Owsley County may not have amusements parks, a bowling alley, or be a hopping big city…. but we do have things to do here! And the awesome thing is this post discusses all the FREE things to do. Here is a list of 21 FREE things you can do in Owsley County…..free is always good!

• Visit the Abe Lincoln Relief Sculpture (this will hopefully be accessible soon!)
  • Learn more about the sculpture here.
• Take a scenic walk (we have some of the most beautiful scenery!)
• Visit the grave site of Daniel Boone’s granddaughter Leah (there are other family members buried here as well)

• Go fishing in the South Fork River (It runs right through Booneville!)
  • You can put in at either the Wolf Creek Bridge/Boat Ramp (closed until August 2015 for repairs) or at the Fish Creek Boat Ramp
• Visit the various waterfalls in the county
• Take a scenic drive (make sure you don’t get lost–cell service in limited in some areas)
• Visit the Veterans Wall and War Memorial at the Owsley County Courthouse
  

             Owsley County War Memorial

  

  Owsley County Veterans Wall

• Go ATV riding (be sure you are not riding on private property…always get permission.

• Visit Buffalo (a part of the county that has beautiful scenery that is great for riding! It is an area of the county that is secluded but very peaceful.)
• Go canoeing/kayaking down the South Fork River (it starts in Clay County and runs through Owsley and into Lee County)
  • Again you can put in at either the Wolf Creek Bridge/Boat Ramp (closed until August 2015 for repairs) or at the Fish Creek Boat Ramp
• Visit the Earl Combs marker in Pebworth
• Take your kids to the Owsley County Park
• Visit the Owsley County Courthouse and admire the photos on the building (these are from various locations around the county)

Owsley County Courthouse

• Visit the various cemeteries (believe it or not people come here every year to view our cemeteries)
• Visit the annual Daniel Boone Days or what most people refer to as the Street Dance (in the Owsley County Action Team parking lot)
  • This is our annual festival hosted near the 4th of July. This year it falls on Friday, July 3
    • Free live music, vendors, cake walks, socializing, and FIREWORKS!

Daniel Boone Days (Street Dance)

Daniel Boone Days (Street Dance)

• Visit the Historical Jail (built during the WPA era)
  • Located right in town on Jockey Street (right behind the Owsley County Board of Education). It has the original cells in the upstairs

Owsley County Historical Jail

• Visit the Owsley County Historical Society and learn all about Owsley County’s heritage
• Go on a scenic drive and see the beautiful Quilt Barn Squares
• The Booneville Cruise-In
  • Every 1st and 3rd weekend of the month at the Senior Citizen’s/Spencer’s parking lot (psst…FYI they have restroom access)
    • Cars, motorcycles, and whatever else you’ve got is welcome!
      

Booneville Cruise-In

Booneville Cruise-In

• Visit the Owsley County Public Library’s Genealogy Room
  • Take to kiddos with you and check out a book/movie or get on the computer
• Occasional community plays

Wow what a list! I bet my fellow Owsley Countians/Boonevillians didn’t think we had this much free stuff to do. You’re welcome ;)!

I challenge someone to do every single one of these! Be sure to tell me how much fun you had doing them :).

If you have any questions about any of these activities feel free to email me at kirstiepthompson@yahoo.com. I am the Chair of tourism in Owsley County and I would love to help!