Honestly, if you think Kentucky has only Bourbon and horses, then you haven't experienced Rabbit Hash yet. This tiny village, which has been slumbering on the banks of the Ohio River since the 1790s, was originally an important starting point for river pionists – a bit like a wild-west stop, only with more mud and less dust. Today it is in the Boone County Township and looks like the time has decided to take a break here. I came by car over the I-71, a short trip from Louisville, and the first thing I noticed was the crumbling wood of the old bridge that connects the village to the rest of the world – a perfect place to turn off the phone and hear the noise of the river.
I don't quite understand the hype about the famous dog-mayors, but the small, citizen-run restaurant next to the historic post office is really great – here the food tastes almost as good as the stories that the locals tell about the 1800-year-old General Store. And yes, if you ask yourself how to get here, just take the road 20 that leads you right into the heart of the village without having to fight you through a highway jungle. The Rabbit Hash sights are not only a photo spot, they are a piece of lively history that you can experience better with a cool beer in your hand than with an Instagram filter.
With the map tool, you can plan the ideal location for a photo online in advance – taking into account the sun's path and the surroundings.
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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 Rabbit Hash, 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.
The first stop I will not miss after the unmistakable smell of grilled charcoal and horse apples in Rabbit Hash is that Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. You have to admit, the whole thing with the zoo in the neighborhood is a bit cheesy, but the wildlife there is really impressive – especially the giraffes that are almost as high as the old wooden bridge over the Licking River. I once visited a Friday Night event, and parking was a real patience game: a few minutes at the corner, then a short sprint to the entrance, because the car was otherwise overrun by a horde family with a stroller.
A short jump over the bridge to Ohio leads you into Newport Aquarium. I don't quite understand the hype about aquariums, but the huge shark pool has tied me anyway – not because I love sharks, but because I rarely feel as small as a fish in the glass. The staff is friendly, and the food in the small bistro is surprisingly good when you soften the usual tourist buffets.
Back in Kentucky, a short way to the south brings you to Creation Museum in Petersburg. I was skeptical because I’m not just a fan of “worldly background theories”, but the building itself is an architectural curiosity that almost looks like a modern temple. The exhibition about dinosaurs is solid, and the cinema shows films that can only be found in small churches. Parking is almost always a children's game as long as you don't arrive at the weekend, then the field before the entrance becomes a mini store.
A bit further east, deep in the heart of Daniel Boone National Forest, this is Red River Gorge. There are no signs here that tell you where to go – this is the beauty. I spent a weekend in a simple hut, and the trails lead you through gorges that look like they were stolen from a fantasy novel. The river is crystal clear, and climbing on the sandstone rocks is an experience that cannot be imitated with an Instagram filter. The only drawback: the cell phone signal is so weak that you almost feel like a real pioneer.
If you want a little more civilization, it is Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington a must. I spent a few hours there to see the dressage shows and must admit that the horses are more elegant than any fashion show I've ever visited. The park is huge, so plan enough time to explore the different areas – from the museum to the riding stables. Parking is well signposted, but on Saturdays a small chaos can come when suddenly a horse parade event starts.
Another secret tip I like to mention is that National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati. The exhibition is profound and lets you reflect on the history of escape from slavery while reflecting the modern meaning of freedom. I made a tour with a former historian who told the stories with such a passion that I almost felt to be part of the underground railroad. The museum is centrally located, so parking is usually easy, except when a big event takes place in the city.
Last but not least, if you want a bit of local flair, it is worth a detour Big Bone Lick State Park in neighboring Indiana. The place is famous for its fossil finds – here are already discovered mammoth bones. I made a picnic there while I tried to find a piece of “Urzeit-Stein” that looked like it could come from a dinosaur film. The park is relatively small, so parking is almost always a klack, and the trails lead you to a small museum that makes the history of the place alive.
Whether you are an animal lover, a history fan or an outdoor adventurer – the surroundings of Rabbit Hash offer a colourful mix of Rabbit Hash sightsthat can surprise and inspire any traveler. Pack your curiosity, let the car stand where it goes, and enjoy the small peculiarities that make this region so unique.
I have to admit right at the beginning that what I love most about Rabbit hash, Rabbit Hash General Store is – a hard piece of history that acts simultaneously as a post office, museum and, indeed, as a bar. I once drank a half-litre of home-grown honey beer there, while I saw the old photos of horse carriages hanging on the wall; that was a moment that showed me that the time is slower, but is not still. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole village flows to the festival.
Just a few steps further, almost unnoticed between the oaks, the Rabbit Hash Covered Bridge. The original work bridge from 1905 burned down completely in 2016 – a shock for those who loved the crunching wood – and was replaced next year by a meticulously rebuilt copy. I stood there in the spring when the sun was just above the Ohio and thought: “I don’t understand the hype about old bridges, but this is a piece of living nostalgia that you don’t see every day.” The sound of wooden planks under your feet is almost therapeutic when you leave the noise of the city behind.
Another highlight that you should not miss is the curious office of the Dog Mayor. Yes, you have read correctly – the head of Rabbit Hash is a dog. The current mayor, Molly, a good-natured Pit Bull mixture, sits in a small, dog toy-decorated office in the General Store. I once offered her a treat while I chatted with the shop owner about the history of the office; he told me that tradition began in 1998 when a Golden Retriever named Goofy took over the office. No joke, the villagers take the whole thing seriously, and the election poster of Molly hanging on the wall is a real conversation.
If you're in the area in May, you have to Rabbit Hash Festival plan – a colorful mess of live music, crafts and a lot of local treats. I was there last year and waited in a snake for a freshly grilled pork bread sandwich almost until exhaustion, just to realize that the whole has more charm than any big city event. People here are friendly but not intrusive, and the festival is a perfect example of how a small village can have a big heart.
A short walk leads you to Ohio River Overlook, a viewpoint from which you can see the mighty river. I watched the sunset there while a fisherman threw his leash – a picture that burned deep into my memory. The way there is not signposted, but this is part of the charm: you can discover the view almost randomly if you just follow the sound of the water surface.
Of course you can Rabbit Hash Historic District do not leave outside. The whole village is practically an open-air museum in which every house, every barn and every street tells a story. I was once lost in an old barn, which today serves as an art gallery, and was surprised how well the old wooden beams harmonize with modern installations. It's like traveling through time without losing the WLAN.
Last but not least a short trip to Rabbit Hash Cemetery, a small but well maintained cemetery that houses the graves of the founding families. I discovered an old tomb where “John Smith, 1792–1865” was in pale gold – a silent witness of the long history of this place. It is not exactly a tourist destination in the classic sense, but for me it was a moment of reflection that completes the whole experience here.
All this together Rabbit Hash sights to a surprisingly rich mix of history, curiosity and real village community – a place that you can not just fly over, but which you should suck up with all your senses before returning to the hectic of the great cities.
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