Butler County, Ohio
We were first invited to Butler County to take on the Donut Trail, but we found so much more to love, from the sculptures and murals of Hamilton to the rolling hills of Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park to top notch Filipino fare to a lovely farm-to-table brunch.
Food
Alexander's Market & Deli: great sandwiches in snacks in downtown Hamilton
Comb's BBQ: cozy little barbecue spot in Middletown
The Cone: a West Chester icon, both for its cone-shaped building and for
Cozy's Cafe & Pub: dynamic pub in a renovated house with a wonderfully executed menu drawing on local ingredients
Dai Trang Bistro: excellent Filipino in a West Chester strip mall (temporarily closed)
Korealistic: a must-try Korean spot in West Chester
Namaste Curry House: lovely spot for dumplings and curry in Fairfield
Taqueria Guanajuato: fun and filling Mexican spot in Hamilton
Coffee & Beer
ALL8UP: hearty pizza and subs in Hamilton
CAVU Coffee: friendly coffee spot with a drive-through in West Chester
True West Coffee: much-loved local coffee shop serving sandwiches and snacks off Main Street in Hamilton
Municipal Brew Works: great brewery in downtown Hamilton, situated in the old municipal building. Downtown Hamilton is a DORA district, too!
Rivertown Brewery & Barrel House: large brewery in an industrial park in Monroe. Serves food, swag, and offers tours.
Village Ice Cream Parlor: throwback parlor for ice cream and sundaes in Hamilton
Shopping
Fleurish Home: home decor and other goods in Hamilton
Future Great Comics: also in Hamilton, great spot for all things comics-related
InsideOut Studio: a studio and gallery in downtown Hamilton featuring the work of adults with developmental disabilities
Main Street Business District: lots of shopping along Main Street just west of the river in Hamilton
Renaissance Fine Art & Supplies: cool art supply store in Hamilton
Unsung Salvage & Design: funky shop with T-shirt printing, vintage pieces in Hamilton
Parks & Attractions
EnterTrainMent Junction: a must for train aficionados of all ages; home to the world's largest indoor train display
Fitton Center for the Creative Arts: non-profit with classes, workshops, and events
German Village: historic neighborhood in Hamilton
Holiday Auto Theatre: a throwback drive-in movie theatre in Hamilton
Jungle Jim's International Market: a destination for anyone in Ohio. Jungle Jim's in Fairfield is a sprawling market selling groceries, prepared foods, beer, wine, and an international selection of foods.
Main Event: video games, laser tag, and more fun
Public art in Hamilton: download a map and see why Hamilton is dubbed the "City of Sculpture"
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park: one of our favorite stops in Butler County, Pyramid Hill sits on 300 rolling acres above Hamilton. Rent a golf cart or take a hike to see the dozens of sculptures dotting the landscape. And stop in the museum to see ancient sculptures!
WEB Extreme: laser tag, go-karts, and games
Accommodations
AC Marriott in Liberty Center
Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Hamilton
Staybridge Suites in West Chester
Read our Butler County itineraries
The Butler County Donut Trail
Get a look at the trail that spans the county and has grown to a baker's dozen of local donut shops!
March 2017
Bustling Around Butler County
Our first trip to the region had us exploring the Donut Trail and getting to know local food, drinks, and parks.
March 2017
Back to Butler County
A return trip had us exploring updates to the Donut Trail, plus more local eats, beer, and game centers.
November 2017
A Butler County Weekend
A return weekend took us to old favorites and new discoveries in food, beer, ice cream, and games.
August 2018
Holiday Fun in Hamilton
An overnight during the holidays in Hamilton had us exploring local shops, Christmas lights, and more good eats.
December 2020
