Day Trip: Mt. Sterling — easy to get to, hard to leave
One of the greatest things about Hamburg is its proximity to I-75 and I-64, making all of the eastern part of Kentucky an easily accessible day trip.
This month, we’re featuring Mt. Sterling.
Founded in 1792, Mt. Sterling is a small, friendly city steeped in the history of early Kentucky. Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and the Bluegrass Region, many sites and buildings in the town can be found on state and national historic registers. It is a city with a strong heritage whose doors are always open to progress.
“Mt. Sterling is the county seat to Montgomery County and is located only 30 minutes east of Lexington off I 64 at Exit 110. Our small town is full of history, charm, first class attractions, and of course, Southern hospitality,” says Tourism Director Tracy Pearce.
Whether it is a walk through the award winning historic downtown district where visitors will uncover landmarks that date back to over 200 years, or a visit to The Gateway Regional Arts Center that offers new art exhibits and daily performances, there is something for everyone in Mt. Sterling.
Visitors can tour the Ruth Hunt Candy Company (a sampling of their famous Blue Monday candy bar and bourbon balls is a must). For those more interested in the fresh air and beauty of Mt. Sterling, visitors can choose a day at Townsend Sorghum Mill, Two Sisters Pumpkin Patch or Hickory Springs of Montgomery Daylily Farm. A driving tour of the “Clothesline of Quilts” provides travelers with a journey along the beautiful back roads dotted with colorful quilt squares on highly visible barns.
Avid and recreational golfers alike will flock to the number one rated Old Silo Golf Course situated on 20 acres of rolling bluegrass countryside. This 18-hole championship course has received numerous awards from Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and USA Today. The 6,000 square foot clubhouse offers panoramic views and a restaurant. The newly public Indian Creek Golf Course offers a country club setting with a beautiful 18 hole course and the popular Indian Creek Restaurant.
Each season brings favorite festivals and events such as The Small Town America Festival held the third Saturday in August. It offers a 5K run/walk, car show, cornhole tournament, arts and crafts, and talent show.
Court Days is Kentucky’s oldest festival with visitors from all parts of the country who gather for the four day event to partake of the many different arts and crafts and food and music from local as well as out of town vendors. Each year, the festival is held the third Monday in October and the weekend prior.
“We are a small town with large appeal,” says Pearce. “We invite people to come visit or stay in a community that is easy to get to, but hard to leave.”
Visit Mt. Sterling April 22 and April 23 and shop their Open House, which will include door prizes, refreshments and special Open House sale.
This article also appears on page 6 of the April 2016 printed edition of the Hamburg Journal.
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