Exploring the Ohio River Scenic Byway
The Ohio River Scenic Byway follows one of the most historic and scenic waterways in the United States.
Stretching through Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, this route winds along the banks of the Ohio River, connecting small towns, historic sites, river overlooks, and hidden gems that many travelers miss.
This is not a fast highway drive—it’s a journey through history, landscapes, and communities shaped by the river.
Ohio River Scenic Byway Map
This map includes:
- The full byway route
- Stops we’ve visited
- Towns, parks, and historic sites
- Scenic pull-offs and river views
Ohio River Scenic Byway Stops & Nearby Places
Ohio River Scenic Byway Destinations
The locations below include places we’ve personally visited, historical reference locations, restaurants, museums, parks, and scenic stops found along or near the Ohio River Scenic Byway.
Use the directory listings to explore individual destinations, read related articles, and discover new places to add to your journey.
Dearborn County Historical Society
The Dearborn County Historical Society preserves artifacts, records, and exhibits that help tell the story of southeastern Indiana and its people.
Delta and Linwood Avenue Historical Marker
The Delta and Linwood Avenue Historical Marker commemorates a location important to local community development and transportation history. It offers travelers a chance to discover stories that helped shape the surrounding region.
Downtown Lawrenceburg Historic District
Downtown Lawrenceburg Historic District is a national historic district located at Lawrenceburg, Indiana. The district encompasses 257 contributing buildings and 2 contributing objects in the central business district and surrounding residential sections of Lawrenceburg. The district developed between about 1815 and 1900, and includes notable examples of Late Victorian, Federal, and Greek Revival style architecture.
Eagle Cotton Mill Historical Marker
The Eagle Cotton Mill Historical Marker tells the story of one of the region's early industries and the role manufacturing played in local growth. It provides insight into the economic development of the Ohio River Valley.
Evansville African American Museum
In 1997 the Evansville Housing Authority (EHA) planned to demolish the housing development, and in August of that year, Sondra L Matthews (Editor and Publisher of Our Times newspaper) appeared before the EHA to request the preservation of a section of Lincoln Gardens for historical and educational purposes. She shared the personal impact Lincoln Gardens had on her and other Black families, and brought a group of former residents to meet with EHA's Executive Director John Collier. Together they explored the possibility of saving a building and creating an African American Museum.
Evansville Wartime Museum
Evansville Wartime Museum offers visitors an opportunity to explore local history, regional heritage, and the stories that helped shape the surrounding community. Travelers interested in discovering hidden gems, historical connections, and the character of the Midwest will find this site a worthwhile stop.
Floyd County Historical Society Padgett Museum
The Floyd County Historical Society Padgett Museum preserves artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of Floyd County's people, industries, and communities.
Fort Finney & North Point Historical Markers
Explore the site of Fort Finney and the North Point Historical Markers, where frontier settlement, military history, and Native American heritage intersect along the Ohio River Valley. These markers help tell the story of the region's earliest settlers and the challenges they faced on the expanding frontier.
Fort Massac State Park
Fort Massac State Park combines Ohio River scenery with frontier history. The park preserves the legacy of one of the region's most important military posts and serves as a gateway to southern Illinois history.
Four Freedoms Monument
The Four Freedoms Monument was commissioned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt following his articulation of the "Four Freedoms" in his 1941 State of the Union Address. This was yet before the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the participation of the United States in World War II. Roosevelt felt that, through the medium of the arts, a far greater number of people could be inspired to appreciate the concept of the Four Freedoms.
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