This Undiscovered City Is A Kentucky Gem With Scenic Lakes And High-Speed Motorcycle Action

In northern Kentucky, just south of the Ohio River and the Indiana border, you'll find a small town with big character. Hardinsburg, boasting a population of about 2,400, might not be at the top of your destination list, but it'll certainly make for an unforgettable visit, whether you're just passing through or coming for one of the town's hopping events. 

If you're flying to the region from far away, you'll have to connect in another city to get closer. The closest passenger airport is Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport, about an hour drive away from Hardinsburg. This airport is easily reached via a connecting flight from Chicago O'Hare, convenient since Chicago is regarded as America's most well-connected airport. Louisville airport isn't that much further away at about an hour-and-15-minute drive, and has more connections to other cities like Atlanta, Phoenix, Denver, Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Detroit, potentially making for an easier trip depending on where you're coming from. If you're flying from certain faraway cities like Los Angeles, you can get close on a nonstop flight to Cincinnati, though you'll still have to drive another three hours to Hardinsburg. 

As far as accommodations in Hardinsburg, you only have one option in town: The Breckinridge Motel. Call ahead to confirm availability or look into lodging options in other towns, including the calming lakefront rental cabins of Mountain Laurel Lake in the neighboring town of Harned.

Hardins Creek flows into small lakes in Hardinsburg, but that's just for starters. There's a lot of water in the region to explore. Rough River Dam State Resort Park, located about 20 minutes south of Hardinsburg, has 5,000 acres of water on Rough River Lake, where you can swim, fish, and kayak to your heart's content. Pitch a tent at the campground or reserve a lodge room if you don't want to sleep on the ground. Be careful, though, as Rough River Lake is one of Kentucky's most snake-filled lakes. 

Further south on the banks of Cave Creek, campers can set up at the Cave Creek Campgrounds, complete with a boat ramp to get your craft in the water. From there you can navigate Cave Creek to Rough River Reservoir and Rough River Lake. Other campgrounds near Rough River Lake and its offshoots include Laurel Branch Campground and Axtel Campground. 

Continue your watery adventures with Nolin Lake State Park, about an hour south of Hardinsburg. As of writing, the park is temporarily closed due to flooding. There is, however, a great alternative not too far away: Mammoth Cave National Park, the only national park in the Bluegrass State and about an hour southeast of Cave Creek. Home to the world's longest (verified) cave system, Mammoth Cave National Park offers unique adventures both above and below ground. Cave tours are temporarily suspended at the moment, but you can still camp, hike, bike, kayak, fish, and more. Make sure you look into camping fees for the 13 backcountry sites. The angler in your family will be in luck too, as no fishing license or permit is required inside the national park. 

At the south end of Hardinsburg, you'll find the U.S. 60 Dragway, a car and motorcycle racing venue that attracts speed-loving motorcyclists to the region every year. The annual Midwest MegaFest, part of the Manufacturers Cup Drag Racing Series, offers thousands of dollars in prize money for motorcycle races across several days. If you can't make it out to Hardinsburg, not to worry. The event is live-streamed online. 

As the county seat of Breckinridge County, Hardinsburg is home to the Breckinridge County Fair, which fills up every June with fun-seekers from near and far. Amusement rides and parades, a rodeo and wrestling events, there's something for everyone at the fair. And, of course, no trip to the fair is complete without some yummy homemade bites — and your chance to be a culinary star. The county fair program includes a barbecue cook-off and "dessert throwdown" for the competitive chef in your family. If you get there early in the morning, you can enjoy a filling farm-to-fork breakfast. Grandma and grandpa get in free on senior citizens day, and enjoy some bingo. Get some brews at the beer garden and watch the livestock shows. And because drag racing and fast vehicles are a way of life in Hardinsburg, there are ATV drag racing and demolition derby events throughout the weekend.

If these kinds of events aren't up your alley, come during a quieter time and brush up on history at the Breckinridge County Historical Society Museum or the Joseph Holt Home. The museum displays Civil War artifacts and pioneers' household items, while the house honors the legacy of the anti-secessionist jurist, Judge Joseph Holt, whom President Abraham Lincoln appointed as Judge Advocate General of the United States Union Army.