Presentation/Speaking Engagement
Plan Your Adventure
Follow this custom route and three-day suggested itinerary along the Heritage Hemp Trail to travel the paths that paved the way for the early hemp industry! Imagine traveling these roads in wagons covered in hemp canvas duck, with your hemp seed and hempen fabrics strapped down with rope made of hemp fiber. Click on the links below to plan your adventure today!
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Travel Overview
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We recommend a three-night stay at featured trail locations/areas based on the suggested itinerary! These are all wonderful places with a variety of features and amenities. Plan your trip so you have plenty of time to spend at all these unique Kentucky treasures.
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3-Day Suggested Travel Itinerary
Day 1 Itinerary
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Start: Louisville, Kentucky
End: Lexington, Kentucky
Locations:
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Farmington Historic Plantation (1)
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*Shelby County Historical Society
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*Kentucky Historical Society
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Franklin County Hemp/Jim’s Seafood Restaurant (3)
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Leestown (4)
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Ward Hall (5)
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Hopemont, The Hunt-Morgan House (14)
Gratz Park (15)
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*Locations not featured on trail map.
Day 2 Itinerary
Start: Lexington, Kentucky
End: Harrodsburg, Kentucky
Locations:
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*Bluegrass Heritage Museum
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White Hall State Historic Site (9)
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Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate (16)
Waveland State Historic Site (17)
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First Crop (10)
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Shaker Village (11)
*Locations not featured on trail map.
Day 3 Itinerary
Start: Harrodsburg, Kentucky
End: Cynthiana, Kentucky
Locations:
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Jack Jouett House (12)
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Woodford County Hemp (13)
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Bourbon County Hemp/Alexander House (7)
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*Hopewell Museum
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Hemp in Mason County (19)
*Kentucky Gateway Museum Center
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Ashford Acres Inn (20)
*Locations not featured on trail map.
A Couple Things To Keep In Mind:
* This route is not in order of trail locations for your convenience.
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* GPS directions may differ from the suggested route.
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* Please check visiting hours for all locations. Historical highway markers may may be located on restricted access properties.
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* Tours of historic house museums typically last about an hour.
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* Please notify all sites ahead of time for large groups.
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* If a passport location does not have a trail stamp on hand, please accept a handwritten initial from authorized persons.
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* Try coinciding your travels with special trail events!
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Where to Stay
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This three-day travel itinerary is crafted so that you can experience new pieces of hemp history each night! If you'd rather stay in one location, we recommend finding a place in Lexington, which is conveniently situated within an 1-1.5 hours of all trail locations. If you plan to head back to a different location each night, please be sure to allow for additional travel distance and time.
Optional Pre-Night Stay: Louisville/The Highlands (Recommended for long distance travelers)
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Farmington Historic Plantation (stop 1) is conveniently located off Bardstown Road, Louisville’s original “Restaurant Row,” situated in the city’s Highlands neighborhood. In addition to being a dining Mecca, it’s also known for its eccentric collection of shops and is one of the most popular neighborhoods for local nightlife. The Highlands and Bardstown Road area is a great place to eat, stay, sleep, and shop!
The Shaker Village Inn features 72 guest rooms, suites and private cottages spread throughout 13 historic Shaker Village buildings.
With only five exclusive rooms, be sure to book you stay early! Book today!
Staying on the trail? Let them know!
Be sure to let someone at the location your staying at know you're traveling on the trail! They may (or may not) have some specific recommendations for hemp or non-hemp related activities in the area. Plus, we love the feedback!
Night 1:
Hemp Country
Lexington, Kentucky
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Wrap up your first night on the trail in Downtown Lexington, the heart of the hemplands! Lexington offers a variety of places to stay, east, sleep, shop and play. You'll love experiencing the local history and culture. Enjoy Downtown nightlife at the 5th/3rd pavilion, or take a drive down the bluegrass countryside to see horse
and hemp country!
Find more travel recommendations for Lexington at VisitLex.com
Night 2:
Shaker Village
Harrodsburg, Kentucky
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We suggest spending night 2 at historic Shaker Village! You’ll love the farm-to-table restaurant, outdoor activities on 3,000 acres, special events, and of course, the hemp crop growing on the farm during the season.
Night 3:
Ashford Acres Inn
Cynthiana, Kentucky
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The Ashford Acres Inn is your perfect escape to the countryside. The newly renovated Antebellum Greek Revival bed and breakfast offers five finely decorated guest rooms, all with en-suite bathrooms. Enjoy 24-hour access to snack and refreshment stations, and a scrumptious breakfast in the dining room or on the spacious veranda.
Day 1 Directions
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Approximate travel time: 2 hours 27 minutes
Travel Distance: 86 miles
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Start: Louisville, Kentucky
End: Lexington, Kentucky
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Louisville, Kentucky is a wonderful place to explore for those traveling to, or across, the state! Start your adventure here and make your way East across the bluegrass. Be sure give yourself or your group plenty of time to enjoy the city if you’re not from the area. We recommend staying here the night before you start the trail if you’re not from the area, and booking a night in Lexington to wrap up Day 1!
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Directions (Louisville to Lexington)
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Start: Farmington Historic Plantation
3033 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40205
*Be sure to check hours and tour schedule before visiting. For a large group, please call ahead.
[26.8 mi, 45 minutes] Exit Farmington by turning right onto Lowell Ave, and left onto Wendell Ave. Turn left onto Bardstown Road and stay left onto the I-264 E/Watterson Expy ramp to merge onto I-264 E. In 3.2 miles take exit 20 to merge onto US-60 E/Shelbyville Rd toward Middletown and continue 23 miles to Shelbyville.
*Shelby County Historical Society - Extra Stop!
634 Main St, Shelbyville, KY 40065
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Learn more about the rich hemp history rooted in Shelby County. New hemp exhibit coming Fall 2019! The Kentucky Hemp Heritage Alliance is also partnered with the Shelby County Historical Society with the goal of fundraising to re-install the Shelby County Hemp Marker in Shelbyville. *Be sure to check hours and tour schedule before visiting. For a large group, please call ahead.
[4.12 mi, 7 minutes] Continue on US-60 E/Main St/Midland Trail and Hempridge Road (State Hwy 714) is 4 miles to the right. Travel down the historic road named by Henry Clay for its hemp production (directions below) or continue on US-60 on to Frankfort.
(2) Hempridge Road (HWY 714) - Scenic Route!
Take HWY 714 (Hempridge Road) to US 64. Exit
[16.9 mi, 22 minutes] Turn right onto Hempridge Road (State Hwy 714) and travel 4.1 miles before turning left onto Bardstown Trail (Note: Hempridge road continues on for another 4 miles on to Mt Eden Road). Travel 3 miles on the Bardstown Trail and turn left onto KY-395 N before turning right to merge onto 1-64 E Toward Lexington. In 9.8 miles, take exit 53 B to merge onto US-127 N/Lawrenceburg Rd toward Frankfort. After 2 miles, turn right onto Louisville Rd which turns slightly right and becomes W 2nd St. Turn left onto Capital Ave, then left onto E Main St. At High St, turn right followed by at left at W Broadway St.
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*Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History - Extra Stop!
100 W Broadway St, Frankfort, KY 40601
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The Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky history is the home of Kentucky’s largest number of historical artifacts and documents. It houses the Kentucky Historical Society, and offers a variety of information regarding hemp history throughout the Kentucky History Main Exhibit! *Be sure to check hours and tour schedule before visiting. For a large group, please call ahead.
[1.28 mi, 5 minutes] From the parking lot on Ann Street, turn left onto N Broadway, followed by a right onto Wilkinson Blvd. Travel .8 miles and the Franklin County Hemp Marker/Jim’s Seafood Restaurant will be on the left. Stop here for lunch, or check out the unique places in Frankfort!
(3) Franklin County Hemp/Former Site of the Kentucky River Mills
950 Wilkinson Blvd, Frankfort, KY 40601
*Be sure to check hours and tour schedule before visiting. For a large group, please call ahead.
[0.556 mi, 3 minutes] From here, turn left onto Wilkinson Bvld. The Leestown marker is located just .2 miles ahead at the entrance of Buffalo Trace Distillery. If you’re a bourbon drinker, here’s a great place to stop! *The Heritage Hemp Trail is not affiliated with Buffalo Trace Distillery.
(4) Leestown
100 Great Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, KY 40601
*Be sure to check hours and tour schedule before visiting. For a large group, please call ahead.
[16.7 mi, 24 minutes] Continue northeast on Wilkinson Blvd for 2 miles, then turn left onto E Main St. In 1.3 continue onto US-460 E/Georgetown Rd. Follow US-460 E (Frankford Pike) for 12 miles into Georgetown. The Ward Hall mansion is located to the right on Ward Hall Manor.
(5) Ward Hall
1782 Frankfort Pike, Georgetown, KY 40324
*Be sure to check hours and tour schedule before visiting. For a large group, please call ahead.
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[2.78 mi, 7 minutes] From Ward Hall, turn right to get back onto US-460 E (Frankford Pike) and continue 1 mile to N Broadway (Cincinnati Rd). The entrance to the Cardome Center is located just .8 ahead to the left. Continue past the main parking lot and stay right toward the side of the Cardome Center. The Scott County Hemp Marker is located to the right on the lawn toward the stone wall and N Broadway. Park in lot ahead. *Note: This is a private property, so be mindful of visiting hours.
800 Cincinnati Rd, Georgetown, KY 40324
[16.0 mi, 26 minutes] From the Cardome Center parking lot, turn right to get back on N Broadway. Turn left at E Main St and continue onto Paris Rd (to the left). In .7 miles, take a slight right to merge onto 1-75 S toward Lexington. Travel 9.6 miles and take exit 115 to merge onto KY-922 S/Newtown Pike. In 3.2 miles, turn left onto W 3rd St. Take a right at N Mill St in .6 miles (welcome to Gratz Park!) followed by a left onto W Second St. The Hunt-Morgan House is located at the corner of W Second and N Mill streets, and the parking lot is just up W Second St to the right.
(14) Hopemont, The Hunt-Morgan House
201 N Mill St, Lexington, KY 40507
*Be sure to check hours and tour schedule before visiting. For a large group, please call ahead.
(15) Gratz Park
Located directly across from Hopemont, The Hunt-Morgan House bounded by Second, Mill, Third, and Market streets. *Stay parked at Hopemont if you take the walking tour!
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Day 2 Directions
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Approximate travel time: 2 hours 50 minutes
Travel Distance: 102 miles
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Start: Lexington, Kentucky
End: Harrodsburg, Kentucky
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You’ll love waking up in the heart of the hemplands! Whether you stay in Downtown Lexington, or the surrounding area, you’ll be conveniently located to all trail stops on today’s travels. We recommend starting your Day 2 adventure early so you have plenty of time to enjoy each site! Try hitting the road by 8:00 or 9:00 AM from Lexington to make back in time for lunch or check out of your room! If you’re staying another night in Lexington, this day is easy to break up into two parts for a morning and afternoon adventure.
Directions (Lexington to Harrodsburg)
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*These directions start from the Hopemont parking lot for reference purposes. Calculate your GPS based on your location, which may effect total distance and travel time to Winchester.
[12.5 mi, 22 minutes] Head Northeast on N Broadway and turn right onto W Third St. In .7 miles, take a slight left onto Winchester Rd. Continue 10.9 miles onto US-60 E. The Clark County Hemp Marker is located on the left in the front of Stuff Recycling.
6188 Lexington Rd, Winchester, KY 40391
[6.27 mi, 11 minutes] Continue east on US-60/W Lexington Ave toward KY-1678 for 6 miles. Turn right onto S Main St and the Bluegrass Heritage Museum is located to the left. Park in the lot off Valentine Ct.
*Bluegrass Heritage Museum - Extra Stop!
217 S Main St, Winchester, KY 40391
Continue your Clark County hemp exploration in Winchester at the Bluegrass Heritage Museum! There you will find a great display on local hemp heritage and how the crop played an important role in the Winchester-Clark County economy. *Be sure to check hours and tour schedule before visiting. For a large group, please call ahead.
[15.5 mi, 22 minutes] Turn left back onto S Main St and take a right onto Boone Ave. In 1.4 miles, continue onto KY-627 S (Boonesboro Rd) for 12.5 miles. KY-627 S (Boonesboro Rd) will turn into State Hwy 3055 (White Hall Shrine Rd). The entrance to White Hall State Historic Site is 1.5 miles straight ahead.
(9) White Hall State Historic Site
500 White Hall Shrine Rd, Richmond, KY 40475
*Be sure to check hours and tour schedule before visiting. For a large group, please call ahead.
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Head to the entrance of State Hwy 3055 (White Hall Shrine Rd) and turn left to merge onto 1-75 N toward Lexington. Take exit 104 for KY-418 toward Athens/Lexington in 9 miles, then turn left onto KY-418 W/Athens Boonesboro Rd. In 2.6 miles, continue straight onto Richmond Rd. Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate is located 4 miles ahead on the left off Sycamore Rd. Turn left on Fincastle from Sycamore to enter parking lot.
(16) Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate
120 Sycamore Rd, Lexington, KY 40502
*Be sure to check hours and tour schedule before visiting. For a large group, please call ahead.
Now’s a great time to grab lunch or check-out of your room if you/you’re group are staying in Lexington! Head downtown, or try somewhere off Nicholasville Rd. Be mindful of potential lunch-hour traffic during the week! Depending on where you want to go, calculate your GPS accordingly. Travel distance and time may vary.
[7.62 mi, 17 minutes] Make your way to Nicholasville Road and head southwest to Waveland Museum Ln, then turn right. Waveland State Historic Site is located just ahead to the right.
(17) Waveland State Historic Site
225 Waveland Museum Ln, Lexington, KY 40514
*Be sure to check hours and tour schedule before visiting. For a large group, please call ahead.
[6.79 mi, 12 minutes] From Waveland Museum Ln, turn right back onto US-27/Lexington Rd (Nicholasville Rd). Continue onto US-27/Lexington Rd (Nicholasville Rd) for 4 miles until turning left onto US-27 BUS S/N Main St. The Jessamine County Hemp marker is located 1.6 miles ahead on N Main St in front of the Jessamine County Courthouse in Nicholasville.
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120 N Main St, Nicholasville, KY 40356
[21.9 mi, 28 minutes] Continue heading south on US-27 S/N Main St and in 2 miles, turn left onto US-27 S (Danville Rd). Travel 8.6 miles and continue onto Lexington Rd. In 3.8 miles, turn right onto KY-34 W and travel 4.7 miles continuing onto State Hwy 2168. Turn left toward KY-34 W/Lexington Rd. In 1.5 miles take a left toward Wilderness Rd, followed by a right onto E Main St. The First Crop marker is located just .4 miles ahead to the left in front of the Boyle County Courthouse.
(10) First Crop
326 W Main St, Danville, KY 40422
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[13.4 mi, 24 minutes] Turn around to head east on W Main St toward N 3rd St, and at the first cross street turn left onto N 3rd St. In .9 miles, continue onto KY-33 N/Shakertown Rd and at the traffic circle (1.3 miles ahead) take the 2nd exit to continue onto KY-33 N/Shakertown Rd. Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is located 11 miles straight ahead on Shakertown Rd.
(11) Shaker Village
3501 Lexington Rd, Harrodsburg, KY 40330
*Be sure to check hours and tour schedule before visiting. For a large group, please call ahead.
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Day 3 Directions
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Approximate travel time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Travel Distance: 146 miles
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Start: Harrodsburg, Kentucky
End: Cynthiana, Kentucky
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Enjoy your third morning on the trail during a morning hike or breakfast at Shaker Village! Whether your staying in Harrodsburg, or headed back to Lexington for the night, plan your trip so you can stop by Keeneland on the way through Versailles! If you need to cut the trip short, the Blue Grass Airport is also easily accessible along the way.
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Start your third day on the trail at the Jack Jouett House in Versailles. You’ll head back through North Lexington, another great opportunity to grab lunch or check-out of a room. Head northeast to Paris and follow the old Limestone Trace to historic Maysville. You’ll love exploring this quaint Kentucky town on the Ohio River for the afternoon, then heading back to the Ashford Acres Inn for the night!
Directions (Lexington to Harrodsburg)
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*These directions start from Shaker Village for reference purposes. Calculate your GPS based on your location, which may effect total distance and travel time to Versailles.
[19.9 mi, 35 minutes] Turn left out of Shaker Village to head north on US-68 E for 6.8 miles. Take a left on KY-33 N and travel another 9.2 miles before turning left onto Delany Ferry Rd. In 3 miles, turn right onto KY-1964 E (McGowens Ferry Rd) and. In .5 miles turn left onto Craigs Creek Rd. The Jack Jouett House is just ahead to the left.
(12) Jack Jouett House
255 Craigs Creek Rd, Versailles, KY 40383
*Be sure to check hours and tour schedule before visiting. For a large group, please call ahead.
[7.54 mi, 13 minutes] This route takes you through downtown Versailles! From the Craigs Creek Road, turn left onto KY-1964 E (McGowens Ferry Rd) and travel 5.5 miles. Turn right onto Rose Hill Ave, then left onto S Main St. Grab a coffee or check out the local shops, or head on to US-60 (Lexington Rd). The Woodford County Hemp Marker is located about 1.5 miles from Downtown Versailles at the corner of Paynes Mill Rd and US-60 (Lexington Rd).
(13) Woodford County Hemp
US-60 (Lexington Rd) and Paynes Mill Rd, Versailles, KY 40383
[29.2 mi, 38 minutes] Continue along US-60 (Lexington Rd) and continue 7.5 miles to KY-4 N/New Circle Rd. *You’ll pass by the Keeneland Race Track/Lexington Airport. Merge onto KY-4 N/New Circle Rd via I-75/I-64. In 2.9 miles, continue onto KY-4 N/US-421 BYP S/New Circle Rd and travel another 3.25 miles before turning left onto N Broadway. In 1.42 miles continue onto US-27 N/US-68 E/Paris Pike and travel 12.7 miles to Paris. The Bourbon County Hemp/Alexander House Marker and Pleasanton Goods are located on the right. You can’t miss the large H E M P mural!
(7) Bourbon County Hemp/Alexander House (Pleasanton Goods)
902 Main St, Paris, KY 40361
*Be sure to check hours and tour schedule before visiting. For a large group, please call ahead.
*Hopewell Museum - Extra Stop!
800 Pleasant St, Paris, KY 40361
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Continue learning about Bourbon County hemp and history at the Hopewell Museum! Park here and walk to Pleasanton Goods, or vice versa. The exhibit features a hemp display, which will be expanded this coming Fall/Winter! *Be sure to check hours and tour schedule before visiting. For a large group, please call ahead.
From the Hopewell Museum, turn right onto Pleasant St, which turns into 2nd St. Turn left onto E Main St, which turns into Millersburg Rd (US-68 E). Bourbon County Hemp/Alexander House (Pleasanton Goods) just continue straight on E Main St. Continue on US-68 E for 27.8 to Maysville. The marker ‘Hemp in Mason County” is located near the entrance of the Maysville Community College on the left. ***Be careful! You’ll need to turn around and park on the opposite side of the road on the shoulder.
(19) Mason County Hemp
2311 U.S. 68 Business, Maysville, KY 41056
[4.13 mi, 10 minutes] Continue straight to stay on US-68 E for 2 miles, taking a slight left onto Lexington Pike and continuing onto W 4th St. Take a left onto Sutton St and the Kentucky Gateway Museum is located just ahead to the left.
*Kentucky Gateway Museum Center - Extra Stop!
215 Sutton St, Maysville, KY 41056
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Learn about the rich hemp history rooted in Maysville-Mason County at the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center in Downtown Maysville! Take the historic walking tour and enjoy an afternoon in one of Kentucky’s first settled areas. *Be sure to check hours and tour schedule before visiting. For a large group, please call ahead.
Return back to W 4th to the Lexington Pike and continue straight to US-68 BUS W. In 3 miles, turn right onto US-62 W and travel 17.5 miles. Turn right onto US-62 W/W Walnut St and continue to follow US-62 W, turning right onto State Hwy 1504 and traveling 6.8 miles before taking another right back onto US-62 W. In 13 miles, turn left onto N Elmarch Ave, followed by a left onto E Pike St, and continue .8 mills on the KY-32 E/KY-36 E/Millers-burg Pike until reaching Ashford Acres Inn on the left.
(20) Ashford Acres Inn
1801 Kentucky Highway 36 East, 1801 KY-36, Cynthiana, KY 41031
*Be sure to check hours and tour schedule before visiting. For a large group, please call ahead.
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For questions, corrections, or comments, please contact us at admin@hempheritage.org.
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