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If you want to take a road trip from Paintsville, Kentucky, you can pretty much head in any direction to find some awesome destinations. Whether you’re looking for cultural city activities or somewhere to hike or relax close to nature, one of these four road trips should suit you.
1. Lexington
Around two hours west of Paintsville, Lexington is the Kentucky Horse Park which is known as the horse capital of the world. The park features almost 50 horse breeds, working farm exhibits, museums, theaters, and galleries celebrating man’s unique relationship with horses. You can stay at the campground with its 260 sites.
Lexington is also home to the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill that has 3,000 acres of farmland, 33 miles of trails, and 34 restored 19th-century buildings. In vibrant Downtown Lexington you can enjoy historic buildings, Bourbon bars, parks, and more.
2. Daniel Boone National Forest
To get closer to nature, Daniel Boone National Forest is also a couple of hours’ drive from Paintsville. The forest offers campgrounds, RV camping, and cabin rentals for overnights or longer stays. Over 600 miles of interconnecting trails provide varying degrees of difficulty for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders.
Your explorations will reward you with sights of towering cliffs, waterfalls, burbling streams, and overlooks with stunning views. You may also glimpse spectacular wildlife with black bears, elk, peregrine falcons, and eagles returning to the area. For the less active, many miles of scenic byways enable you to enjoy a driving tour of the forest.
3. Charleston
Less than two hours northwest of Paintsville is Charleston, the capital city of West Virginia. Located along the banks of the Kanawha River, it offers many attractions. In the West Virginia State Museum & Culture Center, you can discover the state and its history through interactive exhibits, theaters, and libraries.
While exploring the city, visit the Capitol Market with its indoor and outdoor farmers’ markets, and specialty shops. Discover hidden Hale Street and the charming Bridge Road with their unique shops, spas, and restaurants. Enjoy the riverfront parks such as Magic Island Park where the Elk River joins the Kanawha River.
4. New River Gorge
The New River Gorge in West Virginia is less than three hours east of Paintsville and features 70,000 acres of recreational activities and stunning scenery. Eight primitive camping areas have access to the river for swimming or fishing. For the adventurous, the river also offers opportunities for whitewater rafting.
For hiking, the park has many trails ranging from a quarter-mile to seven miles in length with difficulty ranging from flat, easy walks to steep, challenging hikes. You could also do some rock climbing at one of the 1,400 established sites with climbs from 30 to 120 feet high. Fishing is popular on the New River and you can catch a variety of species on a catch and release basis.
These road trips give you the opportunity to discover very different locations and a variety of activities. All you’ve got to do is load up the car and go.
Image via Pixabay.com
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