Visit Edgewood Kenton Kentucky and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover Edgewood, Kentucky: Experience the historical atmosphere of the "Queen City" and enjoy the nature of the Ohio River Park. Visit the Crescent Springs Golf Course or the St. Elizabeth Edgewood Hospital & Health Services Campus. Eat in the local restaurant "The Eagle's Nest".
Honestly, if you think Edgewood is just another suburb of Cincinnati, then you don't have the story. Founded in late 19. Century, the small village grew out of a farm that was once managed by German immigrants – yes, this is the reason why you still smell a “worst” on the grill. The township was officially convened in 1910, and since then it has developed into a unique mix of rural charm and suburban comfort without ever claiming to be a tourist magnet.
I usually drive over the I‐71, because this is the fastest way to get from downtown Cincinnatis to Edgewood – a short detour, and you are in the middle of action without tormenting you through endless traffic jams. As soon as you get out of the car, you immediately feel the relaxed atmosphere: old oaks line the streets, and the neighbors wave you as if you were the new mayor.
A short walk leads you to the heart of the place where the local cafes – no joke, which are really great – open their doors far. Here you meet the people who make Edgewood to what it is: a place where you can enjoy life a bit slower. And yes, if you're wondering why I use the word "sights" here, then it's because the true Edgewood sights are not in shiny plaques, but in conversations with the residents who tell you stories from a time that's long gone, but still echoes.
I have to admit right at the beginning: what I love most at Edgewood is that City Hall – not because it is an architectural miracle (it is rather a sober concrete block), but because it is the heart of little madness here. When you get there, you will be welcomed by a wall of local photos that tell more about the city than any brochure. I once met an old mayor who told me about coffee, why the city decided to demolish the old town hall in 1975 – a real case of “we need more parking, so we build a new building.” Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem.
A few blocks further Community Centerthat I almost call my second home. The swimming pool is small, but the water is always warm enough to relax after a hot day in the car. I remember organizing an improvised badminton tournament there in the summer of 2022 with a few locals – the result was a bunch of dirty sneakers and a loud laughter that echoed through the halls. If you're lucky, there's a yoga course running, and you can have a little zen between the squeaking mats and the scent of disinfectants.
For those who believe that libraries are only dusty places, there is Edgewood Branch of Kenton County Public Library. I spent more time there than I would like to admit, because the selection of local history books is amazing. Once I found an old photo album showing the city in 1900 – people looked like they had just discovered the concept of “Stau”. The staff is friendly, and the WLAN even works in the corners where you usually only hear the sum of air conditioning.
If you're looking for something green, Edgewood Park Your goal. The park is small, but it has a small pond that is inhabited in spring by frogs, the louder quaken than most tourists. I once made a picnic with my cousin who insisted that we taste “authentic” local sausages – the result was a slightly burnt snack and a conversation about why Edgewood is not just famous for its gastronomy. Nevertheless, the park area is perfect for reading a book or simply enjoying the sun as long as you are not there on weekends, then it is full of families that conquer the playground.
A little story? Then look at this Historic District from Edgewood. The road is lined by Victorian houses that look like they just got an Instagram filter. I went there for a walk where I almost forgot the time because I was so deepened in the artistic ornaments. A neighbor told me that the oldest house came from 1885 and that the original owners allegedly had a secret recipe for apple cake – a rumor I never confirmed, but that makes the atmosphere even more spicy.
A short detour to St John the Baptist Catholic Church is also worth it. The church is not only a place of prayer, but also an architectural jewel with colorful glass windows that break the light in all rainbow colors. I was there once at a fair where the pastor made a joke about the “big city of Cincinati” – the audience laughed, and I thought it was the kind of humor that distinguishes Edgewood: a bit dry, a bit warm.
And because I don't just want to skip the usual tourist trails, I've got myself at the Edgewood Farmers Market which takes place in the summer on Saturdays. The stands are small, but the products are fresh – especially the strawberries I tried were so sweet that I almost felt they were coming directly from a commercial. The market is a good example of why I Edgewood Attractions repeatedly emphasise: they show the real life here, not only the shiny shop windows.
Finally, I must mention that people in Edgewood have a peculiar charm. They are friendly, but not intrusive, and they always seem a bit to know where to find the best ice – a secret tip I don't want to reveal, because I don't want everyone to be there suddenly. So next time you drive through Kentucky, take a few hours for this city; you will see that even the smallest places have their own stories to tell, and that is sometimes worth more than any great sight.
The first stop of my little Odyssey was the imposing Union terminal, which lays like a huge, glass cage over the Cincinnati skyline. I spent a few hours there because I couldn't decide whether I'd rather marvel at the dinosaur skeleton or the old train history – in the end I cost both, and that wasn't a bad deal. Parking is usually a children's game as long as you don't come on Friday night, then the car park becomes a battlefield.
A short sprint over the bridge (yes, the real Roebling bridge, not the plastic model in the amusement park) leads you directly to the Freedom Center, which proudly presents itself on the banks of the Ohio. I don't understand the hype about the interactive light installations, but the real heart – the stories of the escape workers and the fled slaves – is simply captivating. The view of the river from the terrace is a bonus that I enjoy every time I am there.
The American Sign Museum, a true cries for neon lovers, continues to be a bit shimmering. I almost felt like a child in the confectionery store, only that the candy consisted of bright letters. The tour is voluntary, but if you are interested in the history of advertising signs, you should not miss the old 1950s posters. Parking? Right outside the door, but be warned: On Saturdays, the seats fill faster than a pop-up concert.
Just a few miles further, over the bridge and a little over the state border, lies the Newport Aquarium. I was there on a rainy afternoon and wondered why I didn't just have an aquarium at home until I saw the sharks swim through the glass tunnel labyrinth and realized that the real water just smells better. The entrance is not cheap, but the experience is worth it, and the staff is surprisingly friendly when you ask for an extra serving of food for the otters.
If you have enough water, I recommend a detour to the Big Bone Lick State Historic Site. Where Mammuts and Säbelzahntiger once drove their inns, you can hike over the same fields today and dig out real fossils – at least those that the museum exhibits there. I touched a piece of mammoth bone there, that was a short moment when I felt like a real paleontologist before I moved back to the next coffee shop. The parking lot is large enough, but on holidays it can be narrow.
A last but not least worthwhile stop is the Boone County Arboretum, a 121 hectare green piece that offers more plant variety than some botanical gardens. I made a picnic there while I tried to find the rare orchids – a bit like a treasure hunt, only that the treasures consist not of gold, but of leaf work. The entrance is free, parking is at the edge of the entrance, and the weather almost never plays a role here, because the trees always donate a bit of shade.
Whether you're a fan of historic railway stations, bright signs, prehistoric bones or quiet forest paths, the surroundings of Edgewood offer a colourful mix that surprises every traveller. These Edgewood Attractions show that the small town is a perfect starting point for discoveries that go far beyond the city boundaries.
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