If you are touring or looking for a new home, Ashland, which is a small town in Kentucky, should be on your list of places to try.
The Town of Ashland is famous for its unique culture in Kentucky. The Town is home to different historic sites, including the 19th-century Gothic Revival castle known as Linden Grove.
Ashland is a Southern town and the largest in Boyd County, KY Ashland is part of the Tri-state Area, having a cross-over to West Virginia and Ohio.
Ashland has a bulky list of things to do and historical places to visit that it is possible to live there and not explore all the beautiful things the city has to offer.
Some amenities include beautiful parks, charming shops, strolls on the able street, arts, restaurants, and historical sites.
Ashland offers a comfortable life for its residents and tourists. If you love art and culture, you should consider visiting Ashland, KY.
Travelers visit Kentucky for the sole aim of relaxation and learning about the history of the state.
Ashland, KY, is home to many festivals, cultural events, and museums.
If you find yourself in Ashland, KY, this list will guide you to explore the beautiful city.
Things to Do in Ashland, KY
1. Learn Ashland History at Highlands Museum & Discovery Center
Credit: HighlandsMuseum&DiscoveryCenter / Facebook
If you are interested in learning the history of Ashland, KY, Highlands Museum & Discovery Center should be the first on your list of things to do in Kentucky.
Highlands Museum & Discovery Center offers a collection of local history and artifacts, several interactive exhibits, classes, tours, and events.
Highlands Museum & Discovery Center holds many rich history and culture of Ashland, Kentucky, to keep you and your family entertained.
Some of Highlands Museum & Discovery Center exhibits include local aviation history, century-old medical artifacts, Morehead State University, Discovery Cavern, a local underground chamber, and a section on aerospace and satellite.
Highlands Museum & Discovery Center contains a unique hall for the area’s rich country music with stars like Billy Ray Cyrus and The Judds.
The museum hopes to preserve the area’s culture through art exhibits and cultural histories.
Take your family to Highlands Museum & Discovery Center and let your kids play different educational games. You can explore Science at Highlands Museum & Discovery Center while your kids enjoy other games.
Highlands Museum & Discovery Center is a total package for the entire family. Plan a visit to this Museum if you are intrigued by culture and educational activities.
Location: 1620 Winchester Ave, Ashland, KY 41101, United States
2. Go Hiking at Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area
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Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area covers over 143 acres across the river in Ohio. The area surrounds itself with steep wooded hills.
The recreational area is home to boating, hiking, fishing, and water sports.
Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area has the most interesting geological sites in the eastern United States, with fantastic picnic areas where you and your family can sit and relax.
The recreational area has fantastic views and gorgeous hiking trails surrounding the lake.
Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area offers a beach and swim area on the lake with two family campgrounds on the shore.
The recreational area also offers fishing activities on the lake. Bring fishing poles or rent boats for a better opportunity to catch fish.
Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area is open on weekdays and weekends with easy access.
Location: 6518 OH-93, Pedro, OH 45659, United States
3. Have Family Picnics at the Central Park
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Ashland Central Park is the main attraction of the city of Ashland, KY, and a fantastic place to enjoy outdoor entertainment.
Central Park is a 47-acre asset with hardwood trees and ornamental ponds.
Central park is famous for different soccer games and outdoor activities. The park is an attraction to Tourists because of its gorgeous scenery.
The Park is perfect for family picnics because of its serene setting. Central Park offers dog parks, baseball fields, exercise paths, and horse racing tracks.
Central Park has many historical curiosities, like the relocated log home of Ashland’s founding Poage family and the set of six burial mounds left by the prehistoric Adena culture.
Central Park is home to many recreational and family-friendly activities. Other activities you can engage in Central Park include golf, running and dog walking, and picnics.
The park is open on weekdays and weekends.
Location: Ashland, KY 41101, United States
4. Watch Live Performances at Paramount Arts Center
Credit: ParamountArtsCenter / Facebook
If you are an art lover touring the city of Ashland, KY, Paramount Arts Center is one of the best places to visit.
Paramount Arts Center is a performing arts center that showcases the best local and international artists.
The art center uses original fixtures from 1931 and finds itself on the National Register of Historic places.
Paramount Arts Center is an essential part of Ashland culture, with theatre stages for live performances, music, and other cultural performances.
Take your family to Paramount Arts Center to see one of their notable performances.
Paramount Arts Center hosts concerts with different genres of dance and music and plays like Broadway, ballet, drama, and performances by the hosts.
The performing arts center is famous for hosting the music video of “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus. Tourists appreciate the center because of its exterior and interior designs.
Location: 1300 Winchester Ave, Ashland, KY 41101, United States
5. Buy Artwork Frames at Aladdin’s Art Gallery
Credit: Aladdin’sArtGallery / Facebook
Aladdin’s Art Gallery is in the historic downtown area of Ashland, KY. The shop is a boutique and gallery specializing in gifts and art framing.
If you are an artist, an art lover, or looking for where to shop for gift items, Aladdin’s Art Gallery is the perfect place.
Aladdin’s Art Gallery sells decorative signs, artwork frames, paintings, photos, and decorations.
The art gallery supplies beautiful ornaments and a store where you can frame private artworks.
The frames in Aladdin’s Art Gallery come in different sizes and designs unique to each other.
Aladdin’s Art Gallery offers reasonable prices for its frameworks. The gallery displays Ashlands culture at its best.
The art gallery is a family-run company where people prefer shopping for presents and art. The gallery is open on weekdays and weekends.
Location: 728 13th St, Ashland, KY 41101, United States
6. Shop at Ashland Town Center
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Ashland Town Center is all about shopping to the fullest.
With over 70 stores, food courts, and Cinemark Movies 10, Ashland Town Center is the perfect place for a family night out or date night with your partner.
Some food choices you can find here include Charley’s Cheesesteaks, China Max, and Sbarro.
Ashland Town Center offers a comprehensive shopping area with various designers to small local boutiques. You can buy from Victoria’s Secret, American Eagle Outfitters, JCPenney, TJ Maxx, rue21, Kay Jewelers, GameStop, Claire’s, and many others.
The Town Center has other small stores and businesses, including ice cream stands, custom t-shirt printing, jewelry pieces, salons, and other smaller brands.
Location: 500 Winchester Ave Ste 136, Ashland, KY 41101, United States
7. Take Horse Riding Lessons at the Black Horse Farm
Credit: TheBlackHorseFarmRushKY / Facebook
If you have that wedding dream of getting married in a small, cultural, and outdoor space, Black Horse Farm is just the perfect location for you.
One of the most famous places that host different weddings and parties in Ashland, Kentucky, is the Black Horse Farm.
Black Horse Farm is a horse farm with multiple barns for indoor ceremonies to large receptions.
Black Horse Farm provides horse riding trails with over 40 pasture land. If you don’t know how to ride horses, plan a visit to visit Black Horse Farm and take horseback riding lessons.
You can book one of the indoor barns for parties as it is one of the biggest venues for outdoor activities in the region.
Location: 18517 State Route 854, Rush, KY 41168, United States
8. Explore Camayo Arcade
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The breathtaking Camayo Arcade is one of the listed historic places on the National Register of Historical places in Ashland.
Camayo Arcade is rich in history and beautiful architecture.
Camayo Arcade is the first indoor mall in Kentucky. The mall finds itself in an old department store filled with local businesses.
The tourist attractions in Camayo Arcade include the colorful lighting, terrazzo flooring, vaulting of the stucco ceiling, and art deco guard rails.
The Camayo Arcade is not a game arcade; it is a historical landmark in downtown Ashland.
Camayo Arcade offers various offices, service businesses, and fast food at the entrance.
Plan a visit to Camayo Arcade and explore this historical landmark for yourself in Ashland, KY.
Location: 1530 Winchester Ave, Ashland, KY 41101, United States
9. Have fun at Camden Park
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One of the best amusement parks to visit in Ashland, KY, is Camden Park.
The amusement park offers different rides, roller coasters, and games. Camden’s Park has been famous for its vintage rides since 1993.
There are games for all ages and thrill levels. The park is always open on weekends and weekdays for
During your visit to Camden Park, you can take to the sky on the Rattler, ride through the Haunted House, stroll through the winding river of rocks to keep you on your toes, test your mettle with a classic carousel ride, or on the brand-new Log Flume.
Camden Park is an excellent place to spend time with family and friends.
Location: 5000 Waverly Rd, Huntington, WV 25704, United States
10. Skate at Garden Roller Rinks
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If you are looking for other unique places you can try new things, spend a day skating at Garden Roller Rinks.
Garden Roller Rinks is more than a skating rink; it also provides private rooms for rent.
The roller skating rink is a tourist attraction with four cornered mirrors, disco lighting, and beautiful designs.
Garden Roller Rinks contains eateries that serve delicious foods and drinks.
Rooms are available to rent for parties, gatherings, or meetings.
Garden Roller Rinks is family-friendly, one of the best considerations for family reunions.
Garden Roller Rinks is open on weekdays and weekends.
Location: 5656 US-60, Ashland, KY 41102, United States
11. Watch professional Tennis at Ashland Tennis Center
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If the parks, the malls, and the art galleries do not interest you, and you’re a sports lover, Ashland Tennis Center should be one of the first places you visit in Ashland, Kentucky.
Ashland Tennis Center has various amenities, making this place a perfect location for hosting several leagues and tournaments throughout the year.
Players compete against each other in the Tennis Center. The Center hosts camps where they teach fundamentals of the game of tennis.
If you’re new to the game of tennis, plan to attend one of the camps and use the opportunity to learn the basics of the game.
If you can’t make it to the camps, you can book private lessons or check their well-stocked pro shops for tennis materials to help you learn.
The Tennis Center also has competitive tennis programs for all ages. With all-year-round tennis on four indoor and eleven outdoor courts, there’s no reason why Ashland Tennis Center should not be on your list of things to do in Ashland, KY.
Ashland Tennis Center is a good location for family indoor and outdoor fun nights.
Location: 1300 Oakview Rd, Ashland, KY 41101, United States
12. Enjoy different rides at Malibu Jack’s
Credit: MalibuJack’sAshland / Facebook
Different parks in Ashland, KY, have unique features ranging from rides to other games for all ages.
Malibu Jack’s is a fast-rising park in Ashland, KY, because of its rides, games, and many tourist attractions.
Malibu Jack’s is an indoor-themed park with everything you can imagine in a garden. The park is Family friendly and a tourist attraction.
Take your kids to this park and celebrate their birthdays, or even your spouse to celebrate wedding anniversaries.
Malibu Jack’s can serve as a great family day out. Whether on a sunny, rainy, or snowy day outside, you can keep up the fun at the indoor park.
Malibu Jack’s has over 20 rides, karting tracks, indoor playgrounds for kids, inflatables, a 16-lane bowling alley, an arcade, 18 holes of miniature golf, and a laser tag arena.
With free entries, Malibu Jack’s is one of the best places you can visit in Ashland, Kentucky.
The park offers mini eateries for snacks, candies, ice cream, and other dishes to keep you away from hunger.
Location: 10699 US-60 Suite-102, Ashland, KY 41102, United States
13. Solve Difficult Puzzles at the Tri-state Escape
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If you’re always wondering what it would be like if video games were real and you were to play them in reality, then a visit to the Tri-state Escape should be on your list.
Although very new, Tri-state Escape is now a big hit in Ashland.
The escape game comprises different groups locked in a room with fun puzzles, locks, codes, and clues to help you escape to the next room.
If you are looking for something new to try and you love fun puzzles and mysteries, take your friends to Tri-state Escape and experience team-building exercises.
Tri-state Escape offers six challenging Ros for all skill levels. For beginners, you can choose the superficial level, but if you love challenges, you can try the most complex room and check your ability to unlock complicated codes.
Tri-state Escape Ashland is the largest escape room in eastern Kentucky.
If it is your first time, you get the chance to try puzzles using logic, teamwork, and strategic thinking to solve them and Escape.
Tri-state Escape is open on weekdays and weekends with unique themes for you to try.
Location: 1327 Winchester Ave, Ashland, KY 41101, United States
14. Watch the sunset at the Port of Ashland
Credit: PortofAshland / Facebook
The Port of Ashland is a historical landmark in Ashland, KY.
The Port attracts visitors who want to sit back and enjoy amazing views of the overlooks of Kentucky.
When visiting the Port of Ashland, I’ll advise you to go with fishing equipment like your fishing rods and nets as it is trendy in the port.
Take your family to the Port of Ashland and organize a big family picnic, as it is one of the best things to do in this port. Although very old, the pot is a sedate place with plenty of activities, including boat tours, river cruises, and fireworks.
With plenty of seats and tables, you can sit and enjoy the scenic environment, read a book or even stay a while and wait to catch the fantastic sunset view on the river.
The Port of Ashland adores itself with three giant sculptures by Gines Serran Pagan. The sculptures bring beauty to the Port of Ashland.
The sculptures and their representation include Vivus, which represents the people and the culture of the city.
Genesis describes the river and Ashland’s rebirth.
Vulcan represents industries and the role of metals in the city’s history.
Location: 50 15th St, Ashland, KY 41101, United States
15. Shop at Camp Landing Entertainment District
Credit: CampLandingEntertainmentDistrict / Facebook
On a perfect day in Kentucky, Camp Landing
The Entertainment District is one of the best places to shop in Ashland, KY.
Camp Landing Entertainment District is a beautiful place because of the numerous renovations on the building.
The mall is now a tourist attraction after the 2005 and 2021 renovations. Here, you can shop for your favorite clothes, jewelry, gifts, and food items. You can also walk around and enjoy the decent looks of the mall.
You can find your favorite shops and restaurants in one building. The Mall offers different designers and jewelry at affordable prices.
Take your family to this mall for a family shopping time, and if you are new to the city of Ashland, this should be one of the first places to visit, and be sure to buy everything you will need during your stay here.
Location: 10699 US-60, Ashland, KY 41102, United States
16. See Fireworks at the Summer Motion
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Summer Motion is one of its kind, and this extraordinary place finds itself in the city of Ashland, Kentucky.
Summer Motion is a multi-day festival held annually—the festival dates far back to the Tri-state Fair & Regatta in 1977.
Summer Motion organizes the event at Central Park with performances from famous artists like Kenny Loggins, stay xx, Billy Ray Cyrus, Kool & the Gang, Grand Funk Railroad, and Micky Dolenz.
Summer Motion offers games, music, food, motorcycle cruise, and inflatables. Their concerts are usually free and open to the entire public.
The festival features rock, country, Motown, contemporary Christian music, and many more.
The festival also offers carnivals and fireworks.
Location: Ashland, KY, United States
17. Take your kids for an excursion at Red Gate Farm
Credit: RedGateFarmandVineyard / Facebook
Entertainment is not complete in Ashland, KY, without taking your family on an excursion to the Red Gate Farm, which is just 30 minutes away from Ashland.
Because of the various activities Red Gate Farm offers, it now serves as a tourist attraction.
Some activities you can explore at Red Gate Farm include cycling, fishing, paddling, swimming, and so much more.
Red Gate Farm comes with a fantastic view of the surrounding. The beautiful nature and flowers surrounding the Farm make it very comfortable and relaxing.
Take your family to Red Gate Farm and let their staff take you on tour around this glooming farm which is just adjacent to Quincy.
Location: 17267 E, KY-8, Quincy, KY 41166, United States
18. Go on Adventures at Dragonfly Outdoor Adventures
Credit: DragonflyOutdoorAdventures / Facebook
It is always fun when we visit a particular place, relieving us of moving to get what we need.
Dragonfly Outdoor Adventures is one of those places that comes with numerous activities that makes it one of the best places to visit in Ashland, KY.
Some of these activities include canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and cave exploring, which is one of the reasons why most tourists visit Dragonfly Outdoor Adventures.
Book guided tours from the staff to make it a memorable trip. You can also rent cabins to make your stay here very perfect.
Another important place you can explore in Dragonfly Outdoor Adventures is lake Grayson.
Location: 254 Treasure Cove Rd, Greenup, KY 41144, United States