Enjoy a Last-Minute Cultural Escape to One of These Kentucky River Cities

Escape to the Bluegrass State for culture and relaxation. Explore the cultural heritage and attractions of river cities spread throughout Kentucky, and enjoy a fun-filled getaway no matter the time of the year.

Sister cities Covington and Newport in northern Kentucky offer a vibrant hub for creative cuisine, fascinating history, world-class museums and attractions! Walk or drive across the amazing John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge and marvel at this engineering masterpiece built in 1867. Explore the 19^th century German neighborhood of MainStrasse Village with its unique shops and galleries, historical markers and a variety of restaurants and pubs. See creatures of the ocean at the Newport Aquarium, open year-round with a daily penguin parade, dive shows, and opportunities to get up-close and personal with aquatic animals. Take a riverboat cruise with BB Riverboats, then go on a Newport Gangster Tour or stroll around the entertainment district Newport at the Levee. Stay in style at Hotel Covington or other area hotels.

Kentucky’s capital city of Frankfort perches on the banks of the Kentucky River and is centrally located between Louisville and Lexington. The elegant State Capitol building, complete with a rotunda, overlooks the “S-shaped” river. Historic downtown is home to local shops, the Old State Capitol and the Kentucky Historical Society, plus delicious dining. Explore Frankfort’s Public Art Tour, with breathtaking murals, sculptures and more. Buffalo Trace Distillery, a National Historic Landmark, offers complimentary tours and tastings of Kentucky bourbon. Pick up a signature taste of Kentucky – bourbon balls – at the place where they started, Rebecca Ruth Candy! Enjoy a lovely meal at Bourbon on Main and sample beer cheese, fried chicken, bread pudding and other Southern specialties. Stay downtown at the Capital Plaza hotel or another of Frankfort’s cozy accommodations.

Located in a bend of the Ohio River, Owensboro is a city with several unique attractions. The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum is the only international museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history, collections and artifacts of bluegrass music. Just down the street are the RiverPark Center, the Owensboro Museum of Science and History and the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art. Stay at one of the city’s comfy hotels.

Stroll back in time in the western Kentucky river city of Paducah and learn about the city’s unique history from the beautiful floodwall murals by artist Robert Dafford. Each of the Wall-to-Wall murals showcases a piece of Paducah’s history. Explore the designated UNESCO Creative City’s cultural heritage and creativity with museums and shops within walking distance. The National Quilt Museum is the gateway to discovery of quilts, quilt-making and quilt artists. Visit Hotel Metropolitan, Paducah’s first African American owned hotel and learn about the travelers and visitors from the “Chitlin’ Circuit.” Grab a bite to eat at Chef Sara Bradley’s freight house, the city’s first farm-to-table restaurant. Stay overnight at the boutique 1857 Hotel or another of Paducah’s lovely hotels.

Before visiting Kentucky attractions and businesses, please check businesses’ websites and social channels for the latest COVID-19 information.
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