Contrary to what the rest of the country might think, Kentucky isn’t just bluegrass, bourbon, and horses. We have some really cool cities and towns, and while some of them might be small and rural, they have a unique charm to them that you won’t find anywhere else. Here are 17 towns in Kentucky that we featured last year, so be sure you put them on your list of places to visit in 2017!
- Harrodsburg
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn Harrodsburg is the oldest town in Kentucky. It was founded in 1774, and was the first permanent settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains.
- Bardstown
Flickr/Matt Zaske Known as “the Most Beautiful Small Town in America,” Bardstown makes a perfect day trip. Visit a bourbon distillery, or have a gourmet meal on My Old Kentucky Dinner Train.
- Louisville
Flickr/Ken Lund Kentucky’s largest city has no shortage of things to do. Walk down Museum Row, see a horse race at the famous Churchill Downs, or participate in the Urban Bourbon Trail.
- Grand Rivers
Flickr/Matt Ridings Grand Rivers is a quaint little lake town that is perfect for a weekend getaway in the summer. Located right on the banks of Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, there are plenty of opportunities for swimming, boating, water skiing, and more. It’s also located near the Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area, so you can hike and camp while you’re in town.
- Lexington
Flickr/keithreed01 Even though Lexington is Kentucky’s second-largest city, it is still a great place to live and work. Plus, if you need to escape the city life, just drive to the outskirts of Lexington and beyond to see all the beautiful horse farms.
- Berea
Wikimedia Commons/parkerdr This arts and crafts community has a special charm you won’t find anywhere else. Tour the campus of Berea College, visit one of the many art galleries and farmers’ markets, and hike to the top of the Berea Pinnacles.
- Rabbit Hash
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM This tiny little community on the banks of the Ohio River just might be the most unique town in the state. Several of their buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and their mayor is a dog. Who wouldn’t love this town?
- Elkton
Flickr/OZinOH Elkton is a quaint and charming Southern town. Be sure to stop in at the L & R Soda Bar in the town square, which is an old-fashioned soda fountain where you can get a classic burger and fries with a milkshake.
- Paducah
Flickr/Rob Holland This western Kentucky town is probably best known for being home to the National Quilt Museum, which showcases amazing quilts from artists all over the world. Downtown Paducah is filled with art galleries, making it a very unique town to visit.
- Newport
Flickr/Algorithms Riven Newport is located right across the river from Cincinnati, so it has spectacular views of the skyline. Visit the Newport Aquarium or one of the many shops and restaurants on Newport on the Levee for a great day trip.
- Owensboro
Flickr/ R Nicholas Owensboro is yet another river town in Kentucky, and is probably best known for its barbecue. They hold the International Bar-B-Q Festival every May, and call themselves The BBQ Capital of the World. Owensboro is also home to an award-winning playground called Smothers Park.
- Covington
Flickr/Eric Fischer Covington is Newport’s northern Kentucky neighbor, lying just to its west. This historic town is underrated, and is definitely worth a visit. Eat at one of the many great restaurants, or stroll through the various historic neighborhoods, like the Mainstrasse District.
- Danville
Wikimedia Commons/Sydney Poore and Russell Poore Danville is known as “the City of Firsts,” and has plenty to explore. The first courthouse in Kentucky was in Danville, and the state’s first Constitution was signed here. Before Frankfort, Danville was the state capital, and it’s home to Centre College, which has the oldest college campus west of the Allegheny Mountains.
- Maysville
Flickr/Bill Ingram Maysville is a charming river town in northeastern Kentucky. Maysville has many historic sites, such as the Phillips’ Folly Mansion, which is said to be haunted and has been featured on “Ghost Adventures.” Maysville was an important stop on the Underground Railroad since it was right across the river from the free state of Ohio.
- Ashland
Flickr/Doug Kerr If you visit this eastern Kentucky mountain town, be sure to visit the Paramount Theatre, which has hosted many well-known acts. Ashland is especially great to visit in the winter, as it transforms into a winter wonderland each holiday season. Next year, check out the Winter Wonderland Festival of Lights, which takes place in Ashland’s downtown and Central Park, and is one of the best Christmas lights displays in the state.
- Augusta
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn This peaceful and quiet little river town is a great place to visit during the summer. Walk along the river and watch the boats pass.
- Blue Heron
Flickr/Anthony Blue Heron is a former coal mining community in eastern Kentucky that is a bit spooky. You can visit the town by taking a ride on the Big South Fork Scenic Railway out of Stearns, which takes you on an incredibly scenic journey through the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.
These are just a few of the awesome towns in Kentucky that are worth a visit. What other towns could be on this list?
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
Harrodsburg is the oldest town in Kentucky. It was founded in 1774, and was the first permanent settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains.
Flickr/Matt Zaske
Known as “the Most Beautiful Small Town in America,” Bardstown makes a perfect day trip. Visit a bourbon distillery, or have a gourmet meal on My Old Kentucky Dinner Train.
Flickr/Ken Lund
Kentucky’s largest city has no shortage of things to do. Walk down Museum Row, see a horse race at the famous Churchill Downs, or participate in the Urban Bourbon Trail.
Flickr/Matt Ridings
Grand Rivers is a quaint little lake town that is perfect for a weekend getaway in the summer. Located right on the banks of Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, there are plenty of opportunities for swimming, boating, water skiing, and more. It’s also located near the Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area, so you can hike and camp while you’re in town.
Flickr/keithreed01
Even though Lexington is Kentucky’s second-largest city, it is still a great place to live and work. Plus, if you need to escape the city life, just drive to the outskirts of Lexington and beyond to see all the beautiful horse farms.
Wikimedia Commons/parkerdr
This arts and crafts community has a special charm you won’t find anywhere else. Tour the campus of Berea College, visit one of the many art galleries and farmers’ markets, and hike to the top of the Berea Pinnacles.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
This tiny little community on the banks of the Ohio River just might be the most unique town in the state. Several of their buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and their mayor is a dog. Who wouldn’t love this town?
Flickr/OZinOH
Elkton is a quaint and charming Southern town. Be sure to stop in at the L & R Soda Bar in the town square, which is an old-fashioned soda fountain where you can get a classic burger and fries with a milkshake.
Flickr/Rob Holland
This western Kentucky town is probably best known for being home to the National Quilt Museum, which showcases amazing quilts from artists all over the world. Downtown Paducah is filled with art galleries, making it a very unique town to visit.
Flickr/Algorithms Riven
Newport is located right across the river from Cincinnati, so it has spectacular views of the skyline. Visit the Newport Aquarium or one of the many shops and restaurants on Newport on the Levee for a great day trip.
Flickr/ R Nicholas
Owensboro is yet another river town in Kentucky, and is probably best known for its barbecue. They hold the International Bar-B-Q Festival every May, and call themselves The BBQ Capital of the World. Owensboro is also home to an award-winning playground called Smothers Park.
Flickr/Eric Fischer
Covington is Newport’s northern Kentucky neighbor, lying just to its west. This historic town is underrated, and is definitely worth a visit. Eat at one of the many great restaurants, or stroll through the various historic neighborhoods, like the Mainstrasse District.
Wikimedia Commons/Sydney Poore and Russell Poore
Danville is known as “the City of Firsts,” and has plenty to explore. The first courthouse in Kentucky was in Danville, and the state’s first Constitution was signed here. Before Frankfort, Danville was the state capital, and it’s home to Centre College, which has the oldest college campus west of the Allegheny Mountains.
Flickr/Bill Ingram
Maysville is a charming river town in northeastern Kentucky. Maysville has many historic sites, such as the Phillips’ Folly Mansion, which is said to be haunted and has been featured on “Ghost Adventures.” Maysville was an important stop on the Underground Railroad since it was right across the river from the free state of Ohio.
Flickr/Doug Kerr
If you visit this eastern Kentucky mountain town, be sure to visit the Paramount Theatre, which has hosted many well-known acts. Ashland is especially great to visit in the winter, as it transforms into a winter wonderland each holiday season. Next year, check out the Winter Wonderland Festival of Lights, which takes place in Ashland’s downtown and Central Park, and is one of the best Christmas lights displays in the state.
This peaceful and quiet little river town is a great place to visit during the summer. Walk along the river and watch the boats pass.
Flickr/Anthony
Blue Heron is a former coal mining community in eastern Kentucky that is a bit spooky. You can visit the town by taking a ride on the Big South Fork Scenic Railway out of Stearns, which takes you on an incredibly scenic journey through the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.
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