The Southern Ohio and Eastern Kentucky river towns of Ashland, Ironton, and Portsmouth are some of the region’s most beautiful, surrounded by thousands of acres of breathtaking forests and the winding Ohio River. Ashland, known for its vibrant arts scene and the iconic Paramount Arts Center, invites visitors to delve into its cultural heritage, including its Country Music Highway roots. Cross the Ohio River to Ironton, a town steeped in industrial history and Underground Railroad landmarks, before heading to Portsmouth, which offers a journey through time with its ancient Earthworks, Southern Ohio Museum, and historic Boneyfiddle District. From scenic riverfronts to the expanses of Wayne National Forest and Shawnee State Park, this region offers a blissful blend of outdoor recreation and leisure amidst the backdrop of the Appalachian foothills.

Recommendations

Friday

Ashland’s Riverfront Park is a scenic and vibrant community space resting next to the serene banks of the Ohio River. Here, you’ll find paved walking paths, enjoyable picnic areas, expansive green spaces, and vistas overlooking the river. Throughout the year, Riverfront Park hosts a variety of events and festivals, inviting the city and its visitors together for celebrations, concerts, and cultural gatherings. 

Nearby, discover Ashland’s local history and heritage at The Highlands Museum and Discovery Center, showcasing memorabilia from the iconic Country Music Highway and exhibits exploring the heritage of the Appalachian region with historical timelines, cultural artifacts, and a recreation of a 19th-century Main Street. The museum also features a dynamic children's discovery area located on the second floor. (Museum admission is $10.00; Children 2 and under are free.)

It’s impossible not to get inspired walking through Ashland’s revitalized downtown. Planted with unique art installations, captivating murals, and remarkable sculptures, Ashland has transformed its city limits into a spectacle of intrigue and colorful surprises. 

Embark on a self-guided mural walk that winds you through the city in search of vibrant artwork. Highlights along the way include Art Alley, an alley between 15th and 16th Streets (between Winchester and Greenup Avenues) that has been reimagined into a portal of unique community murals. And don’t skip over the Floodwall Murals, which offer a glimpse into Ashland’s storied past. (The floodwall murals can be found at the Port of Ashland in and around the old Depot Train Station located at 99 15th Street, Ashland, KY 41101.)

Bath Avenue, one of Ashland’s oldest streets, was named after the city of Bath in England, reflecting early settlers' aspirations to infuse European culture and elegance into the area. Thanks to recent preservation efforts, visitors can admire the magnificent commercial and residential buildings that date back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries. 

Enjoy a leisurely stroll on a self-guided Historic Walking Tour, where you’ll view Victorian, Colonial Revival, and Craftsman architectural styles and learn about the properties and the families who helped shape Ashland's past and future. 

This area is even home to ancient indigenous mounds dating from the Adena period (800 BC - 800 AD).

Dining at The Mill is an intimate culinary experience crafted by the talented pastry chef Mikal Clark. Located in the historic GC Murphy building, this unique establishment offers a delightful blend of tradition and innovation in the form of hearty comfort food. 

From scratch-made breads and pastries to hand-cut meats and locally sourced produce, every dish is a testament to quality. Be sure to save room for their signature desserts or take some home to enjoy later on.

The Paramount Arts Center is a classic example of Art Deco design and a historical treasure that has captivated audiences since its opening night on September 5, 1931. Originally built as a state-of-the-art movie house for Paramount Studios' silent films, today, the theater hosts a rich variation of cultural and artistic performances, from Broadway shows to concerts, in its grand, 1,417-seat auditorium. As a vibrant hub for the arts, the center hosts around 120 performances annually. Before your visit, check out their upcoming events and grab tickets to see a show in this iconic venue.

Saturday

Once you’ve concluded your morning in Ashland, take the Ironton-Russell bridge across the river toward Ironton, Ohio, a quaint river town known for its significant contributions to the iron industry. First, make a visit to the historic John Campbell Memorial Home. Constructed in 1851, this house not only showcases Campbell’s influence in the iron industry but also served as a refuge for people experiencing slavery on the Underground Railroad. 

Next, walk around Ironton’s Historic Downtown. If traveling between May and October, be sure to check out the Ironton Farmers Market located at Market Square on Second Street. Vendors gather from all across Lawrence County, offering fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables, honey, soaps, and other handmade items. (Open Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m.- 3 p.m.)

One of the best parts of visiting Southern Ohio is its natural beauty. If you want to get lost in the rolling foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, make a visit to Wayne National Forest. As Ohio’s only National Forest, it offers countless trails and outdoor activities. This patchwork of public lands spans twelve counties and features remnants of the region's iron industry. Within the Ironton District of the forest, visit The Vesuvius Recreation Area, named for the old Vesuvius Iron Furnace. Here, visitors can explore over 300 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, off-highway vehicles (OHVs), and horseback riding. The forest also offers tranquil canoeing and kayaking on Symmes Creek, among other locations.

After you’re done exploring Wayne National Forest, make your way to Portsmouth, Ohio. On your way to town, be sure to stop at Mound Park first. This historic and scenic urban park is renowned for its ancient Native American earthworks. The park features a well-preserved Adena culture burial mound, dating back over 2,000 years, which is part of the larger network of the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, recently recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These earthworks were constructed by the Hopewell culture, known for their elaborate ceremonial and social structures.

After visiting the mounds, head into the town of Portsmouth and stop inside The Southern Ohio Museum, which unlocks the region's rich history and artistic heritage. You’ll also gain more insight into the earthworks with their Hopewell cultural artifacts—the largest collection in the country. The archaeological finds include intricately crafted tools, pottery, and ceremonial items. The museum also features contemporary art exhibitions, local history displays, and educational programs. (Admission is free. Open on Saturday from 1-5 p.m.)

Take some time to explore Portsmouth, a city that’s framed by gentle green hills, lush forests, and a coiling Ohio River. It’s a place that’s idyllic in the traditional small-town sense with a rich history and timeless quaintness but also a place that’s looking ahead toward its future. Walk through The Historic Boneyfiddle District, which is renowned for its beautifully preserved 19th-century architecture and array of unique shops, cafes, and art galleries. 

Don’t miss The Portsmouth Floodwall Murals either. Located in historic downtown Portsmouth, these murals offer a captivating display of the city's history and culture through stunning artwork. Visitors can enhance their experience by downloading the Portsmouth Murals App from the App Store or Google Play, which provides an immersive audio and visual tour with historical background, artistic commentary, detailed digital images, and photographs for each mural panel, along with a map to explore beyond the murals. Start your journey at 626 Front Street to dive into the enriching experience.

There are lots of great eateries in Portsmouth, but if you want to boast that you’ve been to the oldest brewery in Ohio, definitely prioritize a visit to the Portsmouth Brewing Company. The Brewing Company has operated since 1843 and still offers recipes from the 1800s. Try their Red Bird Ale—named after the 1939 Portsmouth minor league baseball team or their German-style Portsmouth Pilsner. They also offer a robust dinner menu ranging from lighter fare appetizers to heartier steak and salmon entrees.  

Sunday

Start your day at Market Street Cafe located in downtown Portsmouth. This cozy cafe features hand-crafted espresso drinks and refreshing fruit smoothies with hearty breakfast wraps and paninis.

Before you leave, be sure to grab some of their signature sugar cookies to enjoy later—they're a local favorite.

Escape into the carved valleys and wooded hills of Shawnee State Park planted within the 63,000-acre Shawnee State Forest. Overlooking the scenic Ohio River, the park offers stunning vistas with high points revealing a horizon of rolling hills. Shawnee State Park caters to outdoor and nature lovers with an exceptional amount of activities, including hiking, mountain biking, birdwatching, archery, disc golf, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, horseback riding, and more. Explore their full guide to make the most of your visit. 

If you’re looking for an overnight backpacking experience, take a trek on their 40-mile Shawnee Backpack Trail, with backcountry camping spots dotted throughout. If a day hike is more your speed, there are endless options ranging in difficulty level and distance, like the 2.9-mile Knighton Nature Trail or the historic 1.5-mile Lookout Trail. (See a full list of hikes here.) 

Instead of booking a stay in downtown Portsmouth, there’s also the option of staying at the lodge or renting a rustic cabin within the park. Surrounded by scenic landscapes, it offers an immersive stay within the natural beauty of southern Ohio.

Whether kayaking down the river or paddle boarding across the lakes at Shawnee State Park, there are several ways to get out on the water. 

If you want to stay inside the state park and meander across Roosevelt and Turkey Creek lakes, you can easily rent rowboats, canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and pedal boats from May through October from the camp store. 

Or, if you want to glide down the Ohio River, there’s a full-service marina located off of U.S. Route 52 with ramp access.