Attractions in Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky

Things To See

Places To Go

In the early days those who came to the Kentucky wilderness first built a series of log cabins to provide shelter for themselves. Finding this inadequate due to the hostilities of the Indians they banded together and constructed a log fort -- a city within a wall -- to provide shelter to themselves and their soon to be arriving families.

Probably the foremost attraction of this area is the reconstructed fort at Old Fort Harrod State Park. This historic replica is a short distance from the original site.
Harrodsburg is the "City of Firsts." Come visit us and let us tell you all about it. We're roughly in the geographic center of the state in the "Bluegrass" region - about 30 miles southwest of Lexington and 90 miles southeast of Louisville.

Here you can learn about the hardships of fort life by exploring a live animal corral and talking with the costumed crafts-people who carry out the chores of Kentucky's early pioneers. As you stroll through the cabins you will see them making brooms, woodworking, quilting and making baskets, just as they did over 200 years ago. Much of the interior furnishings are original artifacts that were actually used by the inhabitants in the late 1700s.

Another outstanding thing to see is the outdoor drama, "The Legend of Daniel Boone," which runs from June through August. The performances feature actors recruited from all over the country to portray life in Harrodsburg in the early settlement days.
The Legend of Daniel Boone is an artful blend of historic happenings and thrilling tales of Boone and the brave pioneers who challenged the frontier.

Also at the park is the Mansion Museum which contains an outstanding collection of Kentucky and Indian artifacts, war relics, and more, including a Lincoln collection. A large part of the collection is on loan from the Harrodsburg Historical Society who provided the initiative for the park and turned over the property to the state in the 1930s.
The building, formerly a private home, was built in the 1830s and was donated by the Moore family for the purposes of a museum when the park effort was underway.

While in Harrodsburg, be sure to visit the downtown section. Although plagued by a number of fires that occurred during the 19^th century, Main street survives as an example of early Victorian architecture.
Visit Olde Towne Park which boasts a 14 x 32 foot cascading fountain. This unique creation was inspired by the scenic palisades found along the Kentucky River on the eastern border of Mercer County.

Many of Harrodsburg's historic buildings are highlighted on a self-guided walking and driving tour that spans more than 200 years of history. You'll pass by stately pre-Civil War Homes, churches, and businesses- all prime examples of the various styles of architecture used in Kentucky.
On this tour is the Beaumont Inn, an internationally known country inn. Built on the site of Greenville Springs, the building was constructed in 1845 and operated as one of the South's most prestigious girls' schools. Since 1919 it has been operated as a country inn by four generations of the same family.

Another prominent attraction is historic Shaker Village, located about seven miles east of Harrodsburg. A National Historic Landmark, it is the only site of its kind where all visitor services, including touring, dining, lodging, and shopping are provided in the original buildings.
Self-guided tours can be enjoyed year-round as costumed interpreters perform the daily tasks of the Shakers as they were done more than 100 years ago.

While at Shaker Village take a cruise aboard the Dixie Belle, a sternwheeler riverboat which operates on the Kentucky River. Cruises depart regularly from Shaker Landing throughout the summer.
One-hour excursions are scheduled from late April through October. Special cruises are offered in the spring, summer and fall, including longer cruises that go down the river through the locks.

Another well known attraction is Herrington Lake, a 32 mile long lake, almost 400 feet deep which was created in the 1920s by Kentucky Utilities by damming up the Dix River.
Herrington Lake is known as one of the best fishing spots in Kentucky. The principal fish are smallmouth and largemouth bass, catfish, perch, rockfish and bluegill.
In addition to fishing, the 3600 acre lake provides recreational opportunities as well, including boating and swimming.

There's much to see and much to do and

We'd love to have you visit. As the Shakers would say…

"We Make You Kindly Welcome"

For more information Call the Harrodsburg/Mercer County Tourist Commission

1-800-355-9192

		Probably the foremost attraction of this area is the reconstructed fort at Old Fort Harrod State Park. This historic replica is a short distance from the original site. Harrodsburg is the "City of Firsts." Come visit us and let us tell you all about it. We're roughly in the geographic center of the state in the "Bluegrass" region - about 30 miles southwest of Lexington and 90 miles southeast of Louisville.
	Here you can learn about the hardships of fort life by exploring a live animal corral and talking with the costumed crafts-people who carry out the chores of Kentucky's early pioneers. As you stroll through the cabins you will see them making brooms, woodworking, quilting and making baskets, just as they did over 200 years ago. Much of the interior furnishings are original artifacts that were actually used by the inhabitants in the late 1700s.
		Another outstanding thing to see is the outdoor drama, "The Legend of Daniel Boone," which runs from June through August. The performances feature actors recruited from all over the country to portray life in Harrodsburg in the early settlement days. *The Legend of Daniel Boone* is an artful blend of historic happenings and thrilling tales of Boone and the brave pioneers who challenged the frontier.**
	Also at the park is the Mansion Museum which contains an outstanding collection of Kentucky and Indian artifacts, war relics, and more, including a Lincoln collection. A large part of the collection is on loan from the Harrodsburg Historical Society who provided the initiative for the park and turned over the property to the state in the 1930s. The building, formerly a private home, was built in the 1830s and was donated by the Moore family for the purposes of a museum when the park effort was underway.
		While in Harrodsburg, be sure to visit the downtown section. Although plagued by a number of fires that occurred during the 19^th century, Main street survives as an example of early Victorian architecture. Visit Olde Towne Park which boasts a 14 x 32 foot cascading fountain. This unique creation was inspired by the scenic palisades found along the Kentucky River on the eastern border of Mercer County.
	Many of Harrodsburg's historic buildings are highlighted on a self-guided walking and driving tour that spans more than 200 years of history. You'll pass by stately pre-Civil War Homes, churches, and businesses- all prime examples of the various styles of architecture used in Kentucky. On this tour is the Beaumont Inn, an internationally known country inn. Built on the site of Greenville Springs, the building was constructed in 1845 and operated as one of the South's most prestigious girls' schools. Since 1919 it has been operated as a country inn by four generations of the same family.
		Another prominent attraction is historic Shaker Village, located about seven miles east of Harrodsburg. A National Historic Landmark, it is the only site of its kind where all visitor services, including touring, dining, lodging, and shopping are provided in the original buildings. Self-guided tours can be enjoyed year-round as costumed interpreters perform the daily tasks of the Shakers as they were done more than 100 years ago.
	While at Shaker Village take a cruise aboard the Dixie Belle, a sternwheeler riverboat which operates on the Kentucky River. Cruises depart regularly from Shaker Landing throughout the summer. One-hour excursions are scheduled from late April through October. Special cruises are offered in the spring, summer and fall, including longer cruises that go down the river through the locks.
		Another well known attraction is Herrington Lake, a 32 mile long lake, almost 400 feet deep which was created in the 1920s by Kentucky Utilities by damming up the Dix River. Herrington Lake is known as one of the best fishing spots in Kentucky. The principal fish are smallmouth and largemouth bass, catfish, perch, rockfish and bluegill. In addition to fishing, the 3600 acre lake provides recreational opportunities as well, including boating and swimming.