One of the best things about a weekend road trip is getting to check out a place you’ve never been before! And if you’re looking for a fun city with good food, vibes and music, you’ve gotta put Owensboro, Kentucky on your list.
If you’re only here for two days, then there are two things Owensboro is famous for that you absolutely need to experience: Our world-famous barbecue and our world-class bourbon!
You can kick the first day off with one of the best brunch buffets in the state at Ole South Barbecue. Not only will you get to try tons of delicious breakfast items, but you can also taste the restaurant’s famous barbecue. And don’t forget to make yourself a bowl of burgoo while you’re there!
Next up, head to downtown Owensboro for a tour of Green River Distilling Company. Kentucky is famous for its bourbon production, and you can take one of the top-ranked tours in the entire state at Green River! Tours are roughly an hour long, and this gorgeous distillery, coupled with its fascinating history, is one of the coolest things you’ll ever do in the Bluegrass State. You’ll even get to taste three different bourbons at the end!
While you’re downtown, head over to our world-famous Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum and learn why Owensboro is the Bluegrass Music Capital of the World! You can rent a pair of headphones and take a self-guided tour of the museum, explore our incredible Jerry Garcia Bluegrass exhibit, and check out one of the cutest gift shops you’ve ever seen.
As for dinner, head on over to ANOTHER world-famous destination that Owensboro’s known for–Moonlite Bar-B-Q. We’ve had presidents and celebrities eat here before, and you’ll soon figure out why! There’s a huge buffet stocked with chopped pork, mutton, fried chicken, ribs, ham and all the southern-style sides. Enjoy a delicious dessert and salad buffet as well! If you really wanna make it an authentic Kentucky experience, order a sweet tea with your meal.
For Day 2, start with lunch at Old Hickory Bar-B-Que for another amazing meal focused on Owensboro’s famous staple. This cozy, sit-down, award-winning restaurant is casual, but your experience will be top-notch as you’re served hickory-smoked barbecue that includes everything from chicken to chopped mutton to burgoo and pork. You’ll be amazed at how delicious everything on the menu is so, if you’re with friends, we suggest everyone order a different entree so you can try a little bit of everything!
You’re gonna be full when you leave, no doubt about it. But if you head to our amazing Smothers Park, you can walk it off at one of the top-ranked riverfronts in the country! Take a seat on a swing as Bluegrass music fills your ears from speakers placed around the area and take in the beautiful waterfront views of the Ohio River. This is something you just gotta see when visiting our city.
As for nightlife, Owensboro has a ton of bars and restaurants in the downtown area, and you can click here to learn more. But if you’re here for the bourbon, you gotta check out The Miller House. They have one of the largest selections of bourbon in the WORLD. You can also eat here for a wonderful, southern-based dinner!