7 Stunning Small Towns In Kentucky
Kentucky's small towns are often shaped by a bourbon warehouse, a Shaker village, or a sandstone gorge. Cumberland has towering overlooks into the Appalachian hills while the Shakers kept their beautiful settlement at Pleasant Hill outside Harrodsburg for more than a century. Some towns have views one can't find anywhere else in the Mid-South, such as a moonbow formed from the mist of a roaring waterfall. These seven small towns in Kentucky give visitors a range of perspectives on the state.
Bardstown
Bardstown is one of the most popular small-town weekend destinations in Kentucky thanks to its bourbon distilleries, beautiful mansions, and unique museums. Its biggest claim to fame is its bourbon heritage, with visitor-facing stops such as the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience, Willett Distillery, and Bardstown Bourbon Company offering tours, tastings, and immersive bourbon experiences. The town's most striking landmark is the My Old Kentucky Home State Park, which contains the Federal Hill Mansion. Federal Hill was one of the inspirations for Stephen Foster's ballad "My Old Kentucky Home," which is Kentucky's official state song. Bardstown's museums also stand out, like the Women's Civil War Museum, the only museum in the country dedicated to women's contributions during the war, and the Oscar Getz Museum of Bourbon History, with more than 3,600 rare and one-of-a-kind whiskey and bourbon bottles in its collection.
Paducah
The residents of this town have invested in so many art galleries, museums, and murals that Paducah is part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. This heritage can be observed throughout Paducah, including murals lining the floodwall as part of the Paducah Wall to Wall Floodwall Murals, featuring scenes from Paducah's history; local artwork at the Art Guild of Paducah; or quilts at the National Quilt Museum. This museum is Paducah's premier art destination, showcasing traditional and contemporary quilts from around the world and offering classes for newcomers to quilting and for experienced quilters looking to expand their skills. Paducah also has a thoughtfully designed park system connected by the Clyde F. Boyles Greenway Trail, which extends more than 5 miles.
Harrodsburg
Harrodsburg is one of the most historic settlements in Kentucky, founded in 1774, making it the state's first permanent English settlement. The town has put a lot of effort into protecting that history through its Old Fort Harrod State Park. Here, one can speak with reenactors, explore blockhouses, and walk through the Mansion Museum at Old Fort Harrod State Park, which displays weapons, old letters, and other artifacts from both the American Revolutionary War and the American Civil War. Even its outdoor spaces are historic, such as the Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill. From 1805 to 1910, the Shaker religious community lived here. Today, visitors can tour their historic buildings, walk through their serene wooded trails, or sample farm-fresh food at The Trustees' Table restaurant.
Cumberland
Cumberland was once called Poor Fork, a name tied to its location on a fork of the Cumberland River with relatively poor soil. The discovery of coal in the region helped revitalize Cumberland, along with tourism to see the Appalachian overlooks at the Kingdom Come State Park. From this 2,700-foot elevation park at the crest of Pine Mountain, hikers can ascend to the 12 O'Clock Overlook or the Cave Amphitheater. Those who prefer to see the area from their cars can take the Little Shepherd Trail, a narrow gravel and blacktop road that extends 38 miles along the crest of Pine Mountain between Whitesburg and Harlan. There are plenty of peaceful activities to enjoy just outside of town, such as taking on a challenging 9-hole course at Sleepy Hollow Golf Course or diving deeper into Kentucky's coal mining history at the Kentucky Coal Museum, located just east of Cumberland in Benham.
Slade
Slade is an unincorporated Powell County community near Natural Bridge State Resort Park and the Red River Gorge Geological Area, with a very small population often estimated at around 100 people. However, that small population enjoys some of the most beautiful views in Kentucky amid the deep ravines of the Red River Gorge Geological Area. This canyon lies within the larger Daniel Boone National Forest and is filled with sandstone arches and cliffs that attract large groups of rock climbers. Before they tackle these cliffs, they can be found eating pizza from Miguel's Pizza, which is right outside the centerpiece of Slade, the Natural Bridge State Resort Park. This park is named after the 65-foot-high by 78-foot-long sandstone natural bridge, which visitors can hike on. The trail up to the bridge can be a bit steep, which is why visitors can also take the Natural Bridge Skylift and Giftshop's skylift up near its base. One unusual attraction beside the park is the Kentucky Reptile Zoo. This zoo focuses on venomous snakes and even collects venom for medical research.
Corbin
Corbin has two places that you can't find anywhere else in Kentucky. The first is the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. The park's 68-foot-tall, 125-foot-wide waterfall is one of the largest in the Eastern United States. For those who visit it at night, they might also see a rare moonbow, a rainbow formed from a full moon's light. The second is the Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum, branded on-site as Sanders Cafe & Museum, which preserves the birthplace of the KFC recipe. Harland Sanders sold his chicken here during the Great Depression before taking his concept global with the KFC brand that Kentucky is known for today. There are plenty of other activities both indoor and outdoor to enjoy in Corbin. The Pinball Museum of Corbin keeps vintage machines available for play, and Laurel River Lake supports black bass, rainbow trout, catfish, and crappie fishing.
Frankfort
Despite being the capital of Kentucky, Frankfort is one of its smaller cities, with a population of just over 28,600 people. The capital draws on both Kentucky's legislative and bourbon heritage. It's home to the oldest continuously operating distillery in Kentucky: Buffalo Trace Distillery, which has been running in one form or another for more than 200 years, with its recipe surviving natural disasters and Prohibition. On the Capitol Grounds, visitors can still see outdoor landmarks such as the Floral Clock and accessible green spaces, but the 1910 Kentucky State Capitol building is closed to public tours during the multi-year Capitol Renovation Project, which is expected to last until 2029. Visitors can still tour the nearby Liberty Hall, a Federal-style home built for statesman John Brown between 1796 and 1800, overlooking the Kentucky River. Frankfort is close to nature trails, such as Cove Spring Park & Nature Preserve, a city park with waterfalls, springs, ravines, and an archery range.
Kentucky's Small Communities Show Many Sides Of The State
Even in a short day trip to these towns, one can easily discover places and experiences that can't be found anywhere else in Kentucky. In Slade, visitors can walk on top of a natural bridge or climb steep ridges, while Corbin offers the hospitality of a good fried chicken meal at Harland Sanders Cafe near a massive waterfall known as the "Niagara of the South." For those more interested in the artistic endeavors, Paducah is a treasure trove of quilts, murals, and other art forms. These communities show off the diversity of the Bluegrass state, which continues to inspire hikers, artists, and many others who visit or live here.
