Off the Beaten Path…. Things to Do in Owensboro Kentucky from a Local Perspective

I’m often asked “What is there fun to do in Owensboro?”  

The basic answer would involve restaurants, movie theaters, arts, performances, etc… And that’s all fine and good.  But what you’ll never see the heart of Owensboro until you experience it’s unique sights and sounds.

A few of my favorites places off the beaten path include…..

Pioneer Village at Yellow Creek Park:

Nestled along the wooded banks of Yellow Creek at Thurston, Kentucky. Yellow Creek Park provides a picturesque multi-faceted 152 1/2 acres of recreational and leisure challenges. The acreage features hiking trails, multi-purpose sports areas,  a one room refurbished African American school house, as well as a look-out tower, a swinging bridge, outdoor pavilions with playground equipment, restrooms and an area of historic artifacts as depicted in our picnic tables and rustic seating. These tables are made of huge Limestone blocks that were quarried long before the Civil War. The park also boasts two reconstructed covered bridges over Yellow Creek and a restored iron bridge circa 1800’s that once spanned Panther Creek. This bridge serves as an elegant entrance to a 51 1/2 acre nature explorer’s dream. 

The Medley Distillery: 

After a quiet spell, the West side distillery is back!  Come visit this unique place, and discover the spirited (pun intended) history of Kentucky Whiskey and Bourbon.  BTW, the East side of Owensboro is home to the Glenmore Distillery. 

Historic Germantown Park: 

Part of the Old Owensboro Neighborhoods,  the new German-town Park consists of 2 acres located at 9th and JR Miller Blvd.  The Gazebo is the ideal resting place after a leisurely stroll. When visiting downtown’s antique shops, arts village and restaurants, be sure to stop by.

International Bluegrass Music Museum:

Bluegrass is the official State Music of Kentucky, and Bill Monroe’s “Blue Moon of Kentucky” shares with Stephen Foster’s “My Old Kentucky Home” the honorable distinction of being the official Kentucky State Songs. The International Bluegrass Music Museum is located in the RiverPark Complex at the foot of “the blue bridge” in downtown Owensboro, Kentucky. As you draw near, you’ll hear the sounds of bluegrass music emanating from the museum’s radio station, RBI, with audio speakers taking the music to the streets. Only a few hundred feet from the museum’s entrance, the sound of music drifts downstream via the mighty Ohio River, the subject of more than a few memorable bluegrass songs. 

Western Kentucky Botanical Garden: 

The mission of the WKBG is to discover, observe and enjoy the wonders of our environment and to provide priceless education in order to foster an awareness of our interaction with nature. Visit their website for upcoming events, http://www.wkbg.org/pages/   Angela’s Note: if you love gardens, you simply must come see the beauty of these gardens. Daylilies are magnificent.

Temple Adath Israel:

One of the oldest synagogue buildings still standing in the United States. Founded in 1854, our Temple is on the National Historic Register. The temple is located on the corner of 5th & Daviess Streets

The World’s Largest Sassafras Tree, located in Owensboro Kentucky:

With a circumference of 21 feet, the world’s largest sassafras tree is thought to be between 250 and 300 years old. The tree measures over 100 feet tall. A few other sassafras trees are 60 feet or taller, but the average sassafras is 30 to 50 feet tall.  The champion sassafras was threatened by the widening of a highway in 1957. But when the bulldozers came, owner Grace Rash was waiting with her shotgun. She held them off at gunpoint until a call to the governor resulted in the building of a retaining wall to protect the tree!  

Come visit the “Spunk & Spirit” that make Owensboro an American original!

 People often ask me after I graduated from college, “Why did you come back home to Owensboro?”  For me, Owensboro is HOME. Our city on the yellow banks of the Ohio River Valley is a true American original.  A mixture of top-rated schools, affordable housing, increasing employment opportunities, plus a state of the art arts, healthcare, lush parks & recreation makes Owensboro truly unique.  These reasons and more provide the proof relocation families need…. Owensboro is a great place to live.  Once you visit, I think you’ll come to love my hometown, too.

All the Bests,  Angela

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As the area’s Relocation Expert, and a lifelong resident, Angela Clark has helped numerous families move to Owensboro Kentucky, and establish “roots” in our community. Angela and her professional team at Tony Clark Realtors can help you, too.  Let’s Connect