Overview
Harrodsburg is a small city in Mercer County located in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky.
1 sights · 4 things to do · 4 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 8 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Harrodsburg
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
Shaker Village is America's largest restored Shaker community, with 34 restored buildings and 3,000 acres of preserved farmland. Tours, exhibitions, and activities cover various topics in the historic buildings, working …
Dixie Belle
The 115-passenger riverboat located at Shaker Village cruises the scenic Kentucky River palisades. A one hour narrated cruise passes by the oldest exposed rock in Kentucky, and goes under High Bridge built in 1877. The r…
Herrington Lake
Herrington Lake was formed in 1925 by the damming of the Dix River to create hydroelectric power for Kentucky Utilities. Herrington Lake is the deepest lake in Kentucky with a maximum depth of 249 feet and 325 miles of s…
Old Fort Harrod State Park
Brochure. The park has a full-scale replica of the fort built by James Harrod in 1774. The complex also features the Lincoln Marriage Temple and oldest cemetery west of the Allegheny mountains.
Dupree Nature Preserve
A 300 acre nature preserve located 15 miles south of Lexington. This property features 5 miles of hiking trails located within the Kentucky River Palisades, a deep gorge cut by the river.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 89°F; winter lows dip to about 28°F. Wettest: May and Apr. (climate data from nearby Louisville)
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 — 23 mi away. Directions
- SDF Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, Louisville — 56 mi away (major hub). Directions
You'll almost certainly get to Harrodsburg by car.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $35–$100 a night (typical $70), from 4 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $7 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$60, mid-range ~$120, comfortable ~$200.
Options are grouped as Budget and mid-range, Splurge, Cottages and camps on Herrington Lake in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Dupree Nature Preserve, Dixie Belle
- Lunch The Inn at Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill
- Afternoon Herrington Lake, Old Fort Harrod State Park
- Dinner Beaumont Inn Restaurant
- Evening Owl's Nest
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
Harrodsburg, the first permanent English settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains, was the site of a fort built by James Harrod in 1775.
In 1805, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, or Shakertown, was founded when 44 converts to the Shaker religion signed a covenant agreeing to mutual support and the common ownership of property. Dissolved in 1910, it is now preserved as a restored historic landmark.
Get in
You'll almost certainly get to Harrodsburg by car.
See
See Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (Shakertown)
Shaker Village is America's largest restored Shaker community, with 34 restored buildings and 3,000 acres of preserved farmland. Tours, exhibitions, and activities cover various topics in the historic buildings, working farm, and nature preserve. With a farm-to-table restaurant and lodging in the historic group homes and cottages (both listed below), this can be a unique place to stay, or the focus of a few days' worth of activities.
Do
Do Dixie Belle
The 115-passenger riverboat located at Shaker Village cruises the scenic Kentucky River palisades. A one hour narrated cruise passes by the oldest exposed rock in Kentucky, and goes under High Bridge built in 1877. The riverboat is accessible to persons with physical disabilities.
Do Herrington Lake
Herrington Lake was formed in 1925 by the damming of the Dix River to create hydroelectric power for Kentucky Utilities. Herrington Lake is the deepest lake in Kentucky with a maximum depth of 249 feet and 325 miles of shoreline.
Eat
Eat Beaumont Inn Restaurant (Main Dining Room)
The main dining room of the Beaumont Inn. Features The Classic Beaumont Dinner of Fried Chicken & Country Ham. $19.95 The Beaumont Inn is known for their two-year old cured Kentucky country ham.
Eat Old Owl Tavern Restaurant
A "bar and grill" restaurant at the Beaumont Inn named for the Kentucky Owl Bourbon Whiskey distilled in the area prior to Prohibition. A casual bar and restaurant with porch dining cooled by ceiling fans and century old shade trees. Features Kentucky Hot Brown and a pulled pork barbecue sandwich.
Eat The Trustees' Table at Shaker Village
A farm-to-table restaurant featuring seasonal dishes.
Eat The Inn at Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill
A mix of traditional southern and continental foods, served at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Call ahead to ensure available seating.
Drink
Drink Owl's Nest
An English-style pub on the grounds of the Beaumont Inn. Serves food. Has TV for viewing sports.
Sleep
Budget and mid-range
Splurge
Cottages and camps on Herrington Lake
Stay Cane Run Fishing Camp & Marina
Year-round RV park. Marina open May-Oct 9AM-9PM; Nov–Apr 9AM–6PM. Featuring covered slips, boat launch, and bait shop.
Nearby
Danville
City / town · 29 listings · 9 mi away
Nicholasville
City / town · 24 listings · 17 mi away
Lawrenceburg
City / town · 4 listings · 19 mi away
Versailles
City / town · 7 listings · 21 mi away
Lexington
City / town · 102 listings · 27 mi away
Midway
City / town · 9 listings · 28 mi away
Richmond
City / town · 16 listings · 30 mi away
Frankfort
City / town · 65 listings · 30 mi away
My experience
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