Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Danville, KY

Summary:

On the Wilderness Road that facilitated the arrival of pioneers and early settlers into Central Kentucky, the quaint town of Danville is recognized as the birthplace of Kentucky statehood.

Previously referred to as Crow’s Station, Danville evolved into a hub of political activity. At Constitution Square downtown, one can visit the precise location where the first Kentucky constitution was drafted between 1785 and 1792.

Home to Centre College, Danville is an energetic locale, rich in history and colorful annual events, all supported by a vibrant cultural atmosphere.

The town is situated on several long-distance trails and tourist routes, such as the Lincoln Heritage National Scenic Byway, featuring diverse themes, including bourbon, the Civil War, religious history, and the life of Abraham Lincoln.

1. Constitution Square Historic Site

At this three-acre park located in downtown Danville, visitors can explore the site where the first Kentucky constitution was composed and endorsed.

Crow’s Station historically served as the location for the Supreme Court for the District of Kentucky, constructed in 1785 and utilized until Kentucky achieved statehood in 1792.

This site eventually fell into neglect but was transformed into a state park in 1937 (now a county park) and is adorned with historical markers, monuments, and reconstructed period structures, such as the log cabin courthouse, meetinghouse, jail, and stocks.

One noteworthy structure is the original post office, recognized as the first west of the Allegheny Mountains, built prior to 1792.

A defining contemporary feature is the Governor’s Circle on the west side, honoring each Governor of Kentucky, particularly Isaac Shelby (1750-1826), who served as both the first and fifth governor.

2. Downtown Danville

Numerous attractions listed here are located in, or within a short walking distance from, downtown Danville, which is centered at the intersection of Main St and 3rd St.

This district, filled with independent businesses, is best explored on foot to fully appreciate its charming painted storefronts and numerous distinguished landmarks.

A particular highlight is the Boyle County Courthouse (1862), designed in Renaissance Revival style, which served as a hospital following the Battle of Perryville, which took place just months after the completion of the building.

Downtown Danville also boasts an expanding array of enticing local shops offering antiques, toys, bicycle gear, gifts, jewelry, tea, and more, along with a diverse food and drink scene featuring a delicatessen, coffee shop, bakeries, pizza, Southern cuisine, and modern dining options.

3. Pioneer Playhouse

Kentucky’s oldest outdoor theater is located here, with notable alumni such as Jim Varney, Lee Majors, and John Travolta.

Since its inception in 1950, the Pioneer Playhouse has been a staple of theatrical performance in the Bluegrass region, founded by Danville native Eben Charles Henson (1923-2004), who sought to pursue a theatrical career in Manhattan following World War II.

Though his plans were interrupted due to family obligations, Henson’s creativity led him to establish a local theater closer to home.

The Pioneer Playhouse is historical in its own right, constructed with 200-year-old beams from a nearby livery stable and timber from the historic Centre College and Kentucky School for the Deaf.

The box office also possesses a unique history as it was built by MGM for the film Raintree County (1957), starring Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift, filmed in Danville and later repurposed by Henson.

The Playhouse typically presents five plays each season, performed outdoors, with indoor accommodation available on rainy nights.

4. Jacobs Hall, Kentucky School for the Deaf

Founded in 1823, the Kentucky School for the Deaf serves elementary and high school education for children with hearing impairments.

At the time of its establishment, it was the first institution of its kind west of the Allegheny Mountains. One of the key advocates for its founding was General Elias Barbee (1763-1843), a state senator whose daughter was deaf.

The oldest building on campus is Jacobs Hall (1857), designed in the Italianate style, currently housing the superintendent’s office, residence, and a museum.

The museum is open weekdays and highlights the history of this institution, reconstructing a classroom and student dormitory from the mid-19th century.

5. McDowell House Museum

Opposite Constitution Square is the preserved Federal-style residence of the pioneering surgeon Ephraim McDowell (1771-1830).

The house was developed in stages, beginning in 1795 and acquired by McDowell in 1802, after which he added the present clapboard façade and a small office adjacent to the back porch.

In 1809, a significant medical milestone was achieved here when McDowell conducted the world’s first documented successful removal of an ovarian cyst weighing 22 pounds.

This operation was performed without anesthesia or antiseptic, yet the patient, Mrs. Jane Crawford, survived for another 32 years.

During a tour, visitors can learn more about McDowell’s contributions to medicine and admire the meticulously restored home and pharmacy, adorned with period furniture and medical antiques.

6. Art Center of the Bluegrass

Adjacent to Boyle County Courthouse is Danville’s distinguished former post office, built in 1909. Since 2005, it has served as a vibrant center for community art engagement, showcasing the considerable artistic talent within the Danville area.

The Art Center features a rotating series of exhibits throughout the year, spotlighting the work of local, regional, and national artists.

Recent exhibitions have focused on Kentucky’s Appalachian art and culture, contemporary abstract art, and quiltmaking, alongside solo exhibitions for artists such as Wayne Daugherty, Sarah Wiltsee, and David Ray Farmer.

In August, visitors can attend the annual exhibition for the Plein Air Artists of Central Kentucky, while regular juried exhibitions are held, showcasing various themes from still life to landscapes.

The center also provides a range of arts education programs, offering classes for all ages, open studios, workshops, and lunchtime lectures.

7. Norton Center for the Arts

Established in 1973, the Norton Center for the Arts encompasses 85,000 square feet on the eastern edge of Centre College’s campus, conveniently located within walking distance of downtown Danville.

The facility houses the 1,476-seat Newlin Hall and the more intimate 367-seat Weisiger Theatre.

The Norton Center has hosted numerous acclaimed touring music acts, including Dolly Parton, Alison Krauss & Union Station, ZZ Top, Yo-Yo Ma, and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as international dance and theater troupes and touring Broadway productions.

Additionally, it served as the venue for the Vice Presidential Debates in both the 2012 (Biden vs. Ryan) and 2020 (Pence vs. Harris) elections.

8. Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site

Located approximately ten miles west of Danville, the site of Kentucky’s largest Civil War battle is worth the short drive. The Battle of Perryville (October 8, 1862) is recognized as one of the bloodiest battles of the war.

After significant casualties on both sides, the battle concluded in a pyrrhic Confederate victory, as Braxton Bragg’s Army of Mississippi retreated to Tennessee soon thereafter, ensuring Kentucky remained in Union control for the rest of the conflict.

Largely preserved, the battlefield spans 890 acres, with significant events marked by interpretive signs, cannons, and other monuments.

Visitors can embark on a three-mile driving tour of the battlefield or choose to experience a memorable hike along 19 miles of interpretive trails.

The museum and visitor center is situated near the original burial site of many Confederate soldiers, offering an in-depth account of the battle through graphics, photographs, firsthand accounts, military uniforms, weapons, and various artifacts.

9. The Great American Dollhouse Museum

Located just north of the Centre College campus, this museum chronicles American social history through an impressive collection of dollhouse miniatures.

Featuring over 200 dollhouses in pristine condition, the exhibits showcase a remarkable level of detail and craftsmanship.

The collection provides a comprehensive chronology of the United States, starting with pre-colonial Native Americans through the Colonial period, Old West, early Southwest, and modern times.

One fascinating display depicts a complete early 20th-century town in miniature, organized into industry, residential, and commercial districts, including a Shaker village on its outskirts.

A whimsical section offers a magical woodland fantasy inhabited by trolls, witches, and elves, complete with a walk-in dragon cave.

10. The Great American Brass Band Festival

Each June, downtown Danville and the Centre College campus welcome tens of thousands of visitors for the four-day Great American Brass Band Festival.

This vibrant event features an array of brass band performances, a parade along Main Street, a hot air balloon race, picnics, a 5K run, and countless additional activities, having delighted attendees for over 30 years and attracting performers from across the nation and beyond.

The highlights occur on Friday, with the New Orleans-style Bayou and Brass party on the courthouse lawn, and Saturday, which kicks off with a parade and features non-stop entertainment until 11 PM.

11. Wilderness Trail Distillery

This family-operated bourbon distillery, established southwest of Danville in 2012, is founded by two fermentation experts who possess decades of experience in alcohol production.

Wilderness Trail Distillery takes pride in its locally-sourced grains, distinct sweet mash process, low-barrel entry proof, and avoidance of chill filtration, which is believed to limit flavor.

If you are intrigued by the science of bourbon distillation, tours are available Tuesday through Sunday, offering insights into the distillery’s operations and the various processes that distinguish Wilderness Trail’s bourbons.

12. Hemp Highway

Historically, before tobacco became the prominent crop, hemp was the primary agricultural product of the Bluegrass Region, producing more than 90% of the US yield in 1889.

Following its prohibition during the War on Drugs, industrial hemp cultivation has experienced a revival in the past decade, buoyed by the Agricultural Act of 2014.

Currently, hemp is cultivated in 73 of Kentucky’s 120 counties, with Danville recognized as the cradle of this industry.

A historical marker on the lawn of Boyle County Courthouse commemorates the site of Kentucky’s first documented hemp crop in 1775.

This location can serve as the initial point for a free self-guided tour throughout the Bluegrass Region, allowing visitors to leave the interstate and explore scenic backroads adorned with rolling green hills and rustic stone fences.

In total, there are 14 historical markers, each narrating a unique aspect of Kentucky’s hemp history.

13. Millennium Park

Millennium Park, Danville’s premier public park, is located just a minute or two northwest of downtown and is a beloved destination for relaxation and outdoor activities.

The park features over 3.5 miles of trails, including a two-mile perimeter loop, ideal for a leisurely 30-minute walk or jog.

At the park’s center lies a pond, fed by a small creek that eventually flows into the Dix River, located a few miles north of Danville.

The pond is inhabited by ducks and various waterfowl, and healthy duck feed is readily available. Additional amenities include several baseball fields, picnic shelters, basketball courts, a soccer complex, a skate park, a dog park, and children’s playgrounds.

14. Boyle County Farmers’ Market

Historic Constitution Square is an ideal venue for a farmers’ market, held every Saturday morning from April through October.

Shopping in this historical setting allows visitors to procure seasonal and locally-sourced produce and ingredients, while also supporting local enterprises and gaining insight into food origins.

A typical Saturday offers an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, grass-fed meats, plants, flowers, baked goods, freshly roasted coffee, honey, jams, jellies, sauces, handmade crafts, organic soaps and balms, along with a variety of prepared foods. Live music is often part of the vibrant atmosphere.

15. Lincoln Heritage National Scenic Byway

A visit to the Visitor Center at Constitution Square offers an opportunity to obtain a map for this 70+ mile National Scenic Byway that traverses the Knobs of Central Kentucky.

Constitution Square marks the eastern terminus of this corridor, which highlights historical sites along U.S. 31 east and U.S. 150 as far as Hodgenville, the birthplace of Lincoln in 1809.

These locations are unified by themes encompassing Abraham Lincoln’s legacy, religious heritage, bourbon, and the history of the Civil War.

The route features eight distilleries, in addition to the Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site and the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani, the oldest Trappist Monastery in the United States.