6 Best Lakeside Towns in Kentucky

The Bluegrass State may be famous for the Appalachian Mountains, but its lakeside towns are equally amazing. If you want to rent a secluded cabin in the heart of the mountains, you don’t have to travel far. And lakeside retreats are not in short supply either! These amazing lakeside hamlets, in most cases, provide the best of both worlds: the mountains and calming waters. Some, like the kitschy area of Burnside, feel almost like a seaside getaway. So, load up the canoe on your roof rack, and let's get to know these charming lakeside retreats.

Aurora

Far removed from the bustle of the big city is the charming city of Aurora. If you’re dreaming of waking up in a lakeside cottage overlooking the quiet waters of Kentucky Lake, there are plenty of cabin rental options in Aurora. It’s a summertime hub for outdoor enthusiasts with plenty of opportunities to fish, hike, and relax along the calming waters. The downtown area is exactly what you would expect from this close-knit community. Quiet streets and delightful locally owned shops. The Hitching Post and Old Country Store, for instance, is the perfect place to stock up on supplies before heading out on the water.

The Kenlake State Resort Park is a popular spot among summertime tourists to unwind on Kentucky Lake. You can rent a pontoon at the marina, or take a hike on one of their wooded trails. It even has an outdoor amphitheater that’s ideal for watching the sunsets or catching a live show during the Hot August Blues Festival. Another great spot is the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, which offers 300 miles of peaceful shoreline and includes an Elk and Bison Prairie and the Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory. Aurora is one of those off-the-beaten-path towns that will help you unwind and reconnect with nature after a long week.

Grand Rivers

Grand Rivers is a small, often overlooked Kentucky town with a lot of heart. The downtown area feels like stepping back in time with its commercial buildings dating back to the late 1800s. Visitors can shop in unique stores like Grand Rivers Antiques or wake up with a fresh cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll at the Boston Block Cafe. The Badgett Playhouse is a great spot to catch a show at the end of the day and offers live theater 12 months out of the year.

While there’s plenty to discover inside Grand Rivers, the real adventure starts just outside the city limits. It’s home to two breathtaking dams: the Kentucky Lake Dam and the Kentucky Dam. You can access the view of the dams via the Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, which offers so much more than prime dam access! If you want to spend the day fishing on Kentucky Lake, the Kentucky Dam Marina offers daily boat rentals as well as pontoons and jet skis. One of the more popular hiking trails in the area is in Kentucky Dam Village, which takes you along maintained pathways with calming shorelines along Kentucky Lake. Grand Rivers is the perfect spot where life is never boring.

Kuttawa

Along the crystal-clear shores of Lake Barkley, Kuttawa was named after the Cherokee village, meaning “city in the woods" or "great wilderness." While Kuttawa is sandwiched between lush wooded areas and picturesque views of Lake Barkley, it still provides all of the amenities of a home. If you want to get lost in the wilderness while still experiencing great dining and cozy accommodations, Kuttawa is a must-visit. The Oasis Southwest Grill offers excellent pub food, and Hu-B’s on Kuttawa Harbor is a perfect spot to enjoy a meal and the view (although they’re only open seasonally).

When you’re ready to explore the natural wonder of Kuttawa, the Old Kuttawa Recreation Area is a popular local freshwater recreation site in Kentucky. It combines the shores of Lake Barkley with Kentucky Lake, and it’s a great spot to take the family. You can take a dip in its calming waters or take a short hike through the shaded Anderson Woodland Trail. The Mineral Mound State Park is another scenic spot in Kuttawa with a popular golf course, boat launch, and cozy picnic areas. No matter what you love, you’re bound to fall in love with the delightful city of Kuttawa.

Burnside

As the only town on Lake Cumberland, Burnside is a fantastic summertime retreat with water views everywhere you look! Downtown Burnside has all the vibes of a kitschy beach town. The downtown area is dotted with quaint shops and cafes like The Goodie Shack or The Cove Grill, highlighting the fun and lively feeling of Burnside. They even hold fun events year-round, including the Summer Kick-Off Concert, Thunder Over Burnside, and Christmas Island.

One of the most popular attractions in Burnside is the General Burnside Island State Park. This scenic park has so much to do, and you could spend an entire weekend alone there. It has an 18-hole regulation golf course, a boat launch for fishing on Lake Cumberland, 75 acres dedicated to camping, and picnic areas. As one of Kentucky’s few island parks, it’s something truly unique to the state. Just 12 miles from Burnside is Lee’s Ford Marina, which is one of the best marinas on Lake Cumberland. If you want to experience life on the water, Burnside is the place to be!

Calvert City

Looking for an exciting getaway to take the family over a long weekend? Think of Calvert City as a fun beach retreat (sans the ocean) in Kentucky! With wooded trails, peaceful water views of the Tennessee River and Kentucky Lake, and a hopping downtown area, it’s a great place to unwind. Downtown has a host of fun, family-friendly activities like Apple Valley Hillbilly Garden and Toyland (a truly wacky experience), or late-night movies at the Calvert Drive-In.

If it’s rest and relaxation you need, densely wooded trails and water adventures are not far! The Bo Beckett Loop Trail is a short, scenic trail with views of Kentucky Lake and the Kentucky Dam Marina within Kentucky Dam Village State Park. If you love biking, the Land Between the Lake North and South Trails is a great place to ride. After a long day on the water, head into town for some of the best Southern cooking in the state at Southern Fried & Sweet Tea, and be sure to satisfy your sweet tooth at the Tiny Cakes Emporium! Calvert City is a great way to escape the stress and have a little fun over a long weekend!

Paducah

In the Four Rivers Region of Kentucky is the fun and quirky town of Paducah. While Paducah offers sweeping water views in town, it’s also a hop, skip, and a jump away from Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, and Land Between the Lakes. The newly installed Paducah Transient Boat Dock connects you from the water to the heartbeat of Paducah. After spending a day on the water, dock your boat and set out to explore Historic Downtown Paducah.

Fun fact: downtown Paducah was hailed as the country’s most beautiful Main Streets by countless publications, including Architectural Digest. Set along the Ohio River, you can walk the rustic brick sidewalks and pop in cheerful cafes like the Etcetera Coffeehouse. As an artsy town, Paducah has so much to offer. The National Quilt Museum is awe-inspiring, even if you don’t quilt! The Yeiser Art Center, only a block away from the quilt museum, has rotating exhibits and a small permanent collection. With a charming and artsy vibe and amazing water views on full display, Paducah is a must-see on your next Kentucky road trip.

Experience Kentucky's Alluring Lakeside Towns

Did you know that Kentucky has more miles of running water than any other state in the continental United States? In fact, it has more shoreline than Florida! As a part of the Appalachian Mountains and Cumberland Range, it’s like a nature lover’s paradise. These small towns are slow-paced and uncrowded and provide scenic retreats without being boring. Discover the artsy vibe of Paducah, or watch your worries melt away while lounging on Lake Barkley in Kuttawa. These towns prove you don’t have to drive to the Atlantic Ocean to treat yourself to a relaxed vacation by the water!