Henderson
Around Henderson
Photo: NachoServant · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Kentucky · 57k people
Henderson
“The River City”, “The Audubon City”
A river town with a big heart
Ohio River BlueFarmland Green
Welcome to Henderson, Kentucky! Enjoy the riverfront, catch a race at Ellis Park, and don't miss the blues and barbecue in June. We're glad you're here.
Clubs for Henderson
No clubs for Henderson yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Henderson. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Henderson. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- John James Audubon State Park Museum and trails celebrating Audubon's bird art.
- Ellis Park Thoroughbred racing on the Ohio River.
- Henderson Riverfront Walking trails and views of the Ohio River.
- Ohio River Central to local recreation and commerce.
- Audubon Museum Houses original Audubon prints and artifacts.
- Outdoors Fishing on the Ohio River
- Outdoors Hiking at Audubon State Park
- With kids Visit the Audubon Museum
- With kids Walk the riverfront trail
- Evenings Live music at local bars
- Evenings Attend the W.C. Handy Blues Festival
- Locals love Riverfront parks
- Locals love Small-town diners
Through the year
- W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival June Blues music and BBQ in June.
- Ellis Park Thoroughbred Racing Summer Summer racing season at the track.
- Henderson County Fair July County fair with rides and exhibits.
- Audubon State Park Nature Programs Year-round Guided walks and talks.
Henderson has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Best: Spring and fall are the best times to be outside, with mild temperatures and lower humidity.
Getaways
- Evansville Bigger city with museums and zoo.
- Owensboro Bluegrass music and BBQ.
- Madisonville Shopping and local parks.
- Jasper German heritage and outdoor recreation.
Local flavour
Rooting for University of Kentucky Wildcats, University of Louisville Cardinals, Evansville Otters, Evansville Thunderbolts
Eat and drink
- Kentucky burgoo A thick stew often served at gatherings
- Fried catfish Popular along the river
- Beer cheese A Kentucky appetizer spread
Where people go
- Riverfront parks Along the Ohio River
- Small-town diners Classic American diners
- Audubon State Park Iconic park honoring John James Audubon
Heritage and traditions
Henderson is proud of its river town heritage, its connection to John James Audubon, and its friendly, small-town atmosphere.
This time of year in Henderson
- Waterfowl hunting Fall Hunting season in the sloughs.
Say it like a local: “mash the button” — press the button
Festivals
- Wings Over the Ohio April A birding festival celebrating spring migration along the Ohio River.
Landmarks with a story
- Henderson Historic District A collection of 19th-century buildings along the riverfront, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Henderson County Courthouse Historic courthouse built in the 1800s, a landmark in the town square.
Food traditions
- Lenten fish fries Local churches host fried fish dinners on Fridays during Lent, a tradition rooted in the region's Catholic community.
- Sorghum molasses Made from locally grown sorghum cane, used as a sweetener in baking and on biscuits.
Music and arts
- Blues music heritage Celebrated at the W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival, reflecting the river town's musical history.
A little history
- 1797 Henderson founded by Richard Henderson
- 1810-1819 John James Audubon lived in Henderson and painted many of his birds
- 1861-1865 Henderson occupied by Union troops during the Civil War
- Early 1900s Henderson became a shipping port for tobacco and coal on the Ohio River
- 1925 Ellis Park opened as a horse racing track
Rivalries
- Kentucky vs. Louisville basketball Statewide passion.
- Henderson County vs. Owensboro in high school sports Local bragging rights.
- Ellis Park vs. Churchill Downs (friendly racing banter) Comparing tracks.
- Game day Ellis Park racing season
- Game day High school football on Friday nights
- Outdoors Fishing on the Ohio River
- Outdoors Hiking at Audubon State Park
People in Henderson speak with a Southern accent, often using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'.
Only here
- Ellis Park is the only horse racing track in Kentucky that overlooks the Ohio River.
- The W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival is the largest free blues festival in Kentucky.
- The Henderson Sloughs are a unique wetland habitat for migratory birds.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the river life—fishing, boating, and riverfront walks are local favorites.
- Try the fried catfish and burgoo at local diners; they're regional staples.
- Be prepared for hot, humid summers and mild winters with occasional snow.
- Learn to say 'y'all'—it's part of everyday conversation.
- Check out Ellis Park for horse racing in the summer; it's a beloved local tradition.
Make this page better
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Part of Evansville area
Nearby
Every areaEvansvilleIndianaWhere the river bends, the welcome is wideOwensboroKentuckyRiverfront charm, barbecue soul.MadisonvilleKentuckyCoal country's warmest welcomePrincetonIndianaRiver-fed farmland and friendly small townsMount CarmelIllinoisRiver country, homegrownTell CityIndianaRiver bends, holiday lights, and Hoosier warmth.JasperIndianaLocal rooms for Dubois County.VincennesIndianaWhere the Wabash weaves through history
Henderson, KY. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.