Welcome to Hopkinsville and Christian County, Kentucky – home to outdoor adventures, great bourbon and intriguing history. Known as the Batter Capital of the World (the Red Lobster cheddar biscuit mix is made here), this city and surrounding county offers many activities to enjoy, from museums and theaters to even a quarry for scuba diving!
Whether you’re just passing through or spending a few days, check out this two-day itinerary to maximize your stay in Hopkinsville.
Day 1: Distilleries, Breweries, and Exploring Around Town
Morning
Kick off the morning with breakfast or brunch at Roundies Rock Café, a Hopkinsville staple known for its no-frills grub, from hearty omelets to stacks of pancakes, eggs and bacon. For a quick bite on the go, head downtown to The Corner Coffee House and indulge in fresh-baked pastries, bagels or an oat milk latte.
After breakfast, it’s time for a morning distillery tour and tasting at MB Roland Distillery. Located just north of Fort Campbell in Christian County, this grain-to-glass and small-batch distillery was once an Amish dairy farm and specializes in bourbon and whiskey made from local white corn. Tour the facilities and learn about their unique distilling process while sampling bourbons and whiskeys, such as the unique Kentucky Azul made from Blue Agave or the sweeter Kentucky Pink Lemonade with hints of strawberry. Feeling adventurous? Try a swig of their moonshine!
Afternoon
If burgers are your jam, grab lunch at Ferrell’s Snappy Service on Main Street. An official Kentucky landmark and favorite with the locals, this old-school joint opened in 1936 and serves up mouthwatering hamburgers, hot dogs and chili. Vegan? No problem. Check out Vansuawa’s Tacos & Vegan Eats food truck for jackfruit tacos or the plantain bowls piled high with seasoned rice, pineapple-mango and Cajun mayo drizzle.
Next on the agenda, it’s time for an afternoon tour and tasting at Casey Jones Distillery. With a mission to make exceptional single-run Kentucky corn whiskey and bourbons, this distillery serves some of the best spirits in Western Kentucky. Discover the process for making authentic moonshine (legally)! Learn about the legacy of master moonshiner Alfred “Casey” Jones. Even better, you’ll tour the original still room and see the distillery at work, from the milling to cooking and fermenting equipment. Of course, no visit is complete without sampling some good ‘ole Kentucky bourbon, such as the Barrel Cut with notes of dark cherry and cocoa.
After your tour, experience local history at the recently renovated Pennyroyal Area Museum. Located in the former Hopkinsville Post Office, this museum opened in 1976 and features a variety of interactive exhibits for both adults and children. Discover the mystical world and mind of clairvoyant Edgar Cayce, aka The Sleeping Prophet. Face off with masked vigilantes from the Black Patch Tobacco War. And watch out for blackbirds perched around the museum – a reminder of the 1970s invasion when 50 million blackbirds descended on Hopkinsville and Fort Campbell. Hitchcock, anyone?
Round out your afternoon at the Trail of Tears Commemorative Park – one of the few confirmed sites of the trail and campgrounds used by the Cherokee people during the forced removal from their territory. Located on the Northern Route, it’s believed over 10,000 Indigenous Americans traveled through this park during the cruel march on the “Trail where they cried.” Pay your respects at the gravesites of Chiefs White Path and Fly Smith, featuring towering bronze sculptures. Explore the Heritage Center –admission is by donation only – and see exhibits featuring Indigenous American artifacts. And the weekend after Labor Day, experience the park’s annual Pow Wow for thrilling dance competitions, crafts, authentic cuisine and colorful tribal garments.
Evening
Enjoy dinner at The Local, an Irish pub serving classic dishes like fish and chips or bangers and mash. Don’t skip the cocktails – try the Fuzzy Leprechaun with Irish vodka, peach schnapps and blue curacao.
End the night at Hopkinsville’s veteran-owned Hopkinsville Brewing Company – the first craft brewery in the city. Serving up handcrafted beer (you can see the barrels in the taproom), kombucha and seltzers by the pint, flight or crowler, this brewery is a great place to chill out with friends. Relax on the brick-lined patio under the twinkling string lights and sip on brews such as Ray O’ Sunshine blonde ale or Blueberry seltzer. And if you’re still hungry, the brewery hosts rotating food trucks serving everything from barbecue to Mexican food.
Day 2: Art, Entertainment and the Great Outdoors
Morning
Begin with a quick coffee and breakfast at Baked. Indulge in fresh-baked pastries paired with a cinnamon latte or chai tea.
Your first stop of the day is Christian Way Farm & Mini Golf – Kentucky’s only petting zoo and mini golf adventure rolled into one! Spend a relaxing morning outdoors grinding corn and feeding the farm animals, from goats and donkeys to cows and ponies. Take a ride on a lawnmower train and play in the corn truck (it’s like a large sandbox with corn). Or, aim for a hole-in-one on the 18-hole mini golf course. There’s also a playground, giant Scrabble and Jenga games and an interactive scavenger hunt where you’ll hunt for clues around the farm. Visiting in the fall? Check out the pumpkin patch, corn maze and hayrides.
Explore more of Christian County with a visit to Brushy Fork Creek Gallery. Just north of Hopkinsville, this charming craft gallery, studio and farm showcases the work of award-winning artists Paul and Patricia Ferrell. Check out their unique work on display, such as birdfeeders crafted from bamboo grown on the farm, woodturning, and colorful artisan pottery. Tour the studio, take a wood-burning or pottery class, browse the gallery, or simply mingle with the artists. If you have time, tour the farm and gardens, where you’ll meet adorable miniature goats and horses.
Afternoon
Explore more of Western Kentucky’s great outdoors at Pennyrile Forest State Park. Surrounded by over 14,000 acres of lush forests, the park is home to nine hiking trails, a lake, campgrounds, fishing spots and golfing. First, grab lunch at the onsite Clifty Creek Restaurant for southern classics like buttermilk fried chicken or the famous Kentucky Hot Brown. Next, it’s time to hit the trails. Clifty Creek Trail is perfect for beginners and features wildflowers, giant sycamores and a small waterfall. For a longer hike, the Lake Trail winds 1.8 miles through the park over wooden bridges and stone steps with gorgeous lake views. Afterward, cool off with a dip in the lake, cast a line for bluegill and crappie, or practice your swing at the golf course.
Feeling adventurous? Check out the Pennyroyal Scuba Center at Blue Springs Resort. Scuba diving in Kentucky? You bet! This breathtaking 22-acre spring-fed quarry offers some of the clearest waters inland. Dive beneath the depths and explore 120 feet below the surface, where over 40 sunken treasures await. Discover sunken yacht wrecks, sailboats and Penny the Shark (don’t worry, she’s not real). If you’re new to diving, classes are available, along with equipment rentals.
Evening
Enjoy a fine dining experience at Davinci at Novadell. Here, Italian cuisine meets classic American steakhouse vibes with a menu featuring sumptuous dishes such as lobster ravioli and bone-in ribeye. Save room for dessert – you’ll want to sample the cannoli or chocolate cake (or maybe both!).
End your evening with a show-stopping performance at the Alhambra Theatre. Easily identified by its colorful marquee lights in downtown Hopkinsville, this theater opened in 1928 as a space for silent movies and stage shows. Today, you can enjoy classic film screenings, events and live performances in the 650-seat proscenium theater. Groove to the beats of both local and touring artists, sing along to Broadway tunes or spend an evening with Shakespeare.
