8 Most Breathtaking Towns In Kentucky
An adorably attractive, singly-landlocked State in the Southeastern US, the Commonwealth of Kentucky evokes a multifarious juxtaposition of images: the undulant bluegrass fields, the eulogized Kentucky Derby, the world-famous bourbon whiskey, delectable traditional Southern dishes, and the irrefutable Kentucky Fried Chicken. Nonetheless, beyond the most frequented tourist destinations of The Bluegrass State, including the capital city, Frankfort, and the most populous city, Louisville, are unnumbered breathtaking towns that boast a distinct mélange of natural beauty, rich history, bluegrass music, yearly festivities, and generous hospitality, delivering memorable experiences to every holidaymaker.
La Grange
The center of administration of Oldham County, La Grange, is a quaint residential community named after the French country estate of Marquis de Lafayette, exactly 25 miles northeast of Louisville. The star attraction of La Grange is the CSX Transportation street-running mainline track right through the core of Downtown, where globetrotters can keenly watch the freight trains running daily.
Do acquire knowledge about the strong heritage of transportation at the extraordinary La Grange Railroad Museum & Learning Center, browse the artworks in Gallery 104 - an Art Association of Oldham County-operated fine art gallery in the La Grange Historic District, and shop for domestically produced products and fresh veggies from the Framers & Artisans Market, held from mid-May to late October every year.
Hodgenville
Honored with the name of the Pennsylvanian native Robert Hodgen, this LaRue County seat, situated in the valley of the North Fork of the Nolin River, forms a portion of the Elizabethtown-Fort Knox Metropolitan Statistical Area. More familiar as the homeland of Abraham Lincoln, holidaymakers get to learn more about President Lincoln’s legacy at the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, which includes the First Lincoln Memorial and Visitor Center, maintaining two different farm sites, where the future President was born and resided during his formative years. Addedly, pay a visit to the Lincoln Museum in Downtown Hodgenville National Historic District, tracing the 16th President’s life through period artifacts and a remarkable selection of wax figures; and take pleasure in the farm tourism opportunities available at Hinton’s Orchard & Farm Market.
Bardstown
Bardstown, named after the colonizer Bard brothers, is the shiretown of Nelson County, located in Central Kentucky’s Outer Bluegrass region, around 40 miles southeast of the state’s most populous city. Hailed as the ‘Bourbon Capital of the World,’ this precursory stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail encompasses three serviceable distilleries: the Lux Row Distilleries, the Barton 1792 Distillery, and Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., where those interested in witnessing bourbon making firsthand are offered guided tours. When in town, noteworthy sites such as the Oscar Getz Museum of Bourbon History - recounting the valued history of American Whiskey, the Bardstown Historical Museum in Spalding Hall, which displays American Civil War and Native American artifacts, and the 1779-built National Register-listed Old Talbott Tavern, the still functioning oldest western stagecoach stop in the country, are must-visits.
Greenville
Primarily settled on a parcel of land provided by the native landowner William Campbell, this Muhlenberg County administrative center, bordered by the home rule-class city of Powderly in the northeast, is situated in the hilly western part of the state. Greenville, named in reverence of Major-General Nathanael Greene, invites sightseers to tour the Historic Downtown Square, built around a hundred-year-old courthouse and teeming with unconventional gift shops like On Main and eateries like Hobby’s Classic Food. Furthermore, traverse the paved Muhlenberg County Rail Trail and make an appearance at Downtown Greenville on September 20, 2025, for the Annual Squash & Gobble Arts Bazaar & Fall Festival.
Glasgow
Glasgow, named after the Scottish homeland of Senator William Logan’s father, is the Barren County seat and chief town of the Glasgow Micropolitan Statistical Area. The South Green Street of this south-central Kentucky town is filled with numerous painstakingly preserved age-old buildings in varied architectural styles dating back to the first half of the 19th century.
During your visit to the town, check out the quality exhibits displayed at the Museum of the Barrens (South Central Kentucky Cultural Center), which tell the history of Kentucky’s Barrens region. Watch live concerts by both native and national artists at the Historic Plaza Theatre, and spend quality time surveying the Mammoth Cave National Park and the Brigadoon State Nature Preserve next to the Barren River Lake.
Berea
This Madison County town sits along Interstate 75, directly on the boundary of the Cumberland Plateau. 14 miles south of Richmond. Tagged the ‘Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky,’ Berea, aside from housing the renowned Berea College’s central campus, is noted for its lively creative sphere, archaic structures, and excellent foodie havens.
Hike the untold miles of recognizable trails at the Berea Pinnacles, savor appetizing regional cuisines served at the Boone Tavern Hotel & Restaurant, and attend the three-day Annual Spoonbread Festival hosted by the Berea Chamber of Commerce from September 19 to 21, 2025.
Harrodsburg
Established on June 16, 1774, by James Harrod and his gang of trailblazers as ‘Harrod’s Town,’ Harrodsburg, the government seat of Mercer County, is the “oldest permanent US settlement to the west of the Appalachian Mountains.” The infinite historical points of interest, such as the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill - comprising over 30 original Shaker structures spread over 3,000 acres, the 15-acre Old Fort Harrod State Park featuring a reconstructed Fort Harrod besides several other attractions, and Morgan Row - Kentucky’s oldest row house, currently home to Harrodsburg Historical Society. Additionally, peruse the Downtown’s assorted boutiques like Brooke’s Boutique and antique stores like Rags To Riches Antique Center & Flea Mall.
Danville
Boyle County’s administrative capital, Danville, is set by the famed Old Wilderness Road in Central Kentucky’s Bluegrass region. Christened after Walker Daniel, the foremost district attorney of the state, and often dubbed the ‘City of Firsts,’ Danville is regarded as the foundation of Kentucky statehood. The 3-acre Constitution Square Historic Site features one original building - the first U.S. Post Office built west of the Alleghenies, and replicas of three other buildings: the Courthouse & Jail, the Presbyterian meetinghouse, and Grayson’s Tavern.
Supplementarily, do not miss exploring the Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site, where one of the most violent American Civil War battles in Kentucky was fought; the Ephraim McDowell House Museum - a National Historic Landmark Site that was the residence of pioneer surgeon Dr. Ephraim McDowell; the Centre College’s Norton Center for the Arts - which hosts top-notch performing and visual arts events all year round; and join the three-day Annual Kentucky State BBQ Festival every September at the Wilderness Trail Distillery.
Final Thoughts
From the subterranean marvels of Glasgow to the historical sites in Harrodsburg, each of these gorgeous towns accurately highlights the vibrant nature of the nation’s 26th most populous and 37th most extensive state. Whether you wish to inspect the birthplace of the 16th US President in Hodgenville, observe a Civil War battle site in Danville, procure a diverse range of handcrafted items from the Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea, or sample spirits in Bardstown, these stupefying Kentucky towns are the finest additions to everyone’s holiday timetables.
