Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Radcliff, Kentucky

Located southwest of Louisville, Radcliff is a quaint town in the scenic Knobs Region of north-central Kentucky. This region is steeped in military heritage, having served as a critical supply line for the Union Army during the Civil War.

In 1918, Fort Knox was established adjacent to Radcliff, which now houses the U.S. Army Cadet Command. Located next to the fort, the U.S. Bullion Depository is recognized as one of the most secure buildings globally and is often referred to by the fort’s name.

The fort offers an impressive museum dedicated to General George Patton, along with a variety of beautiful preserves and trails accessible to the public on Department of Defense property.

1. General George Patton Museum

The primary public attraction within Fort Knox is a museum that opened in 1949. It is dedicated to honoring General George S. Patton, Jr. (1885-1945), a figure renowned in global military history.

Visitors can view the world’s largest collection of artifacts related to Patton, spanning from his childhood through the conclusion of World War II.

The exhibits include his personal weaponry, touring vehicle, helmet, office van, medals, and various uniforms. Additionally, there is an extensive collection of photographs, complete with details of his career and notable quotations.

Until 2011, Fort Knox housed the U.S. Army Armor Center and the U.S. Army Armor School, and the museum continues to feature a remarkable display of tanks and other armored vehicles.

2. Saunders Springs Nature Preserve

This preserve, encompassing several cascading natural springs, offers a serene natural environment situated on steep, densely wooded land adjacent to Radcliff.

Saunders Springs Nature Preserve spans 26 acres and features many unique characteristics, starting with a collection of three preserved 19th-century log cabins at the entrance.

The area exhibits an elevation variance of 200 feet, resulting in diverse scenery and ecosystems. From 1920 to 1968, this site was where a water processing plant operated, drawing from the springs that now contribute to the site’s allure.

There are ten different trails totaling approximately three miles, equipped with interpretive signs that explain the historical significance of this remarkable location.

3. Fort Duffield Park & Historic Site

This location was significant as a supply route for the Union Army during the Civil War, utilized both by rail along the Louisville and Nashville Railroad and via the corresponding turnpike.

The Union Army constructed this fort in 1861 on elevated terrain adjacent to the Ohio River, situated outside West Point.

The fort, requiring approximately six weeks for construction, faced no adversarial challenges and had been vacated by the time of Confederate Morgan’s Raid across the Ohio River in the summer of 1863.

The earthworks of this star-shaped fort are exceptionally well-preserved, providing clear evidence of its strategic importance. A modest memorial featuring stone markers and a small granite monument honors the 61 soldiers who lost their lives while stationed at the fort.

4. U.S. Bullion Depository

When most individuals refer to “Fort Knox,” they are typically indicating the adjacent United States Bullion Depository, commonly known as the Gold Vault.

This illustrious fortified vault, recognized as one of the world’s most secure buildings, was constructed in 1938 to house the nation’s gold reserves; its robust security protocols have allowed it to temporarily safeguard numerous priceless objects.

Among these items are original copies of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, three original prints of the Gutenberg Bible, along with the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

Although tours are not available, there are viewing points accessible from the Fort Knox Welcome Center, along Bullion Blvd, and a portion of Dixie Blvd as one travels north.

5. Tioga Falls Hiking Trail

This trail, located on Department of Defense property but generally open to the public, stretches for two miles, leading visitors to an impressive waterfall.

The Tioga Falls Hiking Trail follows a historical wagon route and features intriguing remnants, such as vintage railroad trestles, before you reach the falls.

Encircled by a lush hardwood forest, the waterfall features five drops totaling over 130 feet in height. Be sure to check for signs indicating closure due to military training or hunting activities.

6. Bridges to the Past Walking Trail

This historically rich two-mile trail is located approximately eight miles north of the Fort Knox Main Gate on Louisville Nashville Turnpike.

It features a preserved section of the ​Louisville and Nashville (L&N) Turnpike, which was chartered by the Kentucky State Legislature in 1829 and completed in 1838.

This road served as a crucial thoroughfare through Kentucky in the 19th century, traversed by notable individuals including President Andrew Jackson and the famous Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind.

During the Civil War, the turnpike was a vital route for the Union Army, particularly in September 1862, when General Don Carlos Buell marched his Army of the Ohio toward Louisville to counter a potential Confederate assault.

As with the Tioga Falls Hiking Trail, this trail may be subject to abrupt closures.

7. Boundary Oak Distillery

Established in 2013, this distillery became the first legal liquor producer in Hardin County since the Prohibition era.

Boundary Oak Distillery utilizes limestone-filtered water from a historic natural spring that previously provided water to a 19th-century schoolhouse adjacent to the owner’s farm. This water serves as the initial ingredient for a variety of premium small-batch bourbon, amber whiskey, and moonshine.

Visitors are welcome to the distillery to learn about the family history of master distiller Brent Goodin, whose lineage is deeply intertwined with the bourbon industry for over 200 years.

Tours and tasting experiences, including an introductory film, are available daily and typically last around 45 minutes.

8. Red Hill Cutlery

A unique roadside attraction located near the intersection of Dixie Blvd and Joe Prather Hwy features the World’s Largest Pocket Knife, unveiled in 2020 in front of Red Hill Cutlery.

This establishment is Kentucky’s largest knife retailer and a haven for knife collectors. The displayed blade is entirely functional, weighing 6,200 pounds, measuring 17.5 feet in length, and includes a backspring and pins to maintain its position.

Inside Red Hill Cutlery, visitors can also explore the Kentucky Museum of American Pocket Knives, a complimentary and interactive exhibit showcasing an incredible array of blades, many dating back centuries.

9. Armor Unit Memorial Park

Situated on the grounds of the General George Patton Museum, this park commemorates the armor units that have served the United States from World War I to the present.

The importance of the Armor Unit Memorial Park is underscored by Fort Knox’s history as the home of the ​U.S. Army Armor Center and the U.S. Army Armor School for six decades until 2011.

The memorial park was dedicated in 1990 and features monuments honoring World War I tank corps, five cavalry and armor regiments, U.S. Army tank destroyers, 16 Armor Divisions (with 1811 Battalions), and 23 separate armor battalions.

10. Blazer’s Fun Zone

Located in the southern area of Radcliff, this classic family entertainment center offers a wide array of activities designed to engage children and young teenagers.

Within a climate-controlled environment, visitors can enjoy numerous inflatables suitable for younger children, as well as a cosmic roller skating rink, arcade (featuring over 40 games), laser tag, a safe bouldering space with a foam pit, and an inflatable axe-throwing range.

For dining options, the ​Blazer Bites Café provides shareable snacks such as buffalo wings, nachos, and cheese sticks, along with pizza, burgers, and a selection of sweet treats.

11. Fort Knox Water Park

This small aquatic center, open to the public, is situated behind Devers Middle School on Fort Knox. Operating from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, Fort Knox Water Park is an excellent option for families wishing to escape the summer heat.

The facility includes two slides, a zero-depth pool for toddlers and younger children, as well as a leisure pool featuring a lily pad bridge.

A snack shack is available for refreshments, but visitors are also permitted to bring their own lunch for a picnic in the shaded grassy areas surrounding the park.

12. Hardin County Schools Performing Arts Center (PAC)

Positioned approximately midway to Elizabethtown along N. Dixie Hwy, this exemplary performing arts facility enables students in the county to engage with the arts.

For both residents and visitors, the Hardin County Schools Performing Arts Center serves as a venue for professional and community theater productions, live music events, dance performances, musicals, children’s theater, workshops, and various cultural activities.

Notable performances from recent years include Annie, The Sound of Music, Young Frankenstein, The Little Mermaid, and regular events produced by Kentucky Shakespeare.

13. Lindsey Golf Course

The local public golf course, offering views of the U.S. Bullion Depository, has recently undergone renovations that included the planting of 240 new trees, installation of new bunkers, and enhancement of Bermuda tees, along with a newly constructed clubhouse featuring a grill and lounge with views of the first hole.

Set in a gently rolling landscape, Lindsey Golf Course boasts broad fairways that narrow at the end, necessitating both distance and accuracy from golfers.

Five sets of tees accommodate players ranging from beginners to competitive golfers. Caution is advised due to the presence of two large lakes, which serve as both hazards and sources for the course’s modern irrigation system.

14. Somewhere in Time Antique Mall

Housed within a spacious mid-century structure at 332 N Dixie Blvd, Somewhere in Time Antique Mall is a treasure trove for enthusiasts of antiques. Upon entering, visitors are often astonished by the expansive size of the establishment.

Within multiple booths, a vast assortment of items is available for purchase, ranging from china and furniture to vintage toys, kitchenware, timepieces, advertising signs, kerosene lamps, textiles, dolls, sports equipment, typewriters, sewing machines, musical instruments, books, vinyl records, and a plethora of additional treasures.

15. Kentucky September 11th Memorial

This memorial provides a poignant space for reflection, located in a corner of the Kentucky Veterans Memorial Cemetery Central at 2501 N Dixie Blvd.

Positioned on an elevated site with a valley view, the memorial features a salvaged section of steel beam from the World Trade Center, embodying a partial cross.

Beside it stands a section of limestone wall recovered from the Pentagon. These artifacts are accompanied by marble tablets that display engravings depicting ground zero and the names of Kentuckians who perished in the War on Terror.