This historic college town in central Kentucky is set in a vast green landscape dotted with farms, wineries, and sites of great historical importance.
One of these is Fort Boonsboro, founded by famed pioneer Daniel Boone after he and his men crossed the Kentucky River in 1775.
The Battle of Richmond, a Confederate victory, was fought in August 1862 in much of Richmond and Madison counties. stood.
Finally, the campus of Eastern Kentucky University blends with downtown Richmond, making it the region’s premier performing arts venue for major musical performances and comedians.
Things to Do in Richmond, Kentucky
1. White Hall State Historic Site
The rolling farmland north of Richmond is home to the planter, liberator, and U.S. secretary of Russia Cassius Marsellus Clay (1810–1903).
Clay was born to Green Clay, a businessman and slave owner who built this house in 1791. This original building was expanded when Cassius Clay’s wife was in Russia, so his 45-room mansion is now a mixture of Georgian and Italian styles.
At Whitehall, you’ll meet several generations of the Clay family, including the daughters of Cassius Clay, who was an active suffragist at the turn of the 20th century.
This house has technology that was rare at the time. B. Indoor plumbing and central heating, fully furnished with clay home heirlooms and antique furnishings.
2. Fort Boonesborough State Park
A replica of the settlement that Daniel Boone (1734-1820) and his group founded stands exactly where they crossed the Kentucky River some 250 years ago.
Open from April to October, this well-preserved archaeological site and fascinating living history museum. The fort replica is in great detail, including log cabins, huts, and period furnishings.
To make things a little more realistic, meet a performer demonstrating 18th-century craftsmanship and everyday techniques. There are numerous interpretive signs throughout the site, based on the latest archaeological research.
The large park is a bird’s paradise, home to wild turkeys. There are also riverside boat launches, campgrounds, hiking trails, miniature golf courses, swimming pools, gift shops, and much more.
3. Battle of Richmond Visitors Center
Learn more about the Battle of Richmond at this visitor center and museum housed in the historic Rogers House, built in 1811
This attraction uses topographic maps of the building from the period to guide you through the course of the battle can be comprehensively viewed.
Among the many other exhibits are period costumes and furniture, well-preserved surgical instruments, correspondence, flags, personal effects of General Marlon Manson (1820-1895), and various items salvaged from the battlefield. items (horseshoes, cannonballs, etc.). , musket bullets, and abundant arrowheads before the battle.
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4. Battlefield Park
With numerous signs along the 4 km trail, it is easy to understand the country’s position and course. A battle that took place here over 160 years ago.
At the heart of Battlefield Park is his 1824 Pleasant View House, which was used as a post-war hospital.
Park hosts an annual Civil War reenactment in late August and a Native American Pow Wow in late September.
5. Eastern Kentucky University
Interlaced with downtown Richmond is EKU’s leafy main campus, located on the old campus of Central University (founded in 1874). The main landmark is the Colonial Revival Keen Johnson Building with its stunning pediment and dome.
This is his WPA project from 1939 with a statue of Daniel Boone in front of the door. For years, people have rubbed his left leg for good luck.
We’ll talk about the wonderful EKU Center for the Arts later, but another public attraction is the Hummel Planetarium. Opened in 1988, it typically brings the public to the theater for a pre-recorded show followed by an engaging Star Talk presentation. , Welcome.
6. Downtown Richmond
Main Street crosses Richmond’s Central Business District, a historic district with 60 donated buildings. The reference point is the Greek Revival Madison County Courthouse (1849), still home to local government.
As you continue down Main Street, read the informational and historical signs in front of this landmark.
Befitting a college town, downtown Richmond is very lively with exciting restaurants and bars, as well as a variety of local shops for bike/bicycle accessories, antiques, hardware, books, furniture, and fashion.
If local architecture impresses you, stop by the Richmond Visitor Center to see his map of over 70 historic residences, churches, and public buildings on the Richmond Downtown Walking Tour of Homes.
7. Lake Reba Park
Richmond’s best parks are located on the western shores of the 175-acre fishing lake on the eastern edge of town.
Lake Lewa has an 18-hole public golf course, water sports center, and family entertainment center, detailed later in this list.
Also on the east coast is Camp Catalpa and its disc golf course. Kayak rentals are available from April to October at KY Paddle Adventures on Lake Lewa. There is also a public boat ramp and fish cleaning station.
Athletics has a sizeable sports facility as well as a 1.5-mile boardwalk, a sensational new Universal Playground, a dog park, and three shelters available for booking.
8. EKU Center for the Arts
A stone’s throw from downtown Richmond, one of the main attractions of the EKU campus is Central Kentucky’s premier performing arts venue.
Officially opened in 2011, this premier facility features its state-of-the-art 2,000-seat Performance Hall for concerts, comedy shows, dance performances, Broadway shows, lectures, political debates, and children’s entertainment.
An outstanding list of past artists includes Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Jerry Seinfeld, Air Supply, Chris Tomlin, Styx, Mickey Dolenz, and more.
Also, be sure to check out the fascinating display of his EKU division in the Grand Tier I Lobby on the 2nd floor.
9. Chenault Vineyard
This winery and winery in the scenic hills west of Richmond was founded in 2016 by a married couple.
Grapes are planted on 500 acres of idyllic land, and if you visit here, you can walk a 3.5-mile trail as part of your experience.
Chenault Vineyards offers tours and tastings, and the views from the patio are breathtaking.
Live music of various genres on the terrace on weekends. Weather permitting, move to the winery’s restaurant during the winter months.
Wines available at the time of this writing include a selection of varietals such as Cabernet Franc, Riesling, Chardonnay, and blends such as his Dry His Red, which has remained for six months in freshly drained bourbon barrels.
10. Paradise Cove Aquatic Center
This public water park helps transform Lake Lewa into a perfect outdoor destination during the summer months.
The Paradise Cove facility includes a play pool with four slides, a variety of play features, and a shallow entrance.
Two of these slides start 40 feet above the park. The play pool includes an 8-lane sports pool and a diving area.
To escape the sun, there are numerous shades, modern bathhouses, and affordable snack bars around the center.
11. Madison County Farmers’ Market
If you don’t mind traveling, there’s a great farmer’s market at Loews Car Park at 814 Eastern Bypass.
Held on Saturday mornings from May through November. A market is held on Thursday mornings during the growing season at the Carter Building on the EKU campus.
The market is open from May to October, where you can discover the rich agricultural areas around Richmond, rich in fruits and vegetables.
Local produce, baked goods, meats, honey, jams, jellies, preserves, sauces, artisanal cheeses, prepared foods, crafts, organic soaps, and more are also available for purchase.
12. Richmond Center
Just off Interstate 75 west of Richmond is a large outdoor shopping center with a variety of large department stores and chain restaurants.
Quick reference stores include JC Penney, Dick’s Sporting Goods, PetSmart, TJ Maxx, Rue 21, Bath & Body Works, and Home Goods.
For food, we have Buffalo Wild Wings, Panera Bread, Chick Fil A, Olive Garden, and Logan’s Roadhouse.
The Richmond Center also caters to families, groups of friends, and date nights with its Cinemark Theatre. Regular discounts apply on matinees and Tuesdays.
13. Gibson Bay Golf Club
Adjacent to Lake Lewa, the public golf course was highly acclaimed and was ranked one of the best new golf courses in the country when it opened in 1993.
Gibson Bay Golf Course has grass, fairways, and tees with five tee boxes on each hole for all skill levels.
One thing to note about this course is that it’s an open layout so you have to consider the wind when choosing your shots.
More difficult is that the green is nestled on a slope and protected by hills and strategically placed bunkers.
Accompanying the main course is a 9-hole short course perfect for beginners, with 2 holes requiring shots over the lake.
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14. Adventure Falls
This summer family entertainment center on Lake Lewa offers a variety of attractions for all ages.
The star of the show is the 18-hole miniature lakefront course, with nine ADA-accessible holes. The course has tricky elevation changes and plenty of water features to test the most experienced putters.
In addition, Adventure Falls has eight batting cages with state-of-the-art iron-mic pitching hands. If you buy a chip, you can rent a helmet and clubs (one for him for 20 pitches).
Finally, in addition to the mini golf course, there are three shuffleboard courts with club and puck rentals.
15. Deer Run Stables
North of Richmond, just off Interstate 75 is a scenic 100-acre equestrian facility. Deer Run Stables facilities include two outdoor riding areas and a 12,000-square-foot indoor riding area.
From March to October, join us for horseback riding on 7 miles of trails, pony rides for kids, hay wagons, camping, picnics, campfires, and more (reservations required).
Guided trail rides last one hour and take you along beautiful meadows, pastures, forests, and streams. Riding lessons are held on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month.
