The southern U.S. is full of engaging small towns that make it such a great place to take a road trip. If Kentucky is plugged into your GPS, be sure to spend some time in little Maysville, a lovely community on the Ohio River 66 miles from Lexington.
You’ll find African-American and Civil War-era history, fascinating art exhibits, covered bridges, and since it’s Kentucky, bourbon. Here are a few suggestions on how to spend a couple of days in Maysville.
Overhead view of Maysville, KY, on the Ohio River.
The best part of the tour is that you can actually walk in and around these covered bridges! It's a five-hour tour so it may eat up a good chunk of your day but folks rave about it. Read our feature article about Dover Bridge.
Advertisement
The National Underground Railroad Museum in Maysville honors the people who helped runaway slaves reach freedom in Ohio. Maysville was a major stop on the "railroad."
The museum is housed in the old Beirbower House, where fugitive slaves hid under the floorboards until boats arrived to ferry them over the Ohio River and into the free state of Ohio. Here you'll find records, documents, and other artifacts describing ex-slaves' lives and their journeys along the Railroad.
The Harriet Beecher Stowe Slavery to Freedom Museum honors the author who penned "Uncle Tom's Cabin" in 1852. The book became a national bestseller and persuaded many neutral readers to actively oppose slavery.
It all began in 1833, when Ohio teacher Harriet Beecher crossed the river to visit a student who lived in this house. They went to watch a slave auction at the nearby courthouse - an event that shocked Beecher to her core and inspired her to write her famous novel. Upon meeting her at the White House in 1862, President Abraham Lincoln remarked that she was "the little woman who wrote the book that started this Great War." The museum is located at 2124 Old Main Street in Mayville's historic Washington District.
Everyone, and we mean everyone, raves about the Kathleen Savage Browning Miniatures Collection at the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center. Go ahead and treat yourself to 3,000 s.f. of 1/12th miniatures of everything from musical instruments to upscale dollhouse furniture.
Scenes like this tiny Edwardian-style sitting room "enlighten and delight" as the Collection's webpage promises. There are even "featured miniatures of the month" that showcase miniature studios of famous artists, or local garages, or weird furniture. The Museum is at 215 Sutton Street.
Kentucky is famous for its bourbon and Maysville is no exception. Get a "Kentucky Hug" at the Old Pogue Bourbon Distillery.
Founded in 1876 by H.E. Pogue I (and succeeded by H.E. II and III), the distillery remains in family hands and continues to make small batches using H.E.'s own recipe. Tours are for visitors ages 21 and over at 11 A.M and 2 P.M. Located at 715 Germantown Road.
There’s plenty you can pack into a day or two in Maysville. We haven’t even mentioned the beautiful riverfront views perfect for a quiet walk before or after a meal at Caproni’s on the River. Visit the Maysville visitor website to plan your trip.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
