10 Most Hospitable Towns In Kentucky

The Bluegrass state of Kentucky is a Mid-South state that is world-renowned for its horse races, fried chicken, and Bluegrass music. Due to its southern nature, Kentucky is also a deeply hospitable place where travelers and residents alike can enjoy many charming attractions. In these towns, citizens will happily take you to the birthplace of KFC, the best historic district in Kentucky, an artisan village, the greatest waterfall west of Niagara, and much more. Here are ten of the most hospitable towns in Kentucky.

London

One of the best ways to explore a small town is by bicycle. London believes in cycling deeply, as it is the Cycling Capital of Kentucky. Biking trails crisscross across the town and in forest trails, such as The Broken Spoke trail through Levi Jackson Park or the Redbug Ride Route, which goes through the downtown area and through rural roads. There's more than just biking trails in this charming town. There's also the historical Battle Camp Wildcat, the site of an 1861 Civil War battle, and Boone's Trace Trail, the spot where Daniel Boone traveled through Kentucky. Lastly, for those with children, London has a lovely Children's Museum that is perfect for the entire family.

Corbin

Just a short drive away from London is Corbin. This underappreciated Kentucky town was the birthplace of one of the state's biggest namesakes: Kentucky Fried Chicken. It was here that Colonel Harland Sanders, already a senior citizen at this point, started the Harland Sanders Café, which featured his secret recipe for fried chicken. The café now operates as the Harland Sanders Café and Museum. That's not the only cool museum in Corbin. The Pinball Museum has dozens of vintage pinball machines, making for some great conversations and pictures. For outdoor adventures, the nearby Cumberland Falls State Resort Park has to be seen to be believed. It is called the Niagara of the South with its 125-foot curtain of water. During a full moon, one might catch a glimpse of a moonbow, a rainbow caused by the moon's reflection from the waters.

Bardstown

There's nothing like a good drink in good company. Bardstown understands this lesson well as the central destination on the Bourbon Trail. The town is famous for its Bourbon whiskey, which is named after the aging process inside barrels. Those interested in bourbon can try it out at local distilleries such as the Bardstown Bourbon Company or learn about its history at the Oscar Getz Museum of Bourbon History. This charming town is also home to a very early plantation home: the My Old Kentucky Home State Park. Named after Stephen Foster's song, the mansion itself dates back to 1818 by the Rowan family. The park offers multiple tours related to Kentucky culinary arts throughout the year, such as the Culinary Biscuit Tour and Mint Julep Tour, named after another famous Kentucky beverage.

Paducah

The most hospitable hosts find creative ways to keep guests entertained. There’s no place more creative in Kentucky than Paducah, which has earned the title of a UNESCO Creative City. These creative activities include quilting, acting, and the arts. For quilting, the city is famous for The National Quilt Museum, a treasure trove of artistic quilts made by experts from around the world. The center also has classes for anyone wishing to learn the art of quilting. For visitors wanting to catch a great locally acted show, the Market House Theatre regularly holds productions, and the Clemens Fine Arts Center hosts touring musical artists. Meanwhile, adventurous travelers looking to get into the great outdoors adore the 5-mile Greenway Trail from downtown to a disc golf course.

Georgetown

Where do legends go when they retire? For thoroughbred horses of the Kentucky Derby, the answer is Georgetown, Kentucky. This town is one of the fastest growing places in Kentucky due to its bustling auto industry, but it is most well known for its Old Friends Retired Thoroughbred Farm. Here, visitors can interact with retired horses and see how they live life after the face. The Whispering Woods Riding Stables meanwhile rents out horses for rides through the gentle countryside. Beyond these spots, residents encourage guests to tour the Toyota facility that put Georgetown on the map or visit the magnificent Ward Hall, an 1856 mansion with 27-foot-high Corinthian columns. During its tour, one can learn about the quirky Sallie Ward, who lived here with a charming personality.

Elizabethtown

While the name is Elizabethtown, people who live here call it E-town for short. However, its other name, Hub City, comes from the fact that it is at the junction of many major routes and is a hub for transport. Similarly, there are just as many routes for tourists, with all sorts of landmarks to explore. At the Hardin County History Museum, visitors can get an overall picture of Elizabethtown’s history, or they can view it through historic landmarks like the 1892 Summit One-Room Schoolhouse and the Swope’s Cars of Yesteryear Museum. The latter contains antique vehicles from the early 1900s through the 1960s. Elizabethtown is also a great place to spend a day shopping downtown, especially at the Elizabethtown Peddler’s Mall, which has antiques, furniture, and plenty of other items to brighten up a home.

Hodgenville

Hodgenville’s hospitality goes way back to the days when the area first welcomed a family of pioneers to this area. This family consisted of the Lincolns, and it was here that Abraham Lincoln was born. Although he only spent a few years of his life here before moving to Indiana, the impact he left can still be felt in the tiny community of Hodgenville. Multiple places related to Abraham Lincoln in Hodgenville are worth visiting. These include The Lincoln Museum in downtown Hodgenville, the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, and Lincoln’s Boyhood Home. Beyond these places, Hodgenville hosts a fun local tradition at Joel Ray’s Lincoln Jamboree, which hosts music, comedy, and other variety acts to entertain visitors and residents alike.

La Grange

This small town is just a short drive away from the metro area of Louisville, and it’s known as the Kindness Capital of Kentucky. La Grange prides itself on being a tight-knit and kind place for everyone. In the 1800s, it became a major railroad hub, which has made a big mark on the community to this day. The La Grange Railroad Museum is the perfect place to learn about this history, complete with railroad exhibits and a massive model railroad. La Grange also has an adorable Main Street Train that goes up and down the historic downtown area up to 30 times a day. After a day of learning about trains, visitors can catch a movie at the classic Sauerbeck Family Drive-In or explore the serene waters of the FRP La Grange Quarry, a great place to go boating or just relax.

Berea

There are many art-friendly spots in the Bluegrass state. However, few invoke the imagination more than Berea. This town mixes both traditional arts and forward-thinking values, as it is both the Folk Arts & Crafts Capital of Kentucky and the site of the first racially integrated university: Berea College. Visitors can see much of this folk art at the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen right in the heart of the Artisan Village. Artisans also sell their work at the Kentucky Artisan Center, which includes crafts, 2D art, and more. Much of this art is inspired by the beautiful Appalachian Mountains, which have to be seen firsthand. One of the best ways to experience the mountains is to go hike The Pinnacles within the Berea College Forest, which has been called the best hike in all of Kentucky.

Harrodsburg

Saving the oldest for last, Harrodsburg is the oldest founded town in Kentucky, as James Harrod set up shop here in 1774 with a fort. The folks who live here proudly keep that history alive with a reconstruction of the original Fort Harrod at the Old Fort Harrod State Park. There’s a lot to see at this park, ranging from the George Rogers Clark Federal Monument, a Greek Revival Mansion, and the spot where Abraham Lincoln’s parents were wed at the Lincoln Marriage Temple. Over the years, many different types of people would come to Harrodsburg, including the religious community known as the Shakers. These Shakers were a utopian community that frequently had religious experiences where they would shake on the floor, earning them their name. The Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill keeps their legacy alive with 3,000 acres of trails, buildings they used, and an active farm.

Final Thoughts

In order to be a hospitable host, you have to provide a good experience for your visitors. These ten towns in Kentucky have a wide variety of attractions to keep anyone happy. History buffs can explore Lincoln’s Boyhood Home or Fort Harrod. Artistic types will love The Quilting Center in Paducah or the Artisan Village in Berea. And, of course, there are countless opportunities here for biking, hiking, and more in the great outdoors.