Blake Walsh

17 Best Things to Do in Burkesville, KY

  • Published 2022/08/12

Burkesville is a beautiful city in the Appalachian Mountains in Cumberland County, Kentucky.

The Cumberland River flows through the city, and there are many rolling hills and mountains in the area.

Burkesville is a small and peaceful city that offers a combination of both urban and rural vibes.

It has a more relaxed atmosphere compared to other Kentucky cities like Louisville and Lexington.

However, Burkesville still offers plenty to do and see.

There are still tons of exciting and unique things to do in Burkesville.

It’s a great place to visit for a weekend getaway or even longer.

Here are the best things to do in Burkesville, Kentucky:

Sip Fine Wine at Up the Creek Winery

Up the Creek Winery is the city’s premier wine destination.

The winery offers a variety of wines made from locally-grown grapes, like Chambourcin, Golden Muscat, Vignoles, Marquette, and Seyval Blanc.

The vineyard and winery sit against a picturesque backdrop of nature and the Kentucky countryside.

Enjoy a glass (or two) of wine while taking in the scenery.

Their labels include an image of an old tobacco barn, a nod to the winery’s farm and the state’s Commonwealth heritage.

Apart from wines, Up the Creek Winery also sells grapes as a separate product.

They sell the fruits at their location and in the local Burkesville marketplace.

Go on an Exciting Camping Adventure at Lucas Hollow

Experience Burkesville’s great outdoors by going on a camping trip at Lucas Hollow Campground.

This is the perfect spot if you’ve always wanted to get away from it all and enjoy some peace amid nature.

Lucas Hollow is a beautiful, secluded campground three miles west of downtown Burkesville.

The campground offers several primitive campsites for tents, RVs, and horse camping.

Several hiking trails help you explore the surrounding woods and forests.

If you’re looking for an exciting and adventurous camping trip, Lucas Hollow Campground is the perfect place for you.

Spend Time with Family at the Hilltop Park

Hilltop park is one of the two parks in Burkesville and is the perfect place to take your family for a day of fun.

The park offers several amenities, including a playground, a walking path, a picnic shelter, public restrooms, and a basketball court.

These well-maintained amenities ensure that everyone will have a great time at the park.

Hilltop Park is known for social events, family reunions, and other special occasions that bring the community together.

In addition, the park is a great place to take your kids and pets for some quality time outside.

If you want to meet the locals living in Burkesville, you can participate in these celebrations and events at Hilltop Park.

One notable event is the Memorial Day Celebration, held annually to commemorate fallen soldiers.

The event includes a parade, live music, and a picnic lunch.

Visit the Cumberland County Public Library

Learn about the history and heritage of Burkesville and Cumberland County by visiting the Cumberland County Public Library.

Located in the heart of downtown Burkesville, the library is a great place to spend an afternoon, especially if you’re interested in learning about the local area.

The library offers a variety of resources, including books, magazines, newspapers, and even genealogy records.

They also have several public computers you can use to research or surf the internet.

If you’re looking for an indoor place to escape the heat while also learning something, the Cumberland County Public Library is perfect.

Stay in Style and Comfort at the Old Coe House Bed & Breakfast

Vsiting a small city doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style and comfort.

The Old Coe House Bed & Breakfast is a testament to that statement.

This place is a luxurious, historic bed & breakfast in downtown Burkesville.

It’s a four-star hotel with “Princes Anne” style architecture and beautiful gardens.

The Old Coe House also belongs to the National Registry of Historic Places.

The place offers comfortable and cozy guest rooms, the perfect place to retreat after spending the entire day exploring Burkesville.

The place also offers amenities such as a private bath, air conditioning, a covered porch, a fireplace, an HD TV, and a complimentary breakfast.

The Old Coe House Bed & Breakfast has more than enough to ensure a comfortable stay in Burkesville.

Bond with Family and Friends at the Town & Country Lanes

If you’re up for good old-fashioned fun with family and friends, head over to the Town & Country Lanes for some bowling.

The Town & Country Lanes is a great place to have fun and bond with your loved ones.

They offer 12 bowling lanes, a full-service bar, and a snack bar.

You can even teach your kids how to bowl because they offer bumper bowling, perfect for kids still learning the ropes.

This state-of-the-art bowling alley also features automatic scoring, so you can focus on your game and not worry about keeping score.

The best part about the Town & Country Lanes is that they offer competitive rates, making it a great place to visit without breaking the bank.

Meet the Community at the Dr. Joseph Schickel Veterans Memorial Park

The Dr. Joseph Schickel Veterans Memorial park is Burkesville’s official city park.

It’s one of the two parks in Burkesville and is the perfect place to witness some of the city’s daily life.

The park hosts several events and activities, mainly featuring youth and adult sports and other special community events.

It’s also a great place to spend time under the cool shade of trees while enjoying the fresh air.

The park gets its name from Dr. Joseph Schickel, a highly-decorated physician in World War II.

Dr. Schickel supported the Burkesville community financially for 50 years with his wife, Dorothy.

Today, the park serves as a lasting memory of the couple’s contributions to the city.

The Dr. Joseph Schickel Veterans Memorial Park offers several walking trails, a playground, a pavilion, and a basketball court.

It’s the perfect place to visit if you want to get some exercise or take a stroll.

Get the Best Gear for Your Water Adventures at Mutt E. Waters River Rentals

The Cumberland River is excellent for swimming, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking.

The best place to get all the gear and equipment you need for your river excursion is Mutt E. Waters River Rentals.

Mutt E. Waters River Rentals has operated since 2001.

Since then, it has become the go-to place for all your river rental needs.

They offer a wide variety of kayaks, canoes, and accessories for sale or rent. They also provide shuttle services to and from the river.

The knowledgeable staff will help you with all your river rental needs.

They’ll even give you tips on the best places to go kayaking and canoeing in the area.

Likewise, the Mutt E. Water River Rentals also offer overnight camp trips on the banks of the mighty Cumberland River.

Spend the weekend with family and friends by the river!

Taste Some Good Ol’ Kentucky Barbecue at Hamilton’s Bar-B-Q

Besides its famous southern fried chicken, Kentucky is well-known for its mouth-watering barbecue.

If you’re in the mood for some good barbecue, head to Hamilton’s Bar-B-Q in downtown Burkesville.

Hamilton’s has served the best barbecue in town for decades.

This barbecue restaurant has become a cultural institution in Burkesville.

They offer barbecue meats such as pork, beef, chicken, and ribs.

They use only the freshest ingredients, so locals and visitors always stop by to get their barbecue fix.

Their signature dish is the pulled pork sandwich, smothered in their secret barbecue sauce and served on a toasted bun.

Play a Round of Pool at the Burkesville Pool Room

Check out the Burkesville Pool Room if you like to play pool while enjoying a cold drink.

The Burkesville Pool Room is one of the best places in town to enjoy a game of pool.

They have a wide variety of pool tables that suit all levels of pool players.

They also have a full-service bar, so you can enjoy a refreshing drink while you play.

The pool room also has a jukebox, so you can listen to your favorite tunes while you shoot some pool.

Apart from the pool, the Burkesville Pool Room also has darts and pinball machines.

If you’re looking for a place to have some fun and relax, this is the place for you.

Ride a Horse at the 4C Cattle Company

Across the banks of the Cumberland River, the 4C Cattle Company offers horseback riding lessons and trail rides.

If you’re looking for a unique and fun way to experience the great outdoors, horseback riding is definitely for you.

There’s no better place in Burkesville to go horseback riding than at the 4C Cattle Company.

They offer a variety of horseback riding trails, so you can choose the one that best suits your level of experience and ability.

They also offer a variety of horseback riding lessons, so you can learn how to ride if you’re a beginner.

Their trails are beautiful and scenic as you go through forests, fields, and creeks.

You might even get the chance to see some wildlife along the way.

Apart from horseback riding, the place also offers camping so you can spend a weekend or more in the great outdoors.

Whatever activity you choose, you will enjoy your time at the 4C Cattle Company.

Learn Prime Fishing Spots from the Rainbow Guide Service

The great Cumberland River is rich in bass and trout, making it a perfect place for fishing.

However, if you don’t know where to go or how to fish, then the Rainbow Guide Service can help you.

The Rainbow Guide Service has operated business since 1990.

They are very familiar with the river and know the best fishing spots.

They offer both half-day and full-day fishing trips.

Likewise, they also offer fly fishing lessons for those who want to fly fish.

Once you avail of their services, the Rainbow Guide Service will provide you with everything you need for a successful fishing trip.

This package includes the use of their boat, life jackets, and rods.

They can also clean and cook your catch for you to enjoy a delicious meal after a fun day of fishing.

Appreciate Art at the Bill Guffey Fine Art Studio

Bill Guffey is a popular local artist with a Fine Art Studio in Burkesville.

He is best known for his range of painting styles.

Bill Guffey’s portfolio features genres such as representational landscapes, abstracts, figurative, landscape, blind contour drawings, and more.

At the Bill Guffey Fine Art Studio, you can appreciate his artworks and maybe even purchase one or two if he’s selling them.

You can also attend some of his art classes and workshops to learn from the master himself.

His classes are open to artists of all levels.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, you can learn something from him.

Apart from paintings, the Bill Guffey Fine Art Studio also displays and sells a variety of other artworks such as sculptures, pottery, jewelry, and more.

Shop for Souvenirs at the Burkesville Farmers Market

The Burkesville Farmers Market is the perfect place to find locally-grown fruits, vegetables, and other goods.

It is open every Saturday from morning to early afternoon, so drop by if you’re in town.

You can also find many souvenirs at the market, such as t-shirts, keychains, and other knick-knacks.

The Burkesville Farmers Market is a great place to support local businesses and to find unique gifts for your loved ones back home.

Go on an Adventure at the Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park

The Dale Hollow lake State Resort Park is the ultimate destination for those who love the great outdoors.

The park offers a variety of activities such as hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and more.

You can also find various accommodation options at the park, such as camping sites and cabins.

The Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park is the perfect place to escape stressful city life and enjoy quiet time in nature.

You can bring your family and friends or go on a solo trip to enjoy peace.

Play Golf at the Dale Hollow Lake Park Golf Course

If you want to play a round of golf while in Burkesville, head to the Dale Hollow Lake Park Golf Course.

This state park already boasts a variety of outdoor activities, and the golf course is just one of them.

The Dale Hollow Lake Park Golf Course is an 18-hole, par 72.

It is open to the public and offers a challenging yet fun game of golf.

The course is in a beautiful setting, surrounded by forests and stunning views of Dale Hollow Lake.

It also features hilly terrains, making the golf experience extra challenging and fun.

Go on a Unique Camping Trip at Trooper Island Camp

Take your camping trip to the next level by going to Trooper Island Camp.

This camp is in the Dale Hollow State Park Marina, only accessible by boat.

Trooper Island Camp offers a memorable exceptional camping experience under the Kentucky State Police.

Bring your kids for their annual summer boot camps or join the fun yourself.

The camp offers a variety of activities such as fishing, hiking, canoeing, and more.

You can also find various accommodation options, such as cabins and campsites.

Trooper Island Camp is the perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors and have a unique camping experience.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures or indoor activities, Burkesville has something for everyone.

The city brims with history, culture, and natural beauty.

It offers the perfect blend of relaxation and activity that you wouldn’t find in busier cities.

Nonetheless, it still presents various things to do to keep you entertained.

Book your trip today and discover the best things to do in Burkesville!

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