Itinerary for Carroll County

Day 1

Spend the day exploring the Carrollton and Carroll County of yester-year.

9am
Start the morning off right in Downtown Carrollton with breakfast at Welch’s Riverside Restaurant. Read the paper (it’s usually on the counter) while enjoying eggs over easy or pancakes piled high. Of course you’ll have the perfect seat to watch the barges go down the Ohio River.

10am
Stroll along Carrollton’s historic square and read the history banners erected on the lamp posts (additional information on the banners at the Tourism Office).

10:45am
Visit the Old Stone Jail in the Courthouse Square.

11:15am
Imagine the 1937 Flood while looking at the photographs and “High-Water” mark in the County Courthouse on the Square.

11:45am
Stop by the specialty shops and Antique Mall while in the Downtown Area. Review our shopping under Things To Do on this Website. (The Craft Patch, The Mustard Seed, The Towne Shop, Office Supply, The DeMint House and Glauber’s Sporting Goods and Shoe Shop)

12:30pm
You have several choices for lunch in the Downtown Area. Review our restaurant guide under “Where to Eat”. Consider a picnic on the Point.

1:00pm
Wander down to the Point. Point Park is where the Ohio and Kentucky Rivers meet. A beautiful place. Imagine the keel boats as they traveled down the Ohio River through the “Original West”, taking that historic “left” onto the Kentucky River and settling the heart of Kentucky. Incredible. As you walked or drove down, you will pass two bait shops. Bait & More, Fish Galore and Glauber’s Sporting Goods. Go fishing – they will provide you with exactly what you need to have a leisurely afternoon “on the Point”.

2:50pm
Stop by the Mustard Seed and pickup absolutely wonderful desserts and drive next to the Kentucky River on 11th Street (which evidentially becomes Lock Road) to Lock and Dam #1 on the Kentucky River for some of the most relaxing moments you will ever experience. Sample the dessert while allowing your “blood-pressure” to settle. Crickets, katydids, grasshoppers, butterflies will all perform a wonderful ballet in the most beautiful setting that I’ve ever seen. But, you have to believe, and honestly relax before they will come out!! Review our Restaurant Guide at “Where to Eat” Review our Calendar of Events

Day 2
Explore General Butler State Resort Park

9am
Have breakfast buffet in the Lodge. Enjoy the magnificent view of the woods.

10:00am
Travel to the back entrance of the Park and start with the Butler-Turpin State Historic House Tour. This 1859 home will help you to understand the importance of the Butlers and why an entire State Park holds their name.

11:00am
Walk over to the Butler Family Cemetery before you leave the site. The hiking trail is full of wonders just waiting to entertain you.

11:30am
Travel back up to the “top of the hill” in the Park and turn left to the “Overlook”. A spectacular view of the Ohio Valley awaits you.

Noon
The Lodge has wonderful buffet lunch or even try the famous Kentucky Hot Brown.

1:00pm
Now you get to travel to the front entrance of the Park. Take time to play miniature golf, ride the miniature train, there are paddleboats, canoes, and these “whack” (a new phrase from my 9 year old) bicycles that glide across Butler Lake. There are hiking trails, playgrounds, picnic shelters. There is a Hawaiian Ice stand just waiting for you around 4pm when you are at your warmest!

4:30pm
Pay your respects to the Kentucky Veterans Memorial located at the front entrance of the Park.

5:00pm
Stop over at the Butler Outlet Mall, Traderbaker’s Flea Market or Arlet and take in some fun shopping.

6:30pm
You might try Reiffen’s Steakhouse for dinner. Hand-cut steaks and signature pasta dishes! When you’re finished with dinner – stop by “My Best To You” Gift Shop – you are guaranteed to find something unique that warms your heart that you were definitely not expecting!! If it’s Friday night – stop by Coffee Cross on Highway 227 for Ice Cream and live music.

Day 3
Ghent / Warsaw / Vevay

9am
Get a jump-start this morning. Have a great breakfast.

10am
Tour the Masterson House on the Ohio River.

11am
Tour S&W Greenhouse and Gift Shop. During the winter months enjoy the freshly grown hydroponic strawberries. The staff is always willing to give you a tour of their strawberry production! It’s cools – bee hives and all!

11:45am
Drive into the wonderful little town of Ghent. Stop by the Basket Tree along the way and see if Karen will show you her current “spoke” basket that she is working on – along with her finished baskets and special lotions for the basket weaver!

Noon
Check and see if Mel’s Diner in Ghent can work you into a table. The Two B&Bs are willing to give tours of their homes (depending on availability). Along this drive you will note the Fortune 500 Companies that have settled along the Ohio River.

1:30pm
Tour Markland Dam and the Observation Deck.

2:00pm
Drive across the Markland Dam and visit the quaint town of Vevay, Indiana and her shops. The Belterra Casino is also at this intersection.

3:30pm
Travel back across the Markland Dam and drive towards Warsaw and visit the Kentucky Speedway in Sparta. Call ahead and make sure that they can take you on the $5 tour of the track. Visit their gift shop.

5:00pm
Travel back to Carrollton by Interstate 71 and you are here in about 10 minutes. Enjoy dinner!

Day 4
Whenever you get ready to go home!
Ask about our Neighbors

We are lucky to have Madison, Indiana 15 miles away, Oldham County and LaGrange with shops, museum and horse back riding, there is Owen County with their cattle farms, golf courses and nationally known Gun Club, Henry County is home to Smith-Berry Winery and Our Best Restaurant to name a few. And remember, Louisville and Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati are both less than an hour away. Enjoy the City – and come home to sleep in the country! We will save a fire-fly performance for you.