What makes Richlawn sights so special is the almost ironic mixture of suburban idylle and sublime history, which is immediately felt during the first walk through the quiet streets. I was honestly wondering why this little town, which was created in 1950 as an independent township in Jefferson County, has not yet been overwhelmed by a mega-mall – and that's exactly what it's charm. In the past, the area was pure farms, later a tranquil residential area grew, which is now lined by well-maintained gardens and ancient oaks.
When you get out of Louisville by car, just follow the I‐64 east and take exit 2; the approach is a children's game, and parking at the edge of the main road is almost guaranteed free – no joke, there is no parking crisis. I love to make a short trip to the nearby St. John’s Lutheran Church after parking, which is not considered a tourist magnet, but embodies a real piece of local soul.
People here are friendly, but not exaggerated touristic, and you can feel it immediately when you order a coffee in one of the small cafés and talk about the best “Richlawn sights” on the weather and the neighborhood. Such an authentic mix of history, everyday life and light cynicism is rare – and that's exactly what makes Richlawn a worthwhile detour when you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey was the Big Four Bridge, this rusty but somehow charming suspension bridge that crosses the Ohio River and connects Louisville to Jeffersonville. I stood there at sunset, the water glittered like a cheap disco ball, and thought to myself: “Here you can almost feel to flee across the border without leaving the house.” Parking is usually a children's game as long as you don't come on Friday night – then the car park turns into a battlefield of up-to-date SUVs.
A short detour into the heart of the city brought me to Louisville Slugger Museum. Yes, this is the house of the famous baseball bat, and yes, the huge racket monster in front of the entrance is really so big that you almost feel like being a mini-man. I made a selfie there that my friends still use as proof of my “sporty” side, although I can hardly meet a ball. The entrance is free, but the upper floor café serves the best coffee I ever drank in a museum – a little comfort when you need a little caffeine after a day of history.
Going to Churchill Downsthe holy grail of horse lovers. I don't understand the hype around the Derby completely – the whole getaway around a few horses running in circles sounds for me like a very expensive horse version of “people don't annoy you”. Nevertheless, the atmosphere there is electrifying, and the food? A hot-dog stand that claims to have the best “Derby sausage” has actually surprised me. Practical: If you want to see a race there, come early, otherwise you have to slip through between the cheering fans and the hats sold.
A couple of miles further Muhammad Ali Centera museum that is more than just a homage to the Boxchampion. I saw an old training towel that was supposed to be used by Ali himself – I didn't touch it because I was afraid it was suddenly involved in a boxing fight. The interactive exhibits are so good that you almost forget that you are actually just a tourist running through a building trying not to cry when you hear the moving stories. And yes, the café there serves vegan smoothies that surprisingly taste good if you need something light after an intense moment.
A short trip to the north leads to Frazier History Museumhidden in an old prison building. I saw an exhibition about the Bourbon history there and wondered why I never tried a real Bourbon, although I live in Kentucky. The museum has a small tasting room where you can “real” a glass Kentucky-Bourbon gets – a real lucky handle when you look for a long day a bit of warmth. Practical note: The museum is close to the St. Matthews Area, so you can easily find a parking lot if you don't leave the car too long.
For nature lovers Bernheim Arboretum and Forest a must, even though it's a bit outside. I took a walk there that led me through dense forests, artful sculptures and a small lake, where ducks expressed their opinion on my walk. The site is huge, so plan enough time – and don’t forget to take a few snacks, because the cafeteria is a rustic kiosk that sounds more like “Waldhütte” than gourmet restaurant.
A last short detour brought me to Speed Art Museum, which is surprisingly modern for a museum located in a rather conservative part of the city. I have seen an exhibition on contemporary art there, which has confused me more than a riddle from the newspaper, but this is the exciting thing. The museum has a beautiful courtyard where you can enjoy a cool drink in the summer while trying to decode the meaning of abstract paintings. Practical: The entrance is free, so no reason to decorate the wallet.
When you ask yourself what to discover in the surroundings of Richlawn, these places are exactly what you need: a mix of history, culture, nature and a bit of irony that makes the whole thing really alive. And yes, these are definitely the Richlawn AttractionsI would recommend to anyone who wants to see something more than just the own backyard.
This guide invites you, with me a small trip through what I love the "hidden jewel" of Kenton County – Richlawn, Kentucky. When you first stumble over the narrow streets, you will immediately notice that the heart of this city is hitting in an inconspicuous green piece: Richlawn City Park. I've seen more sunsets there than in some of a big city, without crowds. The park is small, but the old oak at the lake, which I call "the old guard", gives pleasant shade in the summer, while you annoy yourself about the squeaking sound of a duck that considers you a piece of bread. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because the neighboring skiers will then arrange their weekly “Bikini Balls Tournament”.
Only a few blocks further Richlawn Community Center, a place where I rolled out my yoga mat more than once, just to see that the senior group there prefers to talk loudly about the latest gossip stories from Covington. The center offers a swimming pool, which – honestly – is rather a “mini-pool”, but a real blessing for a hot July day. I swept my first round of freestyle while a little boy in the rubber boat next to me tried to “repair” the water surface because he thought the pool was a broken ship.
A short walk leads you to Richlawn Public Library, a small but fine building that houses more books than I could read in a year. The librarian, Ms. Henderson, knows every visitor by name and gives me the comment that I should read “more classics instead of cooking books”. I don't quite understand the hype about the latest thriller, but the cozy reading chair corner next to the window that offers a view of the quiet residential street is simply fantastic. If you're lucky, you'll get a reading of local authors there – a real secret tip for culture hungry.
A little further, hidden between rows of bungalows, stands the St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The church was built in 1902 and has a stone bell game that echoes through the neighborhood every Sunday morning. I took part in a trade fair once, only to find out that the parish speaks more about the pastor's latest grill recipe than about the sermon. Nevertheless, the architecture is a real eye-catcher: high arch window, a simple but elegant altarpiece and a cemetery where the graves of the founding families of Richlawn lie – a silent witness of history, which began here long before modern suburbs.
If you feel that you have enough of buildings, then look over the bridge to Riverfront Park Ohio River. The path leads you over the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, a piece of engineering that I admire every time I feel the light vibrating under my feet. The park itself is a long, narrow stripe with a cycle path that is perfect for a relaxed bike tour. I once made a picnic with friends there, and we were “invited” by a group of ducks, who reminded us with a loud snatter that we were not the only visitors.
No visit to Richlawn would be complete without a stop in Richlawn Café, a small place that has more character than some five-star restaurants. The owner, a former teacher, serves the best coffee in the area – strong enough to wake you up after a long walk – and a homemade muffin that is supposed to be baked after a family recipe from the 1950s. I once experienced a random “coffee-art competition” with a local artist who formed a miniature image of the city boundary from milk foam. No joke, that was a real eye-catcher.
So, next time you think about where you want to spend your weekend, think about the Richlawn Attractions, which I outlined here. They are not exactly the brightest attractions of the state, but they have their own charm – a mix of history, neighborhood love and a pinch of unexpected irony. And if you ask yourself if you miss something here: I feel that the real highlight is simply to discover the small things that the locals do not even notice because they are too busy planning their barbecue parties.
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