Berea

Berea is a small city in Kentucky's Bluegrass Region, about 15 miles south of Richmond and 45 miles south of Lexington. Known for its active arts and crafts scene and as the home of Berea College — a liberal arts school serving students from the Appalachia region — Berea has experienced significant population growth in recent decades. Founded in 1854 by abolitionist minister John Fee as an integrated community, the town takes its name from a town in Macedonia mentioned in the Book of Acts.

Berea's culture is deeply rooted in traditional mountain arts and crafts, a movement that sprang up in the 20th century to preserve Appalachian heritage. Many artisan workshops are scattered around College Square and in "Old Town" about a mile away. The town has a walkable downtown with two main centers: the Old Town Artisan Village and College Square, each easily traversed on foot. The climate is typical of the Bluegrass Region, with warm summers, mild winters, and beautiful fall foliage.

By Plane

Blue Grass Airport (LEX) in Lexington is about 45 miles north. Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is about 90 miles northwest. Both offer commercial passenger service.

By Car / Road

Berea is accessible from exits 76 and 77 off I-75. Grab a travel planner pamphlet from the Traveler's Center just off I-75 exit 77 or from the Welcome Center in town. Greyhound bus service is available at 301 W Jefferson St (☎+1 850 986-5840).

The two main areas — Old Town Artisan Village and College Square — are each easily walkable. Walking from one end of town to the other takes about 15 minutes. Parking is generally easy to find.

• Berea College Visitor Center and Shoppe — 104 S Main St, ☎+1 859 985-3197. M-F 9-7, Sat 10-6, Sun 11-4. Schedule campus tours (historical, craft, or ecological), watch students engaged in traditional crafts, or buy artisan products.

• Berea Welcome Center — 3 Artist Circle, ☎+1 859 986-2540. Located in a historic train station in the heart of Old Town, with exhibits on the town's history and surrounded by craft shops.

• The Pinnacles — Berea College Forest, 2047 Big Hill Rd. Dawn-dusk. The most popular and scenic section of the 8,000-acre Berea College Forest, with miles of trails leading to cliff-side overlooks with spectacular views. Free.

• Anglin Falls — A 15-minute drive from town near Disputanta. A short but steep creekside walk leads to a glorious waterfall, best in spring.

• Brushy Fork — Another section of the Berea College Forest with hiking trails of varying difficulty, including ridgetop views over the town and across to Richmond. Free.

• Spotlight Playhouse — 214 Richmond Rd, ☎+1 859-756-0011. Acting school and community theater with shows nearly every weekend.

• Festival of Learnshops — Weeklong event in July offering classes in traditional arts and crafts.

• Christmas Country Dance School — Dec. 26-Jan. 1, bringing together people from around the world for English country dancing, Morris dancing, and traditional music.

• Boone Tavern Dining Room — 100 Main St, ☎+1 859-985-3700. Fine dining featuring locally grown ingredients from the Berea College Farm. Reservations recommended for evening meals.
• Papa Leno's — 108 Center St, ☎+1 859 986-4497. Popular Italian restaurant focusing on pizza, open since 1984.
• Bluegrass Kitchen — 112 S Main St, ☎+1 859 868-8847. Southern cooking between Boone Tavern and Papa Leno's.
• Doña Maria's Tamales and More — 204 Center St, ☎+1 859 868-1003. Mexican street food, specializing in tamales.
• Native Bagel Company — 436 Chestnut St. Made Food & Wine Magazine's 2021 list of the 50 best bagel shops in the country.
• Dinner Bell Restaurant — 127 Plaza Dr, ☎+1 859 986-2777. Southern country cooking.

Berea was historically "dry," but since 2015 restaurants have been able to serve alcohol. Bars and packaged alcohol sales are still prohibited. Berea Coffee & Tea Co. — 124 Main St — offers coffee, tea, and light refreshments. The nearest community for full alcohol service is Richmond, about 15 miles north.

Budget: Motels along I-75 and in nearby Richmond, $60-90/night. Mid-range: Boone Tavern Hotel (100 Main St, ☎+1 859-985-3700), operated by Berea College, offers comfortable rooms in a historic setting, $100-160/night.

• Kentucky Artisan Center — 200 Artisan Way (I-75 exit 77), ☎+1 859 985-5448. Spring-Fall daily 8AM-8PM; café 8:30AM-5PM. The one-stop location for Kentucky artisan products.
• Old Town Artisan Village — Downtown workshops including Jeanette's Jewelry (116 N. Broadway), Honeysuckle Vine (1 Artist Circle), and Weaver's Bottom Craft Studio (140 N. Broadway). Most artisans are open 9AM-5PM.

• Richmond (15 min north) — Eastern Kentucky University and Fort Boonesborough State Park.
• Lexington (45 min north) — Horse Capital of the World with Keeneland Race Course.
• Daniel Boone National Forest (30 min south) — Hiking, climbing, and outdoor adventure.
• Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (1.5 hrs southeast) — Historic mountain pass and national park.