Benham KentuckyATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Benham, Kentucky.
1. Kentucky Coal Mining Museum
COAL MINING HISTORY PRESERVED
The Kentucky Coal Mining Museum immerses visitors in the life of coal miners and their families in the former coal camp town of Benham. Located in the old Benham Commissary, this three-level exhibit showcases the struggles of mining families and their contributions to 20th-century industrialization. Visitors can explore vast displays both inside and around the museum, with tickets conveniently available at the Benham Inn's concierge desk.
2. Portal 31 Underground Mine Tour
HISTORIC COAL MINE EXPERIENCE
Portal 31 Underground Mine Tour offers visitors a state-of-the-art exploration of an authentic underground coal mine. The tour provides a unique opportunity to understand the working conditions and technological developments in coal mining throughout its operational history. Visitors can gain firsthand knowledge about the industry that shaped the region's economy and culture for generations.
3. Kingdom Come State Park
NATURAL MOUNTAIN BEAUTY
Kingdom Come State Park showcases the breathtaking natural beauty of the Appalachian Mountains with spectacular views from the top of Pine Mountain. The park features hiking trails, picnic areas, and unique geological formations including massive sandstone outcroppings and the famous 'Raven Rock'. Visitors can enjoy outdoor recreation while exploring the landscape that inspired local author John Fox Jr.'s famous novel 'The Trail of the Lonesome Pine.'
4. Lynch Country Club
HISTORIC GOLF EXPERIENCE
Lynch Country Club offers a unique 7-hole golf course that has been in operation since World War II, originally built by U.S. Steel for their executives. The course sits at the base of Black Mountain, Kentucky's highest point with an elevation of 4,145 feet, and features some of the most beautiful bent back greens in the country. In addition to the challenging par 3 course, visitors can enjoy the Olympic-style swimming pool open to the public for a daily fee.
5. Benham Inn
HISTORIC COAL TOWN LODGING
The Benham Inn provides comfortable accommodations in the heart of this historic coal mining community. From the inn, guests have convenient access to local attractions including the Kentucky Coal Mining Museum located directly across the street. The inn serves as an excellent base for exploring the rich history and natural beauty of the Benham and Lynch area.
6. School House Inn
EDUCATION HERITAGE ACCOMMODATIONS
The School House Inn offers unique lodging housed in the former Benham 'White' School, preserving an important piece of the area's educational history. This repurposed historic building provides visitors with a tangible connection to the community's past while enjoying modern comforts. The inn stands as a living example of adaptive reuse of historic structures in this coal camp community established nearly a century ago.
7. Eastern Kentucky Social Club
COMMUNITY CULTURAL HERITAGE
The Eastern Kentucky Social Club welcomes visitors to explore the rich cultural heritage preserved in the old 'Black' school building in Lynch. This important community institution helps maintain the collective memory and social bonds of the area's diverse population. Visitors can interact with local residents while learning about the unique history of what was once the largest coal camp in the world by the end of World War II.
8. Black Mountain
KENTUCKY'S HIGHEST PEAK
Black Mountain stands as Kentucky's highest point with an impressive elevation of 4,145 feet, offering spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding Appalachian region. Recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of 'America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places,' this natural landmark holds both environmental and cultural significance. The mountain provides outdoor enthusiasts with hiking opportunities while also representing the geological foundation of the area's coal mining heritage.
9. Lilley Cornett Woods
ANCIENT FOREST PRESERVE
Lilley Cornett Woods Appalachian Ecological Research Station preserves one of the last old-growth forests in Kentucky, offering visitors a glimpse into the region's primeval natural environment. The protected forest contains trees that are several hundred years old and represents what much of the Appalachian landscape looked like before extensive logging and mining. Guided tours allow visitors to explore this living laboratory while learning about forest ecology and conservation.
10. Lynch Coal Camp
INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE SITE
Lynch Coal Camp stands as a living museum of early 20th century industrial development, created by U.S. Steel nearly 100 years ago. By the end of World War II, Lynch had grown to become the largest coal camp in the world, housing thousands of miners and their families. Today, visitors can explore the preserved company town with its distinctive architecture and infrastructure that tells the story of Appalachian coal mining communities.
11. Benham Commissary
HISTORIC COMPANY STORE
The Benham Commissary building, now home to the Kentucky Coal Mining Museum, once served as the company store where miners and their families purchased all their necessities. The historic structure represents the economic system of coal company towns, where workers often depended entirely on their employers for goods and services. Visitors can appreciate the architectural details while learning about the social and economic dynamics that characterized life in coal communities.
12. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
HISTORIC MOUNTAIN PASSAGE
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park preserves a natural break in the Appalachian Mountain chain that served as a crucial gateway for early American pioneers moving westward. This 24,000-acre park features miles of hiking trails, spectacular overlooks, and abundant wildlife across its diverse ecosystems. Visitors can explore Hensley Settlement, a preserved mountain community, or tour Gap Cave with its impressive underground formations.
13. Pine Mountain Settlement School
APPALACHIAN EDUCATION CENTER
Pine Mountain Settlement School has served the Appalachian community since 1913, originally established to provide education for children in this isolated mountain region. The campus features beautiful historic buildings nestled in a picturesque valley setting that now hosts environmental education programs and cultural heritage workshops. Visitors can tour the grounds and learn about the school's important role in promoting sustainable living and preserving traditional Appalachian crafts and knowledge.
14. Harlan County Coal Miners Memorial
TRIBUTE TO MINING HERITAGE
The Harlan County Coal Miners Memorial honors the thousands of miners who worked and died in the region's coal industry throughout its long and often turbulent history. The memorial features sculptures and inscriptions that commemorate both the daily sacrifices and the labor struggles that characterized coal mining in 'Bloody Harlan.' Visitors can reflect on the human cost of coal extraction while gaining insight into the industry that shaped the economic and cultural landscape of Eastern Kentucky.
15. Bad Branch Falls State Nature Preserve
PRISTINE WILDERNESS WATERFALL
Bad Branch Falls State Nature Preserve protects over 2,600 acres of pristine wilderness including an impressive 60-foot waterfall cascading over sandstone cliffs. The preserve harbors numerous rare and endangered species within its diverse habitats ranging from hemlock forests to rocky gorges. Hikers can explore well-maintained trails that lead to spectacular views of the falls and surrounding Pine Mountain ridges, offering some of the most scenic natural experiences in Eastern Kentucky.