Named an All-America City by the National Civic League in 2006, Maumee is a Toledo suburb with water-front views and a jam-packed community calendar. “I like that it’s close to the water with homes along the river,” says Megan Hornsby, Maumee resident and Realtor for Keller Williams Citywide, “it’s centrally located with a great uptown for shopping.” Residents can easily walk or bike through streets of historic homes to grab lunch at a local spot, such as The Village Idiot, voted Best Pizza by The Best of Toledo Awards as recently as 2022. A step away from uptown leads to picturesque parks by the Maumee River, ideal for evening strolls, fishing and water sports. Uptown Maumee is lined with dining and shopping options, from coffee at Brew House Coffee & Bake Shop to game-night dinner at Dale’s Bar & Grill. Levi and Lilac’s Whiskey Room is the latest tenant in the oldest building in the county. Built in 1837, it was once believed to be a stopping point for the Underground Railroad and a smuggling route during prohibition. Another Maumee staple is Penguin Palace, serving soft serve since 1947. Locals look forward to this ice cream spot reopening every spring because of their fair prices and unique flavors such as spiced apple caramel sundae. For more deals, Bella River Boutique is a consignment shop specializing in pre-owned designer handbags, clothing and jewelry. Or an entire day could be spent at the Maumee Antique Mall, where there are over 250 vendors. When the weather heats up, it’s time for the Maumee Summer Fair, which draws visitors from all over Ohio. Earlier in the summer, Maumee celebrates Independence Day with music, food and fireworks. No matter the holiday, Maumee has an event for it: Christmas parades, Easter egg hunts and Halloween trunk-or-treating. They also host an annual free outdoor concert series, Acoustics for Autism, with over 90 performers. As Northwest Ohio’s oldest permanent settlement, Maumee is full of history. “Some homes were built 80 to 130 years ago,” says Hornsby. While that history is often reflected in the neighborhood’s architecture, there are also more affordable options built in the 1950s and 1960s. A three-bedroom, two-bathroom ranch-style or bungalow can cost around $200,000 to $300,000. Waterfront houses often go for closer to $500,000. To begin their education, students can attend Fort Miami Elementary School. They can then move on to Maumee Middle School, formerly known as Gateway Middle. Lastly, there’s Maumee High which, according to Hornsby, offers great specialized programs for students with different interests, like robotics and theater. All these schools receive a B or higher rating from Niche. In addition to river and canal access, Side Cut Metropark offers a sledding hill, playground, picnic shelters and wildlife feeding stations with indoor viewing areas. Sycamore, buckeye and walnut trees shade the Towpath Trail, an 18-mile path frequented by walkers, bikers, and bird watchers. Popular with families in the summer, Rolf Park has a swimming pool complete with a water slide. Maumee is walkable and bikeable. Like many Toledo suburbs, it is a part of the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA). In addition to servicing 32 bus routes, TARTA offers Park-N-Ride and services to schools and universities. Maumee’s parks sit on land that was the ancestral home of many Native American people. The Fallen Timbers Battlefield Park is home to monuments honoring those who fought at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794, a battle that led to the westward expansion of the United States and Ohio’s statehood. Learn more on the Maumee city guide.