Discover Pikeville

Pikeville combines Appalachian culture, a distinctive city history and a variety of opportunities on the water. Those planning a trip with cultural discoveries, short and longer trails, and special experiences will find different ways to shape their days here. When looking for a vacation rental in Pikeville, it is worth first deciding on your main focus: Should the trip be shaped primarily by events and museums, by activity in Bob Amos Park or by activities on the Levisa Fork?

Culture, History and Events in Pikeville

One of the defining events of the year is Hillbilly Days. The festival takes place annually in downtown Pikeville and has been celebrated in Pike County since 1977. It therefore provides a specific reason to visit Pikeville at a suitable time if you would like to experience an event with a regional character. For a quieter exploration of the area’s history, the Big Sandy Heritage Center Museum is recommended. There you can see artifacts relating to the McCoys, the Hatfields and the Hatfield-McCoy Feud. The museum also has the world’s largest collection of memorabilia related to Perry Cline.

The Historic Downtown Pikeville Walking Tour also focuses on the city’s past. The tour leads to Pikeville’s historic sites and buildings. Another urban focal point is the Appalachian Wireless Arena in the heart of downtown. It serves as a venue for entertainment and conferences. The Appalachian Center for the Arts is also located downtown and is dedicated to theater, music, visual arts and community enrichment. It offers arts education for people in the region that is intended to promote collaboration, partnership and civic engagement.

An Unusual Landscape Experience Around the Cut-Through

Pikeville’s history becomes especially vivid at the Pikeville Cut-Through project. Almost 18 million cubic yards of earth and rock were moved during this project. The Pikeville Cut-Through Overlook is located on Bob Amos Drive. Another perspective is offered by a two-hour kayaking tour on the waterways of the Levisa Fork. It passes the Pikeville Cut-Through project, an artificially constructed channel that relocated a mountain and a river. This allows you to experience the city’s history not only in a museum or on a tour, but also while spending time on the water.

Trails, Running Routes and Water Activities

For activity on land, Bob Amos Park offers several different options. There is a seven-lane track for walking and running. The Bob Amos Trails comprise five trails ranging from 0.25 to 4.7 miles in length. The Real McCoy Trail is 4.5 miles long. This information helps you distinguish between a shorter loop and a longer route when planning your day, without having to fit all the trails into the same outing.

The Levisa Fork and the Hatfield-McCoy River Trail System also offer their own possibilities. The river trail system is recognized as a Kentucky Blue Water Trail. The Levisa Fork has gentle rapids and flowing shallows with suitable conditions for families and beginners. Canoes, kayaks and small one-person pontoon boats are mentioned. If you are traveling with children or would like to gain your first experience on the water, this area offers a different type of trip from the historic sights in the city center.

Choose the Right Vacation Rental for Your Travel Plans

The variety of experiences makes it worthwhile to choose your base deliberately. For Hillbilly Days, the arena, the Appalachian Center for the Arts or the historic walking tour, a stay with an urban focus may make sense. If you are primarily planning trails, running routes and water activities, you should check when looking for accommodation which location suits your personal daily itinerary. This way, you can choose a vacation rental in Pikeville according to your desired mix of culture, activity and water, without limiting the trip to just one activity.

For more travel ideas, you can also explore Canada and Jenkins.

For the higher-level travel overview: Pike County.