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Around Ripley

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OHIO

Downtown Ripley has  museums, restaurants and specialty shops, including antiques and crafts. Imagine the grand drama of the past while strolling through Ripley's 55 acre historical district. The Rankin house, home of the Reverend John Rankin, overlooks the Ohio River and was the home where fleeing slaves looked across the river from Kentucky for the candle in the window, signaling it was safe to cross on their journey to freedom. View the many different types of architecture and the historic homes in the village. The scenic Ohio River hosts fishing, boating, water and jet skiing for the water sportsman. Marina pick-up is available upon request. Join the fun during the fourth weekend in August at the Ohio Tobacco Festival. Experience the old fashioned holiday spirit during the River Village Christmas, the second weekend of December. Surrounding areas offer unique towns, festivals, dramas, vineyards, caves, a winery, herb farms, covered bridges, sternwheel regatta and lots of friendly people.

Carolyn's House of Mini Rooms Museum
Over the last 25 years owner Carolyn Arp with the help of her husband has designed and constructed more than one hundred miniature rooms with a wide variety of themes. Her imagination and clever use of materials is very unique. Many of the scenes are lighted with small battery powered lights.

Easy day trips:

  Cincinnati, Ohio Drive beautiful highway 52 along the river to visit historic Cincinnati, almost named "Porkopolis"! One of the finest Art Deco buildings in the world, the Union Station, is home to museums and an Omnimax theater. World class cultural events and sports. Many charming neighborhoods, including the gas lighted Clifton district to explore.

Dayton, Ohio Home of the spectacular US Air Force museum, with planes and exhibits from the Wright Brothers through the Stealth bomber, and wartime memorabilia.

West Union, Ohio.  Visit our little corner of Amish country, and buy homemade Amish furniture and pastry. The Lewis Mountain Herb Farm sells hard to find perennial and annual plants.
 

Georgetown, Ohio Visit the little schoolhouse which General Ulysses S. Grant attended in 1829; the birthplace of General Grant is also close by, in Point Pleasant, along the Ohio River. Georgetown is the home of the Brown County Fair in September.

Higginsport, Ohio Western gateway to Brown County's beautiful river hills

HIGGINSPORT, OHIO
Located east of Cincinnati on the Ohio River Scenic Byway
www.higginsportohio.com

KENTUCKY

Lexington, Kentucky The beautiful bluegrass country. Drive the gorgeous scenic route through the most spectacular horse farms in the nation; visit the Museums dedicated to the horse and the beautiful racetrack, Keeneland. Also near Lexington is Pleasant Hill, one of the original Shaker communities, beautifully restored. 

Augusta, Kentucky A leisurely ride across the Ohio River on the Augusta Ferry is a great way to view the city and the surrounding hillsides. The former Miss America, Heather Renee French, grew up here, as did George Clooney.  His parents, Nick & Nina, continue to reside in Augusta. Once you've spent a day in Augusta, you'll discover for yourself why Augusta is so special.  For many, it's the history - the wealth of fine homes and buildings which date back to the eighteenth century.  For others it's the allure of the river and the sweeping hillsides - a natural panorama that has inspired countless artists. 

Old Washington, Kentucky Travel in the footsteps of Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton along the old Buffalo Trace. The visitor center and post office are charming original log structures, as is Simon Kenton's store. This town was founded in 1775!
   
Old Washington Post Office

Maysville, Kentucky See the beautiful murals on the river wall behind the French Quarter Inn. Maysville is the home of the Rosemary Clooney Music Festival. The museum shows how life used to be in a bustling river pioneer settlement.

Blue Licks Battlefield State Park, Kentucky Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park commemorates more than one era of history! Salt springs at Blue Licks attracted prehistoric mammoths and formed a center of Indian life, then later proved important to frontiersmen like Daniel Boone, who was captured here by Indians while operating saltworks. During the 19th century, the mineral springs were a popular health resort. But Blue Licks is most renowned as the site of the last battle of the Revolutionary War in Kentucky.