Overview
Danville is a small city in Boyle County in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky.
8 sights · 4 things to do · 8 places to eat · 8 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Danville
Constitution Square
Location where the first Kentucky constitution was signed. Visit Governor's Circle, a memorial for Kentucky's governors.
Jacobs Hall at the Kentucky School for the Deaf
A museum of the history of the Kentucky School for the Deaf. 18 exhibit rooms. Parking behind Jacobs Hall.
The McDowell House Museum
The former home and office of Dr. Ephraim McDowell where in an 1809 historic operation, he removed a 22 pound ovarian tumor. Partially accessible to visitors in wheelchairs. 2nd floor and apothecary shop viewable by vide…
Wilderness Trail Distillery
Part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, this distillery produces bourbon, vodka, and rum from locally sourced grains. Open to the public for tours Thursday through Saturday.
Centre College
Founded in 1819, Centre is a 4-year, liberal arts college that is home to about 1400 students. It offers a broad range of academics and NCAA Division III athletics. The football team has an especially unique tradition—"D…
Pioneer Playhouse
An outdoor theater and campground. Every two weeks, a different show all summer long.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 25°F. Wettest: May and Mar. (climate data from nearby Cumberland Falls State Resort Park)
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.
- LEX Blue Grass Airport, Lexington — 29 mi away. Directions
- SDF Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, Louisville — 63 mi away (major hub). Directions
Visitors can access Danville by automobile. US 127 is the main north-south highway, and US 150 provides access from the east and west. KY-52 passes through some scenic landscape and can be used if travelling from Richmond to the east.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $3–$150 a night (typical $25), from 5 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$50, mid-range ~$100, comfortable ~$320.
Options are grouped as Bed & Breakfasts, Campgrounds, Hotels in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Constitution Square, The McDowell House Museum, The Great American Brass Band Festival
- Lunch Jane Barleycorn
- Afternoon Jacobs Hall at the Kentucky School for the Deaf, Norton Center for the Arts
- Dinner Bluegrass Pub and Pizza
Day 2
- Morning Perryville Battlefield
- Lunch Tut's
- Dinner Bluegrass & Buttercream
Day 3
- Morning William Whitley House
- Lunch Melton's Deli
- Dinner Red Rooster Café
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
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
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Danville was part of the settlement area around Harrod's Fort (now Harrodsburg) which was the first English permanent settlement in Kentucky. Walker Daniel, Kentucky's first District Attorney, bought land on the Wilderness Road and had it surveyed for a town in 1783-1784. The Virginia legislature established Danville on December 4, 1787.
Get in
Visitors can access Danville by automobile. US 127 is the main north-south highway, and US 150 provides access from the east and west. KY-52 passes through some scenic landscape and can be used if travelling from Richmond to the east.
See
See The McDowell House Museum
The former home and office of Dr. Ephraim McDowell where in an 1809 historic operation, he removed a 22 pound ovarian tumor. Partially accessible to visitors in wheelchairs. 2nd floor and apothecary shop viewable by video. Closed captioned video available for hearing impaired.
See Wilderness Trail Distillery
Part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, this distillery produces bourbon, vodka, and rum from locally sourced grains. Open to the public for tours Thursday through Saturday.
See Centre College
Founded in 1819, Centre is a 4-year, liberal arts college that is home to about 1400 students. It offers a broad range of academics and NCAA Division III athletics. The football team has an especially unique tradition—"Dead Fred", a portrait of late Chief Justice of the United States Fred Vinson, a Centre alum. The portrait normally hangs in the hallway of the chapter house of Vinson's old fraternity, but members take the portrait to all Centre home football and basketball games, plus other major university events. "Dead Fred" has been present at every Centre home football game since Vinson's death in 1953.
Do
Do The Great American Brass Band Festival
Great American Brass Band Festival the first and second week in June. Chautauqua Tea and Presentation. Gallery Hop. Brass Symposium. Concert at Shaker Village. Great American Balloon Race. Bayou and Brass. Evening Concerts. Run for the Brass 5-K. Main Street Parade. Free concerts on 2 stages at Centre College and in Weisiger Park. Great American Picnic.
Buy
Eat
Eat Bluegrass Pub and Pizza
Brick oven pizza. Salads. Sandwiches. Draft and bottle beer. Wine by the glass or bottle.
Eat Jane Barleycorn
Restaurant and market. Frequent local entertainment.
Eat Red Rooster Café
Country-style home cooking.
Eat Hub Coffee House and Cafe
Free wireless Internet access. Crepes, omelets, wraps.
Sweets
Eat Burke's Bakery & Delicatessen
Doughnuts & pastries made fresh daily. Special occasion cakes.
Eat Bluegrass & Buttercream
Delicious and affordable treats for any occasion, from specialty cupcakes to royal iced cookies,
Sleep
Bed & Breakfasts
Campgrounds
Hotels
Go next
- Bardstown - Home of several bourbon distilleries and is part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
- Harrodsburg - The oldest city in Kentucky.
- Lexington - Kentucky's second largest city.
- Richmond - Home of Eastern Kentucky University.
Nearby
Harrodsburg
City / town · 18 listings · 9 mi away
Nicholasville
City / town · 24 listings · 20 mi away
Berea
City / town · 31 listings · 27 mi away
Lawrenceburg
City / town · 4 listings · 27 mi away
Richmond
City / town · 16 listings · 28 mi away
Versailles
City / town · 7 listings · 28 mi away
Lexington
City / town · 102 listings · 31 mi away
Midway
City / town · 9 listings · 35 mi away
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