Ashland is a city in Boyd County in the Kentucky Appalachians near the confluence of the Big Sandy and Ohio Rivers. It was founded as Poage's Landing in 1786, incorporated as Ashland in 1854, and has witnessed the likenesses of such personalities as Billy Ray Cyrus and the Judds (country singers Naomi and her older daughter Wynonna, who performed as The Judds before Wynonna launched a solo career, and younger daughter Ashley, who became a prominent actress).
Get in
By plane
Tristate Airport (IATA: HTS) is across the Big Sandy river in West Virginia. It offers several connections to Ashland and the surrounding Tri-State Area.
By car
- From Interstate 64 there are two exits.
By train
Ashland is served by Amtrak and its the thrice-weekly Cardinal train service between New York and Chicago, via Cincinnati and Indianapolis. Westbound trains arrive around 10PM while eastbound ones arrive early morning about 6:30AM, delays are however quite common. Ashland Transportation Center 📍 is located in downtown at 99 15th St.
Get around
See
- The Highlands Museum & Discovery Center, 1620 Winchester Ave, 38.478149°, -82.639129°, +1 606-329-8888. W-F 10AM-4PM, Sa 10AM-6PM. This is like half regional history museum/half kids discovery place. 2018-03-06
Do
- Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave, 38.47995°, -82.64288°, +1 606 324-0007. Various cultural programs and nationally renowned artists/concerts. 2021-10-07
- Central Park, 38.4733°, -82.6378°, +1 606 385-3295. Daily 7AM-11PM. A beloved municipal park with pond and foliage and pioneer cabin, but watch out for hypodermic needles. 2021-10-07
- Port of Ashland (Riverfront Park), 38.48200°, -82.63934°, +1 606 327-2046. A place to view the languid Ohio River and boat traffic, with statuary. 2021-10-07
- Summer Motion is a two-week festival culminating on July 4th. Events include concerts, air show, and a carnival.
- Greenbo State Park
- Carter Caves State Park
Buy
Eat
- The Frame Up Gallery, 1436 Winchester Ave, +1 606 571-3258. Cafe inside a picture frame shop.
- Fat Patty's Ashland, 1442 Winchester Ave, 38.47916°, -82.64108°, +1 606-325-7287.
- Crisp's Dairy Treat, US 60 W, Summit, +1 606 928-8193
- Jim's Hotdogs & Spaghetti (in the arcade), 1536 Winchester Ave, Ste #18, +1 606 615-4888.
- LaFinca Mexican Restaurant, 1201 Greenup Ave, 38.482026°, -82.642911°, +1 606 324-2134. 2018-03-06
- Moe's Southwest Grill, 115 6th St, +1 606 329-0833.
Drink
The city of Ashland is "wet", meaning that full retail alcohol sales are allowed. Boyd County is dry, but allows alcohol sales by the drink in larger restaurants (seating at least 100). The same applies in the nearby city of Russell, which is in Boyd County's otherwise dry neighbor of Greenup County. Nearby areas in Ohio and West Virginia are wet.
Sleep
- Delta Hotels by Marriott Ashland Downtown, 1441 Winchester Ave, 38.47958°, -82.64076°, +1 606 327-1100. It's really plush compared to its surroundings, and you'll probably feel like a king. 2021-10-07