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The Ultimate Pizza Journey Through Kentucky Makes For One Delicious Adventure

Kentucky offers a diverse and unique pizza trail featuring regional varieties and local specialties.

Published Mar 21, 2022

Written by 

Sarah McCosham

Kentucky may be known for fried chicken and barbecue, but that doesn't mean we can't hold our own when it comes to pizza. In fact, you'll find pretty much every regional variety represented in Kentucky, plus some inspired creations wholly unique to the Bluegrass State. (Hot brown pizzas? You bet!) We've put together a pizza journey through Kentucky that highlights the best of the best, so the next time you're craving a perfect slice of pie, hit up this epic food trail.

The Portal Pizzeria - Harlan

Exterior view of The Portal restaurant, featuring a sign with hours and colorful flowers in front.
silent echo/Google Local
A freshly baked pizza with cheese and colorful toppings, placed in a wood-fired oven with flames in the background.
The Portal Pizzeria/Google Local

The Portal Pizzeria takes wood-fired 'zas to the next level, and has repeatedly been voted "best restaurant" in Harlan, Kentucky. These hand-tossed pizzas feature tomatoes and basil grown literally right behind the restaurant, for fresh flavors you'll only get here!

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Cabin Pizza - Grand Rivers

A log cabin pizza shop with a raccoon mascot and T-shirts displayed, featuring a "Now Open" sign.
Cabin Pizza/Google Local
A close-up of a pepperoni pizza with a thick crust, served on a metal tray in a casual dining setting.
Jacque Rice/Google Local

Cabin Pizza in Grand Rivers is located within striking distance of Land Between the Lakes, making it a popular place for folks to refuel after their epic Kentucky escapades. The pizzas feature braided crusts and delicious toppings, and folks rave about the calzones, too!

Goodfellas Pizzeria - Lexington and Covington

A brick building with outdoor seating, shaded by umbrellas, and a person entering through a door. Trees in the background.
Goodfellas Pizzeria - Distillery/Google Local
A tray of cheesy garlic breadsticks with marinara sauce on the side, served on a silver platter with a checkered paper.
Goodfellas Pizzeria/Facebook

For the perfect New York slice in Kentucky, head to Goodfellas. Craft your own pizza or get one of their specialty pies -- no matter what you order, it's going to be delicious!

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Jailhouse Pizza - Brandenburg

Historic brick building with a wooden staircase, set against a clear blue sky.
Jailhouse Pizza
A round, golden-brown calzone cut into wedges, resting on a silver pizza tray on a wooden table.
Angela Ruggles/Google Local

If you're craving a pizza that's more like an actual pie, head to Jailhouse. These pizzas are basically calzones, with ingredients enveloped inside a perfectly chewy-yet-soft dough. And yes -- this pizzeria is actually located in a former jailhouse that's said to be haunted!

The Post - Louisville

Outdoor seating area at The Post, featuring umbrellas and flags, with a rustic metal fence and a building in the background.
The Post/Facebook
A large pizza divided into two halves: one with pepperoni, vegetables, and cheese, the other with beef and drizzled sauce.
The Post/Facebook

The menu at The Post is the stuff of pizza dreams, with unique components such as beer cheese, meatballs, and even spicy pickles! Your eyes will undoubtedly be bigger than your stomach, so we

recommend ordering a half-and-half pizza in order to indulge in several different varieties!

Sicilian's Pizza and Pasta - Louisville and Bardstown

Exterior of a restaurant with outdoor seating, neon "OPEN" sign, and various menu displays.
Sicilian's Pizza and Pasta - Downtown on 4th/Facebook
A freshly baked pizza topped with cheese, diced tomatoes, and a golden crust, resting on a metal surface.
Sicilian's Pizza and Pasta - Downtown on 4th/Facebook

A perennial Bluegrass favorite, Sicilan's belongs on any Kentucky pizza bucket list. While all the varieties are worth trying, the Hot Brown Pizza is an absolute must, and easily the most Kentucky pizza on this list.

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What spots would you add to this delicious pizza journey through Kentucky? Share your favorite pizzerias with us in the comments below!

For more fun food trails through Kentucky, check out this hot brown hop and Bluegrass barbecue adventure.

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Trip Ideas|Day Trips

If You Only Have One Day to Visit This Small Town in Kentucky, Here’s Everything You Absolutely Can’t Miss

Published Sep 23, 2024

Written by 

Kelly Carroll

A small town of about 18,000 people in southwestern Kentucky, Murray is the ideal place to spend a day. Case in point: Murray has been voted the "friendliest small town in America" by Rand McNally and USA Today five times! There's much to love about Murray beyond its friendly people. But what if you only have one day to spend in this treasured small town? We've compiled a list of four must-see attractions for a day trip to Murray, Kentucky:

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1. Murray's Historic Town Square

The first thing visitors must see is Murray's historic town square. The square is a great place to walk around, shop, and grab a bite to eat. Murray City Hall is on the corner of 5th and Main Street. Nearby are three bookstores: Bolin's Books, Newlife Christian Bookstore, and Bookmark. The Main Street Market, a boutique grocery store, is also on Main Street. Hungry day trippers can eat at Mugsy's Hideout, which serves Italian food, or Rudy's on the Square, which serves classic Southern food. If you love visiting local coffee shops, as I do, 5th & Main Coffees is near City Hall. If you visit on a Saturday morning, look out for the popular Downtown Farmer's Market, where local vendors sell crafts and produce.

City Hall building with red brick exterior, surrounded by trees, on a quiet street corner.
A stately red-brick city hall building stands prominently at the corner of an intersection, framed by the lush green leaves of an overhanging tree. The architecture conveys a sense of authority and classical design, with large white columns flanking the entrance and the words “CITY HALL” engraved above the doors.500 Main Street
Murray KentuckyPhoto taken on April 25, 2024

2. Wrather West Kentucky Museum

After getting acquainted with Murray's town square, the next place to visit is the Wrather West Kentucky Museum on Murray State University's campus. The museum is free and open to the public and shares historical information about West Kentucky and the Jackson Purchase through fixed and short-term exhibits. Interestingly, the museum is located in the university's first permanent building, which opened in 1924 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

3. The Doran Arboretum

The next stop is a 15-minute walk from the Wrather West Kentucky Museum: the Doran Arboretum at Murray State University. The arboretum is open every day from dawn to dusk and is the perfect place to take a walk on a pretty day. It has a 0.8-mile track for walking and running, a butterfly garden, a sensory garden, and much more.

A quiet street scene featuring brick storefronts with awnings, under a cloudy sky in a small town.
A quiet street is lined with a row of two-story brick buildings featuring various storefronts, including a law office and a cafe. Two large white arrows painted on the road indicate traffic direction in adjacent lanes under an overcast sky.Main Street
Murray KentuckyPhoto taken on April 25, 2024

4. Kentucky Lake

Incredibly, Murray is about 30 minutes from Kentucky Lake. This 160,000-acre lake is the last attraction we chose for our list of things to do on a one-day trip to Murray. Visitors can hike, bike, boat, horseback ride, golf, and hunt at Kentucky Lake. Of course, it is difficult, and likely impossible, to do all of these things at Kentucky Lake in one day. For a short visit, we recommend taking the Kentucky Lake Scenic Drive, a three-mile drive with several photo-worthy overlooks and places to picnic.

What do you think about this list of must-see attractions in Murray, Kentucky? Is there anything you would add?

There are many more things to do and places to eat in Murray than we could include in this list. Murray is home to the best Dairy Queen in the world. It also has the Calloway County Barn Quilt Trail, a collection of more than 60 colorful quilt patterns on barns scattered around the county. Each quilt has a special significance and is often associated with a family story or tragedy.

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If you'd like to spend more than one day in Murray, Kentucky, this two-bedroom cabin Airbnb near Kentucky Lake may be the perfect place to stay!

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Trip Ideas

Get Off The Freeway And Onto This Scenic Back Road Between Arthur And Cave City, Kentucky

Published Jul 8, 2024

Written by 

Kelly Carroll

There aren’t many better ways to spend a beautiful day than by taking a scenic drive. I love the freedom of the open road on a clear morning. If I’m alone, it’s a great time to listen to my favorite music. If I’m with friends, it’s the perfect time for meaningful conversations. Many scenic back roads in Kentucky offer glorious views and unique stops.

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Scenic Route 70, also known as Highway 70, runs through central Kentucky.

Map showing route from Arthur to Cave City, highlighting travel times and key locations along the way.
Google Maps

A 16-mile stretch down this scenic back road from Arthur to Cave City, Kentucky, takes travelers by the Green River, a trailhead, a stunning overlook, and even through a part of Mammoth Cave National Park.

After hopping on Scenic Route 70 East, travelers quickly come upon the Turnhole Bend Nature Trailhead.

A rocky cave entrance surrounded by lush greenery and trees in a natural setting.
David Doyle/Google Reviews

This trail is a 0.5-mile loop rated as moderately challenging. Hikers can take in fantastic views and learn about the area through informational signs along the route.

The Mammoth Cave Visitor Center is also a short drive off Scenic Route 70.

Mammoth Cave National Park Visitor Center entrance with stone architecture and an American flag.
Mammoth Cave National Park/Facebook

The visitor center has lots to do, from talking to a park ranger to browsing in the gift shop. Several tours of the national park start at the visitor center. If you haven’t taken the time to get acquainted with Mammoth Cave National Park, this is a fantastic opportunity to do so.

Travelers on Scenic Route 70 can also stop to see the Green River Ferry.

A ferry docked at a riverbank, with a road leading to a wooded area under a clear blue sky.
V K/Trip Advisor

The ferry is the last of its kind in Mammoth Cave National Park and transports cars and people hiking and biking across the Green River further north into the park. To continue on Scenic Route 70, it is not necessary to use the ferry to cross the river. However, it is a unique part of the area’s transportation system worth seeing before heading back to the scenic road.

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While heading back to Scenic Route 70 from the Green River Ferry, drivers will come up on the Doyel Valley Overlook.

Lush green forest with a tall tree, dense foliage, and a distant view of rolling hills under a soft sky.
John Lamb/Google Reviews

The brief stop provides views of the area’s hills and valleys. Some informational signs provide details of the area’s history and land.

Diamond Caverns are just off of Scenic Route 70.

Stalactites and stalagmites in a dimly lit cave, showcasing intricate rock formations and warm lighting.
Andrew Morris/Google Reviews

These caverns were discovered in 1859. Guided tours provide information about the history and geology of Diamond Caverns.

Scenic Route 70 is a fantastic scenic back road in Kentucky. There are numerous attractions along the route, as well as peaceful vistas of the Green River and nearby farms.

Have you driven down Scenic Route 70? What did you think?

The route heads toward Cave City, a place with much to see and do. Dinosaur World Kentucky is nearby, with many realistic and life-size dinosaurs to view.

If you want to stay in the area overnight, this two-bedroom Airbnb may be the perfect accommodation!

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