Prestonsburg

Seasonal performances and monthly excursions call for different scheduling than a trip organized around a specific route or historic building.

Performances and regional history

At the Mountain Arts Center, Billie Jean Osborne’s Kentucky Opry presents live shows featuring classic rock, country and gospel, as well as family-friendly comedy and professional stage performances. If you want a show to determine your travel dates, check the schedule separately.

The MAC Art Gallery regularly showcases artists from the Appalachian region. The CEDAR Coal Exhibit offers a different historical focus: it explores the role of the coal industry in the cultural heritage of eastern Kentucky and includes industry-related artifacts, projects submitted to previous CEDAR Coal Fairs, and photographs of early life in the local coalfields.

The Samuel May House is located on the northern edge of Prestonsburg. It is a two-story brick building with a five-bay façade. In Floyd County, it is the only surviving example of the Federal style in a brick building. Its combination of architectural form and style makes it interesting to travelers who want to learn about architectural history.

Every summer season, from May to August, the Jenny Wiley Amphitheater hosts theatrical performances and music festivals in a range of genres. If you plan to attend a particular production or festival, check the dates of the events in advance.

Science and planetarium

The East Kentucky Science Center is located on the Prestonsburg campus of Big Sandy Community and Technical College. Its exhibit hall offers hands-on STEM activities and visual displays. Its programs cover topics such as robotics, animal habitats and physics; offerings may vary by season or booking. If a particular topic is essential to your trip, check the program in advance.

The Varia Planetarium has a 40-foot dome with a Digistar-7 projection system.

Trails and water

The Prestonsburg Passage is an 8.6-mile paved trail from Prestonsburg to the coal-mining community of David. The Sugarcamp Mountain Trail System is a multi-use trail system for biking, hiking and horseback riding. The Passage can be assessed by its length and surface, while the intended activity is the main consideration for the Sugarcamp system.

From May to September, kayakers and canoeists set out on the fourth Saturday of each month for an eight-mile downstream trip on the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy. Check the date again before planning your trip.

Dewey Lake and Jenny Wiley State Resort Park

Dewey Lake is a 1,100-acre lake at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park and stretches for 18.5 miles. The park offers hiking, fishing and elk tours. Jenny Wiley State Resort Park is also home to Josie Harkins School, considered the last surviving one-room schoolhouse in Kentucky.

Availability of overnight accommodations and dining in the park may change during renovations.

For the broader travel overview: Floyd County.