Visit Kenton Vale Kenton Kentucky and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Kentucky: Kenton Vale - Discover the natural wonders of the Big Bone Lick State Park! Campsites and hiking trails await you. No time for camping? Stroll through the historic city of Covington, with many restaurants and shops.
A place full of contrasts awaits you when Kenton Vale places of interest are in the foreground, because since the 1840s, when the small village was built on the edge of the Ohio River, there has been a unique mix of rural charm and industrial heritage. On the first steps through the main road you can immediately feel that history lives not only in dusty plaques, but in the creeping halls of the old half-timbered houses – a bit like a museum visit, only without the annoying “don’t touch” sign.
I have to admit, I don't understand the hype about modern housing estates here completely; The shiny facades sometimes seem like a bad attempt to cover the rural heritage. Nevertheless, if after a long day on I‐71 or I‐75 – the two main veins that connect the town with Cincinnati – finally arrive in the small place, a surprisingly warm hospitality is received. The local bus, which is sporadic between Covington and the suburbs, is not exactly a luxury, but it takes you to the middle of action without feeling like a tourist.
For those looking for the authentic Kentucky away from the tourist trails, Kenton Vale offers the ideal setting to experience the true life in the Middle West. As soon as you cross the city boundaries, you will find that the everyday almost poetically works – a silent, slightly cynical dialogue between the past and the present that makes me sneak every time.
Welcome to a region that you could easily overlook if you don't look closely – Kenton Vale, Kentucky. Hardly one place connects the rural mind with a hint of urban character as impressive as this tiny little town, which is barely larger than a large suburb, but has the more character for it. I have to admit, I have never understood the hype about the “small cities with charm”, but the Kenton Vale Attractions surprised me – and not only because I visited my great aunt who has lived there since 1972.
The first stop I put to every visitor is that Kenton Vale City Hall. The building is an inconspicuous brick box, which however beats the heart of the municipality. I remember waiting there once because I needed a form for the local construction office, and suddenly I witnessed a heated debate between the mayor and a citizen about the color of the new playground. This was not only a look at local politics, but also a proof that everyone here still has a little neighborhood drama in the blood. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because the weekly “Kenton Vale Pick‐n‐Play” will take place in the park.
If you are looking for a place where you can move a little without going straight into the mountains, then the Kenton Vale Park That's right. The park is small, but it has an old oak tree that is almost as old as the city itself, and a playground that is now painted in a soothing green after the last quarrel over the color. I once made a picnic with my friend, while an older couple loudly over the advantages of “first” Homemade apple cake discussed – a real Kentucky moment you don't forget.
Another jewel I like to mention is that Kenton Vale Community Center. The center is a multifunctional node: Here, yoga classes, bingo evenings and occasionally an improvised jazz concert are taking place, led by a retired trumpeter from Louisville. I was there at a “Senioren-Tech-Workshop” where I learned more about the art of the crossword puzzle than about the actual topic – but this is the beauty of such events: You never know what to take.
For readers who not only want to surf the internet, there are the Kenton Vale Library, a small branch of the Kenton County Public Library. The shelves are not huge, but the staff knows every regular customer by name and always recommends the same criminals of Kentucky vendors because they are “just too good”. I once borrowed a book about the history of the Ohio River Valley and, by chance, found an old city archive dossier documenting the founding history of Kenton Vale – a real find for historical lovers.
A little away from the usual tourist path lies the Kenton Vale Cemetery. Yeah, a cemetery, but not some. The tombstones tell stories about families living here for generations, and the terrain is surprisingly well maintained. I discovered an old Veteran Cemetery where a single, slightly weathered stone bears the inscription “John H. Miller, 1918‐1975, Served with honor”. It is a quiet place that gives you the feeling that the past is still present here – and that without having to visit a museum.
A highlight that I cannot conceal is the annual Kenton Vale Summer Festival. The festival takes place every year in July on the city park and combines local food stands, a small parade and a fireworks that shines beyond the Covington skyline. I remember the year when I was there for the first time: I was standing in a snake for fried maize bread, while a local country band “Sweet Home Kentucky” played and an older gentleman sang along me loudly over the “good old times”. This was not only a feast, but a living witness that Kenton Vale has a heart that beats loud despite its greatness.
Finally, a little hint I like to give with an eye-catcher: if you're looking for a place where you don't lose yourself immediately in a crowd, then Kenton Vale is just the right one. There are enough small corners to lose, and enough friendly faces to be found again – and all this without the usual tourist crowd. So, next time you go through Kentucky, stop breathing in the fresh air and let yourself be surprised by the inconspicuous but charming corners of this town.
The first stop I never miss is the imposing Union Terminal in the heart of Cincinnati – a Art Deco jewel that is more than just a train station. The huge, dome-shaped hall looks like a huge museum of architecture fans, and I have admired the huge mosaic floors countless times while I wondered why I was not here earlier. Parking is usually a Klacks, as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the car park becomes a small battlefield of uplifting cars.
A short jump over the bridge and one stands in front of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. I don't always understand the hype about historical memorials, but here the story is told so vividly that you almost hear the rustling of chains. The interactive exhibits not only let you read, but feel – a bit too dramatic for my taste, but honestly, this makes the visit exciting. The museum is located directly on the river, so after the tour you can take a quick walk on the Ohio River without missing the bus.
If you have enough serious topics, the next destination leads me to the American Sign Museum – a shrill paradise of neon and retro signs, which looks like an 80-year fan stole an entire warehouse full of advertising boards. I have spent hours between flashing advertising boards and hand-painted wooden signs, and the best thing: parking is right in front of the door, no stress, only a small footpath to the entrance where a friendly staff immediately smiles.
A short detour over the bridge to Newport, Kentucky, and the Newport Aquarium awaits with its glittering underwater world. I was skeptical if an aquarium near Kentucky really has something to offer, but the sharks that swim through a glass tube, and the huge jellyfish that look like living lamps have convinced me completely. The aquarium is located in the Riverfront Park, so after the visit you can still enjoy a coffee by the river banks – this is a real plus point when the weather plays.
The Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is located a bit further north, away from the urban hustle and bustle. Here you can marvel at the prehistoric bones of Mammuts and Mastodontes, which were buried here more than 10,000 years ago. I made a picnic there while I tried to compare the size of the skeleton with my own body – a bit silly, but this is exactly what makes this place so charming. The parking lot is big enough that you never have to look for long, and the visitor center offers enough information to not tap completely in the dark.
The Boone County Arboretum is just a short drive away, near Florence. I visited the Arboretum on a lukewarm spring day when the cherry blossoms just started to flourish. The trails are well signposted, and parking is right at the entrance, which makes the arrival super relaxed. I have discovered a few rare plants that I only know from botanical magazines – a real secret tip for those looking for a little green away from the city.
At the end of my small tour, the Smale Riverfront Park leads me back to Cincinnati. This park is a real leisure centre with fountains, playgrounds and fantastic views of the skyline. I often met my friends here to drink a beer while the sun goes over the Ohio. Parking is a bit tricky because the area is always full, but a short walk from the city center usually solves the problem.
If you ask yourself what to discover in the surroundings of Kenton Vale, these are Kenton Vale Attractions a good start – from imposing museums to prehistoric sites to relaxed green spaces that all have their own, slightly cynical charm.
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