06/15/2026
So much to do in just one day.... make it a weekend trip at www.thebenchmarkinn.com
One of Kentucky’s most historic and charming little towns is the town of Augusta, where you can find a beautiful Ohio River setting, old homes, local shops, and the kind of slow-paced main street feel that makes the whole place seem frozen in time. With just over 1,000 residents, Augusta may be small, but it has a lot to explore. Along Riverside Drive, the Augusta Ferry still carries cars across the Ohio River between Kentucky and Ohio, a service that dates back to 1798.
You can tour the Rosemary Clooney House, set inside the singer and actress’s longtime riverfront home, and see costumes, photos, and keepsakes from her life and career. Baker-Bird Winery is another must-see, with a huge 1850s wine cellar considered the oldest and largest wine cellar in America open to the public. The site also survived the 1862 Battle of Augusta during the Civil War. Visitors can stop by Augusta Distillery for bourbon, eat at the Augusta General Store, see Kentucky’s oldest jail, and wander past 1800s homes in the Water Street Historic District. It’s a tiny river town packed with history, scenery, and true Kentucky character.
