8 Most Bike-Friendly Towns in Kentucky

Cycling is a great American pastime for many reasons. For one, it is a wonderful feeling to feel the wind on your face as you take in the sights and smells of the area. For another, it is an excellent cardio workout. Cyclists are always looking for new spots to go for a ride, and Kentucky has plenty of small towns that are perfect for a bike ride. These bike-friendly small towns offer great historical attractions, restaurants, cafes, local shops, and more. By visiting these towns, you will see unique sculptures, distilleries, quilts, historic cemeteries, and many other attractions, all on your bike or on foot. Find eight of the most bike-friendly small towns in Kentucky to explore.

Berea

Berea earns its name from the city in Ancient Greece, which the Apostle Paul praised in the Bible as a place of "noble-minded" people. Berea aims to earn this reputation through its college-town vibes and appreciation for the arts. The town is known as the Folk Arts Capital of the World, which you can see on the Kentucky Artisan Center Trail, a paved 2.3-mile bike trail that goes through the town.

As you bike through town, you will see several sites, including the Historic Boone Tavern Hotel and Restaurant, the Loyal Jones Appalachian Center in John B. Stephenson Hall, and the Students Crafts and Education Center, where there are many locally made crafts you can check out. Within the Artisan Village itself, you can visit several great local shops like Family Tree, Dinah Tyree-Watercolors, and Fine Wine Caddy.

Paducah

Paducah is known as a UNESCO Creative City for its dedication to the arts and locally made quilts. The town also has a reputation for being bike-friendly, especially in its downtown area, where there are several great things to see. Located in a cluster by the Ohio River, you can bike to the National Quilt Museum, the Yeiser Art Center, and the Inland Waterways Museum. The National Quilt Museum itself includes exhibitions on local and international artists along with workshops on how to learn to quilt yourself.

There are also many restaurants located near these attractions, like Max's Brick Oven Café, The FoxBriar Cocktail Bar, and more. If you are interested in historical buildings, take the Historic Paducah Audio Tour, which will take you by multiple historic spots like the Cohen Building and Broadway United Methodist Church from downtown to the Ohio River.

Covington

This city of just over 40,000 people sits between Florence and Newport and is close to Cincinnati. Despite its proximity to this big city, Covington maintains a small-town vibe with several local attractions you can explore on your bike. There are multiple museums to tour, including the Behringer-Crawford Museum, the Railway Museum of Greater Cincinnati, and the Carnegie arts venue. If you are willing to poke around a bit, you will also discover some hidden gems in the city.

One of these is the historic Linden Grove Cemetery, first consecrated in 1843 and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are also several cute neighborhoods you can visit on bike or foot, like Mainstrasse Village, a 19th-century German neighborhood that features the Carroll Chimes Bell Tower, Goose Girl Fountain, and many German-style buildings.

Bardstown

Located on the Bourbon Trail, this town was the birthplace of the drink itself back in the late 1700s. Today, Bardstown is a center for both spirits enjoyers and cyclists. On the trail itself, you can visit the Bardstown Bourbon Company, Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience, James B. Beam Distilling Co., Lux Row Distillers, and Maker's Mark.

Other than bourbon, you can also visit the My Old Kentucky Home State Park, a plantation home built in 1818 and later named after the famous song by Stephen Foster. You can also appreciate time in nature within the city by traversing the Town Creek Trail, Reservoir Ridge Trail, and the Federal Hill Loop. Don't forget to catch a bite to eat at Mammy's Kitchen or Toogie's Table while you are in town.

Midway

Midway is a small town of just over 1,700 people with a lot of charm shoved into a small space. Don't let its size fool you, Midway has many attractions you can get to on foot or atop a bike with ease, especially due to its position on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, a network of 46 distilleries.

In the town itself, you can see historic structures such as the Weisenberger Mill, which has been in operation since 1865, or you can take a stroll through the Equus Run Vineyards. Walter Bradley Park is another great place for a ride or a walk. For daring cyclists, you can follow the Midway/Versailles 28-Mile Bike Loop, which will take you by all the attractions in the area.

Versailles

Versailles is a must-visit for cyclists on the Bourbon Trail. On this trail, you will see many of the local distilleries, such as Woodford Reserve and the Wild Turkey Distillery Visitor Center in nearby Lawrenceburg. The nearby area has so many distilleries that you could spend days visiting them all and taking tours. The town sits near the end of McCracken Pike, a great road for cyclists in Kentucky that runs by several historic homes.

Another fantastic spot in town to visit is the Bluegrass Scenic Railroad Museum, which collects trains and artifacts of the area's history as a railroading hub. If mountain biking is more your alley, consider the Knucklehead Trails, a 7 mile trail starting in Versailles at the Life Adventure Center.

London

No list of bike-friendly towns in Kentucky would be complete without mentioning London, the Cycling Capital of Kentucky. This town of just over 7,500 people is known for its several biking routes, both in the woods and on rural roads. Some of the best mountain bike trails in town include the Laurel River Lake Trail, the Broken Spoke inside the Levi Jackson Park, and the US Bike Route 21 in the larger Laurel County.

The town itself is also bike friendly, with several places to explore such as the London Children's Museum, Whitley Branch Veterans Park, Corbin Vendors Mall, Flea Land Flea Market and much more. London is also the birthplace of Colonel Sanders and hosts the Sanders Cafe and Museum where you can learn about his life and get a taste of his original recipe.

Henderson

Henderson is the home of around 27,700 residents who pride themselves on beautiful parks, agritourism, and history. This hidden gem is also a fantastic place for cyclists, thanks to wide streets, scenic parks, and intriguing trails. In the downtown area, you will ride by several historic buildings and mansions, including Farmer's Bank and Trust, Jarvis-Clifford House, and the Blackwell-Vaughn House. Another intriguing spot downtown is the 16 life-size sculptures based on John James Audubon's paintings.

Henderson is part of the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route, which follows the paths taken by slaves fleeing to freedom in the north. Lastly, don't miss the Canoe Creek Nature Trail at Newman Park or the Sandy Lee Watkins Park, which has almost three miles of cycling trails.

Kentucky may not be the most renowned state for biking, but it hides many small towns that are just the ticket to see from atop your bike. Bourbon lovers will enjoy a fine hard drink after a long day on the Bourbon Trail, while history lovers will appreciate the many historic buildings and museums along the way. That is not to mention the great food ranging from local fare to original Kentucky Fried Chicken. The next time you take your bike on a trip through Kentucky, consider stopping at one of these small towns.