Visit Erlanger Kenton Kentucky and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Experience active leisure in the Erlanger, Kentucky: City bike tour through the Little Blue Run park or a walk along the Ohio River Greenway. Explore the local food in one of the many barbecue restaurants such as the famous "Rookwood" or the unforgetted "Bone Lick BBQ". After a long tour you will find numerous accommodations, from hotels to campsites. Erlanger is also the starting point for day trips to Cincinnati or Louisville, both of which are within a short drive.
Honestly, if you ask yourself why Erlanger is on the map at all, then you have to travel back to 1889 when the small village on the Ohio River was founded by an ambitious railwayer and quickly developed into an industrial center – a bit like an ungrounded diamond that suddenly shines in the light. I have the feeling that the history here still knelt in the bricks of the old factory buildings, although most of them now only serve as warehouses.
I like to sit in the cafe on Main Street, watch the commuters who sip over the I-71 bus from Cincinati, and think about how the township is today a strange mix of suburban idylle and rough working culture. People here have a dry humor that almost reminds of the old miners, and they love their local “Erlanger Sights” – not because they are world famous, but because they give them a piece of home.
A short trip by car over the US‐25 leads you past the silent fields that still bear the heritage of agricultural pioneers. And if you take the train, you will find that the connection to the metropolis is almost too convenient to ignore it – a small wink that Erlanger is small but not isolated.
I must confess that my favorite place in Erlanger is not some hipest café, but that Erlangen City Park. Imagine you drive by car U.S. Route 25 along, park at the small but surprisingly spacious parking lot behind the playground – this is usually not a problem, except on Sundays when the families flood the field with picnic baskets. As soon as you get out, the rustling of the trees strikes you, and you realize that this is not an overcrowded urban garden, but a real piece of green that the city dwellers really appreciate here. The small lake, which the children like to play with gums, is not deep, but it reflects the light so beautiful that I almost forget every time that I wanted to catch “fresh air”.
A short walk further (approximately five minutes if you don't keep hanging on your phone) leads you to St. Joseph Catholic Church. The building is a real relic from 1905, with a facade of red brick that glows almost like a red ruby in the sunlight. I don't quite understand the hype about old churches – they are mostly places for weddings and funerals – but here the nave has an acoustic that even brings my favorite jazz records to the whisper. If you're lucky, you just hear a choir sample that reminds you that some traditions sound better when they're singing live.
Now a bit of culture comes for those who prefer to be ‘intellectual’: Erlangen Library- Two of the Kenton County Public Library. I spent more time there than I want to admit, because the staff always has a smile on the lips and the shelves are filled with local history books that you can't find anywhere else. Wi-Fi is faster than in some hotels, and the café on the ground floor serves a cappuccino that is almost as strong as the opinions of the city dwellers on the traffic on the Interstate 71. Parking is a children's game here because the building is located directly on the main road and you can simply turn into the rear entrance.
If you feel that you have enough of quiet places, then look at them Kenton County Fairgrounds on. I visited the County Fair for the first time in the summer of 2019 – a true spectacle of sugar cane, carousel and a lot of people who wonder why they could not just stay at home. The fairgrounds are all year round a venue for everything possible, from car exhibitions to local music festivals. Practical: There is a large parking lot located at the main entrances, and if you come a bit early, you can secure a good place before the trucks touch the popcorn booths.
A little change? Then go to Erlangen Community Center. This is not just a gym, but a real meeting place for the neighborhood. I once tried a yoga course where the instructor told more about the city's history while we went to the contemplating dog – a strange but somehow enlightening experience. The swimming pool is open to visitors, and the staff is so friendly that you almost forget that you just came to swimming to escape the summer.
A short detour to Historic Downtown Erlanger is also worth it. The main road is lined with small shops that offer handmade soaps, vintage dresses and a few pretty good sandwiches. I discovered the “Earl’s Diner” there, which is supposed to serve the best Fried Chicken of the region – no joke, the meat is crispy outside and juicy inside, and the sauce has exactly the right portion of sweetness to save the day. Parking is a bit trickier here, because the roads are often blocked by vans, but if you find a few blocks further a free space, this is a small price for the authentic city flair.
And if you ask yourself what else you can see in Erlanger, then look at them. Erlange Sights an – this is not just an advertising slogan, but a hint that the city has more to offer than you suspect at first glance. From the small art installations in the park to the historic buildings that would almost be overlooked when passing, there is always something that surprises a curious visitor.
Finally, a small tip: If you are on a Saturday evening, stay away from the main road, because then the nightlife – a mix of bars, live music and a few loud pubs – makes parking a real challenge. I experienced this myself when I tried to squeeze my car between two vans, and the result was a slight trembling in the steering wheel and a new understanding of why some people prefer to walk. But that's exactly what Erlanger's charm is – a bit of chaos, a bit of history and a lot of personality that brings you back and forth.
The first step from the hotel in Erlanger leads you over the imposing Big Four Bridge, a rebuilt railway path that today serves as a foot and bike path between Kentucky and Ohio – a real magnet for Instagram lovers who like to capture their silhouettes in front of the river. I stood there once at sunset while a few joggers loudly discussed their playlist; that was almost a mini festival. Parking is usually a Klack at the end of the bridge in Covington, unless you arrive on Friday night after work – then the car park becomes a battlefield.
Only a short distance, about 20 minutes drive to the south, is this Creation Museum in Petersburg. The building is a huge glass cylinder that looks more like a futuristic planetarium than a place where one discusses the emergence of the world. I don't quite understand the hype about the “mirror exhibition”, but the combination of huge dinosaur keletons and a 3‐D cinema show is really great if you have children or just like to stab survive-sized lizards. The parking lot is huge, so no stress, but the café serves more dry, academic snacks – no joke, that is not a gourmet spot.
A bit further east, just 30 minutes from Erlanger, this is Cincinnati Nature Center in Milford. There are several hiking trails that lead through ancient forests, and a visitor center that tells more about the local flora than I ever thought necessary. I once met a group of bird-kundlers, who loudly debated the rare red-kick vocals, while I was only interested in the next ice on the wayside. Admission is free, parking is free at the main parking lot, but on weekends it can be full – a bit of patience never hurts.
If you prefer to do something with water, Newport Aquarium over the bridge to Ohio a quick trip. The aquarium is famous for its shark tunnel installation, where you feel like swimming in the middle of the ocean while a huge white tip shark floats past you. I was there on a rainy day and wondered why I didn't just stand out in the rain – the water in the aquarium is still cleaner. Parking is usually sufficient at the main parking lot of the aquarium, but the ticket switch can lead to a small queue on holidays.
A short trip back to Covington brings you to Riverfront Parkwhere you can enjoy the Cincinnati skyline with a cool drink in view. The park is a popular spot for picnics and occasional open-air concerts, and I once saw a street artist who enthused a small audience with a guitar and an old suitcase full of coins. The parking lot is right on the river, but it fills up quickly when a concert is announced – then it is almost part of the experience after a free space.
A bit further south, near Florence, this is Boone County Arboretum. There are thematic gardens, a butterfly house and a small lake, which is particularly photogenic in autumn. I once made a picnic with friends there and we argued about whether the Japanese maple trees are really as beautiful as all Instagram posts claim – Spoiler: they are. The entrance is free, parking is free at the main entrance, but the paths can become muddy with strong rain.
Another architectural highlight you should not miss is the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridgewhich leads over the Ohio River to Cincinnati. The bridge is the original that later became the base of the famous Brooklyn Bridge. I stood there with strong wind and the sound of the cables was almost hypnotic – a bit like a concert, only without the loud music. Parking on the Kentucky side is convenient because you can walk directly to the bridge; on the Ohio side there is a small garage, but it is quickly full on weekends.
Only about 25 minutes drive from Erlanger is the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, one of the oldest zoos in the USA. The wildlife is impressive, especially the gorillas and the rare white tigers. I met a nurse there who told me why the elephants always run the same route in the morning – a detail I had never noticed before. The zoo has a large visitor centre with free parking, but at school holidays the entrance system can become a small patience sample.
Last but not least, if you want to make a bit of history, take a look at the Kenton County Courthouse in Covington. The 1900 building is a beautiful example of neoclassical architecture and houses a small museum that documents the local history. I once experienced a guided tour with a very enthusiastic historian who told more about the old trials when I ever thought necessary – but hey, that was at least instructive. Parking is usually easy in downtown Covington as long as you are not there at noon.
About Big Four Bridge in the Creation Museum surrounded by dinosaurs or Cincinnati Nature Center Looking for the tranquility of the forest – the surroundings of Erlanger offers a colourful mix of culture, nature and scurry highlights. And yes, if you want to take all this on a trip, you have a good overview of the best Erlange Sights and a few insider tips you'll only hear from locals.
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