Ashland, Kentucky

Ashland, Kentucky, is situated near the West Virginia and Ohio state borders. It is part of Boyd County, and is home to 21,981 residents. Ashland is located 66 miles (106 kilometers) northwest of Charleston, West Virginia. Together with the nearby communities of Huntington, West Virginia, and Ironton, Ohio, Ashland forms a metropolitan tri-state area of more than 300,000 people.

Ashland is located on the Ohio River and in the Eastern Coal Field Region. The steel, railroad, chemical production industries flourished here in the first half of the 20th century. The Ashland Refining Company was founded here in 1924, and is now the Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC. The Highlands Museum and Discovery Center offers a comprehensive look at regional history, and contains diverse exhibits that range from life on the Ohio Riverbank to aviation history and country music. History buffs will also want to walk or drive down Ashland's two-mile (three-kilometer) historic route, which passes through both commercial and residential areas. The c. 1930 Paramount Arts Center is one of the route's highlights, and hosts a wide range of productions including concerts, Broadway musicals, and dance performances.

Shoppers will find a great selection of stores at the Ashland Town Center, and antique hunters will delight in the many shops located in the area.

Local recreational facilities include a YMCA, tennis center, and the Sundowner Golf Course. Central Park is a 47-acre (19-hectare) oasis of greenery in the middle of downtown Ashland, and offers walking trails, bird-watching opportunities, sporting events, summer concerts, and ice skating. On the weekend, head to the Greenbo Lake State Resort Park to enjoy fishing, boating, and watersports or to relax in the park's comfortable lodge. Carter Caves State Resort Park is another popular destination, and boasts 20 underground caverns with fascinating stone formations and a 30-foot (nine-meter) underground waterfall. Residents are also just a short drive south of Ohio's Wayne National Forest.

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