Visit Worthington Jefferson Kentucky and the surrounding area to see the top sights. Discover the small town of Worthington in Kentucky! Experience the great Red River Gorge climbing park and enjoy the beautiful nature of Daniel Boone National Forest. Eat typical dishes like the Kentucky Hot Brown and the Burgoo in the city.
For centuries, Worthington, a sleepy village in Jefferson County, has been attracting people looking for Worthington attractions, although the town is more famous for its quiet main road and the crumbling old town hall. I stopped there for the first time because my Navi led me out of town beyond the I-64 – a small detour that took off as a real lucky handle. The story here is not a Hollywood script, but a quiet whisper from the time when the area was still part of the old Worthington Township and the first settlers built their wooden huts on the banks of the nearby Ohio. Those who like to immerse themselves in the past will notice the old stone walls of the former court building, which today serve more as a photo motif as a functional place – but that is precisely the certain something I love at this place.
A short trip with the local bus (line 42 drives several times a day) will take you to the marketplace where the residents – a mix of farmers, commuters and a few hipsters that romanticize the countryside – build their stands. I have to admit, I don't quite understand the hype about the “rustic” atmosphere, but the cracking sound of the old barns, which is passed through in the summer by grill smell, has something really calming. And if you ask yourself where to get a drink in the evening, just look for the little pub at the corner; there they serve a beer that is as dry as the local jokes about the city itself. If you are looking for a place, history, a bit of irony and a real piece of Kentucky life, you will find it here – without the usual tourist crowds.
This guide invites you to stroll through the slanted-harmant world of Worthington, as if we met in the pub after a long working day and chat about the best corners of the city.
For me, the Worthington Historical Museuma tiny brick building that has more personality than some big city halls. I discovered a dusty case full of old school books there – a real time jump back to 1902, when the city still consisted of horse cars and carriages. The museum is free, and parking is almost always a Klacks, as long as you don't come on Saturday night, then the small field behind the building turns into a battlefield from cars.
A short walk further leads to Worthington City Park. Here there is a small lake, a few shaky benches and a playground that is used more by local kids than by tourists. I once made a picnic, while an older gentleman was loudly silent about the “good old times” – no joke, he even brought an old radio from the 60s. The park is ideal if you want to catch some fresh air, and parking is almost always free at the edge of the park, except when the annual summer festival starts.
If you're looking for a place where you can feel like a real local, go to Wordhington Library. The library is not only a place to read, but also a meeting place for local author readings and occasional karaoke evenings (yes, that really exists). I once borrowed a book about the history of the Kentucky-Bourbon industry and led a spontaneous small talk with the librarian, who told me that the building was once a school – another example of how Worthington's landmarks repeatedly unpack new stories.
Another highlight is the Wordhington Community Center. The building is a bit like the Swiss pocket knife in the city: concerts, yoga classes, art exhibitions and even a monthly flea market. I was there at the first “Art‐and‐Crafts‐Night” and bought a handmade ceramic vessel that is now proud of my kitchen table. The center has a small parking lot behind the building, which is usually empty as long as you don’t come to the “First Friday” event – then you need to park a few blocks and walk.
For those looking for a little nostalgia, this is Worthington Water Tower A must. The rusty tower overlooks the city like a silent guard and, if you are lucky, offers a small viewpoint from which you can see the surrounding fields and the distant Cincinnati. I made a photo that now hangs in my living room because it is simply the perfect symbol for the “small but fine” feeling of Worthington.
A little away from the center lies Worthington Farmers Marketwhich takes place every Wednesday in spring and summer in the park. Fresh vegetables, homemade jams and a stand with handmade soaps – this is the true heart of the city. I tried the best corn bread of my life there that was baked by an older lady named Marge, who told me that she got the recipe from her grandmother. Parking is a bit tricky here because the stands are built directly at the parking lot, but a short walk of a few meters is not a problem.
Last but not least, Worthington Town Hall not forgotten, an impressive brick building from the early 20th. Century, which today serves as the town hall and venue. I took part in a meeting where the discussion about the new street lighting was almost as exciting as a crime. Parking right in front of the town hall is always a bit full, but a few blocks further there are enough free places.
The first stop I put to every new man's heart is that Louisville Mega Cavern. Below the city is a huge, rebuilt coal mine, which today serves as an adventure park – and this is not just a marketing gig. I tried the zipline experience there, which shoots you through the darkness at 120 km/h, and that was an adrenalinkick you don't miss. Parking is usually a Klack at the entrance, as long as you are not there with local college students on Friday night, then this becomes a little patience game.
A short jump to the north leads you to Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. There are more trees per square meter than in any urban park, and not just to touch it. I made a picnic under an old oak tree, while a squirrel almost stole my sandwiches – a real natural spectacle that you don't find in any city park. The entrance is free, and parking is an open field that you can easily control as long as you don't arrive at the weekend with the families from Louisville.
If you have enough of green, take a look Frazier History Museum in the heart of Louisville. I don't quite understand the hype about the military exhibits, but the interactive exhibition on civil war history has really surprised me – especially the old cannon pipe you can almost serve yourself. The museum is located directly on Main Street, so parking in the surrounding public garages is a children's game when you arrive early enough.
A few blocks on, almost a must for sports fans, this is Muhammad Ali Center. I was skeptical about whether a museum can really be captivating about a boxer, but the mix of art, history and social engagement has completely knocked me around. The view from the rooftop terrace over the Ohio River is a bonus that you do not miss. The center has its own visitor park, which is usually empty, except when a big event takes place in the city.
No visit to the area would be complete without a trip to Churchill Downs. Yes, this is the home of Kentucky Derby, and yes, the horses look like flying horses from a Western film. I took part in a “Race Day” there, and the crowd in the entrance was almost as intense as the race itself. If you are not there at the Derby Day, parking in the surrounding lots is relatively relaxed, but on the main days you should rather use the public transport network.
For those who prefer to walk in the forest, Jefferson Memorial Forest the perfect alternative. This is the largest urban forest area in the USA, and I discovered a trail that took me almost three hours from the next parking lot – a real escape from the city life. There are several entrances with free parking, but most are quickly occupied when the weather is good.
A short detour to Louisville Waterfront Park then offers the opportunity to enjoy the Ohio River without jumping right into the water. I have experienced a small open-air concert that was played by a local indie band – a real secret tip because most tourists only cross the river and move on. Parking is usually free on the outskirts of the park as long as you don't get out of the suburbs with the families on the weekend.
Another highlight is the Speed Art Museum. I was there to see the current exhibition on contemporary American painting, and I felt almost like an art critic – until I realized that I cannot express the names of the artists. The museum is located in the city centre, so there are numerous car parks nearby, which usually have places if you don't come to the main exhibition period.
Finally, a walk over Big Four Bridgethat connects Louisville to Jeffersonville, Indiana. I stood there at sunset while the lights of the city glittered in the river – a picture that you don't forget so quickly. Parking on the Louisville side is a small parking space at the end of the bridge, which is usually empty as long as you do not arrive at the weekend with the cyclists.
If you are looking for Worthington attractions, you will quickly realize that the environment has more to offer than the small town itself. From underground adventures to extensive forests to cultural highlights, there is something for every taste that rips you out of everyday life and keeps you a little local flair.
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