Kentucky’s played a proud role in American music history, with legendary icons like Loretta Lynn and Rosemary Clooney hailing from the Bluegrass State. And there’s an entire scenic route in Kentucky that celebrates this history. Running north-south through seven counties in eastern Kentucky, U.S. 23 is more widely known as Country Music Highway. The 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; and the eponymous museum in Paintsville is a must-visit stop along this acclaimed route.
Paintsville, Kentucky, is the kind of place you could drive right by without much notice. This small town of 4,000 in east-central Kentucky is your classic rural locale: rolling blue hills, farmland, and seemingly endless Bluegrass skies.
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The town is located along U.S. 23, also known as the Country Music Highway.
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Running north-south through seven counties in eastern Kentucky, the 144 miles that comprise Kentucky’s stretch of the Country Music Highway make a great weekend trip to enjoy beautiful scenery, lively music, and friendly folks eager to share the character and history of the area.
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Along U.S. 23 in Kentucky, you’ll travel through the Appalachian mountains and pass numerous points of interest in Kentucky history, including several country music and coal mining heritage sites.
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In fact, Paintsville is home to the official U.S. 23 Museum, an attraction dedicated to the country music entertainers who were born or lived near U.S. Route 23 in eastern Kentucky.
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There are 14 exhibits in the museum, paying homage to country music legends such as Chris Stapleton, Keith Whitley, Dwight Yoakam, and Loretta Lynn.
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In fact, U.S. 23 runs right by Butcher Hollow, birthplace of the Coal Miner’s Daughter herself!
Mikepaula14/TripAdvisor Butcher Hollow, Kentucky 41265, USA
This Kentucky road trip is a must for all country music fans, putting little old Paintsville, Kentucky, in the heart of it all.
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Have you driven U.S. 23 in Kentucky before? It really is a road-trip must for all country music fans! And if you’re looking for more scenic road trips in Kentucky, here are some sure to sweep you off your feet.
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Butcher Hollow, Kentucky 41265, USA
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Address: Paintsville, KY, USAAddress: US 23 Country Music Highway, 100 Stave Branch Rd, Staffordsville, KY 41256, USA
