Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Hopkinsville, KY

This city, with a population exceeding 30,000, is nestled within fertile agricultural land near the Tennessee border in southwestern Kentucky.

A significant component of local life is the US Army base, Fort Campbell, established in 1941 and home to the 101st Airborne Division.

Once you acquire a pass, you can explore the Don F. Pratt Museum on the base, which provides fascinating insights into the 101st Airborne’s operations across Western Europe during World War II.

Hopkinsville boasts a revitalized downtown area, characterized by attractive architecture, museums, a variety of dining options, and a notable craft brewery. This vibrant environment serves as a backdrop for the Hoptown Summer Salute festival held in August.

Moreover, Hopkinsville is home to an esteemed distillery, the Casey Jones Distillery, which forms part of a cross-state trail with three locations in Kentucky and Tennessee.

1. Trail of Tears Commemorative Park and Heritage Center

Hopkinsville was along the Trail of Tears, the long-term enforced relocation of approximately 60,000 Native Americans from the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee (Creek), and Seminole tribes during the mid-19th century.

The Trail of Tears Commemorative Park and Heritage Center occupies a segment of the Cherokee campsite by the Little River. Importantly, it houses two verified gravesites along the trail, those of Chief White Path and Fly Smith.

There is a heritage center displaying artifacts, open from March through October, and the park hosts The Trail of Tears Intertribal Pow Wow, which occurs on the weekend following Labor Day. This event features native dance competitions, food, crafts, and much more.

2. Pennyroyal Area Museum

There are multiple attractions collectively known as the Museums of Hopkinsville. The most prominent of these is the Pennyroyal Area Museum, located in the former Post Office building dating to 1915.

Having relocated here in 1976, much of the original interior has been preserved. The museum recently underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation, highlighting notable local figures and significant events in the history of the Pennyrile region.

Visitors will connect with the rich African-American heritage, learn about the clairvoyant Edgar Cayce (1877-1945), and discover the narrative of the Black Patch Tobacco Wars at the turn of the 20th century. Additionally, there is an engaging exhibit dedicated to the nearby Fort Campbell Army Post.

3. Casey Jones Distillery

For an authentic Kentucky experience, consider visiting this distillery located a few minutes northwest of Hopkinsville.

Active from the 1930s through the 1960s, Alfred “Casey” Jones became renowned for constructing handmade “coffin” stills, aptly named for their square shape and portability.

A still, made by Casey Jones in 1967, remains in operation at this distillery, managed by his grandson, who produces moonshine following a prohibition-era Jones/Balentine recipe.

For an enriching experience, public tours of the distillery are available throughout the day without prior reservation, which can be accompanied by a tasting session to sample a variety of bourbons, moonshine, and barreled whiskeys.

4. Don F. Pratt Museum

The Fort Campbell Army Post, located on both sides of the Kentucky-Tennessee border, is by far the largest employer in the city.

For visitors, the base is certainly worth exploring, particularly the Don F. Pratt Museum, which is invaluable for those interested in the history of the 101st Airborne Division stationed here.

After acquiring a base pass at Gate 4 or 7, you can view an impressive collection of vehicles, weaponry, medals, field equipment, and other memorabilia spanning from WWII to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The 101st Airborne Division is prominently featured, with displays that include items belonging to high-ranking Nazi officials such as Hitler, Göring, and Julius Streicher, captured in Berchtesgaden in 1945.

5. Historic Downtown

Ensure you allocate ample time to explore all that downtown Hopkinsville has to offer.

Consider starting on 6th Street, where you will find a cluster of eateries and boutique shops specializing in antiques, clothing, and handcrafted gifts. The well-regarded Hopkinsville Brewing Company is located just one block to the north.

At the west end of 6th Street, adjacent to the courthouse, resides the Alhambra Theater, a 650-seat venue dating back to 1928, which serves as a vibrant center for performing arts in Hopkinsville.

As you continue south along Main Street, you will discover numerous additional local restaurants, coffee houses, and shops, alongside the site of the Hopkinsville-Christian County Downtown Farmers Market, which operates on Wednesdays and Saturdays from April through October.

6. Hoptown Summer Salute

This award-winning two-day event held in late August has succeeded Little River Days as Hopkinsville’s premier summer festival, drawing attendees from over 100 miles away.

Taking place downtown at Little River Park and 9th Street, the Summer Salute features live music, more than 100 food and craft vendors, carnival rides, and a plethora of activities for children.

Each year, a prominent headliner graces the stage on Saturday evening; the year preceding the writing of this article saw country star Travis Tritt perform.

7. Woody Winfree Fire-Transportation Museum

Part of the Museums of Hopkinsville, this collection of historic vehicles and firefighting equipment is located mere steps from the Pennyroyal Area Museum.

This attraction is housed in the former Hopkinsville Fire Station, built in 1905, providing a unique insight into the area’s transportation history.

Guests can view wagons, an authentic buggy, horse-drawn vehicles, and preserved gas pumps from the 1930s and 1940s.

Among notable exhibits are a Chevrolet Pumper fire truck (1927), a LaFrance Fire Truck (1928), a 1909 Model 10 Surrey, and a 1926 Model T Ford Touring Car.

The museum also honors Hopkinsville’s firefighters, retaining several original features from the old station, including a 22-foot brass pole and a corrugated concrete floor that provided traction for the station’s horses.

8. Hopkinsville Brewing Company

It is quite fitting that “Hoptown” should host a craft brewery in its downtown. In fact, Hopkinsville Brewing Company was the first craft brewery to open in the entire county, launching its operations in 2016.

This 2.5-barrel nanobrewery produces 88-gallon batches approximately every three weeks. Its success has led to an expansion into the adjoining building.

Visitors can stop by for a pint or a flight, and can leisurely enjoy the free Wi-Fi while ordering from one of the many restaurants in Hopkinsville’s Downtown Renaissance District.

Among the eight beers available on tap during our visit were a Witbier, an IPA, a Bourbon Porter, a Milk Stout, and a Fruit Sour.

9. Tie Breaker Family Aquatic Center

A splendid option for families during the summer vacation period is the Tie Breaker Family Aquatic Center, situated off the Hopkinsville Bypass in the southern part of the city.

Open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, this facility has been operational since 2007 and offers a multitude of attractions within a compact area.

These features include two twisting water slides, a lazy river, a leisure pool, and the delightful Splash Zone interactive playground, which boasts beach entry. A continuous line of lounge chairs and umbrellas provides ample shade amidst well-maintained landscaping.

10. Pennyroyal Scuba Blue Springs Resort

An old, 22-acre rock quarry located on the eastern side of Hopkinsville has been transformed into Kentucky’s exclusive full-service diving facility.

Diving down to depths of 130 feet, the spring-fed waters here offer outstanding visibility, making it suitable for divers of all experience levels, from novice to advanced.

In addition to abundant fish life, there are over 40 intriguing submerged objects, including sculptures and wrecks. The facility also includes a shop providing rentals, accommodation options, and a dive school.

11. Round Table Literary Park

Located at the Hopkinsville Community College campus in the northern part of the city, there exists an outdoor attraction established in the mid-1970s by members of the college’s literary magazine, The Round Table.

Marked with historical labels, visitors will find detailed reproductions of Arthurian scenes such as The Sword in the Stone and The Round Table, surrounded by 24 seats, each inscribed with the name of a knight corresponding to its designated location.

Other scenes introduced later include a Greco-Roman Amphitheatre constructed in 1989 and a faithful replica of the ruins of the Tholos of Delphi, completed in 1996.

12. Christian Way Farm & Mini Golf

Agritourism reaches new heights at this attraction, which combines a petting zoo, farm-themed activities, and mini-golf.

A delightful world of fun awaits young visitors, featuring activities such as lawnmower train rides, giant board games, a tricycle arena, a corn truck (similar to a giant sandbox), gaga ball, and a playground. In the fall, guests can also navigate a corn maze and visit a pumpkin patch.

The farm’s friendly animals serve as a significant attraction, and children can enjoy feeding them with corn that they may shell and grind themselves.

The mini-golf course receives special attention for its thoughtful design and picturesque views of the surrounding landscape.

Additionally, the farm features an impressive collection of historical equipment, while the onsite café and country store invite adults to linger a while longer.

13. Copper Canyon Ranch

The proprietors of this property, located just northeast of Hopkinsville, have dedicated years to the construction of a replica Old West town.

Copper Canyon Ranch features a boardwalk alongside a series of recreated buildings, including a Wells Fargo telegraph office, a log church, a saloon, a general store, a bank, a barbershop, and more.

These structures are adorned with period-appropriate props and furniture. Visitors can enjoy tours, and children can partake in pony rides. Seasonal events range from historical reenactments to haunted hayrides during Halloween.

14. Stateline Whiskey Tour

If the Casey Jones Distillery piqued your curiosity about the region’s distilling heritage, this destination can serve as the initial stop on a whiskey-themed tour straddling the Kentucky-Tennessee state line.

The Stateline Whiskey Tour includes two additional small-batch distilleries, both within a 30-mile radius.

The next stop is MB Roland Distillery in Pembroke, KY, a grain-to-glass distillery known for producing its line of products—from bourbon to Kentucky pink lemonade—by hand using white corn.

Following that, you will encounter the Old Glory Distilling Co. in Clarksville, TN, recognized for its premium Tennessee whiskey and bourbon. Each distillery narrates a unique story and offers a distinctive array of spirits for enthusiasts to sample. Touring all three locations also provides eligibility for a complimentary gift.

15. Jeffers Bend Recreation Area

This serene 40-acre expanse is located on the north fork of the Little River in the northeastern part of Hopkinsville. As you walk along its trails, you would be unaware that this site formerly housed the Hopkinsville Water Treatment Plant.

With nearly three miles of trails, the area also features a one-acre lake, a bird observatory, a welcome center, and environmental classrooms.

Outdoor visitors can enjoy charming butterfly, herb, and children’s gardens, the latter of which allows local children to plant and harvest their own vegetables.