PADUCAH, 1880s rivertown features quilt and history museums, exciting antique and specialty shops, panoramic floodwall murals, Lowertown arts district and fine dining. Cozy upscale B&B's and conveniently located hotels/motels. LOWER TOWN ARTS DISTRICT - Fine Art Galleries, Artists’ Studios, a Cafe and Specialty Shops located in the Historic Lower Town Neighborhood. Come stroll our beautiful, tree-lined streets and see why we’re known as the SoHo of the South! Visit www.lowertownarts.com for a map and additional information, including links to artist and gallery websites.
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COLUMBUS-BELMONT STATE PARK, in COLUMBUS is a Civil War site once occupied by both Union and Confederate forces. On the 156 acres overlooking the Mississippi River is a museum featuring many artifacts, picnic shelter, gift shop, snack bar and hiking trails plus 38 campsites.
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While visiting the many antique shops and dealers in MAYFIELD, be sure to stop by the Maplewood Cemetery to see the Wooldridge Monuments - an 18-figure group of sandstone and Italian marble monuments, "The Strange Procession that Never Moves" has been rated the best in the nation and includes life size statues of family, pets and Henry Wooldridge himself.
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Ride the train in HARDIN through western Kentucky's timeless Clarks River Valley on a century-old railroad and enjoy a meal at the restaurant serving authentic dining car food. 270.437.4555 or visit the website at www.hsrr.com.
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A very worthwhile side trip is through MURRAY (lots of lodging and restaurants in this college town) enroute to the Town of HAZEL which is known as western Kentucky's oldest and largest antique shopping district hosting more than 250 dealers. www.hazelantiques.com
GRAND RIVERS is home to Patti's 1880s Settlement and several other antique shops. When you visit Grand Rivers bring your suitcase. You'll need more than a few hours to enjoy all there is to do. You'll find lodging, restaurants and shopping, history and lots of friendly people. www.grandrivers.com
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BENTON offers numerous resorts on Kentucky Lake to stay including KENTUCKY DAM VILLAGE STATE PARK. AURORA is home to KENLAKE STATE RESORT PARK that will be hosting both the Bluegrass Festival and opening night of Twilight Cabaret that weekend .
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LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES, the number one most visited attraction in Kentucky, includes a living history far, Civil War sites, ruins of the iron furnace industry and exhibits on the history and heritage of this national recreation area. There is also an elk and bison prairie, a planetarium, trails, biking, horseback riding and camping. 270.924.2000. www.lbl.org
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Crossing both Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, one comes to LAKE BARKLEY STATE PARK, a wonderful place to stay. The lodge includes a gift shop featuring many Kentucky crafts.
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Take the historic route of 68/80 and travel back in time through the charming community of CADIZ. Visit their antique stores, malls and craft shops and while in the area, stop by Jim Rick's Music Shoppe or Lakeland Jamboree and listen to some great sounds.
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HOPKINSVILLE offers lots of lodging and restaurants and is the hometown of clairvoyant Edgar Cayce, Trail of Tears Commemorative Park and Pennyroyal Area Museum.
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Jefferson Davis Monument State Historic Site in FAIRVIEW honors the birthplace of our U.S. Senator, Secretary of War under President Pierce and the only President of Confederate States of America (1861-65). Picnic shelters, playground, gift shop and museum. Watch for Amish buggies along this route.
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The historic town of ELKTON includes Milliken Memorial Community House, a Georgian mansion built in 1927, now containing rare books and fine antiques.
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RUSSELLVILLE includes bed & breakfasts/hotels, antique shops, 1817 Saddle Factory Museum, golf course, historic walking tour, festivals and the bank robbed by the Jesse James Gang in 1868. Red River Meeting House historic site is located in nearby ADAIRVILLE. Lake Malone in nearby LEWISBURG.
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Numerous antique shops, bed & breakfast, festivals and featured Southern Living business, Colonial House Furniture, are located in AUBURN. Enjoy an historic walking tour and visit the Auburn Museum.
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SOUTH UNION is the actual site of the last Shaker Community in Kentucky (1807 - 1922). Visit the Shaker Museum and gift shop or stay at the 1869 Shaker Tavern Bed and Breakfast nearby.
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BOWLING GREEN, "Home of the National Corvette Museum," also boasts two performing art theaters, numerous museums and lots of lodging and restaurants. And don't miss SMITH GROVE (just 1mi North of 68/80 on Hwy 101) which offers numerous antique shops and bed and breakfasts in a historic setting.
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GLASGOW, "Home of the Glasgow Highland Games" at nearby BARREN RIVER STATE RESORT PARK , also offers lodging including a number of bed & breakfasts and numerous restaurants.
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Visit Wall Works, a unique shop in downtown EDMONTON. One will also pass through SULPHUR WELLS, the site of a historic artisan well and ruins of Old Beula Villa Hotel, picnic area and country store. Well worth the stop for a bite of their biscuits and country ham.
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WISDOM COMMUNITY is the hometown of the Kentucky Headhunters and includes a historic home and old country store.
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A mecca for genealogists, GREENSBURG has the oldest courthouse west of the Alleghenies (circa 1803) and old depot plus a foot bridge 445-feet long connecting the square to the railroad station and a bed & breakfast in what was once the Greensburg Academy.
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CAMPBELLSVILLE offers camping at GREEN RIVER LAKE STATE RESORT PARK, Tebbs Bend Civil War battle site and driving tour, bed & breakfasts, hotels, restaurants and the Jacob Hiestad House Museum.
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LEBANON in Marion County - the greatest place you've never heard of! Retrace the steps of John Hunt Morgan and William Quantrill; watch the finest KY bourbon being hand made; or enjoy festivities at Marion Co. Country Ham Days, always the last full weekend of September (34 years). Visit for a weekend - remember it for a lifetime! 270.692.9594.
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PERRYVILLE is the site of the greatest Civil War battle in Kentucky involving nearly 40,000 troops and includes a museum, gift shop, monuments, self-guided tour, picnic shelters and playground.
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Just five miles off Hwy 68 is DANVILLE, the first capital of Kentucky. It features Constitution Square State Historic Site, Penn's Country Store in operation since 1845, numerous bed & breakfasts, antique and craft shops, hotels and restaurants.
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HARRODSBURG, Kentucky's oldest town (1774), features Old Fort Harrod State Park; Daniel Boone--The Man and the Legend outdoor drama; Beaumont Inn, the state's oldest family-operated country inn; Shaker Village, America's largest restored Shaker community; the sternwheeler Dixie Belle; walking & driving tours; historic downtown; antique & craft shops, restaurants, B&B's, hotels and numerous special events.
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PLEASANT HILL is the site of historic Shaker Village with 33 of the original buildings now open for tours & lodging. Site of the 2nd Annual Antiques Show & Sale (front). While at the Village, dine on true Shaker cuisine and enjoy a river ride on a sternwheeler. Admission fee.
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WILMORE. One mile off Hwy 68 on Hwy 1268. Bed and breakfast inn, quaint shops and restaurants. Near historic High Bridge and KY River Palisades. 859.858.4411 or www.wilmore.org or www.jessamineco.com
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Historic NICHOLASVILLE is only minutes north of the magnificent palisades of the Kentucky River. It is a Mecca for antique, craft and specialty shops, plus additional family entertainment that includes golf courses and the new aquatic center... an only 12 miles from downtown Lexington and Rupp Arena. Call (859) 887-4351. www.jessamineco.com
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LEXINGTON, "Home to the Kentucky Horse Park" and so much more, this breathtaking community in the heart of horse country offers numerous tours, museums, shopping, lodging and fine dining opportunities.
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PARIS includes historic homes, bed & breakfasts, restaurants, art gallery as well as antiques and collectibles. See their website at: www.parisky.org
In nearby MILLERSBURG is a covered bridge built in 1877 and open to traffic.
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CARLISLE, located just off US 68 North of PARIS, features a visitor's center located in the Jailer's Home and Dungeon as well as the Nicholas County Depot which has been restored and features a museum and genealogy library.
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Continue north to BLUE LICKS BATTLEFIELD STATE RESORT PARK, the site of the last KY battle of the Revolutionary War fought in 1782. The park offers a museum, new lodge, cottages and campground. 859.289.5507. A few miles up the road, visit turn of the century MAY'S LICK.
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OLD WASHINGTON'S entire downtown is a historic district (c. 1785-1812) featuring numerous antiques and craft shops year-round. A must stop for historians and antique enthusiasts. The following weekend, they will be hosting the 13th Annual Woodcarvers Day (see front of brochure).
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MAYSVILLE, a historic river town includes the National Underground Railroad Museum, covered bridges and is the hometown of Rosemary Clooney. Numerous restaurants plus lodging and campsites.
