The Charming Small Town in Ohio That's Perfect For A Fall Day Trip
By Sarah McCosham|Published August 29, 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 things about living in Ohio (and something Ohioans love to brag about) is that we have four distinct and delightful seasons (and sometimes all in the same day! Ah, Ohio weather.). Winter is quiet and full of serene beauty and at least a few “good” snows; spring is verdant and oh-so-colorful; summer is hot, humid, and heavenly; and fall is a kaleidoscope of color and bonfires and leaves crunching beneath your feet. Fall is a special time of year in Ohio, and with the crisp air and endless blue skies, I can’t think of a better way to spend an autumn day than a trip to New Richmond. This small town on the banks of the Ohio River is equal parts beautiful and charming, full of unique attractions and loads of scenic beauty.
New Richmond is a small town on the banks of the Ohio River -- located right along the Ohio River Scenic Byway, in fact. It's home to a population of about 2,800 and is about 30 minutes southeast of Cincinnati.
The river is an inextricable part of the town's history and identity. With its waterfront location just north of the Ohio-Kentucky border, the town *literally* made headlines for taking a strong and early stance against slavery. The abolitionist James G. Birney began publishing "The Philanthropist" in New Richmond until moving it to Cincinnati in 1836.
The Ohio also played a role in the commerce and development of New Richmond, uniting town residents in more ways than one. Most of New Richmond lies on the floodplain of the Ohio River, making it vulnerable to severe flooding. Despite (or perhaps because of) these trials, New Richmond is a proud and close-knit community with a strong sense of identity.
The nearly 3,000 residents who call New Richmond home today are a strong and unified group that truly celebrate the town's spot on the Ohio. The annual Cardboard Boat Regatta has put this small town in Ohio on the map, and if you miss the August race, you can still revel in this piece of New Richmond culture at the Cardboard Boat Museum, the only one of its kind in the world, in fact.
In addition to the headlining race, today, pretty much every park, restaurant, and business looks out onto the mighty Ohio River, and in late-summer when the leaves begin to change, there's a quiet beauty here that's unrivaled.
New Richmond has a well-supported downtown district that's friendly and walkable, making for a fun day trip destination in the fall when the heat and humidity begin to subside.
If you're anything like me, you're always excited to try out the local coffee shop, and in New Richmond, Wholy Beans Coffee Co. is it! Grab a hot beverage and pastry, or perhaps a warm sandwich if you're in the mood for something savory.
Wholy Beans Coffee Co., 206 Front St, New Richmond, OH 45157, USA
Stomach rumbling for lunch? Head to Buck's Riverside Grill. With a menu full of heady American classics, you're sure to find the kind of filling, stick-to-your-ribs fare fall calls for. Locals rave about the chili, but the burgers are where Buck's really shines.
Buck’s Riverside Grill, 100 Front St, New Richmond, OH 45157, USA
In addition to eating and drinking your way through New Richmond -- AND strolling along the Ohio River (Haussermann Park and Union Square Park are two beautiful favorites full of places for the kids to play and benches for taking in the views), you'll want to stop into River Village Shoppe for some antiquing. It's a treasure of a shop, in a treasure of a town.
River Village Shoppe, 310 Washington St, New Richmond, OH 45157, USA
Have you visited New Richmond, Ohio, before? This tiny little town is impossibly charming and wonderfully unique, and it’s a downright delightful day trip destination for fall in Ohio. And with a prime location along the Ohio River Scenic Byway, why not pack up the car and make a proper road trip out of your visit to New Richmond, OH?
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