Richmond Things to Do Tips by Krumlovgirl

You must visit White Hall State Historic Site. It was the 44 room mansion belonging to emancipationist Cassius Clay. The house is gorgeous itself, but Cassius's own personal history is unbelieveable. In his prime, he was a dashing, romantic ambassador to Russia. He then married at 14 year old girl at the age of 80 and beat up three intruders at the age of 92. He kept a canon on his third floor balcony and shot at some government people when they came and tried to get him to pay his taxes, and he freed all of his slaves way before the Civil War. Fascinating man.

I was a tour guide at the mansion for two years and loved working there. The question we always got asked the most was whether or not the house is haunted. All I have to say is this: I had some very freaky moments there alone. If you're in the area areound Halloween, they do a special event called "Ghostwalk." Actors come in and portray the people from the past who lived there and act out scenes from their lives. It's all done at night and is candelight. A very interesting experience.

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Phone: 859-623-9178
Directions: Exit 95
Website: http://www.state.ky.us/agencies/parks/whthall.htm

The Ft. Boonesboro State Park is a really interesting place. It's right off the interstate, but when you walk through the gates you feel as if you have stepped back in time. A good tour of the fort takes about an hour. Artisans are on hand to demonstrate crafts such as candle and soap making, and living historians walk around, acting out life in the 1700s.

I worked there are a tourguide for a summer and had a blast. I made candles on some days, lye soap on other days, and toys on really alternate schedule days. At Christmas they do a traditional Christmas market and on Halloween they sometimes do a "haunting" of the Fort.

If you want to see it AND White Hall, then you can buy a value ticket. They're within five minutes of one another.

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Phone: 859-527-3131
Address: Exit 95 off of I-75.
Website: http://www.state.ky.us/agencies/parks/ftboones.htm

Gibson Bay is a 7,100 yard, par 72 course and offers a great golf course located in the Lake Reba park complex. "Golf Week" magazine rated it as the 16th best municipal golf course in the United States. I know lots of people who actually come from other states to play here. Check out their website for more info., since I am not really a golf person.

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Phone: 859-623-0225
Address: 2000 Gibson Bay Dr.
Website: www.gibsonbay.com

At this place, you can bring a group, your family, or just yourself. They do special things for kids throughout the year and have a good reputation as a nice place to ride horses-which is what you should do while in the Bluegrass region!

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Phone: (859) 527-6339
Address: 2001 River Circle Dr.
Other Contact: workmanr@mis.net

The Battle of Richmond tour is part of the Civil War Trust Discovery Trail and the Kentucky Civil War Heritage Trail. The battle was fought on Aug. 29-30, 1862, and was the second largest Civil War battle in Kentucky. It was also one of the most decisive and complete Confederate victories of the entire war with the Union army retreating in disarray and chaos. 1,000 Union troops were killed, compared to the 118 Confederate troops that were.
You can follow the path on a self-guided driving tour of the battlefields and skirmish areas. Audio cassette or cd narratives are available for sale or refundable deposit. Complete tour lasts approximately two hours.

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Phone: (800) 866-3705
Directions: Richmond Visitor Center
345 Lancaster Road
Website: www.battleofrichmond.org

1,688 acre wildlife area offers a variety of activities, including skeet shooting, field trial, trap shoot, hunting and fishing. Several different kinds of small game can also be found such as deer, song birds, rabbits, quail, turkey and dove. Three spacious lakes are located on the property. Open from dawn to dusk.

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Phone: (859) 986-4130
Directions: 638 Dreyfus Road
Berea, KY 40403

With over 100 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places and three National Register Historic Districts, downtown Richmond is considered one of the state's finest restored 19th century commercial districts. Visit retail and antique stores, restaurants and historic buildings in the downtown area. Walking tour available. Richmond is a National Main Street Community and a graduate of the Kentucky Main Street program.

Some of the better restaurants include Woody's (fine dining), Madison Gardens (more of an Italian pub if that makes sense), the Buddha (bar & sandwiches), Taylor's Pool Hall (burgers and fries), Silver Diner (home cooked food and excellent burgers) and Parke Pastries Bistro. So there's a little something for everyone.

There are also a couple of good shops. Try Jett and Hall for men's suits, Tassel and Toad for eclectic gifts, and the Chestnut Tree Gallery for art.

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Phone: (800) 866-3705

The Arts Center is a historical church building which houses art displays, music workshops, children's programs, concerts and much more. It's great because for once Richmond actually utilized a building for a new purpose instead of tearing it down building a shopping center.

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Phone: (859) 624-4242
Directions: Lancaster Avenue and Water Street
Website: http://www.artsinrichmond.org

This is a self-guided walking tour booklet featuring over 70 historical buildings, homes and churches. Guided tours are available by advance arrangement.

Some of the architecture in Richmond is really very nice. We have a lot of Victorian homes, but we also have some gothic and Georgian. Even a couple Italianate. It's a really nice walk through downtown and afterwards you can dine at one of our downtown restaurants.

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Phone: (859) 626-8474 (800) 866-3705
Directions: Richmond Visitor Center
345 Lancaster Avenue
Richmond, KY 40475

Large fishing lake stocked with bass, crappie and blue gill. Full service snack bar. Artificial and live bait. Rods and reels for public use. Paddle boats and boats with and without motors available. Open March-December. Handicap accessible.

I might be a little biased because I used to hang out at this lake all the time. It was within distance of my house and I rode my bike to it a lot. Now, in my eyes, it was a great quiet place to hang out at and relax. In the eyes of true fishermen and "lake people", it probably isn't that spectacular. But I still go.

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Phone: (859) 624-0626
Directions: 235 Taylor's Fork Road

Richmond, KY 40475