This Growing Northern Kentucky City Is A Haven For Shopping, Local Food, And Parks

Located in the very northern tip of Kentucky, just south of the Ohio River, sits the roughly 35,000-strong city of Florence. It was incorporated as a city almost two hundred years ago, in 1830. Today, it's home to over 2,500 businesses that include a diverse range of shopping options, numerous local restaurants, and several green spaces to enjoy. 

As the second-largest city in Kentucky, Florence has continued to experience steady growth. According to World Population Review, it sits at No. 22 on the list of fastest-growing cities in Kentucky for 2026, with a growth rate of 1.12% between 2020 and 2026. That number might seem small, but for visitors, what's important is what that growth has brought to the area — and that includes plenty of businesses and attractions to explore. For example, its 2023 Annual Economic Development Report documented 23 business development projects in just that year alone, ranging from restaurants and stores to markets and hotels.

Florence sits in a very convenient location within driving distance to major cities like Cincinnati, Ohio, which is only 20 minutes away by car. Lexington and Louisville are also easily accessible, less than a few hours away — but Florence is more than just a stop on the way to a major city. One lifelong Florence resident described it on Niche as a place where "there is always something to do whether you live in the area or are just visiting," while another noted that it "has exactly what you need. It is a nice area, with plenty of shopping centers, restaurants, and entertainment spots. The area is safe, and I don't fear walking on the sidewalks alone."

The shopping experiences in Florence range from traditional plazas and malls to niche stores and boutiques. Of course, there's the Florence Mall, which houses over 100 stores for browsing and swiping your card — but then there are other specialty options to consider as well. For example, The Cottage Boutique serves as a great place in Florence to stop at if you're looking for gifts, jewelry, and home decor. It sources a lot of products from other small businesses, stocking everything from self-care essentials like shampoos and oils to home decor items like bookends and photo frames.

If you want to take a walk down memory lane by shopping for your favorite gaming consoles and video games, Nostalgic Video Games and Arcade is the place to check out. The store's range of consoles includes just about every generation of PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo consoles, among other brands. It also has discount games and an arcade where, for $10, you are allowed unlimited playing access. One customer reviewed the store on Google, stating, "One of my favorite video game stores I've been to in the country. Tons of really cool inventory and very fairly priced. The employees are super personable and talked about the history of the place and clearly had a love for collecting ... Worth a trip if you're passionate about games and near the area!"

For those interested in checking out antiques and vintage finds, head to Mall Road Treasures (pictured). Spanning 22,000 square feet and housing 22 vendors and over 200 booths, the marketplace has shelves stocked full of unique items like antique dolls, china, ceramic knick-knacks, vintage picture frames, and so much more. "Worth checking out at least once, be prepared for a lot of walking!" wrote one visitor on Google Reviews. "Lots of stuff for collectors, lots of odd handmade stuff."

Bigger cities in The Bluegrass State, like Louisville — specifically, the city's peaceful Bonnycastle neighborhood – offer a range of interesting restaurants. But you shouldn't sleep on the diverse range of local dining options available in Florence. If local bourbon tastings paired with classic American fare top your list of dining priorities, Churchill's Bourbon and Brew has you covered. Churchill's has an extensive bourbon, wine, beer, and cocktail list, and the food menu showcases plenty of sandwiches and burgers. Complement your dining experience at Churchill's with the free live music organized on the weekends, and you're bound to have a great time.

Florence is also home to one of the best barbecue spots in the Tristate area – Smokin' This and That BBQ. It blends the culinary art of barbecuing with a passion for taking care of the community born from looking after those affected during Hurricane Sandy years ago. Its menu will have you choosing between hard-to-ignore options like breakfast sausages, brisket, smoked wings, and baby back ribs. Diners have also complimented the large portions Smokin' This and That serves, with one customer on Google mentioning how there's "So much food that we are glad we split this for lunch."

If you're on a time crunch or just need a quick sugary bite along with a cup of coffee, you'll be glad to learn that the family-owned coffee shop of Velocity Bike and Bean serves classics like espressos, lattes, and cortados, along with some specialty brews that include flavored mochas. It also has a selection of flavored drinks that change monthly, pastries and baked goods to go with your cup of coffee, and Saturday-only breakfast sandwiches. You can visit it from Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Much like the pretty parks found in the waterfront Kentucky city of Ashland, Florence is also home to several green spaces to be out and about in nature. Of these, Florence Nature Park and Lincoln Woods Park are certainly worth visiting. Florence Nature Park occupies a land area of 15 acres and is home to walking trails and the Nature Park Event Center, which can be rented out to celebrate weddings, parties, and other events. The park also has patios, grills, and water fountains, and its landscaped gardens provide the perfect escape from the city.

There's also Lincoln Woods Park, which you can drive to in less than 10 minutes from downtown Florence. It's similar in size to Florence Nature Park, offering visitors wooded areas to explore by use of unpaved trails. This park also comes with tennis courts, ball fields, a basketball court, and a playground with swings for children. Some parkgoers have complained, though, that parking can be problematic. One reviewer on Google stated, "The extra parking lot is a little tricky to get to. Maybe better signage could do the trick?"

Perhaps the highest-rated and most popular park in Florence is South Fork Park, which has 4.7 stars on Google from more than 750 reviews. "This is a really quaint and well maintained park that makes for a relaxing place to spend some time," wrote one review. "The landscaping is nicely done, with clean pathways, open green spaces, and a layout that feels both organized and inviting." The dog-friendly park also has a quaint walking trail that leads you to a red bridge over a creek that offers beautiful scenery year-round.