The Official Kentucky Visitor's Guide - The Official Kentucky Visitor's Guide 2023
Kentucky Appalachians
2022-12-22 12:31:35
Twist around the same mountain roads Dwight Yoakam, Chris Stapleton, The Judds and so many other Kentucky country music sensations drove on their way up the Billboard charts.
The U.S. 23 Country Music Highway unspools through key sites connected to these legends and the U.S. 23 Country Music Highway Museum shows off their personal memorabilia, including musical instruments and stage costumes.
There’s more to Ashland’s Paramount Arts Center than an “Achy Breaky Heart” (although Billy Ray Cyrus did film his hit music video here) like concerts, comedy acts and theater productions. Head south to visit Butcher Hollow, birthplace of the late legend Loretta Lynn and inspiration for her song, “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”
Name your wilderness pleasure: camping, hiking and fishing in Daniel Boone National Forest; playing on the swimming beaches of Morehead’s Cave Run Lake; or backpacking and boating at Louisa’s Yatesville Lake.
Follow your whims to the Kentucky Folk Art Center, tucked into the historic Union Grocery near Morehead State University, and The App – that is, the Appalachian Center for the Arts – in Pikeville, which elevates the theater experience with professional and critically acclaimed productions.
A fight to the bitter end? Find out on Pikeville’s Hatfields & McCoys Historic Feud Driving Tour, where winding mountain roads cross the battle lines of this world-famous vendetta featuring the McCoy Homeplace, Devil Anse Hatfield Statue, “Cotton Top” Hanging Sites and more.
REGIONAL ART HIGHLIGHTS
What happens when a worldrenowned artist falls in love with a Kentucky town? He creates three showstopping mixed-media bronze monuments symbolizing its beauty, culture, history and rebirth. Venus, Vulcan and Genesis make up the Port of Ashland Sculptures.
It’s hard to resist smiling back at “Mountain Mona Lisa,” local artist Austin Casebolt’s mural filled with Appalachian symbolism officially titled “Woman with Cardinal.” Or any of the other murals adding artistic vitality to downtown Pikeville.
Outdoor art as boldly bright and colorful as the community it took root in: that’s the Tree Mural at Main Street Park in Mt. Sterling, bringing pops of primary hues to its pretty-as-apicture downtown.
Morehead’s seasonal outdoor Maker’s Market sets up on the lawn of the Rowan County Arts Center on first Saturdays April through October. It’s all about local: foods, music, and arts and crafts featuring wood-carved items, yarn crafts, jewelry and more.
REGIONAL ITINERARY
DAY 1
1 Mountain HomePlace, Staffordsville
Peek into the one-room schoolhouse for a lesson in the “three Rs” (reading, ’riting and ’rithmetic) 1850s style. Sit in on an outdoor concert or video about early Appalachian settlers. For a souvenir, browse the hand-painted gourds.
2 Butcher Hollow/Loretta Lynn’s Homeplace, Coal Miners’ Museum, Van Lear
The humble beginnings of the late “Queen of Country Music” happened in this hollow homestead wedged between two mountains – inspiration for Loretta Lynn’s songwriting. Learn more about the “Coal Miner’s Daughter” at the museum tucked in Webb’s Grocery, a former Consolidated Coal Company office that is featured in the Oscar-winning movie.
3 Sugarcamp Mountain Trails, Prestonsburg
Hiking, mountain biking and horse-friendly trails. Check. Spectacular views of Dewey Lake in Jenny Wiley State Resort Park. Check. A scenic place amidst the forest to embrace a slower place. You can check that, too!
DAY 2
4 Ruth Hunt Candy Co., Mt. Sterling
Bourbon-soaked fondant. Rich, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate. Buttery pecans. Ruth Hunt’s homemade Bourbon Balls aren’t the only treat here to make one weak in the knees. Chew on this Kentucky tradition, as well as the copper kettle-cooked Pulled Cream Candy.
5 Rowan County Arts Center, Morehead
For a little savory after your sweet, bite into a fried green tomato sandwich from Brooklyn Belle Market, then head to the historic courthouse building where the creative and performing arts live. Warm weather brings the Maker’s Market, with arts and crafts, locally produced foods and activities for kids.
6 Downtown Shops & Museums, Morehead
Boutique shop and gallery hop through downtown, including a stop at the Kentucky Folk Art Center. While on Main Street, enjoy a stroll, hike or bike along the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail as it meanders the street and into Daniel Boone National Forest.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Ashland 606-329-1007, visitaky.com
Boyd County 606-585-4770, visitboydcounty.com
Frenchburg/Menifee County 606-768-9000, frenchburgky.com
Grayson/Olive Hill/Carter County 606-474-5366 facebook.com/cartercountytourism
Greenup County 606-473-6440 greenupcountyky.gov/tourism
Louisa/Lawrence County 606-638-0078 visitlcky.com
Morehead/Rowan County 606-780-4342 visitmorehead.com
Mount Sterling 859-498-8732 mtsterlingtourism.com
Owingsville/Bath County 606-674-6346 facebook.com/bathcountykytourism
Paintsville 606-297-1469 paintsvilletourism.com
Pikeville/Pike County 606-432-5063 tourpikecounty.com, visitpikeville.com
Prestonsburg 606-886-1341, prestonsburgky.org
West Liberty 606-743-3330 visitwestliberty.com
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