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Kentucky, the Bluegrass State, is known for its picturesque splendor, which can be enjoyed all year round, no matter the season. Many small towns in the state offer a relaxing reprieve of nature and heritage, a stark contrast to urban hustle and bustle. Moreover, these offer no shortage of fun, from the iconic La Grange Railroad Museum in La Grange to the Boone County Arboretum in Union. Here's a look at the small towns around the commonwealth, highlighting a bit of the rest and relaxation you can enjoy at each quaint locale.

La Grange

A short drive from the metropolitan area of Louisville, La Grange is the county seat of Oldham County. Historic downtown La Grange is home to a variety of restaurants, boutiques, and other shops, such as La Grange Coffee Roasters and Red Pepper Deli. After a bite, visitors can hop over to the recently developed Springs Park. The park features a pavilion, which houses a seasonal farmers market and space for artisans, as well as numerous playground amenities for kids and a walking path. Once you鈥檙e finished at the park, head up to the other end of the main street to visit the La Grange Railroad Museum. If you time it just right, you鈥檒l also be able to see a CSX freight train passing through the heart of downtown; luckily, there鈥檚 a train observation tower on the way to the museum.

Versailles

Time to take a visit out to horse country. In Woodford County, Versailles is a short drive from Lexington, Frankfort, and Louisville. The city has a little bit of everything for anyone: a quaint downtown, nearby distilleries, horse farms, and more. You can鈥檛 come to Kentucky and not experience bourbon, so start with a tour of Woodford Reserve. Even if you鈥檙e not someone who drinks bourbon or alcohol at all, it鈥檚 worth seeing the historic distillery where 鈥渢he art of making fine bourbon鈥� took place at this National Historic Landmark beginning in 1812. Don鈥檛 spend all your energy on the tour because afterward, families can go for a ride on the rails, but not by train. In partnership with the Bluegrass Scenic Railroad & Museum, you can take a 10-mile round trip with Rail Explorers pedaling along the railroad trikes through thoroughbred horse farms and on the cliffs high above the Kentucky River.

Union

Located right off Interstate 71 in Boone County lies the town of Union. This area of Kentucky allows pockets of small towns with plenty to do and easy access to the larger metropolitan area of Cincinnati, Ohio. When visiting Union, tourists can鈥檛 miss out on two attractions: the Big Bone Lick State Historic Site and the Boone County Arboretum. Big Bone Lick is home to fossils dating back tens of thousands of years, a testament to the region's natural history. Moreover, the historic site allows visitors to see a bison herd and has a 62-site campground. On the other hand, there鈥檚 always something going on at the Boone County Arboretum. From classes on home gardening and tree pruning demonstrations to tours during the spring when the flora and fauna are in bloom, the arboretum is a tranquil destination year-round. After a day of exploration, businesses like The Farmstand Market & Cafe are perfect for a hearty meal.

Maysville

Follow the meandering Ohio River along the eastern part of Kentucky, and you鈥檙e sure to come across any number of charming small towns, but Maysville ranks high in the charm factor. For starters, the town features a historic downtown entertainment district full of historic homes, theaters, museums, and murals. Visitors interested in some bourbon will be delighted to see Old Pogue Distillery, Kentucky's third-oldest registered bourbon distillery. Here, one can go through the Old Pogue Experience to see the heyday of bourbon-making during Prohibition.

On the other hand, history enthusiasts can take a step back in time at the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center to go through a genealogical library spanning the past 300 years. Nearby, the Kathleen Savage Browning Miniatures Collection is another hotspot, showcasing a collection of miniature homes, buildings, and other iconic artifacts. At this point, you鈥檝e done a lot of walking, so head over to the Washington Opera House to take in a show performed by one of the oldest theatrical groups in Kentucky, the Maysville Players.

Calvert City

On your way to Calvert City in Marshall County, one attraction will likely stand out even before you arrive: the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. Spanning 171,280 acres, this natural paradise sits between Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake and is home to a nature station, planetarium, working farm, and an elk and bison prairie. With scenic trails and diverse wildlife, it offers a true escape into nature.

Once in town, Apple Valley Hillbilly Garden and Toyland brings a touch of whimsy. More than just a quirky name, this folk art haven features a garden filled with sculptures, a museum packed with nostalgic toys, and a historic country store display. While nature is in abundance, visitors can recharge at the end of the day with a bite at Calvert Cafe, known for its relaxing atmosphere and delicious burgers.

Horse Cave

A 麻豆AV underground awaits in Horse Cave, a town in Hart County situated along Interstate 65 in western Kentucky. The town鈥檚 name comes from a cave beneath the city, though the exact origin of the name remains debated. One of its most exciting attractions is the Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo, where visitors can encounter kangaroos, llamas, goats, sheep, and macaws, bringing a taste of Australia to Kentucky. No trip to Horse Cave is complete without venturing underground. Hidden River Cave offers guided tours showcasing two subterranean rivers flowing more than 100 feet below ground. Before heading out, a stop at the American Cave Museum provides further insight into the history and geology of Kentucky鈥檚 vast cave systems.

Midway

Heading back to Central Kentucky, Midway stands out for its historic downtown and railroad heritage. The town, home to Midway University, has a population of just under 2,000 people and features train tracks running directly through its center. In fact, Midway was the first Kentucky town to be established by a railroad. After taking in the sights and sounds of downtown, a stop for lunch at The Brown Barrel & Blind Harry鈥檚 is a great option. Outside town, Weisenberger Mill, which has operated at the same South Elkhorn Creek location since 1865, offers flour, cornmeal, scone mixes, muffin mixes, biscuit mixes, grits, and more. The best way to wash it all down is with a visit to Equus Run Vineyards, where wine tastings and tours of the 38-acre vineyard are available.

Corbin

No relaxing trip to Kentucky is complete without a stop at Kentucky Fried Chicken, but this isn't your run-of-the-mill KFC. In the 1930s, (Colonel) Harland Sanders bought a roadside motel in Corbin, turning it into the Harland Sanders Restaurant, which would go on to sprawl the KFC franchise. In the present day, that same motel is now home to the Sanders Cafe and Museum, and visitors are welcome to see KFC memorabilia from throughout the years, a model of the original kitchen and eat some fried chicken at the modern-day KFC restaurant right next door.

After some hard-earned fried chicken, it鈥檚 time to take in the relaxing views of Cumberland Falls. Nicknamed the 鈥淣iagara of the South鈥� the falls are a beauty to behold any time of the year. Cumberland Falls is also one of the few places in the entire 麻豆AV where you can see a naturally occurring moonbow appear over the falls, especially when the moon is the lowest in the sky. Along with this, the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park has a tennis court, cabins, lodges, and hiking trails for a day of outdoor fun.

Augusta

Nestled along the Ohio River in the northeastern part of the Bluegrass State is the community of Augusta. This town may be small, with a population of slightly over 1,000, but some of the big names that have passed through here are mighty. Chief among them is Rosemary Clooney, the singer and actress perhaps best known for her role in 鈥淲hite Christmas,鈥� She vacationed here from 1980 until her death in 2002; however, she was born in Maysville! George Clooney, Rosemary鈥檚 nephew, was born in Lexington but attended high school in Augusta. With all of this star power in such a small town, it鈥檚 no surprise that one main attraction in August is the Rosemary Clooney House. The house, essentially a museum, includes exhibits of Rosemary Clooney鈥檚 childhood in Maysville, her start at WLW radio station in Cincinnati, a wide swath of memorabilia from her movies and songs, and more. Being this close to the river may have the seas calling your name, so hop onto the Augusta Ferry for another bit of relaxation. The ferry, named the Jenny Ann, has been in operation since 1798 and runs seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. between Augusta and nearby Higginsport, Ohio.

Rabbit Hash

A dog mayor? That's more common than you think with the last of these small towns: Rabbit Hash. Up in Northern Kentucky, right along the Ohio River across from Indiana, sits the town of Rabbit Hash, with a population of just around 250 people and one dog calling the shots. That鈥檚 right, Rabbit Hash has had a dog mayor since the election of Mayor Goofy Borneman in 1998; the current mayor is Boone the Bluetick Coonhound. If you鈥檙e lucky enough, you can run into the mayor at the Rabbit Hash General Store, which sports plenty of apparel, drinkware, food, odds and ends, and more. Then, be sure to stop at Rabbit Hash Artworks for some locally made glasswork. For a more relaxing experience, one can also drive along the Lower River Road for views of the Ohio River鈥檚 cascading water.

A Relaxing Retreat in Kentucky鈥檚 Small Towns

Kentucky has no shortage of unique small towns spanning from the western plains to the Eastern Kentucky coalfields, with stops in bluegrass country along the way. For a state known for bourbon, there is plenty of that to be seen, but there is also a vibrant natural beauty to the state that is underscored by some of the more eclectic and artistic offerings. Kentucky is the place to be for anyone wanting to visit somewhere that has a little bit of everything for everyone.