Visit a nearly 200-year-old general store and explore the birthplace of American vertebrate paleontology in Boone County, Kentucky.

Boone County sits at the northernmost tip of Kentucky, hugged to the north and west by the Ohio River. This county, joined by Campbell and Kenton counties, makes up part of the official Northern Kentucky region (NKY), an urban area to the south of Cincinnati, Ohio.

The city of Florence is a bustling metropolitan area with much to see and do. You’ll know you’re there when you see the “Florence Y’all” water tower (continue reading for more on that one). Catch the Florence Y’alls in action at Thomas More Stadium, home to NKY’s minor league baseball team, or experience the adrenaline of cheering your favorite horse over the finish line at Turfway Park Racing & Gaming. If you’d rather be the one racing, swing by Full Throttle Adrenaline Park and hit speeds of up to 40mph in one of their state-of-the-art pro karts.

So, back to that water tower. This iconic local landmark has long been the subject of lore. When the tower was erected in the 1970s, it was originally emblazoned with the words “Florence Mall” and was intended to be an advertisement for the forthcoming and much anticipated modern shopping mall. But advertising a non-existent entity was found to be in defiance of the National Highway Beautification Act, and thus, the city had an M-shaped problem on their hands. A new paint job would be costly, so then-Mayor Hop Ewing proposed an economical solution: Simply add an apostrophe and paint over the legs of the M to morph “mall” into “y’all.” The fix was meant to be temporary, but the phrase found a permanent spot in the hearts of residents (hence the affectionately named baseball team).

Boone County’s metropolitan areas quickly give way to rural, rolling hills. Big Bone Lick State Historic Site, coined the birthplace of American vertebrate paleontology, is a great place to learn about the giants that once roamed this idyllic landscape. The park is recognized as a key to understanding Ice Age life on the North American continent, according to the National Park Service. The bones of many prehistoric mammals, including mammoths, mastodons, ground sloths, stag-moose, and more have been found at Big Bone Lick. Today, visitors can catch a glimpse at the park’s bison herd or try their hand at orienteering, a woods navigation sport using a map and compass or GPS, via two permanent woodland orienteering courses.

The small Boone County community of Rabbit Hash oozes charm. The anchor of this riverfront locale is the Rabbit Hash General Store, originally constructed in 1831. This nearly 200-year-old landmark still stands today, despite being completely submerged in the Great Flood of 1937 AND suffering a devastating fire in 2016. The store survived the flood thanks to a series of iron rod anchors, but the wooden structure was no match for an inferno, which left no more than the store’s charred skeleton behind. Rabbit Hash enthusiasts rallied around the historic landmark, and, in a little more than a year’s time, the community gathering spot reopened its doors—restored to its former glory with historic quirks intact… right down to the sloped floorboards. Because the store’s original details were so painstakingly preserved, it is proudly still listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Take a scenic drive and pay a visit to yesteryear at this beloved spot, open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. While you’re there, pop into Folksiders to shop for handmade and vintage items, sip on a glass of wine at Gunpowder Creek Vineyard’s Wine Tasting Room, or grab a bite and enjoy the view from the deck at Chef Hip E’s Cocina Loca.

Another quirk of this unincorporated community is that it’s governed by a “pawlitician.” Since 1998, folks have exercised their democratic right to elect the top dog. With votes costing $1 apiece, this election serves as a fundraiser for the Rabbit Hash Historical Society, which owns and maintains the quaint riverside hamlet. The current mayor, Boone the Bluetick Coonhound, was elected in 2024. His campaign raised more than $14,000 toward the town’s preservation.

Continue the scenic drive along the Ohio River from Rabbit Hash to Petersburg, where the Creation Museum is located. This 75,000-square foot facility allows families to experience biblical history. The museum is full of excitement for kids, from a special effects theater and planetarium to a zoo and ziplines.

While you are in the area, be sure to visit one of the Kentucky Farm Bureau Certified Farm Markets in Boone County: Eagle Bend Alpacas/Eagle Bend’s Yarn & Fiber (note that tours are by appointment only), Kinman Farm Market, and McGlasson Farms. 

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For your convenience, Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance has multiple offices located in Boone County. Click here for more information.

The 120 is a blog produced by Kentucky Farm Bureau highlighting each of Kentucky's 120 counties—because we're well-known for knowing Kentucky well.