This history-rich byway meanders along the banks of the Ohio River, hugging its shoreline and offering almost continuous views of the river. The history of the Ohio is found both in rural landscapes and quaint river communities, covering periods from Native American habitation through western settlement, affecting transportation patterns and industrialization.
- Length
- 943 mi / 1517.6 km
- Time to allow
- Two and a half days to drive or eight days to enjoy this byway
- Fees
- None
Who looks after this road
- Ohio River Scenic Byway · their site
- Historic Southern Indiana · 800-489-4474, 812-465-7014 · their site
- Ohio River Scenic Byway - Ohio Department of Transportation · their site
- Ohio River Trails · their site
We publish 18 places that sit on this road, across 3 states, listed in the order you meet them. This is not a route and not a drive time — it is the names, so you can put them into whatever navigation you already use.
Of those, 2 are roadside oddities — the sort of thing you would drive past without knowing it was there.
“Off” is a straight line from the place to the road, rounded. It is not a driving distance, and the road itself is a simplified centre line, so treat a mile or two as noise.
The Indiana stretch
Perfect North SlopesIN2 miles offSki or bike
Busy hill serving Cincinnati and Indianapolis
- Kind
- Ski Areas
Creation Zoo (Creation Museum)KY4 miles offAnimals
- Hours
- Oct 25, 2026-Jan 2, 2027: Mon-Sat 10-5; closed Sun; closed Nov 26, Dec 24-25; last admission 1 hour before close
- Adult
- 44.99
Louisville ZooKY5 miles offAnimals
1100 Trevilian Way. Entry closes at the posted closing time and you exit an hour later. Early close on Wednesdays to Sundays in October for Boo at the Zoo: enter by 3pm, exit by 4pm. A Walking Club runs daily 8-9:15am from 1 Mar to 31 Oct. Stroller, wagon and wheelchair rentals are extra.
- Hours
- Daily year-round. Now through 19 Mar 2027: 10-4, exit by 5. 20 Mar - 19 Sep 2027: 10-5, exit by 6. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
- Season
- Yes - both hours and ticket prices change by season. Spring/summer rates 14 Mar - 31 Oct 2026; fall/winter rates 1 Nov 2026 - 12 Mar 2027.
- Parking
- $7 per vehicle, paid online with your ticket or at the ticket windows before you enter
Kentucky KingdomKY5 miles offFun park
Seasonal; site lists Pumpkins event Wed-Sun through Nov 1; Hurricane Bay water park closed for rest of 2026.
- Season
- Seasonal
Kentucky State FairKY5 miles offAnnual event
fair at Kentucky Exposition Center
- When
- August
- Since
- first held 1902
- Runs for
- more than one day
LouisvilleKY1 mile off
In our guide: 1 animal attraction · 1 park
Kentucky DerbyKY5 miles offAnnual event
sports-motorsport at Churchill Downs (700 Central Ave.)
- When
- May (first Saturday)
- Since
- first run 1875
Holiday World & Splashin' SafariIN9 miles offFun park
Happy Halloween Weekends Sep 19 to Nov 1, 2026; Splashin Safari water park is summer-only
Santa ClausIN9 miles off
In our guide: 2 animal attractions · 1 park
EvansvilleINon the road
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
The Ohio stretch
CincinnatiOH2 miles off
In our guide: 3 animal attractions · 2 parks
Newport, KentuckyKY1 mile off
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
Serpentine WallKYon the road
Also here: the Ohio River
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
Newport AquariumKYon the roadAnimals
Cashless; 1 Aquarium Way
Oglebay ResortWV3 miles offSki or bike
City park resort with small ski hill
- Kind
- Ski Areas
Mothman MuseumWVon the roadRoadside oddity
Props and lore about the 1966 Mothman sightings
Hillbilly Hot DogsWV1 mile offRoadside oddity
Junky hot dog shack with an old school bus and giant wieners
Beech Fork LakeWV9 miles offLake
reservoir
- Fishing
- yes (species not listed)
- Camping
- Beech Fork SP: year-round; 2-night min Fri–Sat; max 14 nights
- Season
- SP 8 a.m.–9 p.m.