–Owensboro is the fourth-largest city in the state of Kentucky, and it is the second-largest city in the Tri-State region of Illinois, Indiana and western Kentucky. Owensboro has a great position, geographically, as it is located only two hours away from Nashville, two hours from Louisville, three hours from St. Louis, and 3.5 hours from Cincinnati.
—Owensboro has an incredible riverfront that provides a majestic backdrop to our revitalized downtown! You can catch spectacular views of the Ohio River in downtown Owensboro. Some of our amazing entertainment venues and hotels provide waterfront views. These include the Owensboro Convention Center, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the RiverPark Center, the Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Owensboro/Waterfront and the Holiday Inn Owensboro Riverfront.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition wintered at what is today known as Owensboro–but then, it was known as Yellow Banks. Lewis and Clark stayed in Owensboro prior to departing on their famous expedition. The city changed its name in 1817.
The cultural and entertainment hub of western Kentucky, Owensboro is home to one of the best symphonies in the country (Owensboro Symphony) and has been declared the Bluegrass Capital of the World. Owensboro is also home to one of the most historic distilleries in the state (Green River Distilling Co.) and has one of the top-ranked playgrounds in the entire world at Smothers Park.
With more than 25 parks and world-class athletic facilities at the Owensboro Sportscenter, Edge Ice Center and Jack C. Fisher Park–and a brand new indoor sports facility on its way–Owensboro is quickly becoming one of the best places in the Midwest for sports tourism.
Owensboro is home to some of the world’s best-known celebrities, including Johnny Depp, Kevin Olusola from Pentatonix, Country music singer and Real World Cast Member Jon Brennan and Florence Henderson. Many professional racers–Nicky “Kentucky Kid” Hayden; Darrell Waltrip; Michael Waltrip; Jeremy Mayfield; James “Jim” Ware McCormick; William “Bill” L. Sterett, Sr.; Mark Green; Jeff Green; and David Green–all hail from Owensboro.
One of the longest-running Jewish synagogues in the country (and the longest-running in the state) resides in Owensboro. Temple Adath Israel was built in 1877.
Festivals are a huge part of Owensboro’s culture. Click here to learn more about upcoming festivals in 2024!