I lived in Eddyville during my high school years and have experienced pretty much everything there is to do there. And had a wonderful time doing it. The town is small, everybody knows everybody and it has a lot of history regarding how the town came to be.
There are plenty of things to do in Eddyville. It’s a tourist town and offers everything from from a water park to museums, golfing, fishing and outdoor recreation.
In this guide, we’ll talk about all the must do things in Eddyville, Kentucky. Lets get started.
Table of Contents
Eddyville Kentucky things to do:
Take a splash at Venture River Water Park
Your first stop should be Venture River Water Park. The park is a great place to cool off on a hot day and enjoy all the rides. It has a variety of water slides, a lazy river and a huge wave pool. There’s even a special area for the little kids to play.
I’ve spent many hours swimming and playing here as a kid. I have even taken my kids here years later. I’ve told them my experience working as “tube boy” during my middle school summers.
Venture River offers concessions with hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and more so you can stay there all day long. And don’t forget to get the awesome Dippin Dots ice cream.
There’s also plenty of indoor water parks in Kentucky to visit during the winter.
280 Funway Dr, Eddyville, KY
Visit Rose Hill & Lyon County Museum
Rose Hill Museum is a historic home that was built in 1834 by Robert Cobb. It was later added to the Historic National Register in 1981.
The historic home/museum is furnished with antiques and offers really cool exhibits on the history of Eddyville and Lyon County. It is located right on the banks of Lake Barkley and offers a really cool next door view of the Kentucky State Penitentiary.
2261 KY-730, Eddyville, KY
See The Kentucky State Penitentiary
Eddyville Kentucky is known as the location for the Kentucky State Penitentiary, holding the states maximum security prisoners. Also known as the Castle on the Cumberland, it sits on the Cumberland River/Lake Barkley and is a stellar view from the water.
It was built in 1886 and is Kentucky’s oldest prison. The prison was made using giant granite boulders that were brought in by boat down the Cumberland River.
If you’re in Eddyville or Lyon County, the Kentucky State Penitentiary is an amazing sight to see.
266 Water St, Eddyville, KY
Vista Ridge Park
Growing up in Eddyville, I visited the Kuttawa Cliffs at Vista Ridge Park quite often. It’s a nice little park that offers a paved walking trail, pavilions and some picnic tables. They even have a small amphitheater that allows for music events occasionally during the season.
The cool thing about this park is the cliffs that overhang Lake Barkley. They offer a beautiful view of the lake from up high. In my high school days, kids would jump off these cliffs down into the water below. I highly recommend not jumping off the cliff.
2856 Lake Barkley Dr, Kuttawa, KY
Visit Land Between The Lakes
Land Between the Lakes is a large outdoor recreation area that is located just a short drive from Eddyville and Lyon County. This is one of the main source of tourism traffic in our area and brings in thousands of visitors per year into the city.
Also, don’t forget to read my review on things to do in Land Between the Lakes.
The lakes area offers a variety of recreational activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, camping and boating. I’ve been on many hikes, camped at Hillman Ferry and fished the heck out of Lake Barkley in the last 20 years.
I highly recommend checking out the Elk & Bison Range while you are there. The best times to see the wildlife is early morning or late afternoon. During the heat of the day, they are hiding out among the trees.
North welcome station – 1820 Woodlands Trace National Scenic Byway Grand Rivers, KY
South welcome station – 1268 Woodlands Trace National Scenic Byway Dover, TN
Eddyville Kentucky places to eat:
Willow Pond
If you are looking for one of the best places to get catfish, then I recommend checking out William Pond. It’s known for its catfish and hushpuppies and is a local favorite. I miss the days growing up and eating a bowl of white beans and hushpuppies. They are the best and I highly recommend trying this local restaurant.
124 US-62, Eddyville, KY
The Joint
The Joint is a local barbecue restaurant that offers a variety of smoked meats and delicious sides. The restaurant is owned by Allison and Jared Choate, both natives of the Eddyville/Princeton area.
The menu features smoked meats like brisket, pulled pork, ribs and chicken. They also have a variety of sides like mac and cheese, baked beans, and coleslaw.
The Joint is a family friendly and kid friendly restaurant in Eddyville. If you are just getting off the lake or want to grab a bite to eat on the way home, The Joint is a good local place for good food.
30 Outlet Ave, Eddyville, KY
Echo Charlies
Located South of Eddyville on Hwy 93 is Echo Charlies, an American style restaurant sitting on the banks of Lake Barkley in Eddy Creek Marina.
It features a wide range of food options including hamburgers, steaks, salad, sandwiches and more.
I’ve been to Echo Charlies many times eating a good ole hamburger and it’s always a relaxing and fun time enjoying sunsets on Barkley while eating a burger.
7612 KY-93 South, Eddyville, KY
Hu-B’s
Located a few miles south of Eddyville is a local waterfront joint called Hu-B’s. They are located in Kuttawa by the marina. If you’ve never been driving through historic Kuttawa, it’s a very charming little town along the banks of Lake Barkley.
Hu-B’s offers burgers, sandwiches and more. It’s the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat for lunch after a day on the lake. They also have live music often.
1709 Lake Barkley Dr, Kuttawa, KY
Eddyville Kentucky places to stay:
Relax Inn
Located at 224 Circle Drive in Kuttawa.
Days Inn of Kuttawa
Located at Exit 40 off I-24 in Kuttawa near all the gas stations.
Hampton Inn
Located at Exit 40 off I-24 in Kuttawa, a few miles from Eddyville.
Conclusion
Eddyville is a great small town and offers a lot of tourism activities for families and kids. Whether you are looking for something to eat or wanting to find a place to fish, Eddyville has it.
If you are traveling in the area and looking for something to do in Eddyville, then I hope this guide helped you out.
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Do you have any other suggestions in Eddyville that I missed? Let me know below!
There really isn’t much to do in Eddyville besides the water park. The mall closed years ago and pretty much shut the town down.