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Kentucky-Fried Fun: The Best Places to Visit and Things to Do in London, KYGetting Around Florence

London is the Laurel County seat in south-eastern Kentucky, and it earns its keep outdoors. Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park and Laurel River Lake do most of the work. The town calls itself the Cycling Capital of Kentucky, and the World Chicken Festival is the thing it is actually known for.

Are you planning a trip to London, Kentucky and wondering what to do and where to go? Look no further. London, Kentucky is a charming town located in the southern part of the state, surrounded by beautiful natural scenery and rich history. Whether you’re a history buff, an outdoor enthusiast, or a foodie, London has something for everyone.

One of the best things to do in London, Kentucky is to explore the town’s rich history. Visit the Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park, which features a Mountain Life Museum showcasing replicas of the Kentucky pioneers’ homes. You can also take a stroll down Main Street, where you’ll find historic buildings and landmarks dating back to the 1800s. If you’re travelling with kids, be sure to check out the attractions for kids, such as the Fantasy Workshop Escape Rooms and the Air Raid Trampoline Park.

If you’re an outdoor lover, London, Kentucky has plenty of outdoor activities to offer. Go hiking or biking in the beautiful Daniel Boone National Forest, or take a relaxing stroll through the Whitley Branch Veterans Park. For those who love sports and recreation, London has a variety of options, including the London Country Club and Wildcat Harley-Davidson. And of course, no trip to London would be complete without trying some of the local food and dining options, including the famous Kentucky BBQ.

Key Takeaways

• London, Kentucky is a charming town with rich history and beautiful natural scenery.
• There are plenty of outdoor activities, attractions for kids, and local museums to explore.
• Be sure to try the local food and dining options, including the famous Kentucky BBQ.

History of London, Kentucky

So, you want to know about the history of London, Kentucky? Well, you’re in luck because this small town has a big story to tell.

London was founded in 1826 and named after the capital of England. No, not because the founders were British, but because they were hoping to attract wealthy English investors to the area. Unfortunately, that plan didn’t quite pan out.

During the Civil War, London was a strategic location for both the Union and Confederate armies. In fact, the town changed hands several times during the war. Today, you can still see evidence of the town’s Civil War history at the Camp Wildcat Battlefield and the Laurel County Historical Society.

London has several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the London Downtown Historic District, the Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park, and the London-Corbin Airport Terminal Building. So, if you’re a history buff, you’ll definitely want to check those out.

But let’s be honest, you’re probably not here to read a boring history lesson. You want to know about the fun stuff, right? Well, don’t worry, London has plenty of that too. From hiking and biking to shopping and dining, there’s something for everyone in this charming Kentucky town. So, let’s get to it.

Outdoor Activities

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, London, Kentucky is the perfect place for you. With its abundance of parks, lakes, and hiking trails, you’ll never run out of things to do. Here are some of the best outdoor activities you can enjoy in London, Kentucky.

Hiking and Biking

London, Kentucky is known as the “Cycling Capital of Kentucky,” and the trail network is why. The Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park has over 600 miles of trails built for biking, which is more riding than most people manage in a weekend. Hikers are not an afterthought here either. The Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail spans over 300 miles and passes straight through London, Kentucky.

Fishing and Boating

Laurel River Lake is the fishing. It sits a few miles from London, Kentucky, and it holds bass, crappie and enough else to keep a slow morning interesting. Boating works here for the same reason the fishing does: the water is big enough to spread people out.

Camping

For a night under the stars, London, Kentucky gives you a choice rather than a default. The Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park takes tents and RVs alike. The Laurel River Lake campground is the other option, with both primitive and RV sites, and which one suits depends on whether you came for the trails or the water.

Parks and Trails

The parks do a lot of work in London, Kentucky. The Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park carries hiking trails, a playground, a picnic area and a museum, so it absorbs a whole afternoon without anyone having to drive between things. The Wood Creek Lake Wildlife Management Area is the quieter alternative, with walking trails and enough birdlife that people come specifically for it.

Hiking, biking, fishing or camping: the outdoor list in London, Kentucky is longer than the town’s size suggests. Pack for weather rather than for occasion.

Attractions for Kids

If you’re looking for some fun things to do with your kids in London, Kentucky, you’re in luck. There are plenty of attractions that will keep your little ones entertained for hours. Here are two of the best places to visit with your kids:

Air Raid Trampoline Park

Children jump. That is the entire proposition at Air Raid Trampoline Park, and it is honest about it. The indoor park runs dodgeball courts and foam pits, which makes it the reliable answer to a wet afternoon.

Finley’s Fun Center

Finley’s Fun Center is the one where the adults are allowed to join in. The family entertainment center runs laser tag, mini-golf and go-karts, which covers a wide enough age range that nobody has to sit and watch.

Whichever you pick, bring snacks and water. Earplugs are a personal decision.

Local Museums

If you’re a history buff, London, Kentucky has got you covered with its two local museums. They may not be the biggest or most famous museums in the world, but they’re definitely worth a visit.

Mountain Life Museum

The Mountain Life Museum is small and specific, which is its strength. It shows how early settlers in the Appalachian Mountains lived, worked and got through winters in a place that did not make it easy. A short visit explains more about the region than a drive through it.

The reconstructed log cabin is the part people remember. You see how a family fitted a whole life into a small, cramped space, and where they cooked, slept and worked in it. The scale is the point.

Laurel County History Museum

The Laurel County History Museum takes the county rather than the region, and covers it from the early settlers forward. The collection is artifacts and exhibits rather than interpretation, which suits anyone who would rather look than be told.

The Civil War exhibit is the strongest room. You see artifacts from the war and learn what part Laurel County played in it, which is more than most county museums attempt.

Between them the two museums cover London, Kentucky and the country around it. An hour in each is enough, and the pair works better than either alone.

Shopping and Flea Markets

Looking for a unique shopping experience? Look no further than the shopping and flea markets in London, Kentucky. Whether you’re looking for antiques, collectibles, or just some good old-fashioned bargains, you’re sure to find something that catches your eye.

Kentucky is known for its love of antiques, and London is no exception. Head to Hazel, the “Antiques Capital of Kentucky,” and explore more than 10 unique stores with countless incredible finds. From large antique malls to hole-in-the-wall shops, look closely: you might just discover a museum-quality piece.

But if antiques aren’t your thing, don’t worry. London has plenty of other shopping options to choose from. Check out the local boutiques, craft, and specialty shops for handmade treasures and unique gifts.

And of course, no shopping trip to London would be complete without a visit to one of the many flea markets. Whether you’re looking for vintage clothing, handmade crafts, or just some good old-fashioned junk, you’re sure to find it at one of London’s flea markets.

One of the most popular flea markets in Kentucky is the Derby Flea Market, located close to Churchill Downs. With free admission, free parking, and 600 indoor and 100 outdoor vendor spaces, you’re sure to find something you just have to have.

So grab your wallet and get ready to shop ’til you drop in London, Kentucky.

Almost everything on this list sits within a short drive of one of two anchors. Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park holds the trails, the campsites, the museum and the treetop course. Laurel River Lake takes the fishing and the boating. The rest is town: two county museums, a dragway, a golf course, and a festival calendar that peaks with chicken in September.

Sports and Recreation

If you’re looking for some fun and excitement, London, Kentucky has got you covered. From golf courses to drag racing, there’s something for everyone.

London Country Club

The London Country Club is 18 holes over rolling hills, and the views are the reason to play it rather than the course. A round here is a slow way to spend a day, which is usually the intention.

London Dragway

The London Dragway runs a quarter-mile track and a calendar of events through the year. It is loud, it is regional, and it is the closest thing London has to a spectacle outside festival week.

Golf or drag racing, London, Kentucky covers both. They are about as far apart as two afternoons get.

Food and Dining

When it comes to food and dining in London, Kentucky, you won’t be disappointed. From classic American fast food to authentic international cuisine, there’s something for everyone. Here are a few places you should definitely check out:

Mama Rosa’s

Mama Rosa’s is where the Italian food is. The menu runs to spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna and chicken parmesan, but the pizza is what people actually turn up for, with a range of toppings and crust options. Then there is the “Big Mama”, which is 30 inches across and is less a pizza than a dare.

Sabor Latino

For a taste of Latin America, head to Sabor Latino. This family-owned restaurant serves up authentic dishes from countries like Mexico, El Salvador, and Honduras. Start off with some chips and salsa, then move on to a hearty plate of fajitas or a traditional pupusa. And don’t forget to try their homemade horchata – it’s a sweet and refreshing drink made with rice, milk, and cinnamon.

No matter where you choose to dine in London, Kentucky, you’re sure to find something delicious. Whether you’re in the mood for fast food or a sit-down meal, there’s a restaurant that will satisfy your cravings. So go ahead, indulge a little – you deserve it.

Festivals and Events

London, Kentucky may not be the first place you think of when it comes to festivals and events, but trust us, they know how to throw a party. Here are some of the best festivals and events you won’t want to miss:

World Chicken Festival

Yes, you read that right. The World Chicken Festival celebrates everything chicken and takes place every September, with chicken-themed activities, food and a parade. The centrepiece is the world’s largest skillet, which cooks up to 600 chicken quarters at once. A town that commits to a bird this thoroughly deserves the visit.

Christmas in London

Christmas in London turns the town square into a winter wonderland: a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, carriage rides and visits with Santa. The Christmas market handles the gifts and the treats. A small-town Christmas either works on you or it does not, and this one is doing it sincerely.

Other Festivals and Events

London also runs festivals through the rest of the year, from the Laurel County Homecoming Festival to the London Downtown Farmer’s Market. The table below has the detail.

Festival/Event	Date	Details
Laurel County Homecoming Festival	June	Live music, carnival rides, and food vendors
London Downtown Farmer’s Market	May-October	Fresh produce, baked goods, and handmade crafts
Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park Mountain Life Festival	September	Pioneer demonstrations, live music, and food vendors
London-Laurel County Wellness Park 5K Run/Walk	October	A scenic run/walk through the park
London-Laurel County Christmas Parade	December	A festive parade through downtown London

Whenever you come to London, Kentucky, something is usually on. The chicken hat is optional.

Unique London, Kentucky Experiences

If you’re looking for unique experiences in London, Kentucky, you won’t be disappointed. From exploring KFC memorabilia to escaping from a fantasy world, London has it all. Here are some of the most unique experiences you can have in London, Kentucky.

Sanders Cafe and Museum

London, Kentucky sits at the edge of the Kentucky Fried Chicken story rather than at its centre. Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of KFC, was born in Henryville, Indiana, and it was in Corbin, Kentucky that he opened his first restaurant. The Sanders Cafe and Museum in Corbin is where that history lives, down to the Colonel’s white suit and his personal items among the memorabilia.

Treetop Adventure

The Treetop Adventure at Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park runs ziplines and rope bridges through the canopy. You see the park from an angle the trails do not offer, which is the whole argument for doing it.

Fantasy Workshop Escape Rooms

The Fantasy Workshop Escape Rooms in London give each room its own theme, from a pirate ship to a medieval castle, with puzzles and clues to work through before you get out. They are built to be difficult without being unfair, which is the balance most escape rooms miss. Bring people you can think out loud with.

London, Kentucky is not a big city and does not pretend otherwise. What it has is a state park doing the work of five attractions, two county museums, and a festival about chicken.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you escape the escape rooms in London, KY?

Yes, with a team and some patience. London, KY runs escape rooms that hold up against the ones in bigger markets, and the puzzles reward working together rather than working fast.

Where can I find the best grub in London, KY?

London, KY feeds you better than the population would predict. The Old Town Grill covers classic Southern fare, Giovanni’s Pizza handles the evenings when nobody wants to cook, and Casa Grande is the Mexican option. Between the three, most appetites are answered.

What are some quirky facts about London, KY?

London, KY is home to the World Chicken Festival, held every September, and people travel a long way for a festival about a bird. Fans of “Coal Miner’s Daughter” will want to know that Loretta Lynn’s childhood home stands in Butcher Hollow, a short drive away. And the Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park covers the pioneers who travelled through here in the 1700s.

Frequently asked questions about London, Kentucky

Why is London, Kentucky called the Cycling Capital of Kentucky, and where are the trails?

For the trail network rather than for road racing. The riding is concentrated around Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park, which is also where most of the hiking, camping and the treetop course sit. It makes the park the single most useful thing to plan a day around.

Is the World Chicken Festival in London, Kentucky worth planning around?

If you are coming in September, it is the busiest the town gets all year. There are chicken-themed activities, food and a parade. Outside that week London is quiet, which suits the parks better anyway.

What is at Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park?

More than any other single site in London. Hiking and biking trails, campsites for tents and RVs, a playground, a picnic area, a museum and the Treetop Adventure zipline course all sit inside the same park. It is the reason most visitors come.

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