Whether you were born and raised in Northern Kentucky or you just moved here, it’s easy to fall into the monotony of everyday life and forget how cool and unique the region is.
If you just want to explore the area or you’re looking for a bit of a staycation, we’ve got some ideas for you to become a tourist in your own town.
Sip your way through the B-Line
What’s more Kentucky than bourbon?
You can enjoy some local libations with The B-Line, aka The Bourbon Line. This self-guided NKY bourbon tour includes seven distilleries, 10 bourbon bars (all of which have over 100 bourbons on offer) and 10 bourbon-centric restaurants. There are stops from Covington and Newport all the way down to Augusta and Maysville.
How do you actually do the B-Line?
Well, you can just visit any of the 27 stops on the tour, but you can also participate by picking up a “B-Line pass” at any of the participating locations or downloading an online version. Once you check in at two distilleries, two bars and two restaurants, you’ll get a free gift.
Find a list of all participants and find events at thebline.com.
Visit the Vent Haven Museum
Did you know the world’s only museum dedicated to the art of ventriloquism is right here in NKY? This should definitely be one stop on your local NKY tour.
The museum houses over 1,200 dummies ventriloquists used from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. The founder, W.S. Berger, spent more than 40 years gathering a collection of everything related to ventriloquism.
This collection ranges from dummies to puppets to photos, playbills, posters, recordings and more. The collection was opened to the public in 1973 and has since more than doubled in size.
The museum is open by appointment only. All tours are guided and last 60 to 90 minutes.
The Vent Haven Museum is located at 33 West Maple Avenue in Fort Mitchell. Schedule tours and buy tickets at venthaven.org.
Go back in history at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
Fun fact: NKY has a site that, according to the National Park Service, is “the key to understanding the life of the Ice Age on the North American continent.”
Big Bone Lick State Park in Union is on the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail and is known for its salt springs and prehistoric animal fossils. Visitors can view life-size replicas of prehistoric animals, visit a bison herd, explore 4.5 miles of trails, camp, hike, swim, bird-watch, orienteer, picnic and more.
The park is open year-round and admission is free. It also features 62 campgrounds with a camp store, showers, grills, laundry and restrooms.
Big Bone Lick State Park is located at 3380 Beaver Road, Union. Learn more at parks.ky.gov.
Take a trip back in time to Rabbit Hash
The town of Rabbit Hash in Boone County is home to one of the best-preserved country stores in the United States, the Rabbit Hash General Store, which is included on the National Register of Historic Places.
The town’s name is said to have originated during the flood of 1847, when the rabbit population was driven to higher ground and became a staple in a special stew called “hash.” The town is also well known for its rotating dog mayor; you can even meet the candidates during the annual “Old Timers Day,” a popular music and arts festival held at the General Store.
The Rabbit Hash General Story is located at 10021 Lower River Road, Rabbit Hash. Learn more at rabbithash.com.
Check out the Carpenter Enamel Center
Head over to the Carpenter Enamel Center in Bellevue for a look into a historic and endangered art form. The museum is home to one of the largest collections of enameled jewelry and artwork in the U.S.
Right next door, you’ll find Thompson Enamel, the country’s second-oldest art glass manufacturer, in operation since 1890. It is the only jewelry enamel manufacturer in the Americas.
A local nonprofit organization focused on preserving the art of enamel through classes and workshops runs the center.
The Carpenter Enamel Center is located at 645 Colfax Ave., Bellevue. The museum is open from 7-9 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month and by appointment. Find more information at carpenterenamelcenter.org.
Explore the history of NKY at the Behringer-Crawford Museum
Located in Covington’s Devou Park inside the Devou family’s 19th-century home, the Behringer-Crawford Museum offers a unique look at the region’s history. Exhibits focus on cultural history, archaeology, industry and performing and visual arts.
The museum offers rotating exhibits as well as educational and cultural events and programs that range from the seasonal Holly Jolly Days to family fun days to music programming and more.
The Behringer-Crawford Museum is located at 1600 Montague Road – Devou Park, Covington. Find more information at bcmuseum.org.
Enjoy a staycation stay at Hotel Covington
Want to enjoy a nice hotel stay but don’t want to travel? Book a room at Hotel Covington. Located in the historic site of the former Covington City Hall, the space has been fully modernized.
Grab a drink or a bite to eat at Coppin’s Restaurant and bar on the main floor or head next door to the Knowledge Bar & Social Room, which is below North by Hotel Covington and within the site of the former Covington YMCA.
Hotel Covington is located at 638 Madison Ave. Covington. Find more information and book a stay at hotelcovington.com.