Pikeville, Kentucky

Pikeville is situated in eastern Kentucky, in the Cumberland Mountains. The city is located 106 miles (171 kilometers) southwest of Charleston, West Virginia, and 139 miles (224 kilometers) southeast of Lexington. Pikeville is the seat of Pike County, and is home to 6,295 residents.

The Big Sandy Heritage Center is an excellent place to learn about the region's long and rich history. Exhibits cover topics such as Native American history, the Antebellum era, coal mining, and the long-running Hatfield-McCoy feud. Civil War buffs will want to visit Pikeville City Park, where James A. Garfield (who later became president), was commissioned as the Union Army's Brigadier General in 1862. Another notable site is the Duty's Knob, a mountain peak that's reputed to be the hideout of General John Hunt Morgan's Confederate raiders. Pikeville is also home to five historic districts and 53 heritage buildings, including Dils Mansion and Snivley Chapel.

If you're looking for a night out on the town, there's no better choice than the Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center. This 7,000-seat multi-purpose facility hosts concerts, athletic games, car shows, rodeos, family shows, and more. The Pike County Artisans Center showcases works by local artists and artisans, and also offers classes and special events.

Pikeville is nicknamed "the city that moves mountains," and was the site of one of the largest land removal projects in the Western hemisphere. Twelve million cubic yards (nine million cubic meters) of rock and dirt were moved to create the Pikeville Cut-Through, which a highway, railroad line, and the Big Sandy River passes through. The project was undertaken to prevent flooding caused by the river, and was completed in 1987 after 14 years of work. A gazebo and lookout point offers great views of the cut-through. Nearby Bob Amos Park is a popular recreational spot, and offers tennis courts, hiking trails, and picnic areas. Also be sure to visit Mountain Pub-Links, a beautiful 18-hole course with stunning mountain views.

Breaks Interstate Park straddles the Kentucky/Virginia border, and is hailed as the "Grand Canyon of the South." Here you'll find a spectacular 1,000-foot (305-meter) gorge carved by the Big Sandy River, along with soaring rock formations and hidden caves. A wide range of activities can be enjoyed in the park, including bird and wildlife watching, horseback riding, swimming, boating, whitewater rafting, and camping. You can also search for John Swift's buried treasure, explore the Pow Wow Cave, or hike along the trails once used by Daniel Boone. Those who want to enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing comfort will appreciate the park's cottages, restaurant, amphitheater, golf course, and swimming pool.

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