Danville Travel Guide

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Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Kentucky region, Danville is a captivating city that offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Known for its charming small-town atmosphere, this hidden gem is a must-visit destination for travelers seeking an authentic American experience.

History buffs will be delighted by the rich historical heritage that Danville has to offer. As the first capital of Kentucky, the city boasts numerous historic sites and landmarks that showcase its significant role in the state's history. Take a stroll through the Constitution Square Historic Site, where the state's first constitution was signed, or explore the beautifully preserved buildings of downtown Danville, which reflect the architectural styles of different eras.

Nature enthusiasts will find plenty to explore in Danville and its surroundings. The city is surrounded by breathtaking natural landscapes, including the rolling hills and picturesque farmlands that Kentucky is famous for. Outdoor activities abound, from hiking and biking along scenic trails to boating and fishing in the nearby lakes and rivers. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the stunning Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, a national historic landmark that offers a glimpse into the communal lifestyle of the Shakers.

Art and culture thrive in Danville, with a vibrant arts scene that showcases local talent and creativity. The Norton Center for the Arts is a premier cultural hub, hosting a diverse range of performances, from theater and dance to music and visual arts. The city also hosts several annual festivals and events that celebrate the region's heritage and traditions, including the Great American Brass Band Festival and the Kentucky State BBQ Festival.

For food lovers, Danville is a culinary delight. The city is home to a variety of restaurants and eateries that serve up mouthwatering Southern cuisine, from traditional Kentucky favorites like fried chicken and bourbon-infused dishes to innovative farm-to-table creations. And of course, no visit to Danville is complete without experiencing the warm hospitality and friendly atmosphere of the local diners and cafes.

Alternative names: Settled: 1783Population: 16.7 thous.Area: 17.04 mi²Elevation: 981 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 37°38'43"N, 84°46'27"W

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KentuckyUnited States

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Danville Top Attractions

Danville Attractions - What to See and Explore

Danville offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site, Pioneer Playhouse, Constitution Square Historic Site, Ephraim McDowell House. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Battlefield • Museum
Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site
Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site is a 745-acre park near Perryville in Boyle County, Kentucky. The park continues to expand with purchases of parcels by the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves' Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund and the American Battlefield Trust.
Concerts and shows • Theater
Pioneer Playhouse
The Pioneer Playhouse, located in Danville, Kentucky, is the oldest outdoor theater in the state of Kentucky.
Museum • Park
Constitution Square Historic Site
Constitution Square Historic Site is a 3-acre park and open-air museum in Danville, Kentucky. From 1937 to 2012, it was a part of the Kentucky state park system and operated by the Kentucky Department of Parks.

Specialty museum • Museum • History museum
Ephraim McDowell House
The Dr. Ephraim McDowell House, also known as McDowell House, was a home of medical doctor Ephraim McDowell. The home was declared a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1966 for its role as the site of the world's first ovariotomy, performed without anesthesia by Dr. McDowell in 1809.
Monuments and statues
Confederate Monument in Danville
The Confederate Monument in Danville, located between Centre College and the Presbyterian Church of Danville at the corner of Main and College Streets in Danville, Kentucky, was a monument dedicated to the Confederate States of America that is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Neo-renaissance architecture
Boyle County Courthouse
The Boyle County Courthouse, at Main and 4th Sts. in Danville, Kentucky, was built in 1862. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The listing was for the two-building complex of the courthouse and the associated jail, built in 1875, and Mid-town Park, in between.
Cemetery
Danville National Cemetery
Danville National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located in the city of Danville, in Boyle County, Kentucky. Administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, it has 394 interments and is currently closed to new interments.
Church
Trinity Episcopal Church
Trinity Episcopal Church in Danville, Kentucky was one of the first churches organized in the Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky. Trinity Church is the oldest in-use church structure in Danville and the oldest continuously used Episcopal church building in the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington as well as the second oldest in Kentucky.
Concerts and shows • Universities and schools
Norton Center for the Arts
Centre College is a private liberal arts college in Danville, Kentucky. It is an undergraduate college with an enrollment of approximately 1,400 students.
Universities and schools • Neo-renaissance architecture
Kentucky School for the Deaf
The Kentucky School for the Deaf, located in Danville, Kentucky, United States, is a school that provides education to deaf and hard-of-hearing children from elementary through high school levels.
Church • Gothic Revival architecture
First Presbyterian Church
The First Presbyterian Church in Danville, Kentucky is a historic church on West Main Street in Danville, in Boyle County. It was built in 1832. It was added to the National of Historic Places in 1986.
37°39'0"N • 84°46'43"W
The Great American Dollhouse Museum
Specialty museum • Museum
37°38'46"N • 84°46'18"W
Maple Tree Gallery
Museum • Shopping
37°36'3"N • 84°46'21"W
Warrenwood Manor
Warrenwood Manor is a historic property located in Danville, Kentucky, USA. The manor was built in 1856 by Samuel and John Fourche Warren, sons of the Revolutionary War veteran and legislator William Warren.
Library
Carnegie Library
The Carnegie Library in Danville, Kentucky is a building at Centre College. Built in 1913 as a Carnegie library, it served as the college library until 1967. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
Georgian architecture
Waveland
Waveland, a historic estate located at 120 East Erksine Rd in Danville, Kentucky. The Waveland House is owned by Dr. Thad and Jane Overmyer.
37°38'39"N • 84°46'49"W
Grace Doherty Library
Library
Prison
Northpoint Training Center
Northpoint Training Center is a medium-security prison located in Boyle County, near Danville, Kentucky. It opened in 1983 and had a prison capacity of 1,256 as of 2006.
Neighbourhood
East Main Street Historic District
East Main Street Historic District in Danville, Kentucky is a historic district that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. The district includes part or all of an area originally called "Otter's Addition".

Day trips

Danville – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Danville, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Keeneland (Lexington), Pleasant Hill (Harrodsburg), The Red Mile (Lexington).

29 milesN
Sport venue, Sport, Horse track
Keeneland, Lexington
Nestled in the heart of the Bluegrass region, Keeneland stands as a testament to the time-honored tradition of horse racing in Lexington, Kentucky. This historic racecourse, with its picturesque setting and storied past, has been offering an authentic racing experience...
12 milesN
Historical place, Museum, Nature and wildlife
Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg
Pleasant Hill, nestled in the heart of Mercer County, Kentucky, is a historical gem that offers visitors a unique glimpse into America's past. Known more widely as the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, this tranquil site once housed a thriving community of Shakers, a...
31 milesNE
Sport venue, Sport, Horse track
The Red Mile, Lexington
In the heart of horse country, The Red Mile stands as an iconic sports facility in Lexington, Kentucky, with a rich history steeped in the tradition of harness racing. Known as the second oldest harness racing track in the world, it has been a staple in the Lexington...
32 milesNE
Sport venue, Sport, Arenas and stadiums
Rupp Arena, Lexington
Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center is an arena located in downtown Lexington, Kentucky, United States.
33 milesNE
Sport venue, Sport, Arenas and stadiums
Lexington Legends Ballpark, Lexington
Wild Health Field is a stadium in Lexington, Kentucky. It is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the Lexington Legends and the Wild Health Genomes of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an official "Partner League" of Major League Baseball. It was built in 2001. It holds 6,994 people.