Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Hopkinsville, KY

  • Published 2022/09/10

Located approximately 12 miles north of the Kentucky-Tennessee border is the simple yet elegant city of Hopkinsville.

This home rule-class city is located in Christian County.

Hopkinsville underwent several name changes during its early years, having been named Christian Court House and Elizabeth, respectively, before it was named after American soldier Samuel Hopkins in 1804.

The city boasts a bustling agricultural district that dates back to its humble beginnings, thanks to livestock markets and burley and dark-fired tobacco production centers.

Over the years, Hopkinsville dived into industrial developments, emerging as a popular place for clothing, automotive parts, and electric lighting.

Some military sites have also been preserved throughout the city and have become popular tourist attractions.

Today, you’ll see that Hopkinsville maintains its agricultural roots in most of its establishments while balancing production for other businesses.

Here are the best things to do while in Hopkinsville, Kentucky:

Catch Live Performances at the Alhambra Theatre

Exterior of the Alhambra Theatre

Sabrina Janelle Gordon / Shutterstock.com

Book a front-row seat to Hopkinsville’s finest talents when you watch a live performance at the Alhambra Theatre on South Main Street.

The historic theater first welcomed visitors in 1928, a year before the Great Depression.

It’s named after the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain, where Ferdinand and Isabella permitted Christopher Columbus to sail around the world.

The 650-seater was reopened as a community performing arts center in 1983 and is now managed by the Pennyroyal Arts Council.

From concerts and plays to art displays and more at the Alhambra Theatre, you’re sure to discover that Hopkinsville is a breed for artistic talents.

Visit the Museums of Historic Hopkinsville Christian County

Hopkinsville is a book of age-old secrets waiting to be discovered, and you’ll get to uncover them once you visit the Museums of Historic Hopkinsville Christian County.

Situated along East 9th Street, the post-office-turned-regional museum holds the city’s very own collection of African-American memorabilia, archives, and more.

Learn more about the colorful history of southwestern Kentucky, and hear favorite tales like the Black Patch Tobacco Wars and the Vigilante Night Riders.

Among the Museums of Historic Hopkinsville Christian County is the Pennyroyal Area Museum, where you’ll hear about the early life of Edgar Cayce, known as the Sleeping Prophet.

Taste Craft Spirits at Casey Jones Distillery

Wine connoisseurs visiting Hopkinsville will have a blast hanging out at Casey Jones Distillery on Witty Lane.

Named after Casey Jones, Golden Pond’s master stillmaker, the distillery offers nothing short of award-winning craft spirits that you won’t find anywhere else.

Get a good look around Hopkinsville’s prized distillery, and you’ll see why it’s the best in the city and one of the best around the globe.

If you want to do something more low-key, you can opt for a tasting experience.

After touring Casey Jones Distillery, you can swing by the shop to take home favorites like bourbons, barrel cuts, moonshine, and more.

Explore the Trail of Tears Commemorative Park

It’s impossible to say that you’ve seen all there is in Hopkinsville without stopping by the Trail of Tears Commemorative Park.

Located on Trail of Tears Drive, the historical park is home to two gravesites of Cherokee Indian Chiefs named Fly Smith and Whitepath.

The park initially served as an encampment between 1838 and 1839 and has traces of campsites that were erased during the forced removal of the Cherokee people.

During your visit, you’ll come across a statue garden, flag memorial, and even a short woodland trail where you can explore the rest of the area in silence.

The Trail of Tears Commemorative Park also hosts an annual Pow Wow where Native Americans in Hopkinsville and nearby areas can celebrate their heritage through dancing, music, food, and more.

Check Out Round Table Literary Park

Fans of the classic stories of King Arthur can’t possibly leave Hopkinsville without taking a trip to Round Table Literary Park.

Located in Hopkinsville Community College along North Drive, the park is a popular gathering place for literary events and quiet walks.

Take a photo at the round table, which seats 24 people, and enjoy the area’s calming atmosphere.

Adding to Round Table Literary Park’s grandeur is the grove of trees and Graeco-Roman amphitheater that houses a sculpture of Melpomene.

To complete the overall look and feel of the King Arthur stories, you’ll even come across a large stone where a replica of the Excalibur is wedged in.

Cast a Line at Lake Morris

Cast a Line at Hopkinsville’s Lake Morris, and see if you can call yourself a pro at fishing.

The 142-acre lake is a popular fishing spot for perch and striped bass.

The authorities will allow you to take any light, trailerable recreational boat during your trip.

Before you begin, be sure you’re well-informed of the fishing regulations in the area.

You can also request equipment from Lake Morris bait shops and fishing charters nearby.

Stay Active at Ruff Park

Get some much-needed exercise while exploring the busy streets of Hopkinsville by hanging out at Ruff Park.

Located on Litchfield Drive, the park offers visitors state-of-the-art facilities where they can engage in workouts and other sports.

Play tennis, rugby, or a game of catch in an open field area in this 49-acre community park in Hopkinsville.

There are also playgrounds where children are welcome to play while you read your favorite book by the picnic tables.

Ruff Park’s Herb Hays Pavilion is also available for rent if you’re planning to celebrate a party or host an event while you’re in the city.

Meet Barnyard Friends at Amazing Acres

Have a blast meeting your favorite farm animals when you stop by Amazing Acres along Deason Road.

Since 1978, the farm has been raising burley and dark-fired tobacco alongside friendly creatures that children will surely enjoy meeting.

Prepare to meet charming rabbits, ducks, geese, turkeys, peacocks, pheasants, and much more.

This farm also lets you try various heritage activities, from sewing on a treadle sewing machine and churning butter to going on hayrides and making scarecrows.

Overall, you’ll get the ultimate Hopkinsville farming experience while in Amazing Acres, so if you’re into that kind of thing, you can’t miss visiting the area.

Have a Group Outing at Christian Way Farm

Have a fun-filled day hanging out with your family and closest friends in Hopkinsville when you go on a group outing at Christian Way Farm.

Situated along Linville Road, it offers a wide variety of group activities that kids and adults will surely enjoy.

Play a round of mini-golf in the farm’s 18-hole course while in the company of farm-themed displays.

Christian Way Farm is also the only farm in Kentucky that features a petting zoo, allowing you to meet two- and four-legged friends and feed some of the animals.

You can try other activities like riding corn trucks and lawnmower trains, tricycle track races, and more.

Check Out the Copper Canyon Ranch

Experience what it’s like to live in the Wild West when you swing by the Copper Canyon Ranch on Ovil Road.

The ranch was built by Tim and Carole Emery over 20 years ago and gave a whole new spin to the Hopkinsville Community.

See what the Old West looked like with vintage displays and thematic storefronts, introducing a different era to the people and tourists of Hopkinsville.

If you’re lucky enough, you might even get to ride a pony around the area, giving you the entire cowboy or cowgirl experience.

The Copper Canyon Rach can also be booked as a private events place.

Shop for Quality Meat Products at Hampton Premium Meats

Buy a slew of premium cuts for your next dinner party at Hampton Premium Meats on Pembroke Road.

Established in 1975, it has been serving its customers with nothing short of fresh, hand-cut meat choices.

The store was founded by E. G. “Bummy” Hampton, an agribusiness man who began with a grain elevator business.

Take your pick from premium-quality pork, beef, poultry, lamb, cheeses, and more right in the heart of Hopkinsville.

Hampton Premium Meats also features weekly in-store specials, so be sure to stay tuned for those before you visit.

Walk around Gander Memorial Park

Go on a peaceful and uninterrupted walk admiring the beauty of Hopkinsville when you visit Gander Memorial Park on Pennyrile Parkway.

Covering 16 acres, it’s the perfect place to relax and drown out the sound of the busy streets.

Aside from offering visitors a scenic landscape, Gander Memorial Park commemorates hundreds of fallen soldiers killed in combat.

As you walk around, you’ll see the names of 248 heroes who were killed at Gander, Newfoundland while returning from a peacekeeping mission in Sinai.

You’ll see a “Peacekeeper” copper monument standing seven feet tall, along with inscriptions of the names of the fallen soldiers on a slab of granite in front.

Take a Swig of Craft Beer at Hopkinsville Brewing Company

There’s nothing more relaxing than taking a swig of beer after a long day of exploring the streets of Hopkinsville.

So if you’re a fan of late-night drinks, head over to Hopkinsville Brewing Company on East 5th Street, considered the city and county’s first craft beer brewery.

Over the years, the five-barrel nano-brewery has emerged as one of the top places to enjoy everything Hopkinsville offers.

Have a taste of the bustling Hopkinsville nightlife while touring the taproom and enjoying a round of drinks.

While you’re at it, don’t forget to buy some snacks from the food trucks parked outside Hopkinsville Brewing Company.

Buy Fresh Produce at Downtown Hopkinsville Farmers Market

If you’re shopping for produce in Hopkinsville, you’re sure to get only the freshest and finest.

The Downtown Hopkinsville Farmers Market is usually at the intersection of 9th and Main Streets.

The open-air market features 16 vendor spaces offering locally grown and produced agricultural products and hand-crafted items.

Everything you could look for can be found in the farmers market, from fruits, vegetables, and hanging baskets to jams, jellies, and baked goods.

However, note that the Downtown Hopkinsville Farmers Market is only open during certain days of the year, so check its schedule before heading downtown.

Book a Stay at Naimoli Estate Vineyard & Winery

Hopkinsville is decorated with some of the most amazing places to stay, but if you’re looking for the best one, consider the Naimoli Vineyard and Winery.

Located on Harmony Grove Road, it’s a popular events place for hosting weddings, birthdays, and other celebrations.

Besides that, the estate also makes a great bed and breakfast place for tourists looking to enjoy Hopkinsville’s quaint and calming atmosphere.

Enjoy the lush greenery, the majestic main house, and the barn spaces as you walk around.

During your stay, you’ll even see the well-kept vineyard that produces a great selection of delectable wines.

Final Thoughts

Hopkinsville is arguably one of the best places to visit in Kentucky, thanks to its perfect balance of industrial and agricultural spaces.

It’s also home to several historical sites that tourists will definitely take an interest in learning about.

If you’re ever planning to visit the city, stick to this list of the best things to do in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and you’re bound to enjoy your stay.

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