There’s A Little Town Hidden In The Mountains In Kentucky And It’s The Perfect Place To Relax
Small towns in Kentucky are the heartbeat of the Bluegrass State. These little slices of Kentucky are filled with locals who fiercely love their hometown and plenty of character and charm. One such town, hidden in the mountains of Southeastern Kentucky, is the perfect spot to relax, explore, and experience an unbelievably beautiful area of our state. Pineville is nestled between Pine Mountain and the Cumberland River and is quietly waiting for you to come check it out.
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Beautifully situated in the mountains of Southeastern Kentucky, Pineville is a historic town with an overwhelming charm.
Downtown Pineville is quaint, and just what you'd expect in a small Kentucky town. When you visit and walk around town, you'll notice the southern hospitality and general friendliness of the locals, who love their hometown dearly.
As you head out of town, up into the mountains, you'll be even more amazed. The sweeping views and natural beauty are immediately evident.
One of the most popular areas near Pineville is Chained Rock. This legendary hike and overlook indeed has a large rock that is chained back, reassuring those below that it will stay put. This hike is a must-do when in Pineville for the best views of the town below.
The natural beauty continues in other areas around town.
Wasioto Winds Golf Course within Pine Mountain State Resort Park is another picturesque location in Pineville. This course has been named "Best in State" and one of the "Best Places to Play" in Kentucky, and deserves a visit.
After all of the exploring around Pineville, you'll work up an appetite, and there's no better spot than Engle's Drive-In.
This iconic drive-in is a favorite among locals and has been around forever. It's family-owned and operated and serves up delicious burgers, fries, and milkshakes, among other classics.
While Pineville is beautiful year-round, the town really comes alive each May for the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival.
The epic small town parade is one of the main features and always draws a crowd. Since 1931, the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival has attracted countless visitors to the area and is a legendary Kentucky event.
And the most unique and treasured traditions of the festival is the Coronation of the Queen of the festival. The annual pageant celebrates several young ladies from Kentucky universities, and one is crowned with a lovely Laurel wreath and named Queen of the festival.
This gorgeous setting sun over Pineville is just another image that shows the beauty of this area and its residents.
Enjoy a memorable day in Pineville - exploring, hiking, eating, and relaxing, and taking in the charm of this Kentucky small town, hidden in the mountains.
Pineville has one of the most beautiful landscapes in our state, and is definitely a hidden gem in Kentucky. Have you visited this mountain town? Share your experience with us in the comments!
Special thanks to photographer and Pineville resident AnnaBeth Dye for her contribution of these amazing photos! Follow along with her on Instagram here.
For more charming small towns throughout Kentucky, check out our previous article here.
A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.
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