What makes Houston Acres sights so special is the quiet determination of a small city, which since its foundation in 1975 can hardly be solved by its rural charm. On the first steps through the roads lined by trees, one immediately feels that the pace of life still breathes from the old railway era, although the tracks have long since become parking marks. I have to admit that I don’t understand the hype about the “city of 1,000 houses” – it’s simply a rowhouse, but the neighborhood festivals where every grillmaster spends his secret recipe give the whole an almost iconic flair. If you arrive by car from Louisville, you will follow the I‐64 to exit 2 and then you will be able to drive through the Jefferson County Gefilde from the country roads with little traffic; a short stop at the local gas station is enough to taste the local charm (I swear your coffee is better than what you find in the big cities). For those looking for an authentic piece of Kentucky, Houston Acres offers the ideal scenery – a place where history not continues in dusty museums, but in conversations on the veranda.
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You can assess light, perspective and location before visiting the site – ideal for photography, sunrises and sunsets.
To find the exact point where the sun disappears behind the skyline, use the azimuth display on poi-travel.de. In Houston Acres, the sun travels further northwest below the horizon in summer, while in winter it takes a more southwesterly angle. With the embedded line on the map, you can determine your tripod position down to the metre.
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is what I need most after a long working day in Houston Acres: a huge piece of unspoiled nature that extends across the border of Kentucky and Tennessee, offering more than just a few hiking trails. I watched the sunrise over Lake Cumberland, while a few hunters quietly cleaned their rifles in the background – a picture that remains in my head until today. Highway 68 leads you directly to the visitor centre; Parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you don't arrive at the weekend with the families from the whole Middle West, then this becomes a little patience game.
A short trip to Union brings you to the Big Bone Lick State Park, the only place in the USA where you can dig up real fossils of mammoths and mastodontes – yes, that's not a joke. I found a piece of prehistoric dental bone there with a small group of hobby-palontologists, which is now in my living room (no worries, the museum didn't take it off). The park is small, but the paths are well marked, and the visitor center has a few informative boards that do not overload you with unnecessary jargon. When you arrive by car, there is a short parking space at the entrance, but be warned: On Saturday afternoons the picnic places fill faster than a quick snack on the highway.
Only half an hour further south is the impressive Kentucky Dam, which not only ensures the power supply of the region, but also is a popular spot for anglers and boaters. I caught a huge bark fillet there that I later processed into a “Barsch à la Jefferson” in a small diner on the shore – no joke, that was really delicious. The dam itself is surrounded by a wide promenade that is perfect for a cozy walk at sunset. Parking is free at the main entrance, but if you're on the road with a motorhome, you'll have to adjust to the smaller, paid pitches.
Back in the city itself, but not in the center, is the historic Jefferson County Courthouse, a brick building from the 19th century. Century that has more stories to tell than so many guides. I took part in a guided tour where an elderly man from the municipality explained how the court building served as a secret meeting place for smugglers during the prohibition – a bit like a Western film, only with more dust and fewer horses. The building is well preserved, and parking behind the town hall is usually easy as long as you don't come to the weekly market time, then it will be a bit tight.
A few miles further lies the Kentucky River Museum in West Point, a small but fine museum that illuminates the history of the river and its significance for the region. I touched an old river pillar there, which is supposed to come from the time when steam ships were still the main traffic conductors – that somehow reminded me of the romance of past times, although I must admit that the exhibition does not just come up with high-tech installations. The museum has a small car park right in front of the door, and the best: there is always a nice coffee that you can enjoy with a view of the quiet river.
Whether you are looking for prehistoric bones, an imposing dam, historical court buildings or just for a quiet river landscape – the surroundings of Houston Acres have more to offer than you would suspect at first sight. The mix of nature, history and a bit of local character makes the Houston Acres Attractions to a surprisingly varied destination for anyone who is willing to drive a few kilometers out of town and discover a bit more of Kentucky.
This guide invites you to take a look behind the scenes of Houston Acres – not only because I have collected my favorite beer lids here.
For me, the Houston Acres Community Center. Who comes here immediately realizes that the word “community” is not just an advertising slogan here. The building is a folding but charmingly refurbished brick box from the 70s, where you can find yoga classes that look more like stretch-and-snooze than after real relaxation, as well as a billiard room, lovingly called the pub without alcohol by the locals. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem – then fight for a place between a van full of donuts and an old Ford that has not been moved since 1992.
A short walk (or a quick sprint if you don't want to miss the next football game in the park) To Houston Acres Park. The park is not just a national park, but the small hiking trails along the small stream are perfect to shake off everyday stress. I once saw a squirrel that was brave enough to steal my celebrity bars – a real highlight that I put to every visitor's heart. There is a playground that has more rust than color, but the kids don't seem to disturb that.
Just a few minutes by car, the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. This is where fairs, flea markets and the annual county fair take place all year round, where you get more sugar cane than a sense of healthy diet. I don't quite understand the hype about the giant wheel ride, but the popcorn is really great, and the parking situation is surprisingly good as long as you don't come to the main attraction “Kürbis shooting”.
If you want to sniff a bit of history, go to St. John the Baptist Church in the neighborhood. The building is a real relic from the 19. Century, with stained glass windows that have more colors than a rainbow after a thunderstorm. I once experienced an organ concert that was so dry that I would almost be asleep until the organist suddenly set up a jazz improvisation solo. That was a real shot.
A small trip to Louisville (about 15 minutes) To Louisville Mega Cavern. Yes, that's a bit further away, but the underground attraction is a must for everyone who loves to walk in a huge, air-conditioned basement while flying over rope slides. I have overcome my fear of narrow spaces there by simply shouting “I am a bear!” – at least the other visitors smiled.
Back in Houston Acres there is the Old Mill Café, a small diner that has more charm than an Instagram filter. The pancakes are really great, and the staff knows every customer by name – at least if you don't speak too loud. I ordered a coffee there that was so strong that I felt like I could run a marathon though I wanted to go to the next supermarket.
If you now think that this is too much, then just look at the Houston Acres Attractions on a map – you will find that most of these places are close to each other. This means you can finish your day with a cozy walk through the neighborhood while you can see the sun under the small hill and wonder why you haven't come here earlier.
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