Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Grand Rivers, KY

  • Published 2022/08/23

Grand Rivers is a city in Livingston County, Kentucky, an up-and-coming tourist destination.

It sits between two of the largest artificial lakes in the area, Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.

Likewise, it is the northern gateway to the nation’s largest outdoor recreation area, Land Between the Lakes.

You can also find several nationally acclaimed restaurants, top-notch marinas and resorts, and outdoor recreation opportunities in Grand Rivers.

Whether you’re seeking tranquillity, nature views, adventure, entertainment, retail therapy, or delicious meals,Grand Rivers has it all!

Check out the best things to do in Grand Rivers, Kentucky, to help you plan your next trip.

Stay for a Day at the Lighthouse Landing Resort and Marina

Exterior of Lighthouse Landing Resort and Marina

KennStilger47 / Shutterstock.com

Escape to Kentucky’s gorgeous Lighthouse Landing Resort & Marina!

This place is near downtown Grand Rivers, which offers a variety of dining options, small shops, and year-round activities and events.

Comfort and relaxation are top priorities in the design of the cottages and bedrooms.

They provide cottages with one, two, or three bedrooms and guest rooms equipped with practical conveniences.

Docked boats at Lighthouse Landing Resort and Marina

KennStilger47 / Shutterstock.com

Their bedroom cottages along Kentucky Lake’s coast provide the most breathtaking views.

Look no further than Lighthouse Landing if you’re looking for lakefront accommodation in Kentucky.

Lighthouse Landing provides a large, dog-friendly RV park for those who want to chill and take in the lake views.

You will undoubtedly have the best experience in Grand Rivers if you take a boat, join sailing classes, go fishing, or tour the town.

Stay in style at the Lighthouse Landing Resort & Marina!

Buy Sweet Treats at Grand Rivers Fudge Factory

The Grand Rivers Fudge Factory is a tiny fudge shop in Grand Rivers worth checking out.

The store is near the northern entrance of the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.

Becky and Jack Reynolds own the Grand Rivers Fudge Factory.

This shop sells the creamiest and most delectable fudge in the city, with more than 25 options.

Its flavors include good old chocolate, peanut butter, and others like rocky road, butterscotch, and lemon.

They also provide some uncommon yet well-liked variations, such as orange dream and bubble gum.

Another bestseller from Grand Rivers Fudge Factory is the moonshine fudge.

To make this flavor, they use actual moonshine manufactured at the Moonshine Company in Paducah, Kentucky.

Customize Your Massages at Jade and Earth Spa

Jade & Earth Spa is a full-service prestige spa that can take care of all your requirements, from head to foot.

Both visitors of the resort and the general public are welcome at the Jade & Earth Spa at Green Turtle Bay.

Enjoy the indoor swimming pool, the outdoor sun terraces, the fitness center, the saunas, and the bath facilities.

The comprehensive salon services include hair styling, make-up application, full-body hair removal, manicures, and pedicures.

Additionally, you can tailor the massages to your needs.

Rather than providing a single kind of massage, they combine multiple distinct massage modalities in a single session.

Depending on your preferences, you may use various strategies.

Pamper yourself at Jade and Earth Spa!

Admire the View at Green Turtle Bay Resort and Marina

The Green Turtle Bay Resort and Marina has become a favorite destination for guests to enjoy stunning Western Kentucky.

For over 35 years, this resort has welcomed visitors for activities and relaxation.

Guests may unwind, go boating, and spend quality time with their loved ones at Green Turtle Bay Resort and Marina.

They have a lot to offer, including residences, a private yacht club, and a marina.

Cruisers from the Great Lakes to Florida selected the Marina at Green Turtle Bay Resort as their “Best Stop” on the Great Loop.

You can also rent more than 80 independently owned condo townhomes at the resort.

While staying at the Bay, you may also reserve a pontoon to spend some time on the lake in one of their brand-new boats.

However, one of the guests’ most favorite features is one you can’t see: a little serenity and tranquility.

Start the Day Right at Lite Side Cafe & Bakery

Are you trying to find a relaxing location to dine after quite a hard day?

The founders of Lite Side Cafe & Bakery, Bob and Irene, spent 20 years living in San Diego and have brought a bit of their Californian aesthetic to Western Kentucky.

Bob prepares breakfast, while Irene makes all the pastries.

The Lite Side Cafe & Bakery built a reputation for serving delicious, healthful breakfast, lunch, baked goods, and picnics since 1994.

The cuisine at Lite Side Cafe & Bakery is superb in terms of flavor and appearance.

You can rely on them to provide a delightful, unique café experience.

Order a packed lunch for the road, or eat inside the Garden Cafe or on one of their seven patio tables.

Sample Soft-Serve Ice Cream at Craig’s Dairy Dream

Within walking distance of Patti’s 1880s Settlement is one of the most famous ice cream parlors and burger joints in Grand Rivers, Kentucky.

This place is Craig’s Dairy Dream.

This joint contains everything you need, from refreshing summer beverages to frosty ice cream.

They serve a range of burgers in addition to sandwiches, sides, and desserts.

Likewise, you can enjoy soft-serve ice cream, coated cones, candies and treats, slush puppies, and more.

Treat yourself at Craig’s Dairy Dream!

See a Show at Badgett Playhouse

You can see top-notch talent and shows here in West Kentucky!

Grand Rivers’ Badgett Theatre performances are on par with those in Branson or Nashville.

The Badgett Playhouse is a 6,000-square-foot building in Grand Rivers, just behind the Welcome Center.

It has state-of-the-art sound and lighting, including moving light fixtures and 15 riveting performances each year.

The theater’s acoustics provide you with the best sound quality possible, elevating the excellent performances.

Likewise, the has brand-new curtains and stage equipment from Rose Brand, a pioneer in the field.

For the perfect tour day in Grand Rivers, bring your friends to the Badgett Playhouse!

Fill your Day with Outdoor Activities at Patti’s 1880s Settlement

Locals and tourists visit Patti’s 1880s Settlement for a restful weekend filled with fun activities.

Grab a bite to eat or take a stroll around the town.

Then, do exclusive shopping, play an hour of golf, or go sailing.

The owners of Patti’s 1880s Settlement decided to transform their business into something more than a restaurant.

So, they added areas where customers could stay the night and take advantage of the attractive resort community.

Patti’s 1880 Settlement is only a few minutes away from their hotel, bed and breakfast, or campsite.

There are several family-friendly activities available at Patti’s 1880s Settlement.

Enjoy excellent dining, lovely gardens, exciting gift shops, flowing streams, a mini-golf course, a and a garden café.

As you meander around exquisitely planted gardens, rediscover peace and calm.

It is a family setting where everyone, both young and old, can enjoy themselves.

Treat yourself to a Delicious Meal at Patti’s 1880’s Restaurant

Treat yourself to the warm hospitality and mouthwatering cuisine of the South.

Patti’s 1880s Restaurant is open all year long, and they look forward to turning your stay into a culinary journey.

Amid a little community of about 350 people, Patti feeds over 350,000 patrons annually.

People come from around the globe to experience Patti’s delectable cuisine, stunning gardens, and genuine southern hospitality.

Their menu features appetizers, hamburgers, sandwiches, pasta, seafood, desserts, and entrees.

Its bestseller is Patti’s House Specialty, a charbroiled pork chop mixed with Patti’s renowned spices and cooked over an open flame.

Bring your family to Patti’s 1880s Restaurant!

Get Refreshed at Between the Lakes Tap House

Everybody needs to unwind after work.

One of the best ways to do that is spending a hot summer day in the lake with a cold drink in your hand.

Enter the family-friendly Between The Lakes Tap House, offering fun for all ages.

They provide over 50 options of domestic, international, and craft canned and bottled beers in addition to 11 rotating craft tap beers.

Any tap house would be incomplete without some entertainment options to help you blow off some steam.

Play one of many arcade games or invite a buddy to ping pong or foosball after getting a drink.

Try your luck at one of their numerous sophisticated games if you’re feeling lucky.

Enjoy yourself at Between the Lakes Tap House!

Grab a Snack with Buddies at Cabin Pizza

Who doesn’t enjoy eating pizza with their buddies on a pleasant afternoon?

The family-run Cabin Pizza is in Grand Rivers, Kentucky, the community between the rivers.

Since they serve the best pizza in the city, they took home the Grand Rivers Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 Business of the Year award.

Cabin Pizza offers both fantastic cuisine and an appealing environment for its customers.

They serve calzones, sandwiches, pizza, and other food for the family!

Cabin Pizza has swiftly established itself as a beloved dining spot for residents and visitors in Grand Rivers.

Shop for Unique Home Decor at Home Place

For more than a decade, Home Place has created architectural masterpieces.

Whether for a small nook or an entire kitchen, they work hard to create unique pieces for your house that will last for many generations.

They use every type of wood they can get their hands on and excel in live edge tables.

Home Place crafts every furniture and farmhouse item by hand, following the farmhouse or rustic style.

Likewise, Home Place would love to add to your family heritage!

You can also buy Candleberry Candles and other decor there.

They work hard to sell the highest quality candles and melts for your hard-earned money.

Grab Fresh Meat at Village Market & Cafe

Village Market & Café gives their best effort to provide their clients first-rate services, the best items, and reasonable rates.

The market ensures that they always have the freshest products.

For instance, the market receives meats, dairy, vegetables, and grocery goods every two weeks in small quantities.

In their meat section, they proudly offer “Certified Angus Beef.”

To ensure maximum flavor, juiciness, and tenderness, the Certified Angus Beef brand has ten demanding guidelines that every product must follow.

Then, they checked and re-inspect each Certified Angus Beef to ensure that it satisfies the highest requirements in the meat packing business.

Every day, the Village Market & Cafe cuts all their meat products.

You can ask the butcher to slice, chop, or cut the meat to your exact requirements.

Buy Items from the Green Turtle Bay Ship’s Chandlery

The Green Turtle Bay Resort’s maritime shopping destination is Ship’s Chandlery!

You can purchase extraordinary clothing items with the Green Turtle Bay emblem at their store, including t-shirts, coats, and more.

They provide a wide range of nautical decorations and accessories from some of the public’s favorite manufacturers.

Buy items from Lake Girl, Artisans, Tervis Tumblers, and others.

Also, they sell marine parts, cleaning supplies, accessories, charts, and maps.

You can even buy various tiny tools and bits like nuts and bolts, filters, caulk, boat cleaning supplies, and more.

Check out the maps and GPS devices, among other navigational aids.

Meanwhile, the Green Turtle Bay Ship’s Chandlery offers the kids plenty of sea-themed toys and activities.

Spend a Night at the Grand Rivers Inn

You’ll find Grand Rivers Inn in the center of Grand Rivers.

Many of the city’s sights, stores, and eateries are within walking distance from the inn.

Depending on the season, the Grand Rivers Inn heated pool opens from late March until late November.

Likewise, you can use the grills and picnic tables on the grass by the pool.

Furthermore, there is plenty of room for boat parking.

Guest can use the electrical plugs in the parking area to recharge boat batteries.

However, the Grand Rivers Inn prohibits pets anywhere in the rooms.

Final Thoughts

Grand Rivers, Kentucky, is a remarkable tourist hotspot with lively colors and a bustling neighborhood.

Discover a wide range of unique stores, accommodations, activity rentals, restaurants, and more in this city.

Plan your trip today and discover the best things to do in Grand Rivers!

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