Kentucky is home to many retirees. Communities large and small across the commonwealth offer a diverse choice of recreation, entertainment, service and leisure living amenities.
The communities listed below have qualified as Certified Retirement Communities by providing amenities retirees say they are seeking in their retirement destinations. For more information on a specific community please call the designated contact.
Campbellsville, population 10,500, is located in central Kentucky and is home to Campbellsville University, named one of America's Best Colleges by Money Magazine and U.S. News and World Report. Nearby, Green River Lake State Park offers fishing, boating, hiking and several annual bass and muskie fishing tournaments and is home to the only Tim Horton Children's Foundation Camp in the U.S. Campbellsville is noted for handmade cherry furniture, antique and craft shops and several historic sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more information contact Jeffery Schuhmann, Team Taylor County, at (270) 465-9636 or visit the Team Taylor County Web site.
Danville, population 15,500, located in the heart of the Bluegrass, was named one of 10 sucessful small towns in America by Time Magazine. The community is rich in history, home to Constitution Square State Historic Site, prestigious Centre College, Norton Center for the Arts, the Ephraim McDowell House and Apothecary and Pioneer Playhouse, a summer outdoor theater. Nearby is historic Perryville Battlefield State Park, a noted Civil War site. For more information contact Adam Johnson, Executive Director, Danville-Boyle Convention and Visitors Bureau at (859) 236-7794 or toll free at (800) 775-0076.
Official Danville Web site
Email the Danville-Boyle Convention and Visitors Bureau
Glasgow, population 14,000, is situated in southcentral Kentucky near Barren River Lake State Resort Park. With its 10,000-acre lake and 18-hole golf course, the park boasts excellent fishing and recreational opportunities, including horseback riding, tennis and volleyball. The International Highland Games annually recreates entertainment and competition popularized by the many early Scottish settlers to the area. Mammoth Cave National Park is a short distance away. For more information contact Ernie Myers, Executive Vice President, Glasgow-Barren County Chamber of Commerce, 270/651-3161 or 1-800-264-3161.
City of Glasgow official Web site
Glasgow-Barren Chamber of Commerce
Madisonville, population 19,300, is in western Kentucky near the Land Between the Lakes National Outdoor Recreation Area, a 170,000-acre peninsula between two of Kentucky's largest marine empoundments - Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. Two local country clubs in Madisonville provide 18-hole golf courses and the city park has a nine-hole golf course. Another 18-hole course is under construction at nearby Pennyrile State Resort Park The Glema Mahr Center for the Arts is a performing and visual arts center which showcases regional art and offers musical and theatrical performances. For more information on Madisonville contact Lisa Miller, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, phone toll-free (877) 243-5280, or visit the Web site.
Maysville, population 9,000, is an historic port city on the Ohio River in northern Kentucky. Its downtown district with charming homes, shops and restaurants and picturesque Floodwall Murals is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Just minutes away from Maysville is the historic village of Old Washington and several of Kentucky's remarkable covered bridges. For more information contact Duff Giffen, MainStreet Manager, phone (606) 564-9411, or visit the Web site.
Morehead, population 6,000, is located on the edge of the eastern foothills of Kentucky on I-64. Nearby, popular Cave Run Lake, with 8,270 square miles of shoreline, is famous for boating and the best muskie fishing in the South. Home to Morehead State University, the community offers a variety of cultural and outdoor recreational opportunities, including the 18-hole Eagle Trace Golf Course and the nearby, scenic Daniel Boone National Forest which offers hiking and walking trails and camping. For more information on Morehead contact Sheree Winkler, Executive Director, Morehead Tourism Commission, phone (606) 784-6221.
Murray, population 15,000, located in far western Kentucky, was named the number one retirement community in the United States in 1987. It is home to Murray State University which offers study programs and classes ranging from business to pottery to archaeology. The area is easily accessed by I-24 and is within a few hours of Nashville, St. Louis and Louisville, and just a short day's drive from Chicago, Kansas City, Memphis and Atlanta. Kenlake and Lake Barkley State Resort Parks are also nearby and there are numerous golf courses in the region. For more information on Murray contact Judy Gargus, Executive Director, Murray Tourism Commission, phone (270) 759-2199.
Richmond, population 27,000, is in central Kentucky and boasts more than 100 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is the home of Eastern Kentucky University, White Hall State Historic Site and historic Bybee Pottery. Richmond offers a wide variety of fine dining, specialty shops, art galleries, historic churches and outdoor recreation. Its Lake Reba Recreational Complex offers an outstanding golf course, fishing, boating and outdoor festivals. Lexington is 20 miles north on I-75 and Berea, known as the "Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky," is just 10 minutes south. For more information on Richmond contact Mardi Miller, Executive Director, Richmond Tourism Commission, phone (859) 626-8474.