These 4 Kentucky spots are among Southern Living’s ‘Best 50 Small Towns in the South’
What they lack in size, they make up for in charm.
Four Kentucky towns — each known for its distinct qualities — recently made Southern Living magazine’s list of the 50 Best Small Towns in the South. The listing is part of the magazine’s “Best of the South” series throughout 2023.
Here’s a quick snapshot of each Kentucky town recognized by the magazine. For a look at the full list, visit Southern Living online.
St. Augustine, Fla., took the magazine’s top spot.
No. 49: Danville, KY
Once the capital of Kentucky, Danville in Boyle County is known as “The City of Firsts,” and it defines itself as a place of progress.
Southern Living recognized Danville at No. 49 on its list of the 50 Best Small Towns in the South.
“Explore spirited Main Street, where you can find Renaissance Revival- and Federal-style buildings housing modern eateries; boutiques; and the Art Center of the Bluegrass, a creative hub in the community,” the magazine said of Danville.
Here’s a quick rundown of the kinds of advancements Danville has become known for:
The town itself predates Kentucky’s statehood.
It’s notable as the site of the first courthouse in Kentucky (1785), the first U.S. Post Office established west of the Alleghenies (1792) and the first Political Club in the West (1786).
In 1809, Danville native Dr. Ephraim McDowell was the first physician in the world to successfully remove an ovarian tumor. His patient was Jane Todd Crawford.
It was a trailblazer in education, opening the first college in the west in 1783, the first law school in the west in 1799 and the first state-supported school for the deaf in 1823.
Danville was also where many early Black education institutions opened, including the first Black homeschool in the mid-19th century. The first kindergarten for Black children was established there, and in 1881, John Bate opened Danville’s first public school for Black students.
No. 35: Paducah, KY
The host of the National Quilting Museum, Paducah in McCracken County is a mecca for the craft art form.
The town sits on the junction of the Ohio and Tennessee rivers, and its fortuitous location made it a hub for steamboat traffic in the late 19th century when that mode of travel was in its heyday.
Southern Living put Paducah at No. 35 on its list, lauding it as “a jewel situated at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers, Paducah has an undeniably creative soul and is home to The National Quilt Museum as well as one-of-a-kind businesses like the antiques shop Frenchtown Station and the bourbon palace Barrel & Bond.”
No. 26: Berea, KY
Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Berea in Madison County is a haven for artists of all kinds.
Visitors here can watch live demonstrations, hike what’s been called Kentucky’s best hiking trail and explore the Artisan Village. That last site is where studios, fabric stores, handmade jewelry, galleries and glass blowers gather.
Berea took the No. 26 spot on Southern Living’s list. The magazine lauded it as the “folk arts and crafts capital of Kentucky.”
“Berea is a dynamic spot for creators and craftspeople working across a variety of media. Many sell their wares at galleries along Chestnut Street and in both the Artisan Village and the Kentucky Artisan Center,” Southern Living said.
No. 24: Bardstown, KY
Coming at No. 24 on Southern Living’s list, Bardstown is a boon for bourbon lovers, with tasting rooms and distillery tours galore.
The town takes its name from the pioneering Bard brothers, and is Kentucky’s second oldest town.
First settled in 1780, Bardstown has been named the “Most Beautiful Small Town in America” by Rand McNally and USA Today, according to the town’s tourism website.
As Southern Living put it: “There’s no mistaking Bardstown for its big-city neighbors, and that’s the charm of it.”
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