Kentucky’s contribution to the country music scene is undeniable, with the Bluegrass birthing some of the genre’s most iconic legends. And on the Country Music Highway, you’ll cruise by some of the most important sites and attractions in country music history. U.S. 23 is known as the Country Music Highway, as it runs through seven counties that were home to music stars like Loretta Lynn, Crystal Gail, Billy Ray Cyrus, Ricky Skaggs, and Patty Loveless — not to mention the incredible Kentucky Appalachians. Turn up the radio and prepare to cruise with the windows down when you visit these must-see attractions along the Country Music Highway in Kentucky.
Our road trip along the Kentucky Country Music Highway begins in Ashland at the famed Paramount Theatre.
Paramount Arts Center/Facebook Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave, Ashland, KY 41101, USA
The Paramount was one of the first transitional theatres built for “talking pictures” and was a model theatre for others around the country to showcase films produced by the eponymous film studio… until the Great Depression hit. Those plans were scrapped, but the theatre was spared; today, the Paramount plays host to all types of shows, including many a country music legend.
Paramount Arts Center/Facebook
Next up, the birthplace of the country music queen, the Coal Miner’s Daughter herself, Ms. Loretta Lynn.
Lindziemarie15/TripAdvisor Butcher Hollow, Kentucky 41265, USA
Born and raised in Butcher Holler, Kentucky, the house where Lynn spent her childhood is open for guests to tour and explore, and it’s definitely a day trip that belongs on your Bluegrass bucket list.
Mikepaula14/TripAdvisor
Continuing along U.S. 23, Paintsville is an impossibly charming little town in Kentucky, and it’s home to the eponymous Country Music Highway Museum.
J654567/Wikipedia Paintsville, KY, USA
The official U.S. 23 Museum is an attraction dedicated to the country music entertainers who were born or lived near U.S. Route 23 in eastern Kentucky. There are 14 exhibits in the museum, paying homage to country music legends such as Chris Stapleton, Keith Whitley, Dwight Yoakam, and Loretta Lynn, who you know all about by now!
Kentucky Tourism/Facebook 100 Stave Branch Rd, Staffordsville, KY 41256, USA
After a busy day exploring country music’s most legendary stars and attractions, it’s time to cruise down the Country Music Highway to the final stop of the day: Jenny Wiley State Resort Park.
Kentucky State Parks
All the stars who’ve called Kentucky home over the years have something in common, in addition to their country music fame: they’ve all been endlessly enchanted and inspired by the beautiful Bluegrass State. And at this Kentucky State Park, with its rolling hills, blue lakes, and mountain vistas, you’re bound to find yourself smitten, too.
Kentucky State Parks Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, 419 Jenny Wiley Dr, Prestonsburg, KY 41653, USA
The Country Music Highway’s 144 mile stretch through Kentucky makes a great weekend trip to enjoy beautiful scenery, lively music, and friendly people eager to share the character and history of the area. There’s nothing quite like it in the country, and we’re so lucky to call it ours.
Kentucky Tourism/Facebook
Have you driven this iconic byway in Kentucky before? Talk about a country music tour de force.
Paramount Arts Center/Facebook
Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave, Ashland, KY 41101, USA
Lindziemarie15/TripAdvisor
Butcher Hollow, Kentucky 41265, USA
Mikepaula14/TripAdvisor
J654567/Wikipedia
Paintsville, KY, USA
Kentucky Tourism/Facebook
100 Stave Branch Rd, Staffordsville, KY 41256, USA
Kentucky State Parks
Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, 419 Jenny Wiley Dr, Prestonsburg, KY 41653, USA
For more scenic country drives in the Bluegrass, check out these beautiful backroads.
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