Every work of art is a story, and Kentucky has many to tell. Our rich heritage of craftmaking goes all the way back to the pioneer days of the Commonwealth, when settlers living on the frontier learned to make the things they wanted or needed, and then passed those skills down through the generations. These traditions still thrive today, with a new class of Kentucky artisans crafting handmade music instruments, sculptures, intricate quilts, ceramics and pottery, textiles, paintings and many more objects of art.

Visit Berea, the “Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky,” for charming shops selling some of the finest folk art Kentucky has to offer, and stop at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea to peruse the work of more than 800 Kentucky artists. Travel to western Kentucky to discover just why Paducah has been designated a UNESCO Creative City, from the historic floodwall murals along the riverfront to the eclectic studios of the Lower Town Arts District. And other arts destinations, including the Appalachian Artisan Center in Hindman and the annual Kentucky Crafted Market, provide even more opportunities for visitors to bring home magnificent art and a fascinating story or two. 

And if contemporary art is more your style, don’t miss KMAC and the 21C Museum Hotels in Louisville and Lexington, which showcase eclectic exhibitions from global artists. 

New: . The Stephen Rolfe Powell Memorial Sculpture Garden and Outdoor Classroom at Centre College in Danville, conceptualized and led by one of Powell’s former students, Brook Forrest White Jr., owner of Flame Run Hot Shop and Gallery in Louisville, features a 25-foot-tall sculpture that spectators can walk through, as well as a garden and an outdoor classroom. The memorial serves as an endearing reminder of the Kentucky artist’s legacy by creating a landmark where visitors can experience and appreciate his profound impact on glass art, not only as an arts professor but as a preeminent artist of world acclaim.

Trip Inspiration

How to Spend a Day in Ashland

Kentucky Appalachians

Start your day at Sky37, where you can savor some of the best Brazilian coffee while meeting the humble and welcoming owners, Jason and Carma. Their custom ceramic pour-over ensures the perfect drip, and they source their coffee beans directly from farmers in Brazil.

 

Don't miss out on their delicious Breakfast Rice Bowl and the brown-sugar caramelized pineapple, which are simply irresistible. Jason and Carma’s whole goal is to make people feel like they’re at home, and that’s exactly what they accomplish — we didn’t want to leave. 


For lunch, head to Backyard Pizza and Raw Bar. You’ll find wood-fired pizza here with superb crust and unique topping combos. We ordered The Flying Piggie with tender bbq pork, mozzarella, toasted butter pickles, and onion strings. Other menu highlights — fresh raw Oysters, Hickory Grilled Wings, and Wood-Fire Grilled Mussels with a beurre blanc sauce.

 



The Ashland Hot Chicken Sandwich served at The Mill.

 

We recommend having dinner at The Mill, which serves delicious comfort food like the Ashland Hot Chicken Sandwich — crispy, juicy chicken, slathered in homemade hot sauce, nestled between buttery, fluffy toast, and served with perfectly cooked fries. While you might be full from the day, don’t miss their dessert. This is their specialty, as the owner herself makes all their baked goods in house and changes the options offered with the season. 


See more from @befatbehappy's visit to The Mill here.

See more from @befatbehappy's visit to Sky37 here.

Author Information

Caitlin Sakdalan

Caitlin is a social media influencer, storyteller, and content & community expert. She is the creator behind the hugely popular @befatbehappy Instagram page. 

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