Stanford Is The Most Unexpectedly Cool City In Kentucky
By Sarah McCosham|Published December 28, 2021
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Those of us who are lucky enough to call the Bluegrass home know Kentucky is easily the most underrated state in the country. It’s true. Kentucky is world-renowned for its bourbon distilleries, horse racing, and national parks. We’re also home to some of the most iconic attractions, unique accommodations, and beautiful destinations in the South, and we are quickly becoming a formidable player in the culinary arena. And on top of it all, we have some of the best small towns in the country; places that are irresistibly charming and effortlessly cool. This is epitomized by little locales like Stanford, a town in central Kentucky that’s quite possibly the most unexpectedly cool city in the Bluegrass State.
When it comes to charming small towns, Kentucky boasts an embarrassment of riches.
But there's a small town in central Kentucky that truly takes the cake in terms of charm... and it's also completely, effortlessly, irresistibly cool, too!
This is Stanford, Kentucky, a small town with a population of just over 3,600. Don't let its diminutive size deter you, however; Stanford is big on attractions and beauty, and it's also secretly one of the coolest places in Kentucky.
Amazing eateries anchor the downtown district, with The Bluebird leading the way. This is the future of Kentucky cuisine -- it's elevated-yet-homey classic Southern comfort food. (This spin on the Nashville hot chicken sandwich? We're here for it.)
Historic sites and attractions abound in Stanford, too; these are under-the-radar gems with incredible historical significance. One of the town's most notable spots, the Isaac Shelby State Historic Site, contains the cemetery of Kentucky's first and fifth governor, Isaac Shelby, and his family. Shelby once called this area, “the most beautiful land he had ever seen” -- and indeed, it's a perfect slice of the Bluegrass.
Isaac Shelby State Historic Site, 6725 KY-300, Stanford, KY 40484, USA
The William Whitley House Historic Site is another local gem; built in 1794, it was the first brick home and circular racetrack built west of the Alleghany Mountains. Dubbed the "Guardian of Wilderness Road," this house was a gathering spot for legendary Kentuckians like George Rogers Clark and Daniel Boone, and is colloquially referred to as "the beginning of horse racing in Kentucky" -- which is pretty darn significant, if you ask us.
William Whitley House State Historic Site, William Whitley House State Shrine, 625 William Whitley Rd, Stanford, KY 40484, USA
You can stay in a piece of state history, too, at one of the well-appointed accommodations at the Stanford Inn. Choose from a variety of charming cottages and guests houses in the downtown district, and be prepared to be totally, wholly charmed.
The Stanford Inn at Wilderness Road, 207 W Main St, Stanford, KY 40484, USA
There's also an undeniable small-town spirit in Stanford that's totally infectious. Between the seasonal farmer's market, local festivals, and annual events (like the summer drive-in theatre), Stanford is peak Hallmark movie small-town vibes.
