7 Most Unconventional Towns In Kentucky

The Bluegrass state of Kentucky is home to many uniquely American pastimes and traditions. From Bourbon whiskey to the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky has a great deal of character. It also keeps an unconventional spirit in several of its small towns, which offer neat attractions such as The National Quilt Museum, Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum, a picturesque natural bridge, a Shaker village, and much more. Discover seven of the most unconventional towns in Kentucky to visit.

Paducah

Paducah has a well-earned reputation as a UNESCO Creative City. For one, it hosts The National Quilt Museum, which features quilts from around the world and has workshops to teach attendees how to make their own quilts. Paducah also prides itself on being a patron of the arts at its several galleries and theaters, including the Yeiser Art Center, Clemens Fine Center, and the Market House Theater.

Due to its location on the Ohio River, visitors can also enjoy a relaxing riverwalk on the Greenway Trail, which features wall-to-wall murals telling the story of Paducah's history. For those more interested in historic architecture, Paducah offers a self-guided tour through its Lower Town historic neighborhood.

London

Cycling is commonly associated with big cities, but Kentucky's small towns also have some of the best trails and areas for cycling. London, for example, is the most bike-friendly town in Kentucky as it’s the Cycling Capital of Kentucky. With its location amid the picturesque Appalachian Mountains, there are multiple trails to explore, such as the 5.5-mile loop Broken Spoke Mountain Bike Trail, the Camp Wildcat Grave Route, and the Redbud Ride that goes through downtown London.

The town is also ideal for water sports enthusiasts, with multiple lakes and rivers nearby for canoeing and kayaking, such as Wood Creek Lake and Laurel River. Camp Wildcat itself is located on a historic Civil War battlefield from 1861, which is ideal for history buffs.

Harrodsburg

Founded in 1774, Harrodsburg is the oldest settlement in the entirety of Kentucky. It was initially a fort set up by James Harrod. Today, visitors can see a full-scale replica of that fort at the Old Fort Harrod State Park. There is a little piece of Abraham Lincoln's history here as well at the Lincoln Marriage Temple, where Abraham Lincoln's parents were married in 1806.

The most unconventional attraction in Harrodsburg is the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. It was here that the religious community known as the Shakers set up shop. They were known for celibacy and ecstatic religious experiences. The Village has three main attractions: the Historic Centre with multiple 19th-century buildings; the Farm, which maintains organic food; and the Preserve, which has several relaxing hiking trails.

Hodgenville

Harrodsburg isn't the only town with connections to President Abraham Lincoln. Hodgenville, for example, was the birthplace home of the president before his family moved to Indiana. Within Hodgenville, there are several Lincoln-themed attractions to transport one back to the past. The First Lincoln Memorial and Boyhood Home has a log home, and the Knob Creek Tavern Visitor Center, which has several exhibits. The Lincoln Museum, meanwhile, is in the heart of downtown and has dioramas, wax figures, and other artifacts that tell his story from birth to death.

The town also has several beautiful spots to go camping, including McDougal and Salem Lake. For visitors looking to catch a show, The Lincoln Jamboree hosts music, comedy acts, and other fun shows.

Slade

Slade is a center for hikers and climbers in Kentucky and the surrounding states. Located within the Red River Gorge Geological Area, beautiful views are all around. The best place to visit in Slade is the Natural Bridge Resort Park, which has a naturally forming sandstone arch bridge that is 65 feet tall and 78 feet long. Visitors can hike up the bridge or take a Sky Lift open from April to October.

There are many ways to see the park, such as by climbing at the Torrent Falls Climbing Adventure or going on one of seven zipline courses with Red River Ziplines. Within the wider park, there are a number of hiking trails and spots to visit, such as Henson's Arch or the Natural Bridge Cave. Lastly, there is an intriguing zoo called the Kentucky Reptile Zoo & Captive Born Venom Lab that is ideal for those who love the wild things in life.

Bardstown

Bardstown is a must-visit for any traveler through Kentucky due to its rich history. In 1789, Baptist minister Elijah Craig first aged whiskey in oak barrels, creating the drink Kentucky is known for: bourbon. Bardstown is the Bourbon Capital of the World and rightly sits on the Bourbon Trail, which guides travelers through rolling hills and past local distilleries such as the Preservation Distillery and the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience. Bardstown preserves some of the rarest bottles of Bourbon in the world at the Oscar Getz Museum of Bourbon History.

Lastly, Bardstown is home to one of the most beautiful houses in the entire Bluegrass state, the My Old Kentucky Home, an 1818 Federal-style mansion that was renamed after Stephen Foster's song.

Corbin

This unconventional town has sites one can't see anywhere else. Located in the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest, Corbin has one of the most serene parks in Kentucky: the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. Here, adventurers can see one of the rarest sites in the world: a moonbow or a rainbow that is created by moonlight. Within the park, hikers can view the falls themselves or other natural wonders like Devil's Rock or Dog Slaughter Falls.

Corbin was also the birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Colonel Sanders opened the first restaurant in Corbin in 1940, which is still preserved as the Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum. The museum has both the original kitchen and Colonel Sanders' office, with plenty of artifacts and memorabilia.

Kentucky is home to many types of unconventional attractions, all of which can see be seen on a road trip through the state. Within these small towns, travelers can explore the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, Colonel Sanders, and bourbon whiskey, all while enjoying serene natural beauty. There are many ways to explore these towns such as by taking a bike ride in London, going climbing in Slade or driving the Bourbon Trail in Bardstown. These unconventional towns are great for a visit, no matter the season.