Country Music Highway
Country Music Highway Tour
| Departure: | Paramount Theater in Ashland, Kentucky |
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| Destination: | Appalshop, Kentucky |
| Time to allow: | 2 days |
Ya'll ready for some country? A trip down Kentucky's Country Music Highway in a big ol' truck don't get no countrier. Winding through eastern Kentucky, the Country Music Highway passes through the hometowns of country music legends and other important attractions in country music history. Find some old country on the radio and get ready to experience the Bluegrass State the way is was meant to be.
Day 1
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Start: Paramount Theater in Ashland
Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours The art center has been host to a number of country music talents, including Ashland local Billy Ray Cyrus and Winona and Naomi Judd. Don't miss the chance to attend an event at this beautifully restored theater—from plays and musicals, to local and up-and-coming country music talent, the Paramount Art Theater continues to build on the colorful heritage of eastern Kentucky.
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Stop 2: Kentucky Paveillon
Directions from previous place: Head south on the Country Music Highway
Distance from Previous Site: 20 miles / 32.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 35 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours This museum is home to enormous collections of music memorabilia from Dwight Yokem, Patti Loveless, Ricky Skaggs and more. Be sure to try some of the Paveillon's natural spring water! Because so much country music talent emerges from near the Country Music Highway, many have asked the question "What's in the water?" Try some for yourself!
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Stop 3: Yateville Lake State Park
Directions from previous place: Head south on the Country Music Highway to KY 3. Head west for three miles to KY 1185. Take that to the park.
Distance from Previous Site: 3 miles / 4.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 10 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours Focusing on recreation on and around Yateville Lake, this State Park offers campgrounds, a marina, and an 18-hole golf course.
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Stop 4: Mayo Mansion and Church
Directions from previous place: Travel along the Byway, the mansion and church are located near downtown Paintsville.
Distance from Previous Site: 20 miles / 32.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 35 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 20 minutes The Mayo Mansion was the home of coal baron John C.C. Mayo. Built in a Greek revival style, the mansion is now a parochial school. The nearby church is built in a similar style and boasts a hand-pumped pipe organ.
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Overnight Point: Butcher Hollow, Van Lear
Directions from previous place: Continue south on the Country Music Highway
Hometown of music legends Crystal Gayle and Loretta Lynn, you can visit the cabin the Loretta Lynn grew up in and was once the cabin in which Crystal Gayle's family resided. The song "Coal Miner's Daughter" was based on Lynn's life growing up in Butcher Hollow.
Total Distance Traveled in Day 1: 43 miles / 68.8 km
Day 2
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Stop 1: Battle of Middle Creek Historic Site
Directions from previous place: From Prestonburg, take 114 for a couple of miles to the site.
Distance from Previous Site: 10 miles / 16.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 20 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes The Battle of Middle Creek Historic Site is a foundation-owned Civil War site. Visit kiosks, follow interpretive trails, or take an auto trail.
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Stop 2: Mountain Arts Center
Directions from previous place: Return to Byway and head south for about a mile.
Distance from Previous Site: 10 miles / 16.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 15 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour The Mountain Arts Center (MAC) is evidence of the continuation of residents' commitment to the arts. This facility houses the Kentucky Opry, a nationally recognized group of local musicians ranging in age from 5 to 65. They perform regularly and work to preserve the tradition of Eastern Kentucky mountain music. In addition to the Opry, the Mountain Arts Center also sponsors a wide variety of country music performances throughout the year.
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End: Appalshop
Directions from previous place: At Jenkins, take highway 119 to the end of the Byway.
Distance from Previous Site: 20 miles / 32.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 35 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours This arts and education center in the heart of Appalachia provides a center for creating video, music, art, books, crafts, theater, and multimedia. This center strives to promote and preserve the arts and appreciation for expression.
