Things to Do in Owensboro, KY
Owensboro sits on the southern banks of the Ohio River, on the section that forms the state line between Indiana and Kentucky. The city houses the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, gorgeous parks, restaurants of all kinds, and plenty of entertainment options. Our Bluegrass Villas team has compiled a list of our favorite restaurants and activities, in case you’re looking for things to do in Owensboro, KY this weekend!
Top 5 Places To Eat In Owensboro, KY
Ole South Barbeque
Get the napkins ready because it’s time to get messy! Ole South Barbeque is the go-to joint for barbeque in Owensboro, with a menu that stays true to the classics. Patrons can choose from brisket, ribs, smoked chicken, and a hearty traditional stew that originated in Kentucky called “burgoo.” On top of this, Ole South Barbeque is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In the morning, they offer a breakfast buffet with omelets, pancakes, and biscuits and gravy. Lucky for residents of Bluegrass Villas, Ole South is a short 2-minute drive from the community, just on the other side of Leitchfield Road.
The Miller House
Situated downtown inside of a historic home built in 1905, The Miller House serves upscale American cuisine with a touch of Southern flair. Entrees include a 12 oz ribeye with bourbon garlic cream sauce, airline chicken with herb jus, and a pork chop served with tomato jam. Every dish is plated to perfection The Miller House’s seasoned culinary team. The celebrated restaurant has also been dubbed as one of the top 5 bourbon bars in country, with an impressive 600+ bourbons housed in their collection. You’ll find rare Kentucky whiskeys and southern hospitality in spades at The Miller House.
Callas Tavern & Restaurant
In a recent review, one patron of Callas Tavern & Restaurant pronounced, “Owensboro has its newest 5-star restaurant!” Located downtown on Frederica Street, the upscale eatery is a tasteful combination of speakeasy and steakhouse, serving some of the city’s juiciest steaks. The menu features options of filet, porterhouse, sirloin, and a 32 oz tomahawk ribeye, alongside buttery Japanese wagyu cuts. They also offer gourmet burgers and signature entrees like Creole red snapper, mango tajin chicken, and a rich baked mac topped with smoked gouda cheese. Callas Tavern & Restaurant is your destination for an elegant steak dinner in Owensboro.
Jamaican Yard Vibes
Between its tropical beauty, iconic music, and distinct cuisine, the culture of Jamaica is cherished all around the globe. Jamaican Yard Vibes brings the bold flavors of the Caribbean country to Owensboro, with a menu that features specials like jerk chicken, brown stew, red snapper, goat curry, and oxtails. These dishes may sound adventurous but consistently wow the palates of Owensboro patrons. Don’t forget to try the traditional sides of candy yams, cabbage, and rice & beans and be sure to look out for the Jamaican Yard Vibes food truck when it pops up at local events.
Niko’s Bakery and Café
Within the city of Owensboro, there’s nothing quite like Niko’s Bakery & Café, a European-style bakery that prepares some of the finest breads and pastries in Western Kentucky. Flaky croissants, artisan sourdough loaves, rich brownies, and sugary cinnamon rolls— these are just a few of Niko’s doughy offerings. The menu is also packed with gourmet sandwiches, wholesome soups, and egg-filled breakfast options. At Niko’s Bakery and Café, visitors are encouraged to bring along both their savory and sweet teeth.
Top 5 Things To Do In Owensboro, KY
Legendary mandolinist and musical innovator Bill Monroe was born and raised in Kentucky where vast pastures are covered in Poa pratensis, better known as Kentucky bluegrass. When Bill formed his band, it only made sense to call themselves “Bill Monroe & the Blue Grass Boys.” As the genre grew in popularity, the name stuck, and the rest is history. Owensboro is now home to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame where people flock to learn all about this uniquely American genre. Bluegrass fans will learn all about the history, culture, and characters that transformed a specific form of localized roots music into an internationally recognized sound.
Owensboro sits just south of the beautiful Ohio River, which provides the city with scenic views of flowing water, towering trees, and a glowing Glover Cary Bridge. The riverfront was given a multimillion-dollar facelift in 2012 and is now an internationally recognized outdoor destination. Smothers Park is the centerpiece of the riverfront strip and features a playground of epic proportions that was voted to be the top playground in the world by Landscape Architect’s Network in 2015. It’s a massive title to earn, especially for a small town in Kentucky! The park also boasts beautiful fountains, picnic areas, porch style swings, and shade arbors that overlook the river.
Green River Distilling Co. is truly hallowed ground for liquor afficionados. The historic Owensboro distillery is the 10th oldest in Kentucky, a state that is internationally known as the birthplace of bourbon whiskey. Located on a 28-acre plot on the northwest edge of downtown, Green River offers tours of the distillery, cocktail making classes, and a beautiful tasting room experience where bourbon fans can taste test every one of Green River’s creations. Patrons will have the exclusive opportunity to witness the entire process from creating the mash bill all the way to bottling. A visit to Green River Distilling Co. really is like stepping into whiskey heaven.
Owensboro Museum of Fine Art is one of the South’s most celebrated repositories of international and regional artwork. The permanent collection highlights great European works including portraits and German stained glass windows, fine art from various parts of Asia, and an impressive body of Appalachian folk art. After spending time with the collection, visitors are encouraged to step outside and stroll through the garden, which is dotted with masterfully crafted bronze sculptures. Owensboro Museum of Fine Art is both culturally enriching and spiritually uplifting.
Kentucky’s humid climate creates the perfect conditions for a lush, green landscape. Western Kentucky Botanic Garden uses the natural environment as a canvas in order to paint Owensboro with beautiful brush strokes of native and international flora. Visitors are led along designated pathways and treated to bursts of color, unique plant species, and lily pad covered koi ponds. The gardens also feature sculptures that blend seamlessly with the land. Strolling through Western Kentucky Botanical Garden is the perfect way to recharge and enjoy the state’s natural beauty.