This Tiny Kentucky Town Is The Perfect Weekend Getaway
This tiny Kentucky town is home to both the birthplace of KFC and the magnificent Cumberland Falls.
Courtesy of Corbin
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of eating at a Kentucky Fried Chicken, then you’ve experienced just a little bit of the magic of Corbin, Kentucky. The town in southeast Kentucky is not only the birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken, but it’s also home to Cumberland Falls, a breathtaking 125-foot-wide waterfall that’s often called the Niagara of the South. Corbin’s two main claims to fame are reason enough to visit, but when you add in everything else this Southern Kentucky charmer has to offer, you may be kicking yourself for not making the trip sooner.
As the middle point between Knoxville and Lexington, Corbin has long been thought of a road trip pitstop, but it’s high time for the town to shed that identity and step into the spotlight. The tiny town of fewer than 8,000 people is part of the Kentucky Wildlands, a 14,000-square-mile region spanning eastern and southern Kentucky that includes the Daniel Boone National Forest and has one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. When you’re not adventuring in Corbin’s ancient forests, misty mountains, and sparkling cliffs—or chowing down on fried chicken—the town has plenty of other surprises in store. Keep reading for all our recommendations on spending a weekend in Corbin.
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The Best Things To Do In Corbin, Kentucky
The first thing to do in Corbin is spend ample time exploring Cumberland Falls State Resort Park located deep in the Daniel Boone National Forest. The main attraction here is of course Cumberland Falls, which measures 68 feet tall, 125 feet wide, and is the second largest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. It’s also the largest waterfall (as measured by water volume) in the Eastern United States outside of Niagara Falls. If you’re lucky, you might catch the cascade’s rare moonbow, a lunar rainbow created by the light of the full moon rather than sunlight. Moonbows are caused by the refraction of light in water droplets, so they only arise near waterfalls. In addition to Hawaii and California, Corbin is one of the only places in the U.S. to host this stunning natural phenomenon.
Other activities to consider in Cumberland Falls State Resort Park include hiking several trails, fishing in the Cumberland River, mining for gemstones and fossils, and horseback riding through the forest. For just $25 per person, you can spend 45 minutes traversing a guided trail atop a beautiful mare. If you’re looking for a rush, sign up for a guided whitewater rafting trip on the Cumberland River, a 10-mile-long course with plenty of great views and Class 3 rapids. If you’re still seeking more time on the water, head to Laurel River Lake, where you’ll find 206 miles of beautiful tree-lined shoreline and endless opportunities to fish, boat, and participate in water sports.
Courtesy of Shewoltee Adventure Resort
Make your way out of the woods or the water and onto Main Street. In this revitalized section of downtown Corbin, you’ll find everything from antique stores to locally-owned boutiques and restaurants. Take your time strolling the old-fashioned streets; just be sure to make time to stop at 101 Depot Street, an outdoor railroad museum where you can see the last steam engine built in South Louisville in 1922, as well as an original L&N caboose.
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The Best Places To Eat In Corbin, Kentucky
Your first meal in Corbin should be at Sanders Café and Museum, where can see the original KFC location as it appeared when it opened in the 1940s. Colonel Harland David Sanders started selling fried chicken from his roadside restaurant in North Corbin during the Great Depression. Over the next 75-plus years, his “secret recipe” would go on to spawn more than 20,000 KFC locations worldwide. At the original café and museum, you can not only get your fill of the legendary fried chicken, but you can also see replicas of an original KFC dining room, as well as Colonel Sanders’s office and the kitchen where he developed the recipe. The rest of the museum is filled with displays of authentic KFC memorabilia.
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For a finer dining experience, head to The Wrigley, an Appalachian eatery and taproom helmed by chef and owner Kristin M. Smith. The farm-to-table restaurant specializes in Appalachian cuisine served alongside an impressive menu of craft beer, plus 60 bourbons and a creative cocktail menu. At this casual but elevated eatery, you can order everything from a New York strip covered in miso butter to the Baloney Holler, a stacked-high sandwich featuring house-smoked fried baloney, American cheese, potato chips, lettuce, and honey mustard on toasted Texas toast.
If you’re in search of something sweet, head to Sweeties Ice Cream and Mini Donuts on Main Street. The old-fashioned scoop shop is a Wonka-esque wonderland for those with a sweet tooth. In addition to super-premium ice cream flavors served in waffle cones, on ice cream sundaes, and in floats, the dessert shop is also famous for outrageous milkshakes and hot, fresh-to-order mini donuts. Donuts come by the half or whole dozen and can be topped with anything from cinnamon and sugar to peanut butter or maple glaze. Get the full Corbin experience by ordering the Moonbow Fantasy milkshake, a vanilla milkshake with Fruity Pebble additions that pays homage to the town’s famously colorful spectacle.
Courtesy of Sheltowee Adventure Resort
The Best Places To Stay In Corbin, Kentucky
During your stay in Corbin, don’t settle for a traditional hotel room—though there are Best Western, Baymonts, and Hampton Inns, galore. Instead, book a night or two at the one-of-a-kind Sheltowee Adventure Resort, an outdoor-focused resort located just five miles from Cumberland State Resort Park. Shelowee offers lodging options that range from cabins and campsites to covered wagons. Each Old West-style covered wagon is outfitted with electricity, AC/heat, a microwave and mini fridge, and beds to sleep up to six people.
For another rustic but cozy stay, consider the historic DuPont Lodge located in Cumberland State Resort Park. The expansive stone lodge is exactly what you’d imagine. Solid hemlock beams, knotty pine paneling, and warm leather furniture surrounding wood-burning fireplaces create exactly the type of atmosphere you dream of for an outdoor escape. The lodge features 51 rooms, a full-service restaurant, and a sprawling observation deck that overlooks the Cumberland River.
Related: 8 Charming Small Towns Near Louisville, Kentucky
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