Being named by Southern Living as “one of the friendliest towns in the South” in 2024 came with pressure, but local officials are rising to the challenge. In fact, Henderson’s tourism office and its collaborators have aspirations of being “the world’s most hospitable locale.” In May, 600 people attended Henderson’s first “Hospitality Summit” and heard bestselling author Will Guidara explain how hospitality can be part of everything we do. How is Henderson making a name for itself? By diversifying its portfolio.
CRUISE STOPS
After emergency “auditions” during 2024 and 2025 Mississippi River seasons, international cruise line Viking will offer scheduled stops in Henderson on a new 2027 Ohio River itinerary. In two consecutive seasons, the river level on the Mississippi made it impassable for Viking’s fleet, causing the cruise company to divert to the Ohio River. Henderson stepped in to provide port services and quality replacement excursions that included a garden-themed tour, visits to Audubon Museum, and wine, bourbon, and barbecue tastings. That last-minute hospitality apparently made an impression. In 2027, the 386-passenger Viking Mississippi ship will stop here twice in June and twice in November.
BARBECUE
Henderson serves as a northernmost point on the West Kentucky BBQ Belt, which includes more than 40 regional barbecue joints in Bowling Green, Hopkinsville, Mayfield, Murray, Paducah, Owensboro, Cadiz, Franklin, and the Land Between the Lakes area. Henderson Tourism was a trailblazer for adding the Ohio River town to the trail. The Belt offers a challenge: Sign up for a mobile pass, and with a visit to each barbecue joint on the map, you’ll eat your way to a reward. Find Henderson’s stops on the Belt at Homer’s Barbecue, 128 Second St.; ChefWhat BBQ & More, 422 Seventh St.; Taylor’s Grill on Wheels, 130 N. Water St.; and Thomason’s Barbecue, 701 Atkinson St.
MUSIC FESTIVALS
The town’s “Songs of Summer” campaign shines a spotlight on a vibrant four-month music festival calendar. SummerFest in May offers 1980s and ’90s music. PorchFest stages local bands in front of historic Main Street homes in June. Later that month, the W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival brings an acclaimed lineup of blues musicians for a multi-day event based at Audubon Mill Park. July offers Sandy Lee Watkins Songwriters Fest, which spotlights songwriters from Nashville, Tennessee. August basks in the glow of the Bluegrass in the Park Folklife Festival. With the exception of the songwriters’ festival, all these events are free to attend.
PUBLIC ART
Last summer, the “Gnomes of Audubon” art display moved into John James Audubon State Park. Each piece has a gnome-sized front door tucked inside the park. Families can take a scavenger hunt to find the door, hear its story, and spot the new gnome that moved into the “neighborhood” this year.
ACCOMMODATIONS
There is a growing number of vacation rentals. Modern meets industrial Downtown at The Nest Loft, The Lifeboat Loft, and The Brokerage Loft. Tranquil getaways await at The Cabin and Little House on the River. Families can fish in the lake next to The Farm, which sleeps 10. Farmer & Frenchman Winery is expanding its three-cabin lodging with a bed and breakfast offering five rooms.
