Harrodsburg, KY Road Trips

Harrodsburg, the first permanent English settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains, was the site of a fort built by James Harrod in 1775. In 1805, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, or Shakertown, was founded when 44 converts to the Shaker religion signed a covenant agreeing to mutual support and the common ownership of property. Dissolved in 1910, it is now preserved as a restored historic landmark.

1 Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (Shakertown), 3501 Lexington Rd (US Hwy 68 E), ☏ +1 859 734-5411, toll-free: +1-800-734-5611. Su-Th 10AM-5PM, F-Sa 10AM-8PM; see website for schedule of daily and special events. Shaker Village is America's largest restored Shaker community, with 34 restored buildings and 3,000 acres of preserved farmland. Tours, exhibitions, and activities cover various topics in the historic buildings, working farm, and nature preserve. With a farm-to-table restaurant and lodging in the historic group homes and cottages (both listed below), this can be a unique place to stay, or the focus of a few days' worth of activities. Adults $20, youth (6-12) $10, children free.

Dixie Belle, Leaves from Shaker Landing, 3501 Lexington Rd, [email protected]. Daily Apr 28-Oct 28. Departures at 2PM and 4PM, arrive at Shaker Landing thirty minutes prior to departure. The 115-passenger riverboat located at Shaker Village cruises the scenic Kentucky River palisades. A one hour narrated cruise passes by the oldest exposed rock in Kentucky, and goes under High Bridge built in 1877. The riverboat is accessible to persons with physical disabilities. $10 (13 & above), $5 (6-12), free for children 5 & under. Herrington Lake, located in Mercer, Garrard and Boyle counties. Herrington Lake was formed in 1925 by the damming of the Dix River to create hydroelectric power for Kentucky Utilities. Herrington Lake is the deepest lake in Kentucky with a maximum depth of 249 feet and 325 miles of shoreline. Old Fort Harrod State Park, 100 S College St, ☏ +1 859 734-3314, [email protected]. Mar 1-Nov 30: 9AM-5PM daily; Dec 1-Feb 28: M-F 8AM-4:30PM. Brochure. The park has a full-scale replica of the fort built by James Harrod in 1774. The complex also features the Lincoln Marriage Temple and oldest cemetery west of the Allegheny mountains. Apr 1-Oct 31: adults $5, children $3; Nov 1-Mar 31: adults $3, children $1. 1 Dupree Nature Preserve, 2991 Polly's Bend Road, Lancaster. A 300 acre nature preserve located 15 miles south of Lexington. This property features 5 miles of hiking trails located within the Kentucky River Palisades, a deep gorge cut by the river.

Beaumont Inn Restaurant (Main Dining Room), 638 Beaumont Inn Dr, ☏ +1 859 734-3381, toll-free: +1-800-352-3992. W-F 11:30AM-1:30PM (buffet only for Friday lunch) and 6PM-7:30PM, Sa 6PM-8PM, Su brunch 11AM-1:30PM. The main dining room of the Beaumont Inn. Features The Classic Beaumont Dinner of Fried Chicken & Country Ham. $19.95 The Beaumont Inn is known for their two-year old cured Kentucky country ham. Dinner entree with 2 sides, and salad added $25-30. Old Owl Tavern Restaurant, 638 Beaumont Inn Dr, ☏ +1 859 734-3381, toll-free: +1-800-352-3992. M-Th 4PM-9PM, F 4PM-10PM, Sa 11:30AM-10PM. A "bar and grill" restaurant at the Beaumont Inn named for the Kentucky Owl Bourbon Whiskey distilled in the area prior to Prohibition. A casual bar and restaurant with porch dining cooled by ceiling fans and century old shade trees. Features Kentucky Hot Brown and a pulled pork barbecue sandwich. The Trustees' Table at Shaker Village, 3501 Lexington Rd (US Hwy 68 E), ☏ +1 859 734-5411, toll-free: +1-800-734-5611. Daily breakfast 7:30AM-10AM, lunch 11:30AM-3PM, dinner 5PM-8:30PM. A farm-to-table restaurant featuring seasonal dishes. Breakfast $7-10, lunch $6-14, dinner $6-25. Reservations suggested. 1 The Inn at Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill, 3501 Lexington Road, toll-free: +1-800-734-5611. A mix of traditional southern and continental foods, served at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Call ahead to ensure available seating. Around $15/person.

Owl's Nest. W-Sa 5PM-10PM. An English-style pub on the grounds of the Beaumont Inn. Serves food. Has TV for viewing sports.

Bluegrass Inn, 213 S College St (US Hwy 127 S), ☏ +1 859 734-7782. 38 Units. Within walking distance of Old Fort Harrod State Park and downtown. $39-70. Economy Inn, 814 N College St (US Hwy 127 N), ☏ +1 859 734-4218. 20 units. $35-70. Beaumont Inn, 638 Beaumont Inn Dr (US Hwy 127 S), ☏ +1 859 734-3381, toll-free: +1-800-352-3992. Four buildings with 31 guestrooms. Wi-fi available in the Main Inn and Goddard Hall buildings. Rates range from approx. $100-175 depending on day of week and season. Special packages available. Discounts available for extended stays. Bright Leaf Golf Resort, 1742 Danville Rd (US Hwy 127 S), ☏ +1 859 734-5481, toll-free: +1-800-469-6038. 65 units, 40 villas. 36-hole championship golf course. The Inn at Shaker Village, 3501 Lexington Rd (US Hwy 68 E), ☏ +1 859 734-5411, toll-free: +1-800-734-5611. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Multiple options for rooms, suites, and private cottages in the historic Shaker community's restored buildings. From $110. Cane Run Fishing Camp & Marina, 326 Cane Run Camp Rd (KY Hwy 152), ☏ +1 859 748-5487. Year-round RV park. Marina open May-Oct 9AM-9PM; Nov–Apr 9AM–6PM. Featuring covered slips, boat launch, and bait shop. Chimney Rock Studios, 250 Chimney Rock Rd (KY Hwy 152 E), ☏ +1 859 748-7625. Royalty's Cottages, 940 Normans Camp Rd (KY Hwy 152 E to 33 N to 342), ☏ +1 859 748-5459.

You'll almost certainly get to Harrodsburg by car.