Overview
Benton is a city in the Kentucky Lake region in Kentucky's Western Waterlands. Unless noted, the area code for all listings is 270.
1 sights · 2 things to do · 3 places to eat · 24 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Benton
Kentucky Opry Country Music Show
A good, clean wholesome family show. The Kentucky Opry will entertain you with Gospel, Country, 50s and some great impersonations of your favorite Grand Ole Opry stars.
Forgotten Past
Go-carts, 18 hole miniature golf, bumper cars, museum, arcade and gifts. Open daily at 1PM, Memorial Day to Labor Day. Weekends in May and September. Located on US 68, 3 miles east of Draffenville.
Kentucky Shores Family Fun Center
Another small-scale amusement park.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 89°F; winter lows dip to about 27°F. Wettest: May and Apr. (climate data from nearby Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PAH Barkley Regional Airport, Paducah — 27 mi away. Directions
- CGI Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, Cape Girardeau — 72 mi away. Directions
- BNA Nashville International Airport, Nashville — 106 mi away (major hub). Directions
The main routes into Benton are:
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Kentucky Opry Country Music Show, Forgotten Past
- Lunch 4 Little Pigs BBQ
- Afternoon Kentucky Shores Family Fun Center
- Dinner Belew's Dairy Bar
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
In addition to many chain restaurants, there are some local establishments in Benton:
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Get in
The main routes into Benton are:
- Interstate 69 – A controlled-access highway built as the Purchase Parkway, part of the state's "parkway" system of toll roads, but now a freeway. The highway, which runs in a general northeast-southwest direction, funnels in traffic from Interstate 24 to the north. It's now signed as I-69 between Calvert City and Mayfield, with the rest (south to Fulton) to become part of I-69 in the near future. The main exit to Benton is Exit 43 (Kentucky Route 348). A second Benton exit, Exit 41 (US 641), is less useful for traffic heading into town, as it mainly serves to direct traffic heading to Murray.
- US 68 – A two-lane east-west highway whose western end is near Paducah, it provides access to Land Between the Lakes and the southern tier of Kentucky.
- US 641 – North of the city, it is a two-lane road running parallel to the Purchase Parkway. South of the city, it becomes a four-lane divided highway running to Murray.
See
Do
- Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge, 91 US-641. Small wildlife refuge with a pond and hiking trail. May or may not see birds. +1 270-527-5770
Family Fun
- Maggie's Jungle Golf, 7301 US-641, Gilbertsville. Exotic miniature golf and petting zoo. +1 270-362-8933
Golf
- Benton Golf and Country Club, Golf Course Rd., +1 270 527-9673. 18 Holes / Open-Private.
- Birmingham Pointe Golf Club, Golf Course Rd., +1 270 354-5050. 18 Holes / Open-Private.
Buy
Shop Antiques Et Cetera & The Emporium
Shop Odds & Ends Craft Store
- Shop-O-Rama, US 68E, +1 270 527-8361.
Eat
In addition to many chain restaurants, there are some local establishments in Benton:
Eat Belew's Dairy Bar
Drive In restaurant. Open seasonally mid April through Labor Day.
Drink
All of Marshall County, including Benton, is now "wet", allowing full package alcohol sales.
Sleep
- Dinner Bell Cottages 13444 US 68 E, +1 270 354-6521.
Stay Benton Inn
Stay Southern Komfort Resort
Camping
Nearby
Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
Park · 4 listings · 10 mi away
Gilbertsville
City / town · 14 listings · 12 mi away
Calvert City
City / town · 7 listings · 12 mi away
Grand Rivers
City / town · 2 listings · 12 mi away
Aurora
City / town · 12 listings · 13 mi away
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
Park · 11 listings · 17 mi away
Murray
City / town · 6 listings · 17 mi away
Paducah
City / town · 28 listings · 21 mi away
My experience
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