(This article first appeared in the June print edition of the Hendersonian.)
It’s the summer travel season, but with fuel prices lingering around $4 per gallon, those of us with gas-powered vehicles may be taking a pause from long-distance travel and instead start looking for things to experience — or revisit —in our own backyard.
Western Kentucky’s Grand Rivers in Livingston County is a great bet as a nostalgic base for a day trip, a long weekend or even an extended stay, especially if you love water recreation. With both Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley nearby, there’s plenty of opportunity for boating (even if you need to rent one), paddling, fishing or floating.
But what else is there to do? Here are some ideas.
Badgett Playhouse
In downtown Grand Rivers, right across from Patti’s 1880s Settlement (more about that later), there’s a 293-seat live entertainment theatre that offers musical revues, variety shows, comedy and top-tier tribute acts year-round.
Traditionally the theatre has drawn its talent from the talented music community at Murray State University and also from abundance of resources in Nashville. They offer both matinee and evening shows.
This summer they will be offering “The Taylor Swift Concert Experience” (a tribute show), “The Smothers & Others Tribute Show,” “Almost Elton John,” “Jumping Jack Flash (a Rolling Stones tribute band), “The Motown & Soul Experience, “Silver Springs” (an acoustic tribute to Stevie Nicks), “Creedence Revived,” “Silver Stallion” (tribute to The Highwaymen), “The Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute,” “Pandora’s Box” (a tribute to Aerosmith), “The Poets and Pirates” (Kenny Chesney tribute,) “Monsters of Yacht” and other homages to Loretta Lynn, Fleetwood Mac, ZZ Top, Johnny Cash, Alan Jackson and George Strait, AC/DC, ABBA and The Bee Gees, Queen and Pink Floyd, among others. The offerings are extensive and varied.
The theatre is located at 1838 JH O’Bryan Ave. in Grand Rivers. See their full schedule with ticket prices at thebadgettplayhouse.com/2026shows. This year they are offering limited bar items including wine, beer and a frozen cocktail selection to cool you down after a hot summer day.
Land Between The Lakes
Do you love seeing wildlife and being in the great outdoors?
Just a few miles south of Grand Rivers in Land Between the Lakes, the Elk & Bison Prairie offers a native grassland habitat that was once common in Kentucky more than a century ago. Elk and bison roam free in the 700-acre enclosure. Visitors explore the prairie habitat while traveling in their enclosed vehicle via a 3.5-mile paved loop road. The fee to drive through is $5 per vehicle.
Numerous other wildlife species and a stunning array of native plants also thrive in the prairie. Wild turkeys, a variety of birds, small game, butterflies and prairie mammals are also found in the sanctuary.
The best times to visit the prairie are in the cooler parts of the day especially during the summer months. Drive slowly and be prepared: Sometimes this very large animals like to park themselves on the loop road. (Maybe they’re doing their own “wildlife” watching.)
For safety reasons, vehicles must be enclosed, and pedestrians, motorcycles and bicycles are not allowed.
Also, at LBL, the Golden Pond Visitors Center has a planetarium with astronomy and laser light programs, exhibits on local history, restrooms and trailheads for hiking.
Retail therapy and food
Grand Rivers has some antiques stores and cute boutique shops, including six in Patti’s 1880s Settlement with clothing, home decor and food items. There is also a moonshine-tasting experience.
Attractions in the settlement include a petting zoo, gem mining, mini golf, gardens and, of course, the restaurant that is a fixture for western Kentucky dining with its 2-inch-thick pork chops, flowerpot bread with strawberry butter and meringue pies.
The restaurant was completely rebuilt and reopened following a 2018 fire, but its concept returned with waitstaff in period attire, themed dining rooms and rustic charm.
Reservations are recommended.
To find out more about specific events taking place this summer and fall, visit www.explorekentuckylake.com.
