7 Storybook Towns In Kentucky

There’s nothing like opening up a good story to read. Stories come in many different flavors, from cozy reads to historical masterpieces. Towns also tell a story through their history, architecture, and scenery, and few states have better storybook towns than Kentucky. These picturesque towns have many tales to tell visitors, ranging from ancient family feuds to Presidential homes and more. Travelers will discover stories about the birthplace of Bourbon, the quilting tradition, and even a certain colonel cook all within these towns. Here are 7 storybook towns in Kentucky.

London

Some of the best stories begin with children getting on their bicycles and riding around a small town with their friends. London keeps this spirit alive as the Cycling Capital of Kentucky. It has biking trails of all kinds, ranging from strenuous rides through the Appalachian Mountains to relaxing days through downtown. The Redbud Ride has multiple routes through the rural towns of London and nearby communities, while the Laurel River Lake trail takes one through beautiful hardwood forests. The community also aims to keep the spirit of childhood wonder alive, with the London Children’s Museum offering multiple interactive and educational exhibits to engage the senses of the young and young at heart. London has many stories to tell about the past, as it sits right next to the Camp Wildcat Battlefield, the site of a major Civil War battle in 1861, and Boone’s Trace Trail, where famed explorer Daniel Boone traversed through in 1775.

Berea

This town was named after a place in Greece, which the book of Acts in the Bible calls a place of noble-minded people. Berea certainly lives up to this reputation, as it was the site of the first racially integrated college in Kentucky prior to Jim Crow. Berean residents also pride themselves on keeping the tradition of folk crafts alive. Visitors can take in these wonderful pieces of art at the Kentucky Artisan Center, which has works for sale from more than 800 Kentucky artists, or they can explore the Artisan Village. Within the village, visitors can see glass art at the Fire and Fern Glass Studio or see an art gallery in a circa 1813 log cabin called the Cabin of Old Town Artisan Gallery. For those looking to go for a hike, Berea has one of the top-rated hikes in the state at the Pinnacles in the Berea College Forest.

Pikeville

Nestled in the heart of Appalachia is the quaint town of Pikeville. One wouldn’t guess that this serene town would be the site of one of America’s bloodiest feuds: the Hatfield and McCoys. What began as a land dispute spiraled into multiple murders, court trials, and drama that would shape American history. Travelers can learn the full story of the feud by taking a tour of multiple historic sites, such as the Hog Trial Cabin, where Randolph McCoy accused Floyd Hatfield of stealing a hog, to the Pike County Courthouse and Jail, where multiple Hatfields were charged with murder years later. Many of the graves of those involved in the feud can still be visited today. Those looking for a less violent story can see the very best of Appalachian-inspired art at the Appalachian Center for the Arts in Pikeville.

Bardstown

There’s nothing like enjoying a good drink while reading a great book. In Kentucky, their most famous drink is Bourbon, and there’s no place better for Bourbon than Bardstown. Known as the Bourbon Capital of the world, it has more distilleries than anywhere else, such as the Bardstown Bourbon Company and the James B. Beam Distilling Co., which offer both tours and tasting opportunities. Bardstown has many stories to tell through its architecture and railroad history. It has one of the best mansions in the state: My Old Kentucky Home State Park. This 1818 mansion was initially a plantation where the Rowan family and many enslaved people lived. Today, it is a park that was renamed after Stephen Foster’s love song for the state of Kentucky. On the locomotive side, the Kentucky Railway Museum in nearby New Haven preserves several old locomotives and miniature trains, as well as offering multiple fun excursions on dinner and mystery train rides.

Paducah

It takes creativity to craft a good story, and no place is more creative in Kentucky than Paducah. UNESCO has honored Paducah as a Creative City for its many artistic attractions. For example, the Paducah School of Art & Design hosts artists' workshops and woodworking, metal, and clayworking studios. The town is most well known for the National Quilt Museum, which hosts some of the best quilts and quilting classes in the world. Paducah displays its wall-to-wall floodwall murals along the confluence of the Ohio Rivers, which tell the story of Paducah’s history from its founding in 1827 by William Clark to today. Speaking of history, Paducah played a critical role in the Civil War due to Kentucky’s position as a border state, which visitors can learn more about at the old home of a Confederate General called the Lloyd Tilghman House & Civil War Museum.

Hodgenville

Some of the greatest leaders in history had humble beginnings. One such man was President Abraham Lincoln, who was born in a cabin in what is now Hodgenville, Kentucky. In the early 1900s, Theodore Roosevelt commissioned the construction of the Memorial Building at the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, which houses the Symbolic Birth Cabin. In nearby Knob Creek, visitors can see a recreated log cabin similar to the one Lincoln lived in. Downtown Hodgenville houses the Lincoln Museum, which has wax figures and artifacts telling his story from his days in a cabin to his final hours at Ford’s Theatre. For those looking for a relaxing hike, there are multiple trails winding through the forests of the historical park, or one can go fishing or campaign at McDougal and Salem Lake.

Corbin

Some of the best stories are told under the light of the stars. There are few places in Kentucky that are better for stargazing than Corbin due to its beautiful park: Cumberland Falls State Park. This park is renowned for two things: a 125-foot waterfall that rivals Niagara Falls and is one of the few places on Earth where one can see a moonbow, a rainbow created by the light of a full moon. Adventurers can traverse close to the falls on many hiking trails or get a panoramic view atop the 1937 Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower. This charming small town was also the birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Visitors can learn all about Colonel Sanders's life story and how he got into the fried chicken business at the Sanders Café & Museum, the site of his very first restaurant where he first served KFC’s Original Recipe.

These cute towns would be perfect in a storybook. From their historic log cabins to mansions to Presidential monuments, there are many set pieces here to see and explore. Kentucky travelers will have plenty of time to visit the sites here, which range from a waterfall to a Bourbon distillery and much more. By learning about these towns' stories, visitors will return home with plenty of stories to share on their own.