Owensboro
Kentucky’s capital of bar-b-q and bluegrass, with a revitalized downtown riverfront that’s the envy of cities twice its size.
6
Smothers Park/Downtown Owensboro
Located in the heart of downtown Owensboro along the most perfect bend in the Ohio River, Smothers Park includes three stunning fountains, a cascading waterfall and the Charles E. Shelton Memorial, built to honor our area's Vietnam veterans and all POWs and MIAs. The park is also proud home to the renowned Lazy Dayz, named the "top playground in the world" by Landscape Architects Network.
7
Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum
The place where this unique and vastly influential American music is given its due, this brand-new facility hosts world-class bluegrass, newgrass and Americana (come visit and learn the distinctions between the three) artists every weekend in its 450-seat, state-of-the art theater. While you’re there catching a show, check out the hall of fame and the colorful exhibits dedicated to the home of bluegrass music.
Make it XXL
Owensboro boasts the world’s largest Bluegrass band (Guinness World Record) and the world’s largest Sassafras tree.
8
Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn
Is this the world’s most famous BBQ restaurant? Judging from the number of former and would-be US Presidents who have stopped at Moonlite Bar-B-Q to make their pitch and sample our renowned pork, mutton and burgoo, a very tasty argument could be made. But Hugh and Catherine have always been more interested in simply thriving as a family business — one that has now expanded to include four children and numerous grandchildren on staff with over 120 more, keeping things going and growing at their own pace.
That business now encompasses a 350-seat restaurant, a U.S.D.A. inspected processing plant, an extensive catering department (capable of serving 15 to 15,000 with unparalleled quality and professionalism), a wholesale division serving the region with Barbecue and related products through distributors in a four state area, as well as a busy carryout department. They’ve come a long way from their origin in 1963 as a 30-seat roadside stop — while staying true to Owensboro every delicious, slowly smoked step of the journey.
9
Green River Distilling Company
Daviess County is home to our distillery and a rich bourbon tradition. In fact, a distillery operated in the county as early as 1805. Owensboro has long been a hub for bourbon production because of its location along a rail line and waterway, its tremendous limestone water source, its extensive nearby oak forests, and because local farmers have always produced a great deal of corn -- and without corn, there's no bourbon. The location of the Green River Distillery has been producing bourbon Whiskey since 1885.
The Father of Bluegrass
Bill Monroe was born in Morgine, off I-165 between Owensboro and Bowling Green. He is the only person to be inducted into the Bluegrass, Country Music, and Rock and Roll halls of fame.
10
Preservation Station
Imagine an historic elementary school transformed into a shopper’s paradise, with each classroom hosting a uniquely welcoming vibe. More than 60 shops offer everything from antiques to home decor to spa products. This adventure includes a one-of-a-kind, locally-owned restaurant inside the former cafeteria and allows you to walk from class to class -- that is, boutique to boutique -- with an adult beverage of your choice while shopping for that perfect item. We promise it's the most fun you've ever had in elementary school.