Harrodsburg Named One Of The Prettiest Downtowns In Kentucky
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Robert Moore
Herald Staff
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Harrodsburg has been named one of the nine prettiest downtown strips in Kentucky. That’s according to WorldAtlas.com, which recently celebrated the coziness of Hogtown and five other towns in Kentucky, which the website called “one of the most welcoming places to visit in the US.”
That compliment comes courtesy of Bradley Cooper, a writer for WorldAtlas.com, which bills itself as one of the largest publishing resources in geography and other topics, including sociology, demography, environment, economics, politics and travel.
“When most people think of downtown, they envision a bustling metropolitan area with honking cars, bright lights, and busy sidewalks,” Cooper wrote. However, he chose to highlight the downtown strips in small-town Kentucky where people “can relax in the laid-back atmosphere amid many pretty buildings, parks and other attractions.”
Cooper noted Harrodsburg’s status as the oldest town in Kentucky than Harrodsburg.
“Anyone who visits here is going to want to get out and explore the downtown strip, especially to see the Old Fort Harrod State Park,” Cooper wrote, noting there is a little bit of everything at the park, including the reconstruction of the original 1774 fort, the Lincoln Marriage Temple where Abraham Lincoln’s parents were wed and the Greek Revival style Mansion Museum, which houses relics from the American Civil War, Native Americans and much more.
“Once you’ve learned all about the history of Harrodsburg, try out a local drink at SiTBE Cider or Lemons Hill Brewery, or relax with a treat at the Blackbird Bakery and Cafe,” Cooper wrote.
Other cities listed include La Grange, the Kindness Capital of Kentucky; Berea, Kentucky’s Arts and Crafts Capital; Paducah, which has been designated as a UNESCO Creative City; Elizabethtown; Bardstown; Corbin, home of the original Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum; Pikeville; and Georgetown.
Some might say we’re biased, but Hogtown does have a lot to offer the visitor who wants to relax. Visitors often remark about the downtown flowers. Last year, the Harrodsburg-Mercer County Tourist Commission budgeted $5,500 for the downtown flower project.
Last week, Daynabrook Greenhouse, volunteers and workers with the City of Harrodsburg Public Works Department set out 56 hanging baskets and 28 pots downtown. So, as the old song goes, maybe now is a good time to stop and smell the flowers.
This is the beginning of the best time of year to experience everything downtown Harrodsburg has to offer. The ATOM (A Thing On Main) Fest will feature live music and local vendors on Saturday, May 17, from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Here are some other events.
• Native Dawn Flute Gathering at Old Fort Harrod State Park (100 South College Street). Three day festival celebrating Native American music as well as traditional arts and crafts runs from Friday, May 23, through Sunday, May 25. For more details, see the preview in this week’s issue.
• Ol’ Iron Rundown at Auto Kustoms (123 South Chiles Street). Annual car show featuring hot rods, custom cars, trucks and motorcycles happens Saturday, May 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• 16th annual Chamber Music Festival of the Bluegrass at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (3501 Lexington Road). Three day celebration of classical musics runs Friday, May, 23, to Sunday, May 25.
• MYPATH—Mindful-Yoga-Practice—at Terrapin Hill Farm (7695 Mackville Road). A weekend of yoga-related activities plus music, nature, camping, good food and fellowship runs Thursday, May 29, through Sunday, June 1.
• The 400 Mile Yard Sale runs Thursday, June 5, through Sunday, June 8. The four day yard sale happens along at locations along U.S. 68 and across Mercer County.
WorldAtlas.com was launched in 1994 and is today one of the largest publishing resources in geography and other topics, including sociology, demography, environment, economics, politics and travel. For more information, visit WorldAtlas.com.
