Explore a storybook riverside town, see the oldest jail in Kentucky, and sleep in a treehouse

Situated in the northernmost region of Kentucky, Bracken County hugs the shores of the Ohio River. Perched along that riverbank is the charming, small town of Augusta, which sits atop Fort Ancient Village, a settlement of Native Americans who farmed, hunted, fished, and lived in communities along the water’s edge until the mid-1600s.

The river is home to ol’ trusty Jenny Ann, a ferry that chugs across the Ohio River and back several times a day, seven days a week. It has been running since 1798, when John Boude shuttled passengers with his hand-propelled ferry. As such, it is one of the oldest ferry services still in operation on the Ohio River.

Just a few steps away you can buzz into the Beehive Augusta Tavern (located in a circa 1796 building), where you can enjoy an al fresco farm-to-table meal while you watch Jenny Ann come and go. From there, walk along the historic Main Street, which feels like stepping back in time. Peruse gift shops and antique stores with a scoop of ice cream from the Augusta General Store, a riverside shop that has it all, from hearty breakfasts to unique gifts. Actor George Clooney attended and graduated from Augusta High School, where he was on the basketball team. His family still lives in the area, and his mother owns Nina’s, a local antique store. 

The Haley House Museum—open by appointment only—houses a large array of military memorabilia, sports memorabilia, and other artifacts from Bracken County’s storied past. Stop by the original town square to see the 1811 Augusta Jail, the oldest jail in Kentucky, or sit a spell at Baker-Bird Winery & Distillery. Their wine cellar is the largest, oldest wine cellar in the country and the only winery to have survived a Civil War battle. At The Rosemary Clooney House, you can get a glimpse into the beloved Hollywood singer and actress's home. Starting in 1980, the celeb (also George Clooney’s aunt) moved to Augusta as a retreat from her Hollywood career and a haven for rest between performances all over the world.

Wrap up your journey with a drive through the gently rolling hills and past rural farms to nearby Brooksville, where EarthJoy Treehouse Adventures is located. Connect with nature and unleash your inner child on the 285-acre property where you can sleep in a treehouse, host a teambuilding event, or explore The Storybook Trail, where pages from the owners’ children’s book, The Ugly Elder, come to life. Or perhaps you’ve always wanted to climb a tall tree but have a fear of falling. This playful place allows you to book a guided tree climb and go out on a limb… attached to safety ropes, of course!

Before leaving the area, be sure to visit The Greenhouse in Gertrude, a Kentucky Farm Bureau Certified Farm Market offering annual flowers, herbs, and vegetable plants, plus an additional selection of mums and ornamental gourds in the fall.

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For your convenience, Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance has an insurance agency located in Bracken 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.