9 Beautiful Small Towns In Kentucky That Are Pure Americana
By Andrea Limke|Published July 03, 2018
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Andrea Limke
Author
A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.
We talk quite a bit about Kentucky’s small towns because our state is made up of some of the best in the country. These charming and historic neighborhoods are the soul of the Bluegrass State and almost every Kentuckian has one that is close to their heart. These small towns often maintain their historic charm, and that pure Americana spirit along with it. American flags line the Main Streets, family-friendly events take place in the town parks, and there’s just a neighborly feel throughout the city. As we celebrate America’s independence, check out these nine beautiful small towns in Kentucky that are pure Americana.
Georgetown is a historic small town that has an overwhelming amount of charm. It's situated in the heart of horse country, so its timeless downtown is surrounded by rolling hills and sprawling farms. Although it's a small town, there are countless activities, events, and festivals, and everything is always filled with that Americana spirit.
The city of Edgewood in northern Kentucky is always on the list of best places to live in the area, and a lot of that has to do with its classic feel. The two main parks are Freedom Park and Presidents Park, there are concerts on the lawns, parades and festivals, and a welcoming neighborhood feel throughout its streets.
Greenville is tucked into the hills of western Kentucky and is a slice of small-town heaven. Known for the beautiful Muhlenberg County Courthouse, the town is also home to locally-owned restaurants, lively festivals that take place right downtown, and historic charm. Greenville is also near some of the best lakes in the state and the natural beauty surrounding it is wonderful to explore.
Harrodsburg is another historic town in Kentucky, and in fact, it's the oldest city in the state! Over the years, it has maintained its Americana charm with flag-lined streets and colorful storefronts. There's a lot of history to experience here, as well as welcoming people, and pure, family-friendly fun.
You'd expect a town named Independence to be filled with Americana spirit... and it definitely is! The 4th of July is a big deal in this city and they celebrate with a weekend-long festival. The rest of the year, this quiet town is a mix of suburban neighborhoods and farms, and it's the type of place where you always run into someone you know at the grocery store. The farmer's market is a favorite local stop, and of course, it takes place right at the steps of the town's courthouse.
When you think of a classic American town, you may picture historic brick buildings, American flags, maybe the sound of a train whistle as you smile at others across the street. Well, this scene is played out every day in the town of LaGrange. It's known for the train that continues to chug through town multiple times a day and for its small-town charm. There are a number of little restaurants and shops along this stretch of downtown and it's just a friendly little town to visit.
Williamsburg is surrounded by an incredible amount of natural beauty in eastern Kentucky and is a wonderful place to visit to experience those adventures. The town itself recently celebrated its 200th birthday and has kept plenty of that Americana spirit over the past two centuries. Main Street is a charming place to stroll, you can easily get up into the mountains and try out a trail or two, and a visit to the popular Kentucky Splash Waterpark is always a hit with the kids.
Danville is another small town in the heart of horse country that is one of the most historic spots in the state. It's a college town that grows in population during the school year, but it always maintains its Main Street charm and classic appeal.
It's amazing how many historic small towns throughout Kentucky have maintained their original character, and Russellville is no exception. It's a quiet town located close to the Tennessee border, and with an adorable Main Street and a shaded park where you can relax and take in the history and sights.
It turns out that Kentucky’s “Unbridled Spirit” goes very well with the Americana spirit, especially in our state’s beautiful small towns. What do you think of this list? Which towns would you add? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
And if you love exploring Kentucky’s small towns, check out more of our feature articles here.
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