Craving small-town charm away from the hustle and bustle of major cities?
Well, there’s one down-home riverside city surging in the great state of Kentucky.
Best of all, you don’t have to wear a 1800s dress or hats wider than my apartment square footage to fit in like you do in Louisville (looking at you, Derby).
This Kentucky neigh-bor is known for welcoming locals, affordable prices, beautiful scenery, and most notably ‘the culinary and cultural hub of western Kentucky’. Sorry, Colonel Sanders…
We at Travel Off Path love showcasing the lesser known, but we caught this one just in time before it becomes mainstream as its had 5 straight months of record-breaking tourism numbers to kick off 2025.
Summer typically sees travelers fork over paychecks to flock to their favorite beaches, but this time around, do yourself a favor and give this wonderful waterfront getaway a chance.
You’ll discover contagious Southern hospitality, sensational food, world-class entertainment, and affordability across the board, unlike the paradisal beach town you’ve been scoping out.
Owensboro’s Riverfront Delights
Downtown Owensboro has undergone a glow-up in recent years, adding new hotels, a convention center dubbed an architectural marvel, numerous restaurants, and the first local brewery in a century, which is odd since the state is globally renowned for booze.
As summer temps heat up, you’ll want to be as close to the Ohio River as possible. With the addition of new restaurants, existing local favorite Smothers Park, and fun boat tours cruising the river, Owensboro is still a summer draw despite the humidity.
Just know many of the boat tours depart from neighboring towns and even neighboring states. If you clue in on the name of the river, Owensboro is on the last sliver of Kentucky land, hugging Indiana and further down Ohio, obviously.
The vibrant riverfront makes for a great way to get to know the city, and it still feels brand new. Best of all, summertime see one of the most popular events every Friday.
Named a ‘Best Community Event’ and a ‘Top Ten Summer Festival’, Friday After 5 is home to free concerts held throughout summer along the river.
Owensboro Puts The “Bluegrass” In The ‘Bluegrass State’
Speaking of music, a trip to Owensboro without dabbling in the music scene would be like going to New York without grabbing a slice or visiting Memphis without indulging in barbecue or going to a blues club.
The best way to gain a sense of Owenboro’s identity is to visit the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, which is located along the river.
It’s only $12 to enter. This facility is the only ode to Bluegrass, which originated right here in Western Kentucky.
You can also look forward to visiting ROMP Music Festival held here, just one of Owensboro’s 20 annual festivals.
This year, it’s headlined by country music legend Wynonna Judd, but you’d better get a move on with travel plans as it takes place June 25 -28 this summer.
If you miss out on this year’s ROMP, you can always visit Brasher’s Lil’ Nashville, arguably the city’s most popular live music venue, you guessed it, as Chris Farley would say “down by the river!”.
Western Kentucky’s Culinary Capital
You can’t claim to be a culinary capital without talking about food, right?
While little-known Paducah is undoubtedly Kentucky’s rising culinary star, Owensboro has yet to be overcome as Western Kentucky’s go-to spot for foodies with menus far exceeding overrated fried chicken (yeah, I said it!).
Barbecue, though? That’s a different story, and Owensboro knows how to fire up the grill, whipping up mouthwatering mutton and hearty burgoo.
Nope, that’s not a typo for burgers. Burgoo is a rich stew and a staple of Kentucky cuisine, particularly popular in places like Owensboro.
Moonlite Bar-B-Cue Inn was named the best in the state. Of course, nothing tops off a Kentucky meal like some locally distilled bourbon, and there’s no better spot in Owensboro than Green River Whiskey.
There’s no doubt if you come hungry to Kentucky, you’ll leave happy.
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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