There comes a time when we just need to take a weekend road trip in Kentucky and enjoy what our beautiful state has to offer. We have some major attractions like Bardstown’s Bourbon Trail and the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, but there are some wonderful towns to visit that offer a more subtle taste of the Bluegrass. Owensboro is one such place, featuring a quiet, peaceful city, combining the perfect mix of farming and modern life.
Owensboro is one of our many river cities, and makes for an awesome weekend road trip in Kentucky:
Day 1:
Visit the International Bluegrass Museum at 117 Daviess Street.
IBM Get in touch with our Bluegrass roots and see the history of those who created it. The IBM offers a look at all things Bluegrass in relation to music, including handmade instruments. You will see greats long laid to rest and see memorabilia cherished for decades. You can even watch a documentary on the original Bluegrass Musicians and the history of the music.
Check in at Holiday Inn Downtown at 701 West 1st Street.
Deanna Normally, I prefer a B&B for a more personalized visit to an area, but this Holiday Inn has a 5 star rating via guests and an amazing view to boot. It is perfect location for those that enjoy a river view and quick access to the Riverfront Park.
Have dinner at Bill’s Restaurant on 420 Frederica Street.
Bill H
Chef Bill at work:
Lidia
Lidia Bill’s is the iconic place to go for food prepared with love including favorites like prime rib, steak, varieties of chicken, foie grass, veal and even oysters made with fresh ingredients. Everything that comes out of this kitchen will prove to be mouthwatering. The fare is unique, but don’t be afraid to try new things. The Goat Cheese Fondue is a local favorite to get things started.
Visit Smothers Park at 199 W Veterans Blvd.
World Travelers
Beth P Take a stroll before bed. This is the perfect spot to hang out and enjoy the sunset with a river view, and its right by the hotel.
Rest peacefully knowing that Johnny Depp grew up enjoying this river view too.
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The best place to enjoy breakfast is at Dee’s Diner on 1362 E 4th Street.
Angie
Angie
Ben Dee’s has a nice assortment on the breakfast menu including big breakfasts with eggs, sausage or bacon, hashbrowns and fresh biscuits. The omelet seems to be the overall favorite for patrons, despite the variety offered. If you love a hearty, country style start to your day, stop by Dee’s.
Owensboro Antique Mall at 500 W 3rd Street:
Owesnboro Antique Mall You will find a little bit of everything here, including friendly people with good stories. Every piece has a tale if you catch the right vendor in the shop, and some of the stories hold more interest than the piece. It’s a great place to wander about, as it somewhat represents Owensboro itself. The mall offers a beautiful variety of vintage and modern things.
Grab a late lunch at Old Hickory Bar-B-Que on 338 Washington Avenue.
Amy
Jennifer
Todd There are several fantastic barbecue places in Owensboro, and Old Hickory is among the best. The delicious smoked flavor wafts through the air, giving your tastebuds a tickle long before you reach the door. Once you make your choice off the menu, you will quickly understand why this bbq spot is a must stop when in town.
Stop by Western’s Botanical Garden at 25 Carter Road.
Western If you are a plant enthusiast, you will want to stop by this Western University garden. It isn’t large, but it does offer a beautiful array of plants and flowers. It takes around an hour to venture through all the gardens, so it’s a nice place to stop and smell the flowers on the way out of town.
Hit the road back home.
David Harper
This is just one potential weekend road trip in Kentucky, but the possibilities are endless. Owensboro just happens to be a really nice place that doesn’t get a lot of attention. You can link directly to the map for our weekend getaway here. What would be your favorite city for a weekend getaway?
IBM
Get in touch with our Bluegrass roots and see the history of those who created it. The IBM offers a look at all things Bluegrass in relation to music, including handmade instruments. You will see greats long laid to rest and see memorabilia cherished for decades. You can even watch a documentary on the original Bluegrass Musicians and the history of the music.
Deanna
Normally, I prefer a B&B for a more personalized visit to an area, but this Holiday Inn has a 5 star rating via guests and an amazing view to boot. It is perfect location for those that enjoy a river view and quick access to the Riverfront Park.
Bill H
Lidia
Bill’s is the iconic place to go for food prepared with love including favorites like prime rib, steak, varieties of chicken, foie grass, veal and even oysters made with fresh ingredients. Everything that comes out of this kitchen will prove to be mouthwatering. The fare is unique, but don’t be afraid to try new things. The Goat Cheese Fondue is a local favorite to get things started.
World Travelers
Beth P
Take a stroll before bed. This is the perfect spot to hang out and enjoy the sunset with a river view, and its right by the hotel.
celebrityabc
Angie
Ben
Dee’s has a nice assortment on the breakfast menu including big breakfasts with eggs, sausage or bacon, hashbrowns and fresh biscuits. The omelet seems to be the overall favorite for patrons, despite the variety offered. If you love a hearty, country style start to your day, stop by Dee’s.
Owesnboro Antique Mall
You will find a little bit of everything here, including friendly people with good stories. Every piece has a tale if you catch the right vendor in the shop, and some of the stories hold more interest than the piece. It’s a great place to wander about, as it somewhat represents Owensboro itself. The mall offers a beautiful variety of vintage and modern things.
Amy
Jennifer
Todd
There are several fantastic barbecue places in Owensboro, and Old Hickory is among the best. The delicious smoked flavor wafts through the air, giving your tastebuds a tickle long before you reach the door. Once you make your choice off the menu, you will quickly understand why this bbq spot is a must stop when in town.
Western
If you are a plant enthusiast, you will want to stop by this Western University garden. It isn’t large, but it does offer a beautiful array of plants and flowers. It takes around an hour to venture through all the gardens, so it’s a nice place to stop and smell the flowers on the way out of town.
David Harper
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