Visit Goshen Oldham Kentucky and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Goshen, Kentucky: Discover the "Caverns of Moses" and experience the "Horseback Riding Trail" at Bernheim Forest. Tip time for nature lovers!
Honestly, if you ask yourself why Goshen actually exists, you have to go back to 19. Century travel, as pioneers developed the country in Oldham County and founded the little Goshen Township. The first settlers came here because the fertile valley between the gentle hills and the nearby Ohio River was just too good to ignore it. I have the feeling that the history here is still in the old wooden beams of the few remaining half-timbered houses, although most of them are now hosting modern cafés.
I came by car over the I‐71 because the train was never really an argument here – the country is too rural to justify a lot of rail traffic. A short trip from Highway 5 takes you to the village where you immediately feel the time here is a bit slower. People are friendly, but not exaggerated touristic, and that makes the whole thing somehow real.
When you stroll through the main street, you quickly notice that “Goshen sights” are not just a marketing term, but real small jewels that I personally love: the old town hall, which hosts a village festival every year, and the small library that has more charm than some big city cinemas. I don't understand the hype around the big metropolises, but here, between corn fields and ancient oaks, I find the true kentucky – a bit rough, a bit sweet, and definitely not overlooking.
I have to confess to you: what I love most about Goshen is the old, cracking wood of the Goshen Methodist Church. I came there on a rainy Thursday afternoon, because I thought a little quiet night could calm my tired soul – and was instead greeted by a choir of teenagers who sang loudly “Amazing Grace” in a tone that would have even made my grandmother’s hard metal trousers cry. The building itself is a relic from the 1880s, complete with the original stained glass windows that immerse the light in an almost sacral color play. Parking is usually easy as long as you don’t arrive on Saturday night after worship – then the small car park will be filled faster than you can say “Halleluja”.
A short walk down the main road leads you to Goshen Community Center, a place I like to name as the “Herzschlag-Knotenpunkt” of the city. Here the locals meet to bingo, handwork circles and occasionally to an improvised country concert that sounds more like a pub band that just learned the word “Country”. I once met an old man named Earl who told me that he baked the same piece of cake here every year since 1972 – and that he still believes that the recipe is a state secret. If you ask yourself if you get a table there: just bring some chairs, this is almost a tradition here.
If you have enough of crowds, sneak to Paint Creek – yes, this is actually a small stream that migrates through the city area and not some artificial fountain in the shopping mall. I found an old, raw fishing boat there on a hot July afternoon, probably since the 60s. The water is clear enough to see your own feet, and the Plätschern is almost meditative, if you are not disturbed by the quaking frogs that seem to give their own concert. A little hint: parking at the Creekside is a bit of a gamble, because the city reserved the grounds for the annual “Goshen Fall Festival” – so better to come early if you don’t want to sink in the mud.
Another highlight I don't want to conceal is that Goshen Cemetery. Sounds like a place you only visit at Vollmond, but here the history of the city literally lies in every gravestone. I discovered the tomb of Mary Lou, a former teacher, who allegedly wrote the first school book in Goshen – a book that is still exhibited in the local library today if you happen to need a little nostalgia. The terrain is well maintained, and parking is right next to the entrance where an old, cartiful tree gives shade if you want to rest after a long walk.
Of course, Goshen Diner do not leave out that I lovingly call “the culinary emergency brake”. Here are the best pancakes in the region – and I mean that seriously because I once compared them with a friend from Louisville and he said they were “better than what he ate in New York”. The diner is a small, neon-lit building that has remained unchanged since the 50s, and the staff knows you when you come in the second time. Practical: parking is right outside the door, but be warned that the sign “Only for customers” is sometimes ignored when a tractor blocks the road.
A little away from the city centre Goshen Antique Shop, a real treasure box for everyone who likes to snoop into the past. I found an old handmade swing horse there, which is supposed to come from 1912 – and this is not just a snuck, but a real piece of history that you could take home when you are ready to sacrifice a few dollars. The store is small, parking is a narrow side strip, and the owner, a resolute lady named Betty, will greet you with a sharp “What do you want here?” before she gives you a smile, which says: “I have seen it a thousand times. ‘
Last but not least, a short notice Goshen Attractions in general: The city may be small, but it has a heart that beats faster than you would expect. Most places are within walking distance, and the weather in Kentucky ensures that you either sweat in the sun or dance in the rain – both part of the charm. So next time you drive over the road and see the sign “Welcome to Goshen”, stop, breathe deeply and let yourself be enchanted by the mixture of history, peculiarity and a pinch of cynicism. And don't forget to take a picture of the old railway station – not because it's very photogenic, but because it's the only relic that still testifies to the former trains that went through here before the city decided to put on tractors.
The first stop of my little Odyssey was Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, a huge green piece that spreads like a forgotten paradise between the gentle hills of Kentucky. I spent half a day there because I thought a walk through the treetops would be “relaxing” – and yes, that was him until I was followed by a horde of curious squirrels who apparently looked at my muesli bars as a prey. The entrance is free, parking is usually easy, except on sunny Saturday afternoons when families with picnic baskets flood the terrain.
A short trip to La Grange brought me to Oldham County Courthousea stone relic from the 19th century. century, which is proud of the marketplace. I have to admit, I don't understand the hype for historical court buildings – who wants to read about old legal disputes? – but the imposing façade and the crunching parquet inside have tied me up. While I was standing there, I heard an older gentleman who was loudly silent about the “good old times” and I thought: “Here you could almost open a café serving only court records. ‘
Directly next to the court building Oldham County History Center. I have learnt more about local history than I would have expected in every guide. I was particularly fascinated by the exhibition about the early settlers who drove through the Ohio River Bridge with horse carriages. The museum is small but charming, and the staff is so friendly that they even showed me an old photo album from the 1920s – a real treasure for nostalgics.
A little further south, almost on the edge of the city, is the Oldham County Fairgrounds. I was there by chance when the annual Oldham County Fair was in full swing. The mix of rags, cattle shows and local food trucks is a bit like a mini-state fair, only without the crowded crowds of Louisville. I have eaten a piece of fried corn that was supposed to be “authentic” and must say it was actually better than what I find in most supermarkets. Parking is a children's game as long as you don't try to get a place on Friday night when the local bands occur.
For those looking for a little adrenaline, this is Louisville Mega Cavern A must. I chose the Zipline there because I thought a little “underground flying” would be a cool contrast to the rural idyll of Goshen. The experience is surprisingly calm – the echo of the zipline over the stone walls is almost meditative – and parking is directly at the entrance, making the whole even more straightforward. Those who prefer to stay on the ground can explore the underground hiking trails that lead to old quarries.
A short detour to Farnsley Towers Landing brought me to the banks of the Ohio River, where once a busy river port stood. Today it is a quiet park with a few historical signs that explain how the area in the 19. century was a hub for trade. I made a picnic there while I had a glimpse over the water and imagined how steam ships were anchored here. Parking is a little tricky because the road is narrow, but a small walk is definitely worth it.
At the end of my exploration tour I have the Oldham County Heritage Trail tested, a self-guided route that leads through the most picturesque villages and historic sites of the surroundings. The trail is not signposted, but is controlled by an app that presents me a new piece of history every time I come past a striking tree or an old house. I've learned more about the local family stories when I've ever read in a book – and all that while I went through fields that were covered by sunflowers in the summer.
So, if you're thinking about the next time you want to spend your time in Kentucky, don't forget that the Goshen environment offers a true collection of interesting places. From vast forests to historical court buildings to underground adventures, there is something to discover for every taste. And that's exactly what makes Goshen Attractions to an incomparable experience for those who are looking for something special.
Find more vacation destinations near Goshen Oldham Kentucky using our map.
Villages, towns, districts, places and Vacation destinations you should visit.
©copyright by POI-Travel.de
info@poi-travel.de
