In Kentucky, Small Cities Leave a Big Impression. Here Are 5 to Visit.

10.12.2024 - 21:46 / matadornetwork.com

As my father’s birthplace, Kentucky has always had a special place in my heart. I’ve traveled many of the Bluegrass state’s highways, byways, and waterways. But for this trip, I embarked on a five-day Appalachian journey to five small but mighty cities in Kentucky: Berea, Stearns, Corbin, Pikeville, and Winchester.

When I was a child, my dad told me about the first settlers in Kentucky who carried only the bare necessities. The legendary frontiersman Daniel Boone came through the Cumberland Gap in 1769, marking the way that would lead more than 300,000 settlers through the important gateway to make a new life. Early pioneers had to leave behind most of their possessions, but they brought with them a love of music and the talent to create something lovely from almost nothing. As a result, folks in these small towns take pride in the traditional music, cooking, storytelling, and arts and crafts that have been passed down through generations.

This trip through small-town Kentucky explores the cultural legacy of the state’s early settlers, which can be felt like a strong heartbeat in compact cities that do, indeed, offer big experiences.

Photo: Minh Truong/Shutterstock

We arrived in Berea from Blue Grass Airport in Lexington shortly before 8 PM. The drive took slightly less than an hour. Our itinerary had us leaving Berea the next morning at 8:30 AM, so our visit was limited. Most shops and sites were closed when we got there and when we left.

Known as the “Crafts Capital of Kentucky,” Berea (pop. 16,129) was named after a biblical town and founded by folks sympathetic to emancipation and abolition. Berea was incorporated in 1890, but the area’s history was highly influenced by the founding of Berea College in 1855.

Unlike any other college, Berea College was the first integrated, co-educational college in the South and has not charged student tuition since 1892. A private liberal arts work college, Berea College continues a tradition of requiring all students to work 10 to 20 hours in different jobs around the campus to pay for textbooks and room and board. Berea College has 1,600 students, mostly from Appalachia but also from around the world.

Berea College: 101 Chestnut St, Berea, KY 40403

Photo: Jackie Sheckler Finch

Stepping into the Historic Boone Tavern Hotel and Restaurant, we stashed our luggage at the front desk and headed straight to the restaurant since it was almost closing time. The smell of the tavern’s legendary spoonbread let us know this was going to be a memorable meal.

Founded in 1909 and named in honor of frontiersman Daniel Boone, the tavern is owned by Berea College and has long been a favorite on Berea’s College Square. The menu has plenty to tempt any palate. My choice was the