Owensboro

Owensboro is a city on the banks of the Ohio River in Kentucky's Western Coal Fields. It bills itself as the Barbecue Capital of the World and has had some interesting figures call it home, including Beulah Annan (whose story inspired the play and movie Chicago), Florence Henderson (Carol Brady of The Brady Bunch), NASCAR greats Darrell and Michael Waltrip, and Johnny Depp. On a darker note, it was the site of the last public hanging in the United States in 1936.

Owensboro enjoys a moderate climate with warm summers and mild winters, typical of western Kentucky. The city's riverfront has undergone significant revitalization, with Smothers Park and the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum anchoring a vibrant downtown. The city is known as "The City of Festivals," hosting numerous events throughout the year, including the International Bar-B-Q Festival and ROMP, a four-day bluegrass music festival.

By Plane

Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport (OWB) offers Allegiant Air flights from Orlando/Sanford and Cape Air from St. Louis. Nashville International Airport (BNA) and Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) are both about 2 hours away.

By Car / Road

The Owensboro (Glover) Bridge connects Owensboro with Indiana. I-165 connects it with Bowling Green to the south, and US Route 60 connects with Henderson to the west. Owensboro is about 1.5 hours southwest of Louisville and 2 hours west of Lexington.

The Downtown Owensboro Trolley provides FREE transportation on both weekdays and weekends. From April-October, rides are available Monday-Thursday 11AM-3PM and 4-8PM, Friday-Saturday 11AM-3PM and 4-10PM. November-March: Tuesday-Thursday 11AM-2PM, Friday-Saturday 11AM-6PM. Owensboro City Buses (101 East 4th St, ☎+1 270-687-8570) operate numerous routes, $1 for adults, 50 cents for children and seniors.

• Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum — 311 W 2nd St, ☎+1 270-926-7891. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM. Interactive exhibits on bluegrass music with concerts by renowned artists. $12 adults, $10 seniors, $8 students.

• Owensboro Museum of Science and History — 122 E 2nd St, ☎+1 270-687-2732. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM. Various exhibits including Model Ts and giant anthills.

• Owensboro Museum of Fine Art — 901 Frederica St, ☎+1 270-685-3181. Tu-F noon-5PM, Sa-Su 1-4PM. Collections spanning European, Asian, and Appalachian art. Free.

• Western Kentucky Botanical Garden — 25 Carter Rd, ☎+1 270-993-1234. M-F 9AM-3PM. Gardens surrounding an 1890s house.

• Green River Whiskey Distillery — 10 Distillery Road, ☎+1 270-691-9001. M-F 9AM-4:30PM, Sa 9AM-3:30PM. Tours $20/person including tastings and a shot glass.

• Smothers Park — 199 W Veterans Blvd, ☎+1 270-687-8333. Daily 7AM-10PM. Central park with fountains, playgrounds, and riverfront promenade hosting many events.

• The River Park Center — 101 Daviess St, ☎+1 270-687-2787. Plays, operas, concerts by the local symphony and national artists.

• Escape Today — 820 West 2nd St, ☎+1 270-240-4216. Escape rooms, axe throwing, and arcade games.

• Friday After 5 — Multiple venues of live entertainment along the riverfront every Friday from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

• International Bar-B-Q Festival — Second weekend of May.

• ROMP (River of Music Party) — Four-day bluegrass music festival at Yellow Creek Park.

Owensboro is best known for barbecue and burgoo (a traditional stew made with mutton, chicken, beef, and vegetables). Budget: Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn (2840 W Parrish Av, ☎+1 270-684-8143) — famous for barbecue mutton, also offering chicken, beef, and pork plates or sandwiches, plus a buffet. Mid-range: Ole South Bar-B-Q (3523 Hwy 54 East, ☎+1 270-926-6464) — wide variety of barbecued meats and burgoo. Old Hickory Bar-B-Que (338 Washington Ave, ☎+1 270-205-4229) — family-owned since 1918, pit-smoked meats. Upscale: Colby's Fine Food & Spirits (204 West 3rd St, ☎+1 270-685-4239) — seasonal dishes with aged meats and fresh produce. Gramps Coffee and Donuts (335 Frederica St) offers unique donuts and coffeehouse fare.

Owensboro is in Daviess County, which allows full alcohol sales. The Green River Whiskey Distillery offers tastings and has a cocktail lounge. Local restaurants and bars feature bourbon selections.

Budget: Motels along the highway corridors, $60-90/night. Mid-range: Hotels in the downtown and riverfront area, $90-130/night.

Willow & Pine Market (126 West 2nd St, ☎+1 270-478-1022, M-F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-4PM) specializes in Polish pottery, kitchenware, and Kentucky-themed items. The downtown area features antique shops, galleries, and specialty stores.

• Land Between the Lakes (30 min east) — 170,000-acre outdoor recreation area between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.
• Paducah (1 hr west) — National Quilt Museum and vibrant arts scene.
• Louisville (1.5 hrs northeast) — Kentucky Derby, bourbon district, and cultural attractions.
• Evansville, Indiana (40 min north) — Across the Ohio River with additional dining and entertainment.