Explore Fun Things to do
Attractions
Livingston County entertains on and off the water for a fun-filled vacation experience.
We make exploring all of the fun things to do in Western Kentucky easy with sections on Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley attractions, and day trips to Paducah, Marion Amish County and The Discovery Park of America. Because vacation time should be fun time.
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Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley Attractions
19th Hole Miniature Golf, Grand Rivers
Part of Patti’s 1880’s Settlement
1793 J. H. O’Bryan Ave, Grand Rivers, KY
This miniature golf course is nestled among beautiful foliage, flowers, and streams of Patti’s 1880’s Settlement. Enjoy this fun and challenging course with your friends and family, and visit Hamburger Patti’s Ice Cream Parlor for a treat after your game.
Badgett Playhouse Theater, Grand Rivers
888-362-4223
1698 JH O’Bryan Avenue, Grand Rivers, KY
Music Show feature singers, dancers and live music. Enjoy the Fabulous 50’s, Super 60’s, Southern Gospel, Christmas Shows, and more. A Must See on the list of Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley Attractions. Reserve Seating.
Calvert City Drive-In, Calvert
270- 395-4660
111 Drive In Lane, Calvert City, KY
Enjoy a night of nostalgia at this original drive-in movie theater. The theater plays double features of first run films, and the snack bar is famous for their burgers and pizzas. The Drive-in is open weekly during season. Call for movie schedule.
Kentucky Opry Show, Draffenville
270-527-3869
88 Chilton Lane, Benton, KY 42025
Enjoy A live County Music Show. In addition to the Kentucky Opry Show, the 2018 show calendar includes A Talent Search Series, Bluegrass Nights, Southern Gospel, and special performances and guests. Find the full schedule on the website.
Maggie's Jungle Golf, Gilbertsville
270-362-8933
7301 US Hwy 641 North , Gilbertsville, KY
Maggie’s includes A Miniature golf course and a Jungle Run area. All Family owned & operated since 1989. You may walk or rent a golf cart to travel through the Jungle Run area. The hours depend on the weather. If in doubt, please call first.
Venture River Water Park, Eddyville, KY
270-388-7999
90 Funway Drive, Eddyville, KY 42038
Cool off and soak up the fun at the largest water park in western Kentucky. The Park features a large wave pool, seven water slides, a lazy river, the Pleasure Island kiddie area, speed slides, and more. The park is Open Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Land Between The Lakes / National Recreation Area
270-924-2000
100 Van Morgan Dr, Golden Pond, KY
Get outside and Explore the outdoors in this 170,000-acre National Recreation Area located between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. Enjoy Hiking, biking, camping, boat ramps, and lake access areas. The Attractions include a planetarium, 1850’s Homeplace farm, a Nature Station, and Elk and Bison Prairie.
Elk and Bison Prairie / Land Between the Lakes
270-924-2000
Elk & Bison Prairie Rd, Golden Pond, KY 4221
The Elk and bison roam free in this enclosed 700-acre native Kentucky grassland habitat. Visitors travel in their enclosed vehicle via a 3.5-mile paved loop road. Numerous other wildlife species also thrive here. It is a glimpse of Kentucky’s prairie land as Daniel Boone might have experienced it. Open year-round from dawn until dusk.
Homeplace 1850s / Land Between The Lakes
270-924-2000
4512 The Trace, Dover, TN 37058
Step back in time and experience farm life of the mid-1800’s. Interpreters, restored historic structures, farm animals, and traditional seasonal activities bring history to life. Open Wednesday-Sunday in March and November | Open Daily April through October | 10am – 5pm.
Golden Pond Planetarium / Land Between The Lakes
270-924-2000
238 Visitor Center Drive, Golden Pond, KY 42211
Enjoy a variety of entertaining and educational astronomy and celestial effects shows in th e40-foot doomed theater. Popular laser light shows begin the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. Open Daily | 10am – 5pm | Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.
Woodlands Nature Station / Land Between The Lakes
270.924.2299 | Groups 270.924.2020
3146 Silver Trail Road, Cadiz, KY 42211
The station features a backyard exhibit area, a calendar full of special events, and serves as a gateway to the 8,500-acre Nature Watch Area between Honker and Hematite Lakes. Open Wednesday-Sunday in March and November | Open Daily April through October | 10am – 5pm.
Woodlands Nature Station / Agents of Discovery
270.924.2299 | Groups 270.924.2020
3146 Silver Trail Road, Cadiz, KY 42211
Good to Know Before You Go: Play Agents of Nature at Woodlands Nature Station! Download the free, mobile game from the App Store or Google Play before you venture out and select the Land Between The Lakes mission site. You are all set for a day of discovery!
Smithland Cemetery, Smithland
Top of Level Street and Cemetery Rd., Smithland, KY
This Booklet takes you on a self-guided Walking/Driving tour of the Historic Smithland Cemetery. The booklet features a map of the cemetery and a short biography of the persons whose graves are featured on the tour. This circa 1810 cemetery provides visitors with a glimpse of the rich history of the early settlers of Livingston County. Purchase the book at the Log Cabin (hours 1-4PM, Monday-Friday) MORE
Patti’s 1880’s Settlement, Grand Rivers
888-736-2515
1759 JH O’Bryan Ave, Grand Rivers
Known for their award-winning food, Patti’s 1880’s Settlement also features a wide variety of family fun activities, including miniature golf, gold panning, remote control boats, beautiful gardens, eight gift shops in restored log cabins and the 1880’s old time photo studio. A Must See on the list of Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley Attractions
Barkley Dam & Visitor Center, Lake City
270-362-4236
US 62, Lake City, KY
Barkley Dam stands an impressive 157 feet high and 10,180 feet wide, and impounds the Cumberland River near Grand Rivers, KY. The dam has a navigation lock for river traffic. The visitor’s center theme is “Steam boating on the Cumberland”, and is Open weekdays.
Kentucky Dam State Park Riding Stables, Gilbertsville
270-362-8386
166 Upper Village Drive, Gilbertsville
Kentucky Dam Village Riding Stables are open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Enjoy guided trail rides on this 2 mile trail near Kentucky Lake. Call for rates and more information.
Kentucky Dam & Visitor's Center
270-362-4221
640 Kentucky Dam Rd., Grand Rivers, KY
The visitor center provides information about the history of TVA, the development of the Kentucky Dam, and TVA’s current activities in the area. This center is staffed with TVA retirees, and its hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April through October.
Forgotten Past Park, Draffenville
270-527-9244
3390 US Highway 68 East, Draffenville, KY 42025
Play miniature golf, enjoy go karts, bumper cars, and an arcade at this vintage Family Amusement Park. A Pavilion is available for groups. Reservations are required for the pavilion. Open 1 pm | Daily Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day | Weekends in May and September.
More to Explore:
Day Trip to Marion, KY
Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum, Marion
270-965-4263
P.O. Box 391 Marion, KY
A showcase of the collection of Ben E. Clement, a giant in Kentucky mining. The collection is comprised of thousands of fluorite crystal specimens, rare mineral samples, fossils, and exquisite mineral carvings. This attraction is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Tours for other times by reservation.
Visit an Amish Community, Marion
270-965-5015
See Amish Community Map
Spend the day touring Kentucky’s largest Amish community. Cabinetry, furniture, baked goods and bulk foods as well as seasonal items such as plants, vegetables, pumpkins and gourds can be purchased from individual Amish families in this 500 resident community. Visit the website to download the Amish Community Map.
Day Trip to Paducah, KY
Floodwall Murals, Paducah
800-723-8224
Water St./to Washington St., Paducah, KY
After the flood of 1937, Paducah constructed a floodwall for protection from future rises in the Ohio River. The wall is covered with a collection of large detailed murals telling the history of the city. The murals were designed and painted by renowned American muralist Robert Dafford.
National Quilt Museum, Paducah
270-442-8856
215 Jefferson Street, Paducah, KY
The museum is a global destination welcoming visitors from all 50 US states and over 40 foreign countries on a yearly basis. Experience three galleries of extraordinary quilt and fiber art rotated 7-8 times per year. TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award winner four consecutive years.
River Discovery Center, Paducah
270-575-9958
117 S Water St, Paducah, KY
Discover America’s rivers and their importance to the development of the nation. Exhibits include boat captain simulator, Locks and Dams, River bottoms, River habitats, and the importance of the river system during Civil War time.
Day Trip to Union City, TN
Discovery Park of America, Union City
731-885-5455 830 Everett Blvd Union City, TN 38261
Discovery Park offers visitors a world-class entertainment and educational experience. With more than 70,000 sq. feet of galleries and interactive exhibits focused on nature, science, technology, history and art, they make learning fun! Explore 50 acres of outdoor space, featuring a Blue Angels plane, Discovery Garden and a 100-year-old chapel. From dinosaurs to Native American history to space exploration, Discovery Park of America inspires.