Henderson's tourism director talks storybook streets, Metzger's spicy-cheese-cubes and burgers, and why she'd never call her hometown "just a dot on the map." Read Abby Dixon's take on Kentucky pride, hidden gems, and the advice that shaped how she leads.

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1. Tell us who you are and what you do — but explain it like you're at a backyard cookout, not a networking event

I'm Abby. I run tourism for Henderson, Kentucky, so basically I get to spend my days figuring out how to make people stop scrolling and start saying, “wait… we should go there.”

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Most of the time that means telling the story of our river town in a way that feels real, not salesy. Coffee shops that know your order, BBQ joints that smoke everything low and slow, summer nights at Ellis Park, and downtown streets where a festival can break out just because it’s Friday.

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If I’m doing it right, I’m helping people realize Henderson isn’t just a dot on the map. It’s the kind of storybook town you fall into for a long weekend and then start planning how to come back before you’ve even left.

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2. Where in Kentucky do you call home, and what makes it feel like yours?

Henderson is home. It’s the kind of place where people remember your kids’ names, where a walk by the river can change your whole day, and where community *really* means something. I love that it feels creative and grounded at the same time.

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3. How long have you been in Kentucky, and what made you stay (or come back)?

With the exception of a brief stint in Tennessee (don't worry, I never wore orange), Kentucky has always been home for me. I stayed because there’s something really special about building a life in a place where relationships matter. I also genuinely believe small towns can shape people in powerful ways when they invest in culture, connection, and quality of life.

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4. What’s your go-to order at your favorite local spot, and where is it?

I'm never going to turn down a burger with spicy cheese cubes and horseradish sauce at Metzger's Tavern! It's one of the oldest continuously operating taverns in Kentucky, and if those walls could talk...

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5. What’s a Kentucky hidden gem — a place, event, or experience — that more people should know about?

The Sloughs Wildlife Management Area! This place is magical. It truly looks like something straight out of a fairy tale.

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6. Derby, basketball, or bourbon, or something else — which one best represents your Kentucky identity, and why?

Small-town festivals. Where you go for “just an hour” and somehow know half the people there and leave with a handful of new friends, too.

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7. What does Kentucky get right that the rest of the country hasn’t figured out yet?

In no particular order: festivals for absolutely everything (or nothing at all), casseroles delivered in times of crisis, and the art of farm-to-table goodness before it was a hashtag.

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8. Finish this sentence: “You’re not a real Kentuckian until you’ve _________________________.”

looked at the racing form, studied every statistic, and still put your $2 on the long shot with the cutest name.

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‍9. What does a perfect day in Kentucky look like for you — start to finish?

It starts with coffee on our front porch while the world wakes up. After a “big family breakfast,” as my kids call it, we’d head out for a morning bike ride around downtown Henderson. We’d pop in and out of local boutiques and eventually land at Rockhouse on the River for lunch on a patio overlooking the river. The day would wind down with board games at Henderson Brewing Co., just enjoying good company and not rushing anywhere. Life moves so fast, and I cherish a slow-paced day. Oh, and no laundry!

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10. What’s currently on your nightstand, in your earbuds, or on your screen?

Will Guidara's new book, Unreasonable Hospitality: The Field Guide. We recently hosted Will in Henderson for our first ever Hospitality Summit, and it's safe to say our whole community will be fangirling for a long time!

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11. What does your work mean to your community, in your own words?

I think tourism is really about pride of place. Good destination marketing doesn’t just attract visitors. It reminds residents that where they live matters. If people feel connected to their community, they invest in it differently.

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12. Who in Kentucky — past or present — do you think deserves more recognition, and why?

Frontline hospitality workers. They're the servers, greeters, baristas, etc. that are delivering that warm first impression that wins over our guests time after time.

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13. What’s a Kentucky food you’d defend in a debate — even if other people think it’s controversial?

Benedictine. No notes.

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14. If you had to show a visitor the real Kentucky in just 24 hours, what would the itinerary look like?

If I had 24 hours to show you the real Kentucky, I’d (spoiler alert) just stay in Henderson and let it speak for itself.

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We’d start slow at a coffee shop downtown. Then we’d walk a loop through downtown Henderson, taking in the historic homes on either side of our central business district. We'd hit the River Walk along the Ohio River, because that really is the backdrop for everything here. Late morning, we’d head to John James Audubon State Park before lunching at one of our BBQ joints. No need to dress it up, just somewhere local where the smoker’s been going since 5 a.m. Audubon's museum looks like something out of a fairy tale movie, and seeing the collection of Audubon artifacts and originals paired with the trails and observation area would turn even the most indoorsy among us into true bird nerds.

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In the afternoon, we’d head to Ellis Park Racing & Gaming. In the summer, it’s one of those places that just feels good. It's not fancy, just a relaxing place to experience the thrill of a horse race up close and personal.

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As the day winds down, we’d head 15 minutes out of town to Farmer & Frenchman Winery & Cafe. We'd have dinner and wine al fresco and take in the views of the vineyard and savor the flavor of the most laid back fancy food you've ever had... including the Farmer Tommy, because yes, country ham really does pair well with artisan pizza.

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Whether we're staying downtown in a historic short term rental or out in the county on a family farm, we're gonna wake up feeling refreshed and with full cups, ready to road trip to the next region over to start our great big Kentucky adventure all over again!

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15. Leave us with something — a quote, a mantra, a piece of wisdom, or just something you want people to remember.

Every place thinks it’s “just a dot on the map” until you slow down long enough to notice it’s actually a whole world of its own. I’ve learned that the magic isn’t in chasing the biggest destinations. Any place can be somebody else’s dream trip if you’re paying attention.

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Follow along: @abbydixon455 and @tourhendersonky on the IG.