Ohio River Towns means great Small Town Destinations! When traveling on Kentucky’s Route 8 or the AA Highway, you must check out Small Town Vanceburg. This adorable town of 1,300 residents sits on the Ohio River- and is near other Small Town Destinations such as Augusta, KY. But what makes Vanceburg so unique is its dedication to the Veterans of Lewis County and their current enthusiasm & potential for growth.
Vanceburg’s Military Heroes Banner Project
Many towns currently have some sort of “Hometown Heroes” program. However, Vanceburg takes this concept much further as they continue to develop their “Military Heroes Banners Project.” Click here to see full press release.
The “Military Heroes Banners Project” has begun to draw veterans and their families from all over Kentucky and surrounding states. This project is the beginning of several developments that are bringing travelers to Vanceburg, KY. Currently, of the over 216 banners hanging in the City of Vanceburg, they represent 19 wars or conflicts, 4 Pearl Harbor Survivors, 2 Civil War Veterans, 1 Spanish American War Veteran, 3 Veterans who served in 3 different wars, 3 Veterans who were Prisoners of War, 14 Veterans who were killed in action during the Vietnam War, 2 Veterans who were killed in action during World War II and 1 Veteran killed in action in Korea. Additionally, there are Veterans ranked from Private E1 to General.
My Town loves seeing what up-and-coming small towns do best- investing in their history. You’ll love walking the quaint street of Vanceburg, grabbing a bite, and taking in the sites. Here are the places you can’t miss.
Where To Stay When Visiting Vanceburg
The Riverview Getaway – A Tiny Home In Vanceburg, KY
Here is the thing: Vanceburg is not big, and I say that with all the love I can give to this small town gem! What makes this getaway rental so special is its proximity and walkability to everything, and when I say steps… I mean steps. The Riverview Getaway is located on the corner of Main & Front Streets and is just STEPS away from the Veterans Memorial Park and The Riverbend Pub & Grill.
This renovated space was created by a local pastor and his wife, who put much care into its design. First and foremost, their dedication to Vanceburg is staked with a beautiful mural on the outside wall of the Riverview Getaway. A great place for photos to mark your time and place. In addition, the space has all the amenities you would need to accommodate a short one-night stay or to make the space a short-term rental.
Here’s what My Town Loved Most:
-View of The Ohio River
-Across From Veterans Memorial Park
-Across From Riverbend Pub & Grill
-A Short Walk To Osman Pharmacy for Coffee, Breakfast, or Lunch
-A Completely New Renovation that Offers Cozy & Tasteful Furnishings & Décor
-Very Clean
-Safe Keyless Entry
-Great Location to Stay to Get Away from it All
Additionally, The Riverview Getaway is also a short drive to other local attractions, such as the Augusta Distillery and The Kentucky Gateway Museum Center in Maysville.
OFFER: MENTION MY TOWN TRAVELS WHEN BOOKING AND RECEIVE 15% OFF A SEVEN-NIGHT OR MORE STAY!
Where To Eat
Osmans Pharmacy
Small Towns are known for family-owned and operated businesses, and Osman’s has been serving Vanceburg as a pharmacy and grill for over six decades! Originally started across the road from the current Osman Pharmacy, Blocks Drugs was a community staple that became Osman Pharmacy in 1968. Osman’s is now owned by a new family committed to keeping this legacy alive.
This is the perfect place to stop for breakfast, lunch, coffee, or to grab that little something you forgot to pack! Lunch offers a wide variety of small town favorites- from a Fishtail Sandwich to Fried Bologna! You will love this quintessential small town business for whichever reason you decide to stop.
Riverbend Pub & Grill
A great place for Lunch, dinner, and drinks! My Town loved their chicken wrap, and they have great bar appetizers. The Riverbend is known for its local music and is becoming known for its small town artists. As its name implies, it is steps away from the river, Veterans Memorial Park, to be exact- which has a fantastic view!
Chiggers Dairy Bar
Looking for that perfect place to get a Burger, Fries, and a Milkshake? This is the place! Chiggers Dairy Bar has been a Vanceburg staple for over 36 years. This is that lovely small town place that has it all: hotdogs, hamburgers, hoagies, fries, milkshakes, sundaes, and so so so much more!
What To Do
Veterans Memorial Park
Anyone in town will tell you- you must stop by Veterans Memorial Park. The park is located at the corner of Front & Main Street and overlooks the Ohio River. A great place to sit, eat, read, or whatever you do to relax! Plus, it’s also conveniently steps away from the Riverview Getaway Airbnb and The Riverbend Pub & Grill.
George Morgan Thomas House & Vanceburg Visitors Center
Originally the home of George Morgan Thomas built in 1883, the house was a hotel from 1920 until the mid-1970s. Currently, the home is being renovated to showcase its history & charm and to be used as a Visitor Center for Guests. From The George Morgan Thomas House, you can see the railroad tracks and the Vanceburg Depot Museum.
The Vanceburg Depot Museum
Love Trains? Then you will love this historical location.
The Railroad Line was initially known as the Maysville and Big Sandy Railroad. The first Depot was built on this in 1888; the present Depot was built about 1913 and was completely restored in 2000. The Depot currently houses the town’s historical memorabilia and has a very special section you’re not going to find anywhere else (The Vanceburg Post Office Museum).
Call to Schedule your Visit: 606-796-3044
Want More on the Vanceburg Depot? Click Here.
Ohio River Way & Lewis & Clark Trails
Vanceburg is part of the Ohio River Way and The Lewis and Clark Trails. If you are making your way on either of these maps, stop in and check out the beautiful views.
Quick History: Salt first attracted settlers to the Vanceburg area, which was easily reached by landing at the confluence of Salt Lick Creek and the Ohio River. The town was established by Joseph Vance and Moses Baird, who, as leader of the group, named the settlement after his companion. The town thrived on salt production and mining.
Additionally, the only monument to Union soldiers killed in the Civil War south of the Mason-Dixon Line erected by public subscription is located in Vanceburg( Pictured next to Courthouse). The 1937 Great Flood devastated much of the Ohio Valley and washed away Vanceburg’s 1st Street, spilling into the entire town. After that, the streets were renamed in their order back from Front Street (https://www.ohioriverway.org/vanceburg-ky).
Today, Vanceburg is a Small Town on a Big River starting to expand tourism with small town charm. The Ohio River offers the perfect backdrop for this friendly town inviting people to learn about its history, present novelties, and future endeavors.
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