Harrodsburg is where Kentucky began. The first settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains was established right here in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. There’s so much history packed into this one location that you could easily spend a great weekend here. Hop around Harrodsburg with me to see some historical locations, do a little shopping, and of course eat some local treats. Take a look at all the things to do in Harrodsburg, Kentucky.
Historical Tour of Harrodsburg
The James Harrod Trust has mapped out a wonderful tour of historical Harrodsburg. There are 52 locations listed and most are private residences but you can still enjoy the architecture from the outside. I enjoyed walking to several locations since this gave me the ability to stop and read about each home as I was seeing it. The locations are too spread out to walk the entire tour in one go, so I would break it up into sections. Parking and walking to the bulk of the locations and then driving to the next set. I would start with College Street, then Old Fort Harrod, downtown, then Main Street, and finish on Beaumont Avenue.
College Street Historical Tour
Your first stop is the welcome center, to get the inside scoop on everything to do in Harrodsburg. It’s also a great place to start your historic walking tour since it is stop number one on the list. The welcome center, also called Diamond Point, is a great example of Greek Revival architecture. A short walk down College Street will get you on your way to even more beautiful historic homes.
There are 10 stops on College Street for the historical walking tour. Several of which are private homes but there’s also a church, a school, and of course, Old Fort Harrod. You can easily walk to each of these stops but if you want to drive, I would suggest stopping at Diamond Point then driving to Old Fort Harrod State Park to walk around the fort.
Old Fort Harrod State Park
Fort Harrod is a full scale replica of the fort that was built in 1774 by James Harrod as the first permanent American settlement in Kentucky. The fort was meant to be a temporary shelter for settlers heading west. Harrod heard about Kentucky from his friend Daniel Boone and set out from Pennsylvania to see it for himself. Other historical figures also used the fort such as George Rogers Clark, who used the fort as his headquarters. Inside the fort you will find blacksmiths, doll makers, weavers, a school, soap making, a stockade, and a spring for fresh water. You can get a feel for pioneer life as you tour the fort.
On the state park property you’ll also find a very large tree dating back to the 18th century, the Lincoln marriage cabin, and the Mansion Museum. The Mansion Museum has several artifacts including letters from Abraham Lincoln and George Wasington, arrowheads, musical instruments, weaponry, and tools from the past. The Lincoln Marriage cabin where Thomas and Nancy Lincoln were married is now preserved in the Lincoln Marriage Temple. You can step in and see what life in the 1800s was like for so many.
Downtown Harrodsburg Historical Tour
I would recommend finding a parking spot and walking around the downtown area. This is a charming area of town and easily walkable. There are several historical buildings in downtown Harrodsburg. You’ll see several churches, government buildings, a former school for women, and Morgan Row.
Morgan Row
Morgan Row is the oldest row house in Kentucky. Joseph Morgan bought the property in 1814, and its address on Chiles Street comes from his son-in-law John Chiles. A portion of the Row house is now the offices of the Harrodsburg Historical Society. The Historical Society has a small display of local artifacts, as well as a research library. Stop in to see if you can find a family connection.
Beaumont Avenue
Most notably along this section of the walking tour is the Beaumont Inn. Built in 1845, it served as one of the leading female college’s in the South for over 7 decades. Today it is operated as a country inn by the Dedman family. The Dedman family have been running the inn for five generations. You will also find the Old Owl Tavern here.
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
Shaker Village lies 12 minutes outside of downtown Harrodsburg among rolling hills and countryside. This nineteenth century community was based on core values of equality, simplicity, and excellence. The Shaker name is still synonymous with high quality craftsmanship. This community was once the third largest Shaker community in the United States. Thirty-four structures still remain on the property. You can spend the night, eat farm fresh cuisine, and enjoy the simple life. Take a ride on a horse drawn wagon, a river boat, and take advantage of the various programs they have to offer.
Shop Local in Harrodsburg
Meredith and Co Boutique
Main Street is dotted with charming little boutiques, perfect for a leisurely shopping spree. One standout was Meredith and Co Boutique, where I was delighted by their adorable clothing selection. With sizes for everyone, it’s easy to find something that fits just right. They offer a fantastic array of patriotic attire and stylish University of Kentucky apparel, making it a great spot for both unique fashion finds and showing off some school spirit.
Blush Boutique
Blush Boutique is a one-stop shop for all your styling needs! This delightful store has everything: chic purses, trendy sunglasses, fragrant candles, stylish shoes, fashionable shirts, stunning jewelry, cute hats, versatile tumblers, and even delicious flavored syrups. I found an adorable clutch there, and with so many other irresistible items at such affordable prices, it’s a treasure trove for anyone looking to add a little sparkle to their day.
Wild Tulip
Wild Tulip is the perfect place to find a gift for any occasion! Whether you’re shopping for a wedding, baby shower, or birthday, this charming shop has you covered. Their delightful selection includes everything from elegant serving trays to adorable pacifiers. As you browse, you’re sure to find a few irresistible items for yourself too. With its cozy ambiance and thoughtfully curated gifts, Wild Tulip makes gift shopping a delightful experience. Don’t miss this gem on your next visit!
Beehive Gifts and Pet Boutique
I happened upon this shop and what a lovely surprise to find that it was full of trinkets, stuffed animals, and so much more. If you want to decorate your baby’s room with Disney, they have several characters to choose from. Someone had a baby? Get them a teddy bear. They have Christmas village items as well as Willow Tree figurines. This is a great spot to find a gift! Stop by Beehive Gifts and Pet Boutique while you’re in Harrodsburg.
J. Sampson Books and Antique Store
Take your time to look around J. Sampson Antiques and Books. There’s so much to see everywhere you look. If you enjoy a peddler’s mall then you’ll love this shop. They have candle sticks, teacups, antique glassware, jewelry, clothing, and books on every subject. Be sure to go all the way to the back of the store where you can find Harris Tweed sports coats, and a children’s book section.
Brooke’s Boutique
Find styles for every occasion at Brooke’s Boutique. They have trendy outfits including casual rompers, tanks, shorts, and everyday dresses all in a variety of colors. Grab a graphic tee and some boots for your next trip to Nashville. Accessorize with some dazzling earrings to match your whole new wardrobe.
Eats + Treats
Olde Bus Station Restaurant
The Olde Bus Station Restaurant is a staple in the Harrodsburg community. It has been in operation for over 20 years, serving the best pancakes, burgers, and banana ice cream. This is where you need to start the day. Just as the name suggests, this location was a greyhound bus station stop until 1998. It still has the original countertop bar making for a cute diner experience. You can also eat al fresco on their covered patio. You won’t find a better meal for a better price.
King Donuts
For a variety of donuts, breakfast sandwiches, and specialty drinks go to King Donuts. They’re open everyday from 5am to 3pm but the earlier you get there the more donuts there will be to choose from. They make them fresh daily so the earlier you get there the better the donuts will be.
The Local
For a yummy treat after all that shopping head over to The Local, an ice cream and shaved ice shop. They have several flavors to choose from and some other tasty treats as well. They make delicious milkshakes, perfect for a hot summer day in Kentucky.
Old Owl Tavern
The Old Owl Tavern is named for the Dedman family’s Kentucky Owl Bourbon Whiskey. The Dedman distillery was given as a wedding present as a jest from an uncle. You should have stopped by the Dedman family house at stop number 37 on your historical walking tour. Known for their yellow chicken and aged country ham, this tavern is a great place to enjoy an evening meal.
End of the Road
Harrodsburg is where Kentucky got its start. As you can imagine there’s tons of history here and I commend those who have taken on the challenge of keeping so many historical buildings intact. I had a wonderful time exploring the area and would recommend Harrodsburg to anyone who wants that small town charm with plenty of history. If you enjoy adventures based around historic places, then check out my Best Places to Visit in Boston post.
