an official Starbucks, they can make just about anything you would normally find on the menu. Oh, and there is avocado toast. Everything I needed.
After a night out if you just aren’t ready to go back to your room, check out the outdoor patio. Grab a drink from the bar and sit outside around the fire-pit before calling it a night.
One of my first stops was the adorable DIY candling pouring shop, Petal and Wicks. Last time I tried a DIY candle shop I somehow created the most foul smelling candle on earth, so you can’t blame me for being a little hesitant to do it again!
Any worries I had went out the window as soon as I got started. The owner, Sherri, couldn’t have been more friendly and helpful. She gave me a basic overview of the over 70+ scents available to work with. After picking a few favorites, Sherri guided me in mixing the perfect fruity combination for a summer candle, and pouring it into the soy wax.
There are a bunch of different containers to choose from for the final product, like mason jars, glass tumblers, and various size tins. I picked a ceramic pot labeled with Hamilton OH.
I had to ask Sherri what her all time favorite scent combination was , and fully expected the answer would be something like “there are too many I love to pick just one!” but NO, she answered right away: “pear, cucumber, and a little honey crisp apple.” Next time I stop in, I’m making a “Sherri”.
If you would rather someone else do the work for you, the staff creates new special scents every week. Texas Road House Rolls, Pina Colada and Blueberry Pancakes are some of the recent specials!
Candles take 90 minutes to set and cool, so while you’re waiting check out some of the surrounding shops.
A short walk down Main Street is Scripted Studio, a bright and airy stationary shop filled with unique paper goods and gifts.
Make sure you spend some time browsing the wall of unique greeting cards, I couldn’t help but pick up a bunch for upcoming birthdays.
Another stop not to miss is Fleurish Home. This shop is filed with home decor, gifts and entertaining essentials.
Nestled in the back of the store is a special section of paint products and supplies, including Annie Sloan chalk paint. Keep an eye on the store’s event calendar for painting workshops and demonstrations.
If you ever wanted to try your hand at refinishing a piece of furniture, this is the place to go for questions and lessons!
Liberty Center is an indoor/outdoor shopping & dining destination located in Liberty Township. I hesitate to call it a mall because it’s really so much more than that. Besides shops and restaurants there are movie theaters, a comedy club, and even an indoor skydiving arena.
Here’s a little secret: it also has one of the best photo ops in the county. If you aren’t familiar with artist Kelsey Montague, she is the talent behind the famed angel wing murals in Nashville, Tennessee. Liberty Center boasts TWO of her murals, a pair of black and white angel wings located inside near the food court and a bunch of colorful balloons outside near LUSH Boutique.
More urban market than traditional flea market, Hamilton Flea takes place the second Saturday of every month at Marcum Park. The entire park is full of artisans showcasing their products, local food trucks, and community organizations.
I passed by tables with t-shirts, soaps and home goods, all locally made of course. Besides all the vendors to browse, the community really turned up. From a mobile public library truck to volunteers walking adoptable shelter dogs around the park, it was a total celebration of all things Hamilton.
I’m not sure how this can really be called a grocery store, it’s more like a grocery amusement park. Jungle Jim’s International Grocery Store covers 200,000 square feet and is filled with over 180,000 products.
If you love to cook, entertain or just try new foods this is a must do. Your grocery store may have a cheese section, Jungle Jim’s has a cheese STORE. The same goes for just about every other department like seafood, wine and produce. The employee ares all genuinely knowledgeable and make what can seem like an overwhelming about of choices much more manageable and fun.
My favorite spots are the little rooms dedicated to groceries from different countries. I love bringing home specialty foods from other countries as souvenirs. This is the next best thing! I came home with some of my favorite Irish potato chips, a bottle of wine I’d been hunting down for ages, and WAY too much candy.
When you need to take a shopping break, head over to the Voice of America Museum in West Chester. This one of a kind museum is dedicated to preserving the history of Voice of America Bethany Station, a radio station that once inspired hope around the world.
Before heading into the museum there is a quick video explaining the invention of the radio, the creation of the station and the vital role it played in WWII, sharing the truths of the war with the world.
This is definitely a niche interest, but with the sheer amount of displays there is really something for everyone. Radio enthusiasts will LOVE the opportunity to sit behind the original command center and see the inner workings of the stations. I loved looking at the calling cards of the amateur radio operators around the world who have worked with the station, they were like personal postcards.
Kids will get a kick out of seeing the early electronics. Fair warning for parents- my high school cell phone ( remember the Razor?) was on display as an antique. Be prepared to feel old. Yikes.
Beautiful day outside? Wander around the 300 acres that make up Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum and find the 60 outdoor sculptures dotting the landscape. Be sure to stop by the Pioneer house. It dates back to 1802 and features a unique arch-shaped ceiling.
Along with the outdoor park, the Ancient Sculpture Museum on site displays Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Syrian and Egyptian sculptures dating to 1550 B.C.
Remember when I mentioned seeing all those buildings when I drove into Hamilton? Take a walking tour to be sure you don’t miss a single one.
Now on to the best part of a trip (I think!) the FOOD.
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I can't wait to visit. The shops you have mentioned are my type of shopping. Butler County certainly gets my vote to visit the next time we are in the US. Someone would probably need to drag me out of Jungle Jim's International grocery store. Thanks for sharing the information on this fun place to visit.
Haha! I honestly could have spent hours in Jungle Jim's. I hope you get to check it out someday.
I never knew about Butler county but it really looks beautiful with all great things to do. Butler county's court house looks impressive and truly an European style of architecture. Shopping in Liberty center must be great as it looks colorful quirky place to move around. Purchasing something from local vendors at Hamilton flea market would also be a interesting thing to do here.
Sometimes it's so great exploring your own backyard! I've never been to Ohio when in the US, but Butler County looks like a pretty place to visit. I love all the shops there too, it's so homey and decorative. I'll consider visiting the next time I'm back!
I've never been to this part of the US and this article is giving me an idea for my next American trip! Butler County sounds really special and the shops look so pretty, especially the Scripted Studio - I'm a sucker for all things stationary! I would also love to visit the Voice of America museum, I mean, how could would it be to see all the behind the scenes of a radio stations?!
I have not had the opportunity to visit this part of USA yet but it is on my bucket list and this post helps me plan it. There is certainly a lot to see and in in and around Butler County then I expected. A great place to some little shopping as well and I would certainly get some candles. Being a cheese lover a trip to jungles Jim’s shop would be must and a sin not to visit it. Some great culinary delights I must say and added with some good sightseeing. Thanks for sharing.
looks like a fun adventure and an enjoyable place to visit, I would really want to go here
That courthouse is BEAUTIFUL! Also, I love hamilton so I'm obsessed with that.
Isn't it? I think I took 100 pictures of just the courthouse.
What adorable little shops in the area and I would totally run through that gorgeous fountain! This city is so cute! -Sondra Barker @cuisineandtravel.com
Oh wow. I had no idea there was so much to do in Butler County. I would love to visit HAMILTON FLEA MARKET or PYRAMID HILL SCULPTURE PARK AND MUSEUM or both. Thanks for the recommendations.
Omg I would go crazy taking pictures of all the pretty things! I wish I could go travel!