Owensboro, Kentucky: Home to One of 10 Great Southern Downtowns!

Owensboro has one of the most beautiful (and fun) downtowns I’ve ever seen – and I’m not just saying that because Owensboro’s home. I’m saying it because it’s T-R-U-E.

Southern Business & Development apparently agrees because Owensboro was included in a great feature they ran titled, “Ten Great Southern Downtowns That Are Worth a Visit.”

{Continued beneath the picture of Bee Bop’s!}

So what makes Owensboro’s downtown extra special? Below are just a few of the reasons our downtown is a must see….

1. The same designers who created the infamous fountains at the Bellagio in Las Vegas created signature fountains in downtown Owensboro, in Smothers Park on the Riverfront.
2. A 92,000 convention center that has to be seen to be believed and two gorgeous riverfront hotels are fairly recent additions to our memorable downtown.
3. The RiverPark Center is known far and wide for its own beauty as well as its excellent entertainment including Broadway shows and musicals.
4. Downtown Owensboro is home to the International Bluegrass Museum… a must see for music fans.
5. Nona’s Downtown Market has become a favorite spot for locals as well as out of town guests. The beautiful building features Kentucky products, including a lot of gluten free foods.
6. Bee Bop’s is a wonderful 50’s style diner with food so delicious you never want to leave. You’ll want to just make yourself at home with Elvis, Marilyn, Audrey, and the rest. Outstanding food, friendly servers, AND probably the best milkshakes you have ever tasted. It’s a great place to enjoy lunch here in Owensboro.
7. The Creme Coffee House – simply put, the best coffee, hot beverages, and cold beverages in town. Each time I enjoy the heck out of a coffee from The Creme, I feel a little sorry for people who settle for the other guys. There is not comparison – The Creme is in a league of their own. I also love the atmosphere and vibe of the coffee house.
8. Smothers Park is one amazing riverfront park that happens to be completely breathtaking. Whether you grab a drink from The Creme or a milkshake to go from Bee Bops, Smothers Park is ideal for strolling around or sitting and enjoying the view.
9. Lazy Dayz Playground in Smothers Park (Pictured Above) is unlike any children’s playground you’ve ever seen. Your children (and you) will be talking about it for two forevers. Lazy Dayz Children’s Playground is completely handicap-accessible.
10. The Another Broken Egg Cafe in the beautiful new Holiday Inn on the riverfront leaves me speechless – and, trust me, that doesn’t happen often…. okay, let’s be honest, it never happens. The food is extraordinary and the entire dining experience is beautiful, front to back. I’ll have a review up in a few days, but for now, just suffice to say YOU NEED TO GO. Seriously. YOU. NEED. TO. GO.
11. Feta Pizza is also downtown and is, as I recall, some of the best pizza ever made. Since I can no longer eat gluten or wheat, my days at Feta are sadly over, but trust me… this is truly fantastic pizza.
12. The Miller House is one of the most exceptional restaurants in all of Kentucky. Excellence, every single visit.
13. There’s a Cold Stone Creamery downtown and I don’t have to tell you how wonderful their ice cream is. A stroll along through Smothers Park with a Cold Stone Creamery ice cream cone? Yes please!
14. Next to Cold Stone Creamery is another beautiful sight for those of us with more than one sweet tooth: The Cup Cakery. As a matter of fact, they ARE as delicious as you’d imagine.

There are more things to love about Owensboro’s downtown, but these 14 are a really good start.

Mt. Sterling, Kentucky also made the list. Congratulations to them as well as Owensboro and the other 8 downtowns. I’ve moved Mt. Sterling’s downotwn to the top of my list of places I want to see this summer. When we go, you’ll see the pictures here on Genuine Kentucky.