Harrodsburg is the seat of Mercer County, Kentucky.
It’s a home rule-class city with a lot to offer visitors.
James Harrod and a group of pioneers from Pennsylvania founded Harrodsburg in 1774, the first settlement in Kentucky west of the Allegheny Mountains.
The city is approximately 32 miles southwest of Lexington.
Likewise, Harrodsburg is the oldest city in Kentucky and is known as the “Birthplace of the West.”
Nestled in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass region, Harrodsburg is a charming city with a rich history.
There are numerous reasons to visit this quaint city, including its beautiful parks, exciting museums, and delicious restaurants.
Incorporated in 1836, Harrodsburg houses historical buildings, such as the Harrodsburg Post Office and the Merced County Courthouse.
These buildings are open to the public.
With its rich history, beautiful scenery, and wide range of activities, there is something for everyone in Harrodsburg.
Here are the best things to do in Harrodsburg, KY:
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Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is a National Historic Landmark and one of the best things to do in Harrodsburg.
In 1809, the 17-year-old Micajah Burnett arrived in Pleasant Hill.
Little did everyone know that he would influence the architecture of the village.
Burnett created Shaker Village’s layout and design, a harmonious blend of geometry, nature, and utility.
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The village is home to the most extensive collection of historic buildings, including the Trustee’s Office, the Brethren’s Shop, and the Dwelling House.
There are gardens on the property and a working farm with heritage-breed animals.
The village was then abandoned until a group of preservationists bought the property in 1961.
The Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is now a living history museum that offers visitors tours, workshops, and educational programs.
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The Big Red Stables is located in the Baile Mam Farm at Jackson Pike, in the heart of Kentucky.
The Baile Mam Farm is a beautiful piece of property that features rolling hills, pristine streams, and blooming meadows.
The stables offer horseback riding, hayrides, and wagon rides for all ages and levels of experience.
You can enjoy horseback riding packages or take private lessons if you want to learn how to ride.
The Farm has operated for 30 years and is one of the oldest working farms in Kentucky.
They also offer carriage rides, hayrides, and pony rides for those who want to enjoy the Kentucky countryside in a relaxed way.
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Anyone visiting Harrodsburg should visit the Old Fort Harrod State Park.
You can find various historical sites, including the Pioneer Cemetery and Martin’s Station Log House, in the park.
The park also offers outdoor activities, such as hiking, fishing, and picnicking.
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The Park’s main attraction is the complete replica of the fort built by James Harrod, completed in 1792.
The replica fort is open to the public and offers a glimpse into what life was like for early settlers in Kentucky.
FloNight (Sydney Poore) and Russell Poore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Beaumont Inn is a bed and breakfast that has welcomed guests since 1845.
The inn is located in the heart of downtown Harrodsburg and is within walking distance of many of the city’s attractions.
It used to be known as Daughters College for more than 40 years before Colonel Thomas Smith purchased the institution in 1894.
Until 1916, the institution was formerly known as Beaumont College.
Mr. and Mrs. Glave Goddard bought it in 1917, and two years later, they turned it into the Beaumont Inn.
After a century, the Goddards’ grandchildren continue to refine the craft of southern hospitality.
The fourth and fifth generations of the family now welcome guests to the Beaumont Inn to experience their legacy and hospitality.
Enjoy yourself in the park-like environment of centuries-old forest trees, serenely secluded from the cares of the work-a-day world.
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Seated in Chiles St., the Harrodsburg Historical Society is a non-profit organization committed to preserving the history of Harrodsburg and Mercer County.
The society owns and operates historic properties in the downtown area.
These properties include the Beaumont Inn, the Harrodsburg First Presbyterian Church, and the Harrodsburg Springs Hotel.
The Harrodsburg Historical Society also offers educational programs and events throughout the year.
Founded in 1910, the Harrodsburg Historical Society is one of the oldest organizations of its kind in Kentucky.
Harrodsburg Historical Society also organizes events at the Morgan Row, formerly known as Morgan’s Tavern.
It’s the old row home that has hosted community events for more than 200 years.
The Devine’s Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch is a popular attraction in Harrodsburg, owned by Glenn and Martina Devine.
The maze comprises more than ten acres of corn and is open to the public from late September through early November.
It features attractions, such as a zipline, wagon rides, a petting zoo, and a corn cannon.
The Farm presents Mable the Marvelous Milking Moo, a life-size interactive dairy cow that educates children about where milk comes from.
One of its main attractions is the three corn mazes cut into the shape of a Kentucky map, a horse, and the Devine’s logo.
Devine’s also offers night-time flashlight tours of the corn maze for those looking for a bit of adventure.
You can find Devine’s Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch on the James McAfee Farm.
It has operated since 2007 to provide entertainment for the whole family.
The Harrodsburg Rags to Riches Antique Mall is a popular destination for locals and visitors.
The mall features more than 40 dealers selling a variety of antiques, collectibles, and vintage items.
The mall is in Beaumont Centre.
The Harrodsburg Rags to Riches Antique Mall is open seven days a week and offers various items for sale, including furniture, glassware, china, linens, jewelry, and more.
Whether you’re looking for a unique gift or a particular home decor, the Harrodsburg Rags to Riches Antique Mall should carry what you’re looking for.
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Harrodsburg’s historic downtown area is home to many interesting shops, restaurants, and businesses.
The area is also home to several historical landmarks, such as the Beaumont Inn, built in 1845.
You can also find the Harrodsburg First Presbyterian Church, founded in 1793.
Numerous occasions, such as the Harrodsburg Heritage Day and the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, take place in the downtown area.
Found on Main Street, the downtown area is filled with a wide variety of gift and specialty stores, restaurants, and activities, all with a local flair.
The Historic Harrodsburg Downtown Area is also home to the Ragged Edge Community Theatre.
Check out the libraries, parks, and a game room if you want to take a break from shopping.
Famous during summer for its gorgeous aquatic facility, the Anderson Dean Community Park also offers amenities for the whole family.
The Anderson Dean Community Park provides a playground, sand volleyball courts, softball diamonds, and tennis courts.
You’ll also find an amphitheater, a one-mile paved walking trail, and much more.
In 1993, the Mercer County Fiscal Court established the Anderson Dean Community Park on 213 acres of property.
The Park features an interactive aquatic facility with a zero-depth entry pool, a spray pad, and a water slide.
The Anderson Dean Community Park also has a playground, picnic shelters, a walking trail, and a disc golf course.
Located at Louisville Road in Harrodsburg, the Park is open daily from dawn to dusk and is accessible to the public.
The Lemons Mill Brewery is a product of friendships and a shared love of beer.
You can find this microbrewery in Harrodsburg, Kentucky.
The Brewery offers a variety of handcrafted beers, as well as a full menu of food items.
The Lemons Mill Brewery is located in the historic downtown area of Harrodsburg.
It also offers a variety of handcrafted beers and a full menu of food items.
One such handcrafted beer is the Bollocks Dark Amber Ale, which tastes like a combination of malt and citrus with a hint of dark chocolate.
Lucky visitors may even get the opportunity to tour the Brewery with one of its owners.
The Brewery features a changing menu of guest taps and bottled beers in addition to 15 of its brews on tap.
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Follow the Kentucky Bourbon Trail to arrive at a collection of distilleries in central Kentucky that offer tours and tastings.
Located in Beaumont Inn, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a great way to learn about the history of bourbon whiskey.
You’ll even learn how they make the spirit.
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The Kentucky Bourbon Trail includes stops at the following distilleries: Angel’s Envy, Bulleit, Castle & Key, Evan Williams, Four Roses, Heaven Hill, Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, and Wild Turkey Inn.
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Get to know bourbon like never before as you enjoy the route of the stunning horse country.
Go to the distillery after distillery showcasing the excellent craftsmanship of the Bluegrass region’s bourbon industry.
You will come across fascinating concepts like the “white dog” and the “angel’s share.”
Visit distilleries, historical sites, and other Bluegrass locations with a bourbon connection.
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The Highway Route 68 Overlook is located on the outskirts of Harrodsburg and offers a scenic view of the Kentucky countryside.
The Highway Route 68 Overlook is a favored photograph spot featured in many magazines and websites.
The overlook is located on the north side of the highway and provides a panoramic view of the surrounding area.
Route 68 goes from western Kentucky to northwest Ohio.
While in Harrodsburg, you also see the full glory of the picturesque Kentucky section of the route.
As you weave through Kentucky’s renowned Bluegrass Region, the route’s Kentucky segment passes through various Civil War battlefields.
The overlook is open year-round and is accessible to the public.
The Ragged Edge Theatre is a local gem that has entertained audiences for over 20 years.
The theatre offers a variety of live performances, including comedies, musicals, and dramas.
The Ragged Edge Theatre is located in the historic downtown area of Harrodsburg and is within walking distance of many restaurants and shops.
The theatre has different seating options, including a box, balcony, and mezzanine.
The Ragged Edge Theatre also offers a variety of concessions, including candy, popcorn, and soft drinks.
The theatre offers a wide range of plays, like Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, and The Wizard of Oz.
The Bright Leaf Golf Resort is located in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, and offers a variety of golf courses, lessons, and clinics.
The resort offers a pro shop, locker rooms, and a restaurant.
The Bright Leaf Golf Resort is in the famous Bluegrass Region with a lush mountain backdrop.
The resort offers a variety of golf courses, such as the Championship Course, the Executive Course, and the Putting Course.
The resort offers courses, including a nine-hour regular course and 18 hole course, with a water hazards test.
The resort also offers a variety of clinics, such as the Junior Clinic, the Women’s Clinic, and the Men’s Clinic.
It also features villa suites that overlook the golf course.
The resort has a variety of amenities, such as an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and a spa.
The Mansion Museum, also called Matheny-Taylor House, is a must-stop while you’re in Harrodsburg.
This home is one of the best examples of the oldest Greek Revival architecture.
Built by Felix Matheny in 1810, this house comes in two stories.
Now, this museum is home to a multitude of 15th and 16th-century artifacts and mementos.
One of the rooms of the mansion is a direct tribute to Abraham Lincoln and the Union.
Browse through Native American tools, guns, and even musical instruments displayed on the site.
The Mansion Museum is along South College Street.
Beauty and art are everywhere.
And this is what Harrodsburg Post Office Murals is trying to prove.
Completed in 1941, these six murals form a story of the early pioneer life of the first settlers of Kentucky in detailed scenes.
These murals go by the name Frontier Life in Kentucky.
Orville Carroll and Charles Goodwin hand-painted these murals themselves.
The murals showcase Kentucky’s first school as led by Mrs. Jane Coomes, the tragedy of an early settler at the hands of an Indian, and George Rogers Clark’s warm welcome to the state.
You can find the Harrodsburg Post Office Murals on North Main Street.
One of the hidden gems of Harrodsburg is The Vault.
This cider mill sits on the historic mid-1800s building that once served the community as Mercer County Clerk and Records Vault.
The building retained most of its industrial feel and rustic atmosphere several years later.
The Vault features a selection of specialty drinks and snacks, alongside its signature Bum Ditty Cider.
And what’s more, the site also has a pool, carpetball, and darts for your ultimate entertainment pleasure.
The Vault opens its doors for you and your unique palate on South Main Street.
Don’t limit yourself to hiking and biking when you’re in Harrodsburg.
Eagles Nest Equestrian Trails specializes in trail riding for over 30 miles.
The trails run along primitive campgrounds and fishing sites—all the best of Harrodsburg’s natural areas.
Along your ride, meet a variety of wildlife and plant species.
These trails end at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill.
Start your horseback riding journey along Eagles Nest Equestrian Trails on Calvary Lane.
If you’re hoping for a cultural experience while in Harrodsburg, you don’t want to miss out on Kentucky Heritage Jazz Festival.
This annual festival is a culmination of jazz heritage within all of Kentucky.
Listen to local, regional, and national artists and bands serenade the crowd with old jazz classics and modern renditions.
This is an outdoor event, so bring your lawn chairs and comfortable seating options with you.
While you jam to tunes from featured artists, grab a snack from the food trucks lined up in the venue.
The festival is also admissions-free, so bring your loved ones with you!
Kentucky Heritage Jazz Festival takes place in the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill and Old Fort Harrod State Park.
Both add a historic charm to the live music event.
Harrodsburg, Kentucky, is the perfect destination for those looking for a place to have fun.
The city offers activities and attractions that are sure to please everyone in the family.
From the Ragged Edge Theatre to the Bright Leaf Golf Resort, there is something for everyone in Harrodsburg.
So, if you’re in the area, don’t hesitate to drop by and enjoy all the city offers.
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