9 Kentucky Small Towns With Unmatched Friendliness
The Mid-South is a friendly region in the United States, especially the state of Kentucky. Renowned for fried chicken, Bluegrass music, and the Kentucky Derby, this state is an ideal place to pull up a chair and relax in the simple comforts of life. It also helps that Kentucky has many friendly small towns that are eager to show visitors around. You can expect to find old school distilleries, presidential homes, unique quilts, the birthplace of KFC, the retirement home for thoroughbred horses, and more in these nine small towns in Kentucky with unmatched friendliness.
London
Friendly people love to travel in groups, especially on bicycles. No place is better in Kentucky for cycling than London. It is called the Cycling Capital of Kentucky for its numerous rural and forested biking trails from the Redbud Ride which goes through downtown and across the Kentucky countryside to the numerous trails through Levi Jackson Park, Laurel River and more. For those who want a less strenuous outdoor adventure, London has you covered with the Camp Wildcat Battlefield, the site of a major American Civil War battle in 1861. London also prides itself on having a number of fun, heart pounding attractions like roller skating and laser tag at Finley's Fun Center or thrilling races at the London Dragway.
Bardstown
Bardstown is a bit more laid back than London, due in no small part to its tradition of Bourbon whiskey distilling. This is a process of aging whiskey in barrels, which produces a unique flavor profile. Visitors can learn all about this drink and try out samples at one of the many friendly distilleries in town like the Bardstown Bourbon Company and Barton 1792 Distillery. Bardstown also happens to be a deeply historical town, and there are many different ways to experience that history. For one, there's the Women's Civil War Museum, which honors women's role in that formative conflict. There's also the My Old Kentucky Home State Park, a fabulous 1818 Federal Style plantation home that was renamed in honor of Stephen Foster's song. It's a must visit for anyone with an interest in the Bluegrass State.
La Grange
Friendly people make for kind hosts. La Grange is proud of its heritage as the Kindness Capital of Kentucky. It's a cute town just a short drive away from Louisville. However, the best way to explore this small town is not by car but rather by train. The Main Street Train travels up and down the downtown strip up to 30 times a day. For those who want a closer look at La Grange's railroad history, the La Grange Railroad Museum is a wonderful place, filled with exhibits of old engines, massive model railroad sets and a 1929 L&N dining car. Visitors can also go for a swim at the crystal waters of the FRP LA Grange Quarry or go to a drive-in movie at the Sauerbeck Family Drive-In.
Corbin
Corbin is a laid back, humble town with a proud history. It was here that Colonel Harland Sanders opened his first café which served up the fried chicken dish that is known worldwide as Kentucky Fried Chicken. Although he eventually sold the café, visitors can still see it today at the Harland Sanders Café and Museum, which perfectly preserves the birthplace of a Kentucky tradition. Speaking of tradition, one can see the origins of pinball machines at the Pinball Museum of Corbin, which has 56 machines and arcade games. If you'd rather spend a day outdoors, you can go to Laurel Lake or the best kept secret in Kentucky, the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. The waterfalls themselves are magnificent, at 125 foot wide and 60 feet long, but on a full moon, you might see a rare moonbow in the reflection of the fall, a rainbow formed by the moon.
Harrodsburg
As the oldest founded town in Kentucky, Harrodsburg has quite the legacy to uphold. It was established in 1774 with a fort. Residents have lovingly recreated that original settlement Old Fort Harrod State Park. Here you can see instruments, log cabins, a mansion, a blockhouse and the Lincoln Marriage Temple where Abraham Lincoln's parents were wed. History stays alive in Harrodsburg in more ways than one: as the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill testifies. Here one can explore the original religious community of the Shakers at The Historic Centre, try out farm-to-table meals the Farm or go for a hike through The Preserve. Speaking of outdoors, the nearby Herrington Lake is ideal for a day of boating, fishing, swimming and other water activities.
Paducah
Creativity runs in Kentucky's blood, especially in Paducah. This town is designated as UNESCRO Creative City, and it's very easy to see why just by walking downtown. Here, visitors can explore The National Quilt Museum. This museum keeps alive both the traditional and non-traditional ways of quilting bot through exhibits and workshops taught by artists like Sue Nickels and Victoria Findlay Wolfe. Paducah is dedicated to all forms of the arts, such as the performing arts at the Clemens Fine Arts Center and artisan crafts at the Stornoway House Gallery. Another intriguing spot in town is the Wall to Wall Murals. Located along a riverside walk at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee River, these murals, which were painted by Robert Dafford tell the story of Paducah's history and culture.
Berea
Since its inception, Berea has judged people not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character, as Martin Luther King Jr. said in his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. As the home of Berea College, it was the only desegrated university in the state. Today, the town keeps that same spirit of acceptance along with a deep dedication to the arts. Berea is called the Folk Arts & Crafts Capital of Kentucky, and its artisans freely share their wares and expertise at the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen, The Cabin of Old Town Artisan Gallery, and other places. Berea also regularly hosts Learnshops to teach others how to make their own crafts. But the best place for artists to gain inspiration is by exploring the nearby Berea College Forest, especially The Pinnacles, one of the most highly rated hikes in the Kentucky Appalachia area.
Elizabethtown
Elizabethtown, or Etown for short, is a Kentucky classic. Its downtown area in particular is a favorite among shoppers and history buffs alike. For example, there is the Brown Pusey House Community Center, an 1825 house that mixes Georgia and Federal styles of architecture and today is used for events. The Hardin County History Museum is also in the downtown area and is an official part of the Lincoln Heritage Trail for its exhibit on Abraham Lincoln. Etown also preserves the rich history of automobiles at Swope's Cars of Yesteryear Museum, which preserves vehicles from the early 1900s to 1960s. For shopping, Etown has a wide range of locally owned businesses from the Elizabethtown Peddler's mall to the Quilted Elephant to Sweet Rebel Boutique.
Georgetown
Georgetown is the fastest growing town in Kentucky, due in part to the Toyota facility within its borders. Due to this growth, the town is welcoming to both new residents and travelers alike. These include not just humans but horses as well. At the Old Friends Farm for Retired Thoroughbreds, visitors can interact with and feed carrots to horses that competed in the Kentucky Derby. Visitors are also welcome to tour the facility that put the town on the map with the Toyota Kentucky Experience Center. If spending time outdoors is more your cup of tea, Georgetown has you covered with Elkhorn Creek. This creek is one of the most visited in Kentucky for kayaking, canoeing or just basking in nature. Lastly, Georgetown is a good spot for trying out locally crafted cider at the Evans Orchard and Cider Mill.
Friendliness abounded in these Kentucky small towns. After all friendly people love to share experiences and interesting information, and there's plenty of both in these small towns. Visitors can make equine friends in Georgetown, enjoy a drink in good company in Bardstown, or learn about intriguing religions in Harrodsburg. Residents in artists colonies like Berea and Paducah will also happily teach visitors how to make art of their very own to take home with them. These nine small towns in Kentucky with unmatched friendliness are happy to welcome you in your future travels.
