Check out these unusual tourist attractions in NKY 

While destinations like the Newport Aquarium and Big Bone Lick State Park may be premier spots for an educational afternoon out, there is plenty more to see in Northern Kentucky, some of which veers toward the unusual. With wrecked ships, puppet museums and more, NKY is packed with some odd history. 

USS Sachem ruins 

Stuck on the banks of the Ohio River in Petersburg Kentucky, sits the USS Sachem. Left at its current spot, kayakers have been coming to see this ghostly ship since it was abandoned in the 1980s. The ship’s history is rich, adding to its allure. According to Atlas Obscura, the ship served in both World Wars and was even featured in Madonna’s “Papa Don’t Preach” music video. Today, this rusty vessel continues to draw tourists looking for something usual.  

Vent Haven Museum 

Serving Northern Kentucky for over 50 years, this quirky museum houses over 1,200 artifacts related to ventriloquism. Founded by W.S. Berger, the museum reflects the collection he spent 40 years building. As such, the museum showcases many items from the art form from the 19th and 20th centuries. As the world’s only ventriloquism museum, the experience is even rarer since the museum is only open May through September, meaning the Vent Haven just opened for the season. Reservations required.  

33 West Maple Ave., Fort Mitchell, Ky. venthaven.org 

Behringer-Crawford Museum 

Located in Devou Park, at the namesake family’s 19th-century home, the Behringer-Crawford Museum details the region’s history. The museum highlights cultural history and the visual and performing arts in its permanent collection while rotating exhibitions spotlight local artists. Perhaps on the more obscure side, the museum also features some taxidermy. There since the museum first opened, visitors today can still see curiosities such as a black bear, a two-headed calf and more.  

1600 Montague Rd, Covington, KY. exploredevoupark.org