This Overlooked Kentucky City Offers Homestyle Southern Food, Outdoor Adventure, And Friendly Charm

Aptly named after the largest city in Scotland, the charming city of Glasgow, Kentucky, owes much of its rich heritage to its Celtic roots. This historic city, given its name to honor an early Scottish settler, boasts 19th- and 20th-century Victorian architecture, a Civil War battlefield, and a thriving arts community, all amid the natural beauty and rolling hills of Kentucky bluegrass.

In the downtown area, you can discover numerous cultural attractions like the historic Plaza Theatre, built in 1934, where you can see live concerts and theatrical events. Visit the South Central Kentucky Cultural Center's Museum of the Barrens and learn more about the Barrens region, including a Genealogy Center. Glasgow is also filled with local restaurants serving Southern comfort food in a warm, friendly atmosphere to make you feel right at home. After filling up on local dishes, you'll be ready for a thrilling outdoor adventure in the caves and hills!

The easiest way to get to Glasgow is to fly into Louisville International Airport and drive 90 miles south, or you could fly into Nashville International Airport about 99 miles away.

Start your trip to Glasgow downtown, where you can wander through the streets and dine on Southern cuisine like the locals at Family Style Chicken and Seafood. How does catfish or country-fried steak sound? For breakfast and brunch, head to Annie's Country Cooking to enjoy a classic plate of biscuits and gravy or griddle cakes. The restaurant also features delicious pies you can take to go. If you're looking for a Southwestern flair, try A Little Taste of Texas for Tex-Mex cuisine and cowboy steaks.

While Scotland is known for its fragrant whiskies, Kentucky's famous bourbon is made primarily from corn instead of barley. About 23 miles from Glasgow, Balance Distilling Company recreates the historic Mammoth Cave Bourbon that was originally produced in 1869. A little farther, you'll find the Southern Kentucky Distillery just 40 miles from the city. Here, you can enjoy a tours of the facility or have a tasting. Check out a full range of experiences on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, where you can even make your own liquor. For a deeper dive into the spirit, head about 75 miles north of Glasgow to Bardstown, the picturesque town famous for being the Bourbon Capital of the World.

Looking for an easy day trip from Glasgow? Located about 20 miles away is the popular destination of Mammoth Cave National Park, promising unique above and underground adventures. This site is the world's longest known cave system, dating back thousands of years. In this UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Region, you can embark on many adventures in over 52,000 acres of pristine wilderness. The park offers a variety of cave explorations ranging in length and difficulty level. Dare to go on a crawling or lantern tour through the caves? Reservations are strongly suggested, as they sell out. For more hiking ideas, consider Big Bone Lick, one of Kentucky's most unique state parks with a prehistoric past.

Outside of Glasgow's downtown area, history buffs will want to tour Fort Williams, the city's Civil War battlefield. The fort was built in 1863 by the Union army to protect the rail and communication lines after the Confederate army occupied the city a year earlier. Today, visitors can see the Fort Williams Living History Encampment, where costumed interpreters share authentic Civil War-era stories about weapons, food, and the soldiers' ways of life.