LOCAL DAY TRIPS:
Mill Springs Battle Field, Museum and Cemetery : New to the battlefield preservation effort is a $1.7 million, 10,000-square-foot Mill Springs Battlefield Visitor Center and Museum, which opened Nov. 4, 2006, in Nancy, Ky. The museum hosts authentic Mill Springs Battlefield artifacts, authentic Civil War artifacts, replicas of Civil War weapons and clothing and artifacts on loan from private collections.
Mill Springs Grist Mill – Fed by 7 natural springs : Mill Springs Mill, a water-powered grist mill listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1877 and is on the public lands of Lake Cumberland. Its 40-foot overshot water wheel is one of the largest in the world and probably the largest water wheel currently operating. The mill and water wheel were restored as a bicentennial project in 1976, and are now operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as an interpretive demonstration. Tours of the mill are conducted for the public during the recreation season.
Somernites Cruise (april to October) : "The Ultimate Cool Car Cruise in The Heartland" 4th Saturday, Apr thru Oct, 1-7pm - FREE Rain or Shine
Master Musicians Festival (annually in July) : The Master Musicians Festival endeavors each year to bring a wide variety of multi-cultural, multi-generational and multi-racial music to our eclectic stages – from the blues to bluegrass, from celtic to Haitian roots, from rock 'n' roll to jazz to progressive newgrass to country to Americana and everything in between – for the best ticket price around.
Renfro Valley : Welcome to Renfro Valley Entertainment Center in beautiful Renfro Valley, KY proudly known as "Kentucky's Country Music Capital"! We are a 55 acre destination complex located in south central KY and conveniently a stone's throw away from Interstate 75 at exit 62. Inside the lusciously green walls of this Valley you will find a tradition that started back in 1939 by our founder John Lair.
Yahoo Falls : Some sources claim this is the highest waterfall in Kentucky, so that makes it significant. Plus Yahoo Falls has a Trail that is a 8.5 mile loop trail located near Whitley City, Kentucky and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round.
Natural Arch : Natural Arch Trail #510 (1.00 mile). The trail begins on the north end of the picnic area and runs along a paved pathway to the base of Natural Arch, passing two scenic overlooks along the way. At the arch, you may climb the steps to the arch itself or continue along a dirt pathway that loops around the northwest end of the arch.
Blue Heron Coal mine (Mine 18), Barthell Kentucky : Blue Heron, or Mine 18, is an abandoned coal mining town and was a part of the Stearns Coal and Lumber Company's past operation. The Blue Heron mines operated from 1937 until December, 1962, when operations were no longer profitable.
McCreary County Museum , Stearns Kentucky : The McCreary County Museum is housed in the former Stearns Coal and Lumber Company corporate headquarters in Stearns, Kentucky. The town where the museum is located was called the Stearns Empire of the South, and the museum continues to preserve and display the area's history from the Indian and pioneer times towards its peak at the height of the coal and lumber industry boom.
Big South Fork Railway : Video : Stearns, KY and the Big South Fork Scenic Railway have a very rich history rooted in the coal mining and logging industries. Although the mining and logging camps have long been closed, we are working hard to preserve the memory of our founding ancestors who contributed so much to American industry.
Cumberland Falls : Known as the Niagara of the South, Cumberland Falls attracts outdoor enthusiasts and the curious each year. The reason being is that it offers a phenomenon not found anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere. The 125 ft waterfall displays a moonbow at night during a full moon that is truly a sight to see.
Eagle Falls : If you are visiting Cumberland Falls, take the trail #9 hike. The hike is worth the effort just for the view of Cumberland Falls, and it leads to Eagle Falls which is very pretty in its own right.
Wolf Creek Dam : More than a mile long landmark, this forms Lake Cumberland from the Cumberland River. Newly refurbished and repaired, Wolf Creek Dam provides hydro-electrical power and flood control. Wolf Creek Dam was originally completed in 1952, and has six turbines capable of producing 270 megawatts of electricity. Wolf Creek Dam is one of the largest dams in the United States.
Wolf Creek Fish Hatchery : The only cold water fish hatchery in Kentucky, the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery is responsible for all trout stockings in the state of Kentucky. Established in 1975, the fish hatchery has plenty for visitors to see and do. They are open 364 days a year, and are a great destination for day trips.