Guthrie KentuckyATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Guthrie, Kentucky.
1. Robert Penn Warren Birthplace Museum
LITERARY HISTORY PRESERVED
The Robert Penn Warren Birthplace Museum honors the first U.S. Poet Laureate and three-time Pulitzer Prize winner who was born in Guthrie. Visitors can explore well-presented exhibits showcasing Warren's life and literary contributions without paying an entrance fee, though donations are appreciated. The museum provides a fascinating glimpse into the early life of one of America's most celebrated authors and poets.
2. Scavenger Hunt Clarksville
INTERACTIVE CITY EXPLORATION
Scavenger Hunt Clarksville offers an exciting way to discover the city through an interactive, problem-solving adventure. Participants can explore landmarks, learn about local history, and solve puzzles while competing with friends or family. This activity, organized by CyberActivities, Inc., is a popular attraction for visitors to the Clarksville area near Guthrie.
3. Dunbar Cave State Park
NATURAL WONDER UNDERGROUND
Dunbar Cave State Park features one of the region's most significant prehistoric sites with cave drawings dating back thousands of years. The 144-acre park offers guided cave tours during summer months, allowing visitors to explore dramatic underground chambers and learn about the cave's rich history. Beyond the cave itself, visitors can enjoy hiking trails, picnic areas, and wildlife viewing around the park's scenic lake.
4. Fort Defiance Civil War Park
HISTORIC MILITARY SITE
Fort Defiance Civil War Park preserves a Confederate fort built in 1861 and later occupied by Union forces during the Civil War. The interpretive center features exhibits detailing the fort's strategic importance, Clarksville's Civil War history, and the impact on local communities. Visitors can walk the original earthworks, explore well-maintained trails with interpretive signage, and enjoy panoramic views of the Cumberland and Red Rivers.
5. Jefferson Davis State Historic Site
PRESIDENTIAL BIRTHPLACE MONUMENT
The Jefferson Davis State Historic Site commemorates the birthplace of the Confederate States' only president with a 351-foot obelisk, the tallest concrete-cast monument in the United States. Visitors can take an elevator to an observation platform near the top of the monument for panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The site also includes a visitor center with exhibits on Davis's life and a replica of the cabin where he was born in 1808.
6. Beachaven Vineyards & Winery
LOCAL WINE EXPERIENCE
Beachaven Vineyards & Winery offers visitors a chance to sample award-winning wines produced on-site since 1986. The winery hosts popular Jazz on the Lawn concerts during summer months, where guests can enjoy live music, wine tastings, and picnics on the spacious grounds. Tours of the winemaking facilities provide insight into the craftsmanship behind their various varieties, from dry reds to sweet fruit wines.
7. Cumberland RiverWalk
SCENIC RIVERSIDE PATH
The Cumberland RiverWalk offers a picturesque 1.5-mile paved trail along the banks of the Cumberland River in downtown Clarksville. Visitors can enjoy scenic views of the river, public art installations, and access to Liberty Park while walking, jogging, or cycling. The riverwalk connects to other city trails and provides a peaceful urban nature experience with benches and overlooks for relaxation.
8. Customs House Museum & Cultural Center
ART AND HISTORY HUB
The Customs House Museum & Cultural Center is Tennessee's second-largest general interest museum housed in a stunning 1898 federal building with distinctive Victorian architecture. The museum features rotating art exhibitions, permanent history displays about the local region, and an interactive children's exploration area called Explorers' Landing. Visitors can explore the diverse collections spanning art, science, history, and culture while appreciating the architectural beauty of this Clarksville landmark.
9. Trail of Tears Commemorative Park
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE
The Trail of Tears Commemorative Park preserves the site where Cherokee Indians camped during their forced relocation westward in 1838-1839. Visitors can see the gravesites of Cherokee chiefs Whitepath and Fly Smith who died during the journey, as well as a heritage center with exhibits on Cherokee culture and history. The park's peaceful grounds include a certified Trail of Tears roadbed, interpretive signs, and a replica Cherokee farmstead.
10. Pennyroyal Area Museum
REGIONAL HISTORY COLLECTION
The Pennyroyal Area Museum showcases the rich history of Western Kentucky's Pennyroyal region through engaging exhibits housed in a historic 1915 post office building. Visitors can explore collections featuring military memorabilia, African American history, agricultural implements, and exhibits on the infamous Black Patch Tobacco Wars. The museum also highlights local connections to Edgar Cayce, the famous psychic known as the 'Sleeping Prophet,' who was born near Hopkinsville.
11. Historic Collinsville
LIVING HISTORY SETTLEMENT
Historic Collinsville offers visitors a glimpse into rural Tennessee life from 1840-1900 with authentically furnished log houses and outbuildings spread across 40 acres. Each structure has been carefully restored and equipped with period furniture, tools, and household items that demonstrate how pioneers lived and worked. Visitors can experience hands-on history through self-guided tours, special events, and demonstrations of traditional crafts and skills throughout the season.
12. Kelly Little Green Men Days Festival Site
UFO ENCOUNTER CELEBRATION
The Kelly Little Green Men Days Festival Site commemorates one of America's most famous alleged alien encounters that occurred in 1955 when the Sutton family claimed to have been terrorized by small, silver alien beings. This annual festival celebrates the extraterrestrial incident with alien-themed activities, music, food vendors, and re-enactments of the famous encounter. Visitors can learn about the history of this peculiar event that put the tiny community of Kelly on the map and became part of American UFO folklore.
13. Ruff Park and Splash Pad
FAMILY RECREATION DESTINATION
Ruff Park and Splash Pad offers families a perfect outdoor recreation spot featuring a large playground and refreshing water play area. Children can cool off during hot summer months at the splash pad while parents relax in the shaded seating areas around the facility. The park also includes walking paths, picnic shelters, and sports facilities making it a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.
14. MB Roland Distillery
CRAFT BOURBON EXPERIENCE
MB Roland Distillery provides visitors with an authentic Kentucky bourbon experience at this craft distillery located in Christian County near Guthrie. Tours offer an intimate look at the grain-to-glass production process featuring locally grown ingredients and traditional distilling methods. Visitors can sample a variety of handcrafted whiskeys and bourbons in the rustic tasting room housed in a converted Amish dairy barn.
15. Rotary Park
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE CENTER
Rotary Park encompasses 111 acres of natural beauty with five miles of hiking trails winding through forests, meadows, and alongside streams. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the park's mountain bike trail system with varying difficulty levels, a challenging 18-hole disc golf course, and numerous wildlife viewing opportunities. The Nature Center provides educational exhibits about local flora and fauna, while multiple picnic shelters, playgrounds, and an accessible boardwalk make this park perfect for visitors of all ages and abilities.