Prestonsburg is an attractive small town in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. With mountainous scenery, outdoor recreation and a rich country music heritage, it has plenty of fun things to see and do.
Explore the Jenny Wiley State Resort Park. Hike along trails passing through Appalachian terrain. Rent a pontoon boat or canoe for a trip across the park’s 1,100-acre (445-hectare) Dewey Lake. Anglers will relish fishing for bluegill, largemouth, catfish and crappie. During the fall and winter, book your place on an elk-viewing tour. Be sure to bring your camera.
If you enjoy history, visit Middle Creek National Battlefield. During the Civil War a decisive battle was fought here that ended Confederate control of the region. Drive 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of Prestonsburg to see the Battle of Ivy Mountain Monument. The 14-foot (4.2-meter) granite obelisk marks the spot of a famous skirmish between four Union regiments and the heavily outnumbered Confederates.
In the evening, enjoy some of Prestonsburg’s cultural attractions. See a play, musical or comedy show at the Jenny Wiley Theater. There are also matinee productions for children at various times of the year. The Mountain Arts Center is home to the Kentucky Opry and occasionally hosts some of the area’s most famous country stars. Dwight Yoakam, Billy Ray Cyrus and Patty Loveless have all performed on its stage.
Prestonsburg is located on a road dubbed the Country Music Highway, so named because many county music stars were born in the area. Finish your trip by spending several days driving along the 144-mile (232-kilometer) road that meanders down Kentucky’s eastern border. Highway markers point to the hometowns of some of the genre’s most famous names.
During your Prestonsburg road trip, stop by some of these places and listen to live bluegrass and county music. Go to Staffordsville for Mountain Homeplace, a working farm that dates back to the 1850s. In Paintsville, tour the family home of country music legend Loretta Lynn.
