Elizabethtown

Affectionately known to the locals as The State, the Historic State Theatre Complex originally opened its doors to the public in 1942 in downtown Elizabethtown. Almost exactly 40 years later The State closed down, much to the disappointment of the Elizabethtown community. In the 1990’s the community started a fundraising project which would see the historic old theatre re-open in 2009, fully restored to its original 1940’s Art-Deco splendor. Today you can visit The State to take a walk down memory lane as you watch a classic movie, thrill to a live theatre production or enjoy a concert or comedy show.

Historic State Theatre Complex, 209 W Dixie Ave, Elizabethtown, KY 42701, Phone: 270-234-8258

Visitors are invited to come and tour the Hardin County History Museum to learn about the pioneer days in Hardin County. The museum was established in 2003 to collect, preserve and showcase a wealth of documents, memorabilia and artifacts which are displayed in several permanent and rotating exhibitions. Today visitors can step back in time to see how the original settlers lived their day to day live in remote wilderness areas of the Kentucky frontier, more than 200 years ago. You can learn about the James Hunt Morgan Raid in 1862, Abraham Lincoln’s ties to the county and the Civil War in Hardin County. Hardin County History Museum is free to visit and accessible to everyone.

Hardin County History Museum, 201 W Dixie Ave, Elizabethtown, KY 42701, Phone: 270-763-8339

Located in the Elizabethtown Nature Park, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall is an 80% scale replica of the famous Veterans Wall in Washington DC. The wall was erected in 2018, close to the Hardin County Veterans Tribute monument. Visiting the Veterans Tribute monument and the Veterans Memorial Wall leaves one with a poignant reminder of the devastation of war. The Nature Park is a calm and serene place to visit and is an ideal location for visitors to reflect and pay tribute to the thousands of men and women who served in the armed forces and those who paid the ultimate price to safeguard their country.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, 1850 Rind Rd, Elizabethtown, KY 42701

Built in 1825, the Brown-Pusey House is a stately Georgian home which now houses a small museum and a genealogy library. For many years the house was used as a boarding establishment called Hill House and hosted many illustrious visitors including General Custer and his wife, the Swedish Nightingale Jenny Lind and General John Hunt Morgan of the Confederate Army. The house has been beautifully restored in 1923 and donated to the community. The house museum welcomes visitors from Tuesdays through Saturday for free guided tours of the house and its beautiful formal gardens. The public is also welcome to use the Genealogy Library to research their ancestry.

Brown-Pusey House, 128 N Main St, Elizabethtown, KY 42701, Phone: 270-765-2515

Determined to bring first class artisanal brewing to Elizabethtown, Fly Wheel Brewing is owned and operated by a dedicated band of beer lovers. The idea behind the brewery is to offer Elizabethtown locals and visitors a relaxing atmosphere where they can relax and enjoy a great brew and even better company. The industrial-style taproom has a view of the brewing tanks and there is a small outdoor seating area. On tap you will find a selection of 16 house and guest brews including Belgian Ale, Porter, Hefeweizen, Ales, Stout and several IPA’s. Check their website to see which local food truck will be serving dinner.

Fly Wheel Brewing, 218 South Mulberry Street, Elizabethtown, KY 42701

Established in 2009 to recognize and protect the heritage of high school basketball in the Bluegrass State. Since then 112 former players and coaches have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. In Kentucky basketball is more than just a game – it is a way of life and visitors are encouraged to visit the KHSBHS to learn more about how high school basketball encourages a culture of hard work, team play and personal responsibility among the youth and their coaches. Famous Kentucky basketball inductees include “King” Kelly Coleman (1952-1956), Al Prewitt and Alfred Butch Beard.

Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame, 212 W. Dixie Ave, Elizabethtown, KY 42701, Phone: 270-234-8354

Located in an historic old building which is rumored to have been a house of ill repute back in the day, The Wicked Eyed Woman Public House welcomes visitors to come and enjoy a relaxed lunch or dinner in an historic setting. The interior of the restaurant has been lovingly restored to reveal the best of the old skeleton of the building without removing all traces of its antiquity, resulting in plenty of atmosphere. The menu brings traditional British Pub Fare, with a Southern twist, to Elizabethtown, using the finest seasonal produce, locally sourced wherever possible. Think classic fish and chips, delicious salads and burgers and plenty of mouth-watering surprises.

The Wicked Eyed Women, 133 W. Dixie Ave, Elizabethtown, KY 42701, Phone: 270-506-3210

You can take a nostalgic walk down memory lane when you pay a visit to Swope’s Cars of Yesterday Museum in Elizabethtown. The museum is privately owned by the Swope family of Automobile dealerships and is free to visit for anyone who is interested. Here you can see how automobiles have changed and advanced over time – perhaps you will recognize a model that your family used to own when you were a child. The comprehensive collection includes all makes and models from around 1900 to the 1960’s and some of these old treasures are available for sale, in order to make space for newer museum additions. There is always a guide available to give you a tour.

Swope’s Cars of Yesterday Museum, 1100 N. Dixie Avenue, Elizabethtown, KY 42701, 270 765 2181

Forming part of the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, the Abraham Lincoln Boyhood Home at Knob Creek is where President Abraham Lincoln spent several happy boyhood years. Lincoln and his family lived in this simple, single storey home from 1811 to 1816, and the President held fond memories of his boyhood on the family farm. When you visit the park today you can see the simple, one-room log cabin where the president was born – it is located just 10 miles from his boyhood home at Knob Creek. The Historical Park has a Visitor’s Center and a small theatre where you can watch a short orientation video about Lincoln’s life and times.

Abraham Lincoln Boyhood Home at Knob Creek, 7120 Bardtown Rd, Hodgenville, KY 42748 207 358 3137

If you happen to be exploring downtown Elizabethtown on foot you should make a detour to visit the Public Square on the corner of West Dixie where you will find an infamous cannonball lodged in a wall. This particular cannonball has an interesting history; it dates back to 1862 when Elizabethtown experienced it’s one and only Civil War battle. The story goes that the Confederate Army attacked the Union-occupied town in order to destroy the railway which ran through Elizabethtown. In the ensuing battle, a cannonball became lodged in the Depp building. After the building was destroyed by fire in 1887, the cannonball was “recued” and replaced in its original position many years later, where it remains as a familiar landmark.

The Cannonball, 40 Public Square, West Dixie, Elizabethtown, KY 42701, 270 765 2175