Owensboro may be the third-largest city in Kentucky, but it doesn't have a big-city feel. Instead, it’s full of charm, history and Southern lifestyle. More than 20 festivals are held in Owensboro annually, and townspeople claim to have the best barbecue around.
Nestled directly in bluegrass country, Owensboro is just minutes from the birthplace of the "father of bluegrass," Bill Monroe, and residents cherish, savor and take pride in the bluegrass pioneers. The town has even dedicated a museum to nothing but bluegrass.
Don't miss
International Bluegrass Music Museum
With bluegrass as the official state music of Kentucky, the International Bluegrass Music Museum honors, displays and preserves all things bluegrass. This museum has become a staple of the town, and tourists can view legendary bluegrass pioneers' memorabilia, clothing and other artifacts. The “father of bluegrass,” Bill Monroe, was born and raised just 30 minutes from Owensboro, and his mementos can be seen at the museum. The museum hosts Sunday afternoon jam sessions, featuring local up-and-coming bluegrass musicians. And June 23-26, the ROMP, or River of Music Party, will be held, and a multitude of bluegrass musicians, including Doc Watson, Dailey & Vincent and the Isaacs, Lance LeRoy and Gene Christian, will perform. Single-day passes for ROMP are $20. Museum entrance fees are $5 per person. 117 Daviess St. 270-926-7891, www.bluegrassmuseum.org.
Owensboro Museum of Fine Art
The Owensboro Museum of Fine Art features traveling exhibits from the nation’s major museums and galleries. There are also permanent collections, including a collection of hand-painted stained-glass windows that once were part of an early 20th-century German church. Visitors can walk to a nearby pre-Civil War home. The museum also features various statues and art displays around town, including the downtown Owensboro area. Free, but donations are appreciated. 901 Frederica St. 270-685-3181, www.omfa.us.
Western Kentucky Botanical Garden
Owensboro's lush Western Kentucky Botanical Garden gives visitors the opportunity to explore, breathe in some fresh air and meander the nine acres of gardens. Day lilies, irises, roses, peonies and lavender are among the flowers and plants at the garden, as well as a butterfly garden and herb garden. Fun and hands-on educational workshops are often available for children. Adults are $3, seniors $2 and students $1. 25 Carter Road. 270-852-8925, www.wkbg.org.
RiverPark Center
Hosting a wide array of performing arts shows, musical performances and Broadway shows, the RiverPark Center, located in downtown Owensboro, draws people from throughout Kentucky and Indiana to attend events. The RiverPark Center holds "Friday After 5″ in the summer months, and local residents and tourists stop by for some dancing and entertainment on the river while listening to a local or regional band. “The Friday After 5” series is free (www.fridayafter5.com). Prices for the RiverPark Center vary depending on the show. 101 Daviess St. 270-687-2770, www.riverparkcenter.org.
Haunts of Owensboro
Annually, more than 2,000 visitors and natives take the two-hour ghost tour led by local history- and folklore-buff David Wolfe. Tourists are taken to the local Theatre Workshop, where people have claimed to see ghosts in the 135-year-old church-turned-performing arts center. Guests also go by the location of America's last public hanging, which occurred in 1936. Whether or not you're a believer in the paranormal, this tour is loaded with Owensboro fun facts from yesteryear. $15 for adults and $7 for children under 12. Tours by reservation only. 109 E. Second St. 270-313-5596, www.hauntsofowensboro.com.
If you go
Getting there
It takes about six hours and 20 minutes to drive from Atlanta to Owensboro. From Atlanta, take I-75 North for about 109 miles. Next, take I-24 West for 142 miles, and then take I-65 North for about 54 miles. Finally, take Ky. 9007 North for 70 miles.
Where to eat
Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn. With a local following, this casual dining locale serves up everything from meat and vegetable platters to catfish to shrimp. Family-owned Moonlite is especially known for the burgoo soup, a mutton and vegetable stew, as well as the buffet, which chefs prepare hours before the 11 a.m. serving time, according to restaurateur and "family member" Patrick Bosley. $8.20-$13.30. 2840 W. Parrish Ave. 270-684-8143, www.moonlite.com.
The Miller House. Featuring traditional food with a Southern flair, this restaurant offers fried green tomatoes, fried grit sticks, meatloaf and crab cakes. The Miller House was built in 1905. $8.99-$24. 301 E. Fifth St. 270-685-5878, www.themillerhouserestaurant.com.
Where to stay
Ruby Lodge at Spring Lake Woods. This B&B is a 40-minute drive from Owensboro, and visitors can relax, swim or fish in the estate's 10-acre lake. Guests stay in one of the two large homes. $75-$125. 367 Spring Lake St., Madisonville. 270-821-5812, www.madisonvillebandb.com.
The River House Bed and Breakfast. Located on the banks of the Ohio River, visitors can relax, explore the walking trails and simply watch boats pass by on the water. This B&B is located about 15 minutes from Owensboro. $80-$150. 1510 Riverview Drive, Lewisport. 1-877-315-5368, www.riverhousebnb.com.
Visitor information
Owensboro-Daviess County Chamber of Commerce. 270-926-1860, www.owensboro.com.
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