This Kentucky Town Has The Most Walkable Downtown

Voted one of the 50 Best Small-Town Downtowns in America (Best Choice Reviews) and one of the 20 Best Small Towns to Visit (Smithsonian Magazine), Harrodsburg, Kentucky, was the first permanent English settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains. Established in 1774, it is Kentucky’s oldest town and pays homage to its ancestry through its attractions and sites. The town comes alive with the colors of downtown. Stroll its historic Main Street and stop at all the brightly colored buildings that line the street. Go from shopping and dining to historic sightseeing with a quick walk from the heart of downtown to Old Fort Harrod State Park. Park the car, get out, stretch your legs, and take in all that Harrodsburg offers, and soon you'll see why this Kentucky town has the most walkable downtown.

Historic Harrodsburg

One of the most significant spots in town is Old Fort Harrod State Park. A replicated site inspired by the original fort created by James Harrod in 1774. The park contains cabins and blockhouses that are stocked with handmade utensils, furniture, makeshift tools, and apparatuses that were used by the pioneers. One of the original structures still standing in the park is the Mansion Museum, which dates back to 1813. The Greek Revival building contains artifacts dating from the 15th and 16th centuries through the early 1900s, and includes firearms, from early flintlocks to Civil War-era muskets. The mansion is within walking distance of the fort and other attractions, including the Pioneer Cemetery, Lincoln Marriage Temple, and an Osage orange tree that's unofficially the largest of its kind in the US.

Visit more historical grounds at the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. From 1805 to 1910, it was the home of the third-largest Shaker community in the US and today is open for visitors to explore, learn, and inspire. The village has ample dining, accommodations, and activities so visitors can experience an entire trip without leaving the grounds. Take a historic village tour, participate in a broom-making demonstration, or enjoy some local shaker music all within the 3,000-acre community. After a long day, dine on traditional favorites and seasonal local dishes made from ingredients fresh from the garden at The Trustee’s Table, and spend the night at one of the 72 guest rooms, suites, and private cottages found throughout 13 historic buildings on site.

In the Heart of Downtown

Surrounded by the rolling hills of the Bluegrass Region, horse farms, stone fences, historic architecture, and culture, the quaint downtown area of Harrodsburg is the heart of the town. Stroll down Main Street and admire the multicolored buildings that line the road. The bold blues and vibrant yellows of the buildings hold stories from days past of the town of Harrodsburg. Shopping, dining, galleries, and more fill the buildings for guests to spend the day walking up and down Main Street with plenty of variety.

For more architecturally appealing structures, just one block from Main Street is the oldest row house in Kentucky: Morgan Row. Used today by the Harrodsburg Historical Society, the row house was formerly used as a hotel, rooming house, gambling den, dining place, and stagecoach stopping place. The four-unit, two-story row of brick houses was completed in 1817, with debate over which building was constructed first. Located on Chiles Street, the floors and woodwork are all original, as are the outside bricks, which have been laid in Flemish Bond style.

Eat, Drink, Stay

Guests shouldn't visit Kentucky without taking the opportunity to partake in one of its state's greatest achievements, sipping on their fine southern Bourbon. The Old Owl Tavern features one of the state's best bourbon collections. Dirt floors and stone walls have been converted into a bar and restaurant with porch dining cooled by ceiling fans and the shade of century-old trees. Within the same establishment, enjoy dining in the Main Dining Room, featuring distinct dining selections of classic Kentucky cuisine and southern hospitality.

Both of these institutions can be found within the historic 1845 building of the Beaumont Inn. Grab dinner, enjoy a smooth drink, and spend the night all without leaving the grounds. Featuring modern amenities in two historic buildings decorated with antiques and reproductions, Goddard Hall and The Main Inn, the guest houses were built in 1935 and 1845, respectively.

Nearby Towns

Nicholasville

Take a historical walking tour in Nicholasville at the camp that was imperative during the Civil War. Camp Nelson National Monument has over 5 miles of walking trails that take visitors across the camp's rolling pastoral landscape. Take the trails to the sites of the reconstructed US Army Barracks, Hall Community, and National Cemetery. After strolling the significant landscape, visit Taste of Ukraine, which is widely recognized as Kentucky’s first authentic Ukrainian restaurant. After fleeing war-torn Ukraine, owner Tetiana Soloshchuk wanted Kentucky to experience a taste of her homeland with staples such as solyanka, borscht, potato varenyky, and more.

Danville

Just outside of town, Danville offers visitors a truly unique experience at The Great American Dollhouse Museum. Over 100 dollhouses, miniature buildings, and room boxes are furnished in great detail and occupied by minute inhabitants. Dollhouses are adorned with furnishings and details from the Native American through Colonial, Old West, early Southwest, and modern eras. For a more traditional Kentucky attraction, take a tour of the Wilderness Trail Distillery. Partake in a smoked cocktail-making experience, a distillery tour, a cocktail class, exploring fermentation quality controls, and more.

Lawrenceburg

Enjoy more drinking outside of town with the options available in Lawrenceburg. The Wild Turkey Distillery offers tours that explain the history of bourbon, the distilling process, and sampling. Make the trek up Wild Turkey Hill and try some locally made liquid gold. For non-bourbon fans who are still looking for a locally made drink, Lovers Leap Vineyards & Winery provides tours and tastings to guests looking to stroll the vineyards and enjoy a sip of wine from a complimentary Lover’s Leap glass.

Harrodsburg, History, and You

Harrodsburg is full of history, charm, and vibrant buildings, but perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the town is how easily the sites and attractions can be accessed from one another. Visitors can spend the entire day on Main Street, eating, shopping, and entertaining without having to drive from one location to another. Or history buffs can explore several of Harrodsburg’s key historic sites, including Old Fort Harrod State Park, all within easy walking distance of each other. Spend the day sauntering through Harrodsburg and find out what makes it the most walkable downtown in the state.