Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Berea, KY

Surrounded by gentle mountains, this idyllic town’s narrative commenced in the mid-19th century with the establishment of the first racially inclusive and coeducational college in the Southern United States.

Berea College remains committed to sustainability, social equity, community engagement, and the preservation of Appalachian culture, which has played a crucial role in establishing Berea as the “Folk Arts & Crafts Capital of Kentucky,” a designation upheld for over a century.

The town harbors a vibrant community of talented artists, furniture craftsmen, weavers, ceramic artisans, instrument manufacturers, jewelry creators, glassblowers, musicians, and more.

A visit can easily evolve into an extensive exploration of the diverse skills fostered within this community and unveil unique artworks unavailable elsewhere.

1. Berea Pinnacles

Berea College oversees approximately 9,000 acres of forest, a part of its forestry program initiated by Forester Silas Mason at the onset of the American conservation movement in 1897.

At Indian Fort, individuals can ascend two peaks known as The Pinnacles via a system of well-marked trails commencing along Big Hill Road.

Following challenging yet manageable ascents, visitors are rewarded with breathtaking views from East Pinnacle, West Pinnacle, Indian Fort, Eagle’s Nest, and Buzzard’s Roost.

The Pinnacles are so embedded in local heritage that Berea College designates a Mountain Day, encouraging students to abandon their academic responsibilities in favor of exploring the trails.

2. Berea Welcome Center

Despite its modest size, Berea boasts a plethora of attractions, galleries, studios, and experiences that can be overwhelming; fortunately, there are several information centers to assist visitors.

The primary visitor information center is conveniently situated at the historic Louisville and Nashville Depot. This railroad station, which first opened in the 1870s, features a fine brick depot completed in 1917 as its third iteration.

In 1987, the depot was transformed into the Berea Welcome Center, undergoing a substantial renovation in 2011.

This center serves not only as an attraction but also as a valuable resource for visitors seeking friendly guidance, trail maps, informative brochures, and showcasing intriguing public art on the lawn.

Continuing as a cornerstone of Old Town, the depot hosts regular classes, demonstrations, and live music performances at the log cabin located on the grounds.

3. Berea College

A significant factor contributing to Berea’s prominence as a center for exceptional folk arts and crafts is Berea College’s dedication to promoting and preserving traditional crafts from the Appalachian region, facilitated in part by work-study programs.

Established in 1855 by abolitionist John Gregg Fee (1816–1901), the college was the first in the South to offer a racially integrated and coeducational environment.

Another noteworthy aspect of Berea College is its unique model of operation, as it does not charge tuition fees; all enrolled students are effectively recipients of a four-year scholarship.

Students can participate in complimentary guided tours led by students from the Visitor Center & Shoppe, with options including a Historic Tour, Crafts Studio Tour, or Eco Tour.

Exploring the lush campus independently leads to a few must-see landmarks, such as the impressive Colonial Revival Draper Building (1938), the Frost Building (1905), and the student-constructed Phelps-Stokes Chapel (1904-1906).

4. Kentucky Artisan Center

Located conveniently at Exit 77 on I-75, this expansive facility showcases the work of over 800 Kentucky artisans.

Housed within a limestone building, the Kentucky Artisan Center operates seven days a week, offering handmade items across various categories of both modern and traditional crafts.

This includes pottery, oil paintings, furniture, sculptures, fashion accessories, items associated with bourbon, textiles, blown glass, prints, seasonal decorations, handmade toys, essential oils, candles, spice rubs, sauces, and more.

Additionally, while the center specializes in Kentucky crafts, its artisan Café & Grill serves comfort food prepared from locally sourced ingredients.

5. Old Town Artisan Village

Encircling the Berea Welcome Center is the downtown shopping area, the vibrant core of the “Folk Arts & Crafts Capital of Kentucky.”

This compact region features a rare concentration of independent shops, studios, galleries, and eateries. Old Town is best experienced on foot; despite its small size, exploring it thoroughly can take several hours.

In summary, visitors will find ceramics, jewelry, fine art, fabrics, hand-blown glass, and numerous opportunities to observe craftspeople at work.

The Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen, the oldest continually functioning arts organization in the state, maintains a gallery within Old Town dedicated to showcasing juried artists.

6. Historic Boone Tavern Hotel & Restaurant

Founded in 1909 at Berea College, Boone Tavern originated after Nellie Frost, the college’s First Lady, hosted numerous guests in her home.

This striking landmark is distinguished by its white exterior and three grand Ionic porticoes. As a member of the Historic Hotels of America, it underwent an $11.3 million renovation in anticipation of its centennial, becoming the first LEED Gold certified hotel in the state.

The rooms feature handcrafted furniture, art, and decorative elements created by students of Berea College.

Experiencing the hotel’s ambiance can be done through its restaurant, which offers a contemporary menu, including signature dishes such as “Chicken Flakes in a Bird’s Nest” alongside spoonbread, a beloved local tradition, complemented by fine wines, craft beers, and various Kentucky bourbons.

7. Anglin Falls

For those seeking further natural beauty, a short drive south leads to the John B. Stephenson Memorial Forest State Nature Preserve.

This 123-acre preserve protects a stunning wooded gorge characterized by remarkable biodiversity, honoring a former president of Berea College who advocated for the conservation of this rugged landscape.

The main attraction is Anglin Falls, accessible via a roughly 1.5-mile trail that traverses challenging terrain to reach the base of the waterfall.

Rising 75 feet, the waterfall is particularly striking in winter, although it also impresses in spring when the area comes alive with wildflowers. The trail also leads to the top of the ridge, where a smaller cascade can be found just upstream.

8. Berea College Forestry Outreach Center

The ideal starting point for exploring the Pinnacles is this visitor center situated adjacent to the primary parking area on Big Hill Road.

This center offers a variety of amenities for hikers, including restrooms, showers, and a water station.

Inside, visitors can observe exhibits highlighting the history of the Pinnacles and the diverse natural habitats encountered along the hiking trails.

The center also hosts numerous events and activities, ranging from seasonal guided hikes to stargazing and live musical performances.

9. College Square

Boone Tavern marks the southern edge of another charming commercial district, primarily featuring elegant storefronts along Main Street.

For those still enthusiastic about high-quality crafts, additional notable spots await, such as the historic Log House Craft Gallery, a premier venue for displaying Berea College Student Crafts, while the Berea College Farm Store serves as the retail outlet for the country’s oldest educational student farm.

Beginning a visit to Berea College at the Visitor Center & Shoppe offers opportunities to explore souvenirs, witness student craft demonstrations, and enjoy the onsite smoothie bar and enticing Candy Shoppe.

10. Berea Craft Festival

This annual event, occurring every July just east of downtown, underscores Berea’s stature as a center of excellence for handicrafts.

Featuring an evolving roster, the Berea Craft Festival showcases over 110 distinguished artists from across the United States (including participants from 15 different states at the time of writing).

In addition to displaying their works, many artists conduct demonstrations that provide remarkable insight into their creative processes, covering areas such as metalwork and pottery. Attendees can also enjoy delicious food, live music, and dance performances.

11. Berea Farmers’ Market

In contrast to many local farmers’ markets, the Berea Farmers’ Market runs year-round, relocating indoors at the Old Mitchell Tolle Building from November through March.

This market prides itself on being a growers-only venue, meaning that sellers are directly involved in the cultivation or creation of the items sold.

Consequently, shoppers gain insight into the origins of their food while also fostering connections with local farmers.

Patrons can find a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, as well as eggs, honey, herbs, plants, flowers, jams, spices, pastries, preserves, cheeses, homemade soaps, alpaca yarn, jewelry, and much more.

12. Spoonbread Festival

An emblematic Southern delicacy unique to Berea is spoonbread, a moist, cornmeal-based savory pudding so delicate that it is best consumed with a spoon.

Since 1997, Berea has celebrated this distinctive dish with a three-day annual festival, typically held in mid-September.

This event continues to expand each year and features a captivating array of contests, cooking demonstrations, tastings, vendors, engaging entertainment, and inflatables for children.

Notably, the highlight of the festival is the Hot Air Balloon Glow, which unfolds just after sunset on Friday evening.

13. The Spotlight Playhouse

Berea hosts a professional regional theater that offers over 200 performances each season.

With a varied lineup designed to appeal to a broad audience, the theater features musicals, comedies, mysteries, thrillers, adventure plays, children’s productions, and dinner theater experiences.

Recent classic productions have included Steel Magnolias, Arsenic and Old Lace, and Oklahoma!.

In its effort to promote performing arts for the entire community, the Spotlight Playhouse hosts “pay what you can” performances, allowing audience members to determine their admission prices. Moreover, a Spotlight Acting School provides education for children aged 4 to 18.

14. Public Art Tour

Berea’s artistic vibrancy has led to the establishment of a Public Art Tour, ensuring that visitors do not miss any highlights in Old Town Berea or the Berea College Campus.

This tour showcases 20 stops encompassing galleries, studios, and outdoor sculptures, including noteworthy sites mentioned earlier, such as the Kentucky Artisan Center, Old Town Artisan Village, Historic Boone Tavern Hotel & Restaurant, and College Square.

A unique location not previously mentioned is the Berea Arts Council building at 444 Chestnut St., which hosts exhibitions for local and regional artists, along with a wonderful gift shop.

15. Battlefield Park

Located ten minutes north of Berea is the site of the Battle of Richmond, a significant confrontation that took place on August 29–30, 1862. This battle was the first major engagement in the Civil War’s Kentucky Campaign and is recognized as one of the Confederacy’s most decisive victories.

Although much of the original battleground lies within the Blue Grass Army Depot today, a considerable portion is preserved at Battlefield Park, which centers around the historic Pleasant View (1824) residence, used as a hospital following the battle.

Visitors can follow over 2.5 miles of interpretive trails tracing key events from those two days, while the residence houses a museum.

For additional context, the Battle of Richmond Visitors Center and Museum is a short drive north at the 1811 Rogers House.