Danville Travel Guide

  Historic Downtown Danville, Kentucky
by Stephen-KarenConn
 
  • Historic Downtown Danville, Kentucky
      Historic Downtown Danville, Kentucky
    by Stephen-KarenConn
  •   Things to Do
    by Little_Lou_Lou
  • Perryville Battlefield State Park
      Perryville Battlefield State Park
    by Stephen-KarenConn
  • Welcome to Constitution Square
      Welcome to Constitution Square
    by Stephen-KarenConn
  • The Old Post Office, Danville, Kentucky
      The Old Post Office, Danville, Kentucky
    by Stephen-KarenConn
 

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Things to Do  

The Old Post Office

The Old Post Office, Danville

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  This small original log building housed the first U.S. Post Office west of the Alleghenies, when Kentucky was still a district of Virginia. Thomas Barbee was commissioned the first postmaster on August 20, 1792, and the first mail was received a few weeks later on November 3... 

Boyle County Courthouse

Boyle County Courthouse, Danville

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  Boyle County was established in 1834 and named for Judge John Boyle, who served at different times as a state representative, United States Congressman, and U.S. District Judge for Kentucky. Although Danville was one of the first towns established in Kentucky, Boyle County... 

The Great American Dollhouse Museum

The Great American Dollhouse Museum, Danville

 Miniatures Says:  A history museum in miniature, this vast maze of timelines, villages and fantasy areas is more than a person can truly examine in one visit. The surprising aspect is that it is fascinating for boys as well as girls, not only because there's a deep, dark cave with dragons and... 

The Brass Monkey

The Brass Monkey, Danville

 Little_Lou_Lou Says:  A great little pool hall with a great atmosphere, this place is always a good time. Kisha and Joe welcome you to hang out and eat or play (or both). 

Arts in Danville

Arts in Danville, Danville

 Little_Lou_Lou Says:  Norton Center for the Performing Arts is Danville's local theater/performance hall. Located on beautiful Centre College campus, the center plays host to concerts, plays, art shows and more. Both programs from local area schools and major theater productions are put on... 

Constitution Square

Constitution Square, Danville

 Little_Lou_Lou Says:  Constitution Square State Historic Site was the begining of Kentucky's statehood. Danville’s location on the Wilderness Road caused it to become a crossroad for settlers, and a political center. Danville was selected to house the first seat of Kentucky government. A... 

Pioneer Playhouse

Pioneer Playhouse, Danville

 Little_Lou_Lou Says:  :"Our Roof Is the Whole Sky!"The Pioneer Playhouse is a seasonal outdoor theater that has local actors at their best. Kentucky's oldest outdoor theater, it adds a bit of culture to small town Danville throught creative productions, beautiful sets and a lovely setting.... 

Alban Gilpin Smith Goldsmith House

Alban Gilpin Smith Goldsmith House, Danville

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  This brick house, circa 1820, was the home of Dr. Alban Goldsmith. Dr. Goldsmith was a pupil and assistant to Dr. Ephraim McDowell, whose home is located opposite Constitution Square on Second Street. Goldsmith assisted Dr. McDowell when he performed the first successful... 

McDowell House and Apothecary Shop

McDowell House and Apothecary Shop, Danville

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  The Ephriam McDowell House, a National Historic Landmark, sits across Second Street from Constitution Square in downtown Danville.It was here on Christmas morning, 1809, that Dr. McDowell began his historic operation of abdominal surgery, without anesthetic or pain killers,... 

Community Arts Center

Community Arts Center, Danville

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  Located in the old Federal Building in Downtown Danville, the Community Arts Center is the focal point for the arts in Boyle County. The Center offers space for teaching, practicing, and viewing the arts, with free visual arts exhibits changing monthly. Preforming arts... 

Watts-Bell House and Museum

Watts-Bell House and Museum, Danville

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  The Watts-Bell House, circa 1816-1817, was built by William Watts adjacent to Fisher's Row in Danville and rented to a leading Danville merchant, David Bell. Like the Fisher’s Row houses adjacent to it, the Watts-Bell house is constructed of brick in the Flemish bond... 

Fisher's Row

Fisher's Row, Danville

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  Fishers Row, on the eastern edge of Constitution Square in downtown Danville, was built around 1816-1817 by Jeremiah Fisher as the first rental property in Danville. The row of historic buildings consists of two, two-story houses with a common center wall. The brickwork is... 

Trinity Episcopal Church

Trinity Episcopal Church, Danville

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  Trinity Episcopal Church, on Main Street in downtown Danville, is the oldest church building still in use for public worship in Boyle County. Trinity Parish was organized in 1829 and the first building erected the following year. The edifice was gutted by fire on February,... 

Hotels  

Comfort Suites Danville

 1 Review and 55 Opinions  Those who read many of my pages on VT know that I often stay at older Mom and Pop motels, especially... 

Hampton Inn Danville

 45 Opinions

Restaurants  

Burke's Bakery: A Danville institution

Burke's Bakery: A Danville institution, Danville

 Little_Lou_Lou Says:  I try to visit here every time I am in Danville. The food is some of the best I have ever had and the smell alone can make a person swoon and gain ten pounds! They serve deli and bakery items and provide services for catering and weddings. :EVERYTHING!!!!My special... 

Guadalajara: Authentic Mexican Food

Guadalajara: Authentic Mexican Food, Danville

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  Guadalajara Restaurant was a short distance from the motel where I stayed in Danville, so after checking in I walked over for dinner. It turned out to be a very good choice. From the looks of the crowd it appeared to be a very popular family eating place in... 

Transportation  

From the northeast: Take I-64...
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nnoah 34 reviews

From the northeast: Take I-64 West to Lexington. Exit SR-922 and follow signs to Bluegrass (BG) Parkway (US-60). Travel west to US-127 South and follow to Danville.

From the north: Take I-75 South to Lexington. Exit SR-922 and follow signs to Bluegrass (BG) Parkway (US-60). Travel west to US-127 South and follow to Danville.

From the northwest: Take I-64 East to US-127 South and follow to Danville.

From the southwest: Take I-65 North to Cumberland Parkway. Travel east to US- 127 North and follow to Danville.

From the southeast: Take I-75 North to Exit 59 (Mt. Vernon, US-25); US-25 becomes US-150. Travel west on US-150 to Danville.
There is plenty of parking for the festival, but be ready to do some walking, since it isn't practical to drive around at the festival - many streets are closed for the activities.

Written Aug 26, 2002

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Shopping  

Constitution Square Museum Store: Kentucky Books and Souvenirs
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Stephen-KarenConn 2608 reviews
Constitution Square Museum Store
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The Constitution Square Museum Store is located in the historic Goldsmith House on a corner of the square. This is a good place to find books of Kentucky history and educational items as well as souvenirs and crafts of Danville and Kentucky. I found postcards and a refregerator magnet for my collections here.

The Museum Store also serves as an information center for Constitution Square. Behind the store, in a seperate modern building, are public restrooms.

What to buy: The Museum Store features craft items from the "Kentucky Collection," a project of the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program, a division of the Kentucky Arts Council, Commerce Cabinet. Products in the Collection represent quality, moderately priced Kentucky crafts, visual arts, foods, books and music that are available for sale in selected retail venues around the state.

Updated Apr 4, 2011

Address: 134 South Second Street, Danville, Kentucky 40422

Phone: 859-239-7089

Related to:
 National/State Park
 Historical Travel

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Local Customs  

The Danville Labyrinth Project
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Stephen-KarenConn 2608 reviews
The Danville Labyrinth
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The Danville Laybrinth, is located on Main Street in McDowell Park, between Centre College and the Presbyterian Church. It was built in 2002 by a non-denominational committee of local citizens and is a replica of the 11-circuit labyrinth of Chartres Cathedral in France. The labyrinth belongs to the entire community of Danville.

Forty-feet in circumference, the labyrinth is an ancient pattern found in many cultures around the world. A feature labyrinth's have in common, whether called a "Medicine Wheel," "Never Ending Circle," or "Kabala," is that they all have one path which winds in a circuitous way to the center. It is designed to be a place of prayer and meditation for all people.

Updated Jun 28, 2007

Phone: (859) 332-4201

Website: www.danvillelabyrinth.org

Related to:
 Religious Travel

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Warnings and Dangers  

safety on vacation
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davecallahan 2821 reviews

You are safer in Danville than in most towns in Kentucky.

They only have registered 10 sex offenders (website below). In five years there have been no murders and only 25 violent crimes (rapes, assaults). The biggest crime they have is petty theft (shop-lifting) and that seldom affects tourists.

That doesn't mean that you shouldn't lock your car doors, or leave your motel room door with the chain off, or walk down unfamiliar streets at 3am..... Use common sense and be aware of your surroundings and you will be fine.

Updated Apr 16, 2007

Website: http://www.city-data.com/so/so-Danville-Kentucky.html

Related to:
 Road Trip
 Women's Travel
 Family Travel

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Off The Beaten Path  

Perryville Battlefield State Park
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Stephen-KarenConn 2608 reviews
Perryville Battlefield State Park

Eleven miles due west of Danville is the Perryville Battlefield State Park, site of Kentucky's largest engagement in the War Between the States.

Because it is in an undeveloped rural area, Perryville may be the most pristine battlefield site in the United States. There is a Visitor Center with an information desk, maps, books and videos available. The battlefield itself has interpretative markers which allow the visitor to follow the flow of the battle over grass covered hills and dales, seeing the landscape much as it was on that fateful day, October 8, 1862.

The Battle of Perryville holds a special personal significance for me because two of my great great uncles fought there as Confederate soldiers. One was captured and the other was listed as missing. He is probably among the hundreds of unknown dead buried in mass graves on the battlefield.

Those who are interested may follow the link below to read my Perryville Battlefield State Park page.

Updated Jul 2, 2007

Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/4b7c5/c0adc/

Related to:
 Historical Travel
 Road Trip

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Comments

* Pricing and fares have been collected during the three days prior to today's date. Actual pricing and fares are provided by air carrier and suppliers, whose prices change frequently and without notice.
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