hazard kentucky tourism

Things To Do In Hazard Kentucky: Tourist Attractions & Where To Eat

by Trey Copeland | Last updated Sep 5, 2023

Known as the Queen City of the Mountains, Hazard is a small town located in Eastern Kentucky that is an outdoor lovers paradise.

The city is small but offers a large variety of tourist attractions and things to do for people in the area, especially for those that love being adventurous and the outdoors.

Boating, fishing, hiking and exploring are a few things that one can do in Hazard and Perry County. Hazard is also known for the birthplace of the blue people of Kentucky .

In this travel guide, we’ll explore some of the best things to do in Hazard Kentucky. Lets get started.

Table of Contents

Things to do in hazard kentucky, the mother goose house.

The Mother Goose House is a quirky and unique architectural landmark in Hazard. It’s a house that’s designed to look like a giant goose and is definitely a sight to see. While the Mother Goose House is not a traditional museum or historical site, it has become a local attraction and a point of interest for visitors passing through the Hazard area.

Perry County Park

Want to enjoy hiking or some type of outdoor recreation? Perry County Park stands as a recreational lovers paradise, offering an array of amenities to cater to every outdoor enthusiast. This park is a testament to the county’s commitment to providing top notch outdoor facilities for visitors and locals.

Holliday Farm and Garden

Steeped in rich history dating back to its founding in 1855, Holliday Farm showcases Kentucky’s agricultural heritage. Over the years, this beloved farm has passed through the hands of several generations. Offering pumpkins, mums, flowers and fresh produce, come check out Holliday Farm.

Daniel Boone National Forest

Located in eastern Kentucky, the Daniel Boone National Forest is a pristine wilderness beckoning outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. It’s about an hour drive west of Hazard. Covering over 700,000 acres of rugged terrain, it’s an outdoor haven for people who love the outdoors. Named after the legendary frontiersman Daniel Boone, who walked through these very woods.

Homeplace Clinic Log Cabin

If you are a history buff and like to visit old cultural and unique places, then the Homeplace will be for you. It’s a large two story log cabin built in 1930. It’s located on the community center grounds with lots of beautiful scenery.

Buckhorn Lake

Located a few miles north of Hazard is Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park. If you’ve ever been to a Kentucky State Park, you know how clean and beautiful they are. Our state does a great job upkeeping them, and it’s the same at Buckhorn.

If you like fishing, boating, hiking and outdoors, Buckhorn Lake is for you. There’s horseshoes, playgrounds for the kids and miniature golf for a little family game night.

Also, while near Buckhorn Lake, check out the nearby Buckhorn Lake Area Presbyterian Church Log Cathedral. It’s an amazing church built in 1928 from white oak in the surrounding forests that stands as the center of the small mount town.

Places To Eat In Hazard Kentucky

Hazard coffee company.

A local coffee shop serving fresh brewed coffee, lattes and locally sourced pastries.

Website – https://www.hazardcoffeecompany.com/

Rudy’s Bakery

Locally owned bakery offering sweet treats such as cakes, pastries and cupcakes.

Website – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057324584987

France’s Diner

Locally owned family style restaurant offering a full menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Website – https://www.facebook.com/Francesdiner

Locally owned and one of the best restaurants in Hazard offering steaks, burgers and more.

Website – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063877320129

Where To Shop In Hazard Kentucky

Appalachian apparel company.

Clothing and apparel store downtown Hazard offering unique gifts and apparel featuring local artists and culture.

Website – https://www.appappco.com/

Jac-Lin’s

You can find all sorts of antiques and treasures at Jac-Lin’s antique shop in Hazard.

Website – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064070768517

We hope this guide helped you find things to do in Hazard and Perry County Kentucky. Hazard is a small town with a lot of outdoor recreation activities nearby.

To find out more information about local events and attractions, visit the Hazard Perry County Tourism website – https://www.hazardperrytourism.com/

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Trey Copeland

Founder & Editor

Hello folks! I’m Trey Copeland, founder and editor of Stay Bluegrass, along with my wife Kaci. We’ve been fortunate to travel to many countries such as Mexico and Costa Rica, but our true roots remain here in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Bluegrass State.

Our goal is to help you live like a local while traveling and exploring the great state of Kentucky. We want to help you find the best places to eat, the must see and do attractions and more.

Hey! I'm Trey

I live in Owensboro, Kentucky and have traveled around the Bluegrass state with my wife Kaci.

Read more about us

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Hazard, Kentucky: 'Queen City' Shines Bright

by Joan Vannorsdall

January 2, 2024

Once the mining center of the southeastern coalfields, Hazard is reimagining its heart center.

Joan Vannorsdall

Hazard’s stories, both past and present, are told beautifully in murals throughout downtown.

We’ll get this out of the way now: Hazard, Kentucky, was not the inspiration nor the setting for the CBS comedy and 2005 film, “The Dukes of Hazzard.” Georgia can claim both.

No, Hazard—and Perry County that surrounds it—has a significantly more heroic name attachment, going back to the War of 1812. Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry defeated the British at the Battle of Lake Erie, bolstered by 100 Kentucky long rifle soldiers stationed on the flagship. “We have met the enemy, and they are ours,” Perry wrote in his dispatch to General William Henry Harrison. Honoring the victor, Perry County took his last name, and the county seat took his middle name.

Bordered by the North Fork of the Kentucky River, Hazard is a city of 5,240 whose Mayor bears the wonderful nickname of “Happy.” Here’s his take on his town, posted on the city website: “What sets Hazard apart from other communities is our unique character. Hazard is quirky and creative, from our arts and entertainment to our special events, architecture, restaurants and shops.”

Curious about an eastern Kentucky town that would describe itself as quirky and creative, I went to Hazard to see for myself.

Like most county seats, Hazard has a downtown long dominated by law offices, banks, the County Courthouse and City Hall. And like most coal towns, Hazard saw much of its downtown go dark in the wake of mine shutdowns.

But the citizens of Hazard took matters in their own hands, forming a group called InVision Hazard in 2013 with assistance from the Mountain Association and Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky (FAKY), who provided help in bringing in foundation funding from outside the region “to promote affordable housing, nurture entrepreneurs and revitalize downtown corridors.”

And in 2019, InVision Hazard hired a downtown coordinator. What Bailey Richards has accomplished in four years—even as COVID raged—is visible all up and down Main Street.

Originally from the Cincinnati, Ohio, area, Bailey Richards came to the mountains for two summers as a volunteer with the Appalachia Service Project, focused on home repair and relationship-building. With a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Louisville, Richards came to Hazard in 2011 and continued her work in housing with the Housing Development Alliance and Kentucky River Community Care, in addition to reporting for The Hazard Herald.

Her knowledge about her adopted home town is encyclopedic, and it’s shared with visible pride.

“We’ve had an 18 percent increase in population between 2010 and 2020—the second highest increase in the entire state,” she says. “We’ve had a large influx of people moving home—some the result of COVID, of course. But also we’ve seen folks who grew up here coming back—pushback on leaving eastern Kentucky being the thing to do.” (No doubt it helps that the Hazard City Schools are usually ranked in the top 10 Kentucky systems.)

“Hazard has 3,000 people working in the downtown—there’s a lot going on.”

Indeed. As a newcomer to Hazard, I’m seeing some intriguing things. The Appalachian Quilt and Craft shop, a community gathering spot for fabric and yarn artists. The beautiful Riverside International Peace Garden, initiated in 2008 by two Hazard Girl Scouts asking for an end to wars. The busy Hazard Coffee Company and a well-stocked toy store next door. The Appalachian Apparel Company, with made-to-order shirts. A creatively stocked independent bookstore named Read Spotted Newt.

And in the former Greyhound bus station you’ll find the home base of the Appalachian Arts Alliance called the ArtStation. It’s a beautifully restored 1930s-era building with the original pressed-tin ceiling, brick walls and an outdoor garden/patio event space. It houses a dance studio, music lesson spaces, a community kitchen and performance area. And since its July 2020 opening, it’s a space that speaks volumes about Hazard’s commitment to creativity and its people.

Given its location on the North Fork of the Kentucky River, Hazard was in the center of the 2022 eastern Kentucky floods. “We were very fortunate here in downtown,” Richards says.

“Perry County got hit hard, but we were one of the few Main Streets in the region that didn’t get wiped out by the flooding. And so we were able to serve as a central distribution center for relief efforts.”

In the four years that Richards has served as downtown coordinator, 49 new businesses have come to the city of Hazard. “We want to help small, interaction-based businesses grow. To be hyper-local. We want to be a small town with a little bit of something for everyone.”

Like most effective leaders, Richards is quick to share the credit for the ongoing progress in town, and she understands with real clarity the purpose behind what’s been accomplished.

“The citizens of Hazard have driven the change here. And I don’t think our goal is to get back to where we were—we’re looking at a completely different definition of what downtown is.”

So yes. Quirky and creative are accurate and enticing descriptors for Hazard, Kentucky. No doubt more of the same lies ahead for the Queen City of the Mountains.

The Goose is Back

Hazard’s famed Mother Goose House lost its head in 2021, but all is back in place at the quirky landmark.

Out Main Street from downtown Hazard stands the Mother Goose House. You have to see it to believe it—and Oprah and The New York Times, and as well as Home and Garden Television’s “Extreme Homes” have all made that possible for much of the world.

The story goes something like this: In 1930, Hazard resident George Stacy decided he’d design a home shaped like a goose after carving one for Thanksgiving dinner. It took 10 years to build the circular house with an oval roof topped by…yes, a monumental goose head. 

In addition to being a dwelling, it was a store, a filling station and a bed and breakfast.

And then, in March of 2021, the head fell off.

“The Goose will rise again,” was the rallying cry in Hazard, and by August, the head was back in place. 

You can’t keep a good goose down in quirky and creative Hazard.        

The story above first appeared in our  January / February 2024 issue . For more like it  subscribe  today or log in  with your active BRC+ Membership . Thank you for your support!

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Hazard Kentucky

Draped in a majestic mountainous backdrop of The Kentucky Wildlands, the Kentucky Trail Town of Hazard offers slices of vintage Americana for everyone. Peruse Main Street and enjoy local dining at Big Blue Smokehouse or Jabo’s Coal River Express. Browse boutiques, such as Moose Creek Quilts and Smith’s Woods and Water. Settle in at the new ArtStation for poetry readings and outdoor mountain jam sessions or meander down to the Mother Goose House (a private home built to resemble the structure of a goose). Check out the Perry County Farmer’s Market for seasonally fresh produce and unique local art, then unwind at the Perry County Park, featuring putt-putt golf, a skate park, an RC racing track, dog park, horse arena, and public tennis and basketball courts.

For more outdoor adventure, connect with the trail system at the nearby North Fork of the Kentucky River for hiking, fishing and kayaking. Take a quick drive from downtown to the Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park in the Appalachian foothills for seasonal pontoon and fishing boat rentals, jet-skiing, waterskiing, fishing, hunting and non-commercial trapping (rabbit, squirrel, turkey, and deer), archery, camping, and hiking, including the interpretive Moonshine Trail around 1,200-acre Buckhorn Lake.

Lottery-based elk hunting is available in the adjacent Robinson Forest. Then rev it up at the ATV off-road Mine Made Adventure Park trail system. Find your way back home for local-favorite events, such Black Gold Music Festival in the fall and Christmas in a Small Town every December, complete with an ice rink, chili cook-off and horse-drawn wagon parade.

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THE 5 BEST Things to Do in Hazard

Things to do in hazard.

• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Bobby Davis Museum

2. The Mother Goose

3. Holliday Farm and Garden

4. First Baptist Church

5. appalachian apparel co., 6. perry county park, 7. big lots, 8. air bounce inflatables & arcade, 9. beyond clothes, what travellers are saying.

• Bobby Davis Museum
• The Mother Goose
• Holliday Farm and Garden
• Air Bounce Inflatables & Arcade

4 Best and Fun Things To Do In Hazard, Kentucky

With a nickname like “Queen City of the Mountains”, you would expect to find an outdoorsman’s paradise in this Kentucky town – and you’d be right. The city’s proximity to Carr Creek State Park makes it an excellent spot for boating, fishing, and other water-based activities, while the Perry County and Bobby Davis parks also provide ample opportunities for spending time in nature.

In addition to these nearby green spaces, there are a variety of other fun and historical attractions within driving distance as well. Some of these include the Knott County Trail Ride, Mine Made Adventure Park, and Hester Brashear Hollow.

There are plenty of things to do in Hazard, Kentucky. And with adventure tourism being their trademark, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a dull moment during your day trip, personal adventure, or weeklong vacation in Hazard.

To help you create an exciting itinerary, here is a list of additional activities and attractions to consider the next time you’re in Hazard, Kentucky.

The 4 Most Popular Things To Do – Hazard, Ky

4. hazard pavilion.

Credit: WallpaperFlare

Location: 617 Broadway St, Hazard, KY 41701

Tel: 606 436 4200

Built in 1988, the Hazard Pavilion is regarded as one of the most comprehensive indoor recreation centers across the state. The Pavilion has a heated 25-meter pool, tennis courts, racquetball courts, aerobics room, a 1.5 mile-long track, weight room, sauna, sun deck, and patio.

The Pavilion is open to the public, but it can also be rented out for special occasions. Additionally, the Pavilion offers private swimming lessons and yoga classes.

3. Daniel Boone National Forest

Credit: Jason Everett Morris | Wikimedia Commons

The Daniel Boone National Forest is an expansive park that spreads across 21 counties in eastern Kentucky, including Hazard. The forest system itself spans 708,000 acres with over 600 miles of trails and more than 250 recreation sites for tourists.

There are plenty of things to do in Daniel Boone National Park, including water-based recreation such as boating, canoeing, kayaking, scuba diving, and even water skiing. Guests with valid fishing licenses can also cast their lines.

If you’re not the type to enjoy water activities, you can try out one of the many trails and excursions in the forest system. The Sky Bridge Trail is recommended for amateur climbers while the Rock Bridge Trail is recommended for people who want a bit more challenge.

There are no resorts in Daniel Boone National Forest. However, there are cabins for rent. The park also allows guests to camp or glamp inside the area. RVs are also allowed in the Cumberland District, the London Ranger District, and the Stearns District.

2. Bobby Davis Museum and Park

Location: 234 Walnut St, Hazard, KY 41701

Located on Walnut Street, the Bobby Davis Museum and Park features works that honor the history of the town and veterans who fell during World War II. Additionally, it also celebrates the long history of Hazard and Perry County. The museum is surrounded by a lush, urban forest, making it the city’s centerpiece.

During October, the museum serves as the host of the “Cocktails in the Garden” event, which spotlights original recipes by locals and a fun community gathering.

1. Perry County Park

Location: 933 Perry Park Rd, Hazard, KY 41701

Perry County Park is one of the largest parks in the area and features a walking track, skateboard park, basketball courts, five picnic shelters, and baseball and softball fields. In addition, the park also has a staging area where events and concerts are held, an outdoor pool, putt-putt golf, and boat ramp access for guests coming from and going to the Kentucky River.

Guests come to Perry County Park all year round. However, the park sees the most number of visitors from May through October. During these months, specifically on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the park hosts the Perry County Farmers Market where local vendors sell homemade seasonal produce and handmade crafts.

Final Words:

Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Hazard, Kentucky! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!

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Top Things to Do in Hazard, KY

Things to do in hazard.

• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Bobby Davis Museum

2. The Mother Goose

3. Holliday Farm and Garden

4. First Baptist Church

5. appalachian apparel co., 6. perry county park, 7. big lots, 8. air bounce inflatables & arcade, 9. beyond clothes, what travellers are saying.

• Bobby Davis Museum
• The Mother Goose
• Holliday Farm and Garden
• Air Bounce Inflatables & Arcade

• 2 Get around

Hazard is a city in Kentucky 's Daniel Boone Country , county seat of Perry County and perhaps the quintessential Appalachian coal town. At the 2020 census the population was 5,263.

Get in [ edit ]

You can get in by getting on the Hal Rogers Parkway/Daniel Boone Parkway heading to Hazard, it takes 59 miles if you are from London. The Entire freeway miles of Hal Rogers Parkway is 59 miles. If you are from Louisville, Lexington, or Frankfurt, or Fort Knox. You must get on Interstate 64, then Interstate 75, and exit 41: Somerset, Hazard, and take the entire 59 miles of Hal Rogers Parkway. If you are from Pound and Norton, Wise, Virginia, take U.S. 23 and take the U.S. 119 after a short way of crossing the state line, It is located in Kentucky.

Get around [ edit ]

Public transportation is very limited in this town, so travel by car is recommended. Please note that this region is rather hilly thus it is recommended to take great care if traveling in inclement weather, especially snow and rain.

See [ edit ]

• Mother Goose House , 2906 N Main St. Peculiar town landmark.
• Bobby Davis Museum , 234 Walnut St. Local history museum. +1 606-439-4325

Do [ edit ]

Ample hiking exists in the surrounding hills.

Buy [ edit ]

Eat [ edit ].

• Kentucky Fried Chicken , 2025 N Main St , ☏ +1 606 439-3288 .  

Drink [ edit ]

Sleep [ edit ].

• Days Inn , 359 Morton Boulevard , ☏ +1 606 436-4777 .  

Connect [ edit ]

Go next [ edit ].

• Has default banner
• Eat listing with no coordinates
• Has map markers
• Sleep listing with no coordinates
• Has routebox
• Has Geo parameter
• Daniel Boone Country
• All destination articles
• Outline cities
• Outline articles
• City articles

Navigation menu

Thursdays on the Triangle – October  every other week from 4-7pm featuring local foods, produce, and arts and craft vendors

Perry County KY Farmers Market - Open June - October -  Thursday 4-7pm & Saturday mornings 8am-noon (or until sold out)  at the Framer's Market Pavilion, 200 Main Street, beside the Hazard Police Dept. Follow their Facebook page for more details.

Perry County Fair -  Yearly - Third weekend in June 

Cruizin' on Main -   Second Saturday of the month @ 2pm

Summer in the Park at Bobby Davis Park        4th Saturday in June yearly

Independence Day Fish Fry and Fireworks - Monday July 4th 

North Fork Music Festival -   July 28 & 29  2023

ANNUAL JEEP RIDE w/Trail Hazards Jeep Club  -  July 29, 2023    

Five Alarm Festival, Downtown -  August 26, 2023 

Black Gold Festival - September 14-15-16. 2023 

North Fork Oktoberfest -  October 6, 2023

Battle of Leatherwood - Cornettsville -         Yearly -   4th weekend of October

Christmas at the Cabin - December  2&3 . 2023

Art of the Mountains sponsors this event for members to sell their creations.  Held  at the Perry County  Senior Citizens Center, Perry County Park.

MORE info about area special events, dates and times all year long, visit    hazardhappenings.com

Black Gold Festival

14, 15& 16   2023

Annually, third Th ur.-Sat. in September

Christmas in a Small Town

Christmas Parade

Artificial Ice Rink

Inflatable  Slides  and Snow Globe

Parade of Lights  Competition

Christmas Classic Theatre

Local Vendors with Crafts, Food, and Warm Drinks

Battle of Leatherwood Re-enactment

This annual reenactment of the Civil War battle fought over the Brashear Salt works on October 19, 1862. Reenactment takes place annually the fourth weekend in October at the field beside the Cornettsville Fire Department. Includes a reconstructed community. 

(606) 653-8591 •   battleofleatherwood.com

Perry County Fair

Third  Weekend in June

H & H Horse Show

Scheduled the third Saturday in June, at the Perry County Park Horse Ring, during the Perry County Fair, they strive to promote Racking, Pleasure and Standardbred Speed Horses. Focusing on the youth and future riders opens the show to new ideas and different breeds. Contact Todd Hurt (606) 233-1401 or Michelle Hurt (606) 233-5945

THE 5 BEST Things to Do in Hazard

Things to do in hazard.

• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Bobby Davis Museum

2. The Mother Goose

3. Holliday Farm and Garden

4. First Baptist Church

5. appalachian apparel co., 6. perry county park, 7. big lots, 8. air bounce inflatables & arcade, 9. beyond clothes, what travellers are saying.

• Bobby Davis Museum
• The Mother Goose
• Holliday Farm and Garden
• Air Bounce Inflatables & Arcade

Top Things to Do in Hazard, KY

Places to visit in hazard.

• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Bobby Davis Museum

2. The Mother Goose

3. Holliday Farm and Garden

4. First Baptist Church

5. appalachian apparel co., 6. perry county park, 7. big lots, 8. air bounce inflatables & arcade, 9. beyond clothes, what travellers are saying.

• Bobby Davis Museum
• The Mother Goose
• Holliday Farm and Garden
• Air Bounce Inflatables & Arcade