Honestly, if you think that “Petersburg sights” are just a dusty name on a map, then you haven’t experienced the small town in the township of Boone County, Kentucky. Founded in 1793, the city has exaggerated its name from the Russian prince, who at the time in the USA wanted to excite a little bit – but this explains the easy nostalgic charm that you feel right here when you stroll along the old main road. I don't understand the hype about the historical half-timbered houses, but the sticky wood and the bright red doors give the whole a real “I-bin-hier-zu-Haus” vibe, which is otherwise only found in films.
A short trip by bus from Cincinnati (line 102 takes you directly to the centre, no stress with the parking lot) leads you to the small cafés where coffee is stronger than the interest of locals in big city trends. And yes, the local town hall is a real piece of jewelry – not because it is particularly magnificent, but because it is the only building that is still the original city plans from the 19th century. House of the century.
If you are looking for a little culture, take a look at the annual “Petersburg Heritage Festival”; that is what I would call the true heart of the “Petersburg Sights”. No joke, this is where history meets a little sloppy humor, and that makes the visit an experience you don't forget so quickly.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey is the Big Bone Lick State Historic Siteabout 30 miles north of Petersburg. Who comes here is lucky to stumble over a piece of ancient history – huge mammoth and bison bones, which in the 19th century Centuries of curious settlers were budded out. I have to admit, I was skeptical at first, if this is really “respectful” but the museum that explains the finds has completely knocked me around. Parking is usually a Klacks as long as you are not there on Saturday night with the whole school class – then the field becomes quickly a battlefield of buses and children's noise.
A short trip to Union leads you to Boone County Arboretum. This is not an ordinary city park, but a 121-hectar large open air botany museum, which extends over several hiking trails. I once made a picnic there, while an older gentleman told me that most of the trees came from the 1970s and that the site was a coal mine earlier. This is the kind of anecdote that reminds you that even the most peaceful green areas sometimes have a dark past.
If you have the feeling of having enough of trees, drive to Lexington Kentucky Horse Park. This is not only a museum, but a huge, living monument to the horses that form the heart of the Bluegrass pilgrimage. I spent a few hours there to see the dressage shows, and I must confess that I cannot fully understand the whole hype about the “Pferde Culture” – until I saw a four-year-old foal jumping over the obstacles for the first time. Then I was suddenly a convincing fan, at least for the moment.
A bit further south, about 45 miles from Petersburg, this is Red River Gorge in the Daniel Boone National Forum. This is the paradise for climbers, hikers and everyone who likes a bit of dust in their shoes. I remember a day when I explored the Natural Bridge Trail with some friends; we came past a canyon that was so deep that the echo of our voices almost sounded like a second me. Practically seen: The parking spaces fill up quickly, so better be there early, otherwise you are standing in the traffic jam of campers.
A short trip to Mercer County brings you to Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. This is the largest preserved Shaker village in the USA and an amazingly well-preserved piece of history. I made a tour where we were standing in an old carpentry and saw how the Shaker built their famous pieces of furniture by hand. The place has an almost meditative tranquility that makes you forget that you are in a country full of fast food chains and highways.
For those who prefer to be on the water is a trip to Kentucky River A must. I rented a kayak and I walked a bit upstream, past old mills and small villages that are barely found on the map. The water is a bit sluggish in spring, but this makes the trip even more relaxed – and parking at the Launch Point is almost always free as long as you don't come out of town with the families on weekends.
If you are looking for a mix of nature, history and a bit of local character, then these destinations around Petersburg, Boone, Kentucky are just right. They show that the region has more to offer than just land roads and field flowers. And yes, the word Saint Petersburg may appear in guidebooks only as a keyword, but here you get the real, unfailed experience that you otherwise only know from Instagram posts.
So if you're the first time after Saint Petersburg rolls, let's start with the heart – the old town hall, which is actually Courthouse hidden. I drank my first cup of coffee there, while an older gentleman in the suit was silent about the city history. The building is a red brick building from the 1910s that still radiates the charm of a small government center from the Great Depression. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because the weekly market meeting will start next door.
Directly opposite St. Petersburg Community Centera place where you're wondering why you haven't been here before. I tried a Yoga-Hour-Probier-Mal-Ehrlich-mal- there and was surprised that the mushy gym has more atmosphere than some hip-ster cafés in the city. If you're lucky, there's a local jazz jam, and that's really what it is great – the acoustics are surprisingly good for a building that is actually intended for basketball.
A short walk leads you to St. Petersburg Public Library. I have to admit I was skeptical because I thought it was just a dusty book store. Instead, I found a small café that even the hardest bookworms with an espresso, and a mural that tells the story of the city in colorful colors. The staff knows every visitor by name – this is almost a relic from another era in today's time.
If you're looking for something historical, look at this Paris Railroad Museum located in a converted depot from the 1880s. I met an old locomotive driver there who told me that the tracks were once the main lines for the transport of tobacco and coal. The museum is small, but the originals are real, and this is the most important thing for me – not a buckling snack, just pure railway history. And yes, parking here is a Klack, because the terrain is almost exclusively reserved for visitors.
A bit off the hustle and bustle St. Petersburg. I made a picnic there while some teenagers played loudly Frisbee – this is the picture of a typical small town you wouldn't find in the guide. The lake is not huge, but the water is clear enough to wash your shoes if you took a bit of mud while walking around town. And the best thing: there is always a small playground where you can live out your inner childhood without anyone condemning you for it.
Of course you can St Petersburg Farmers Market not leaving, which pulsates every Saturday from 8 am to 12 pm at the Town Hall Square. I tried some fresh peaches there that were so sweet that I almost forgot that I was looking for a souvenir. The dealers are friendly but not intrusive – a rare consolation in a world where everyone tries to sell you something. And if you ask yourself if the whole thing is overrated: I don't understand the hype about big cities, but here's the real life, and that's a highlight for me.
Finally, a little hint that is not in every guide: If you follow Saint Petersburg search, you will quickly realize that the city has more to offer than you suspect at first glance. People here are proud, a bit selfish and always ready to tell you a story – sometimes even more than you expected. And that, my friend, is the true recipe for an unforgettable visit.
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