Overnight 2 Day Itineraries

Grand Rivers, KY

Day 1
Grand Rivers, Kentucky Area
Get settled in to your hotel (best location choices include Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park and Holiday Inn Express; both in Marshall County) and then you are off to Grand Rivers. Start your visit with a walking tour. Check out the shops in the downtown area, the walking trail and the Jetty overlooking Kentucky Lake. (1-2 hours)

Enjoy an early dinner at Patti’s 1880’s Settlement. The Settlement has two restaurants, Patti's 1880's and Mr. Bill's, both serving their famous 2" Pork Chop and Recipient of Kentucky Tourism Restaurant of the Year Award. Patti’s 1880’s Settlement is a recreated historic log village including beautiful gardens, a winding steam and lots of unique shops. (2 hours)

After dinner, enjoy a production of Variety! Music, Memories and More at the Badgett Playhouse (2 hours; evening shows start at 7:00 p.m. on selected dates). This live Branson Style show is full of energy and fun for all ages. Other special productions for 2008 include Always, Patsy and Variety! Christmas Spectacular.

Day 2
Land BetweenThe Lakes, Dover and Paris, Tennessee
After breakfast check out of your hotel and then head for Land BetweenThe Lakes National Recreation area. Start the day with the beauty of nature as you drive south through LBL. Make sure and include a drive through the Elk and Bison Prairie. The prairie is a restoration of Kentucky’s native barrens. A gently winding road takes you through this dynamic habitat restoration effort (allow 35 minutes drive time in LBL and 20 minutes drive of the prairie). Next; continue south to visit The Homeplace. History comes alive at this working 19th century farm. Each day interpreters in period clothing demonstrate the daily activities of 19th century farm life. The farm consists of 16 original and restored log structures, most relocated from with 10 miles of the The Homeplace (allow 15 minute drive time from the Elk and Bison Prairie, and 1 _ hours to tour the farm).

Getting Hungry? Continue traveling south to historic Dover, Tennessee for lunch at the Riverfront Plantation Inn. Enjoy lunch in this splendidly restored pre-civil war estate overlooking the Cumberland River. (Allow 20 minutes drive time from the Homeplace and 1-_ hours to enjoy lunch and a stroll of the grounds).

After lunch we are off to Fort Donelson, also in Dover. Begin your visit at the visitor center. The park’s orientation film Fort Donelson: Gateway to the Confederate Heartland, engages visitors with a storyline that draws on the lifelong friendship between Union General Ulysses S. Grant and Confederate General Simon B. Buckner. Emphasis is still placed on the 1862 battles at Forts Henry and Donelson and its military significance. After the film, get back on the bus for the six-mile self-guided tour (allow 15 minutes drive time from the Riverfront Plantation and 1 _ to 2 hours at the park).

Have more time? Then make sure you head to downtown Paris, Tennessee and visit the area's most gorgeous downtown square. In the mid 1990s, the downtown area underwent major renovations to bring the square back to its original 1920s-era style. Downtown Paris includes over 40 stores from antique to boutique and is an experience to remember. (Allow 25 minutes drive time from Dover to Paris and allow 1-2 hours for shopping).

Time to head out for home already? Travel safe and come back soon. We miss you already.

Contact information on this tour:
Kim Kraemer with Grand Rivers Tourism at 888-493-0152
Terry Crutcher with Dover/ Stewart County Chamber at 931-232-8290
Jennifer Wheatley with Paris/ Henry County Chamber at 800-345-1103

Land BetweenThe Lakes

Day 1
Arrive in the beautiful lakes community of Grand Rivers, KY. Spend the morning shopping then enjoy a lunch at one of the local restaurants. After lunch head to Land BetweenThe Lakes.

Travel time approximately 30 minutes.

Travel to Woodlands Nature Station to enjoy interactive displays, demonstrations, bird feeding stations, wildlife exhibits, gardens, ponds, and more. Step out into the Backyard where you can see many of the wildlife and plants found in Land BetweenThe Lakes. Daily programs take place from 10am-4pm. (Allow 1 to 1 1/2 hours for visit) If you would like to stretch your legs, take a short hike around Hematite Lake to view migratory birds and other wildlife, approximately 2.2 miles.

Travel time approximately 20 minutes.

Continue south to the Golden Pond Visitor Center. The Visitor Center has an interpretive display depicting a brief history of Land BetweenThe Lakes. Then watch the video about the Elk & Bison Prairie. Enjoy a Planetarium Show before heading to the Elk & Bison Prairie. (Allow for 1-_ hours)

Travel time approximately 5 minutes.

Don’t forget to pick up your Elk & Bison Prairie token for the bus before leaving the Visitor Center. Wildlife viewing is best during the cooler hours of the day, early morning and evening. Get out your camera and binoculars as you travel through. This 700-acre enclosure has a 3-1/2-mile loop road that includes three interpretive pull offs. (Allow for 1 hour)

After a long day, head for the hotel and an enjoyable dinner. Lake Barkley State Resort Park or Kenlake State Resort Park. Each lodge provides spectacular views of the lakes and delicious southern food.

Day 2
Travel time will vary, approximately 40 minutes.

Enjoy a hearty breakfast before you head south in Land BetweenThe Lakes and head for Dover and Paris, TN. Your first stop is The Homeplace, an 1850’s living history farm. Interpreters dressed in period clothing demonstrate the daily activities of the 19th century family farm. The Homeplace includes 16 historic and restored log buildings, most relocated from within 10 miles, as well as historic livestock breeds and vegetable garden. (Allow 1 -1 _ hours)

Head south and just around the corner from The Homeplace arrive at The Center Furnace and the South Bison Range. Take a few minutes to learn the history of iron ore production in LBL and capture some must have photos of the Bison.

Travel time approximately 30 minutes.

Interested in a little history? Stop by Fort Donelson National Battlefield (11 miles from Paris). Spend an hour or two learning the history of the Battle of Fort Donelson. You can enjoy the 6-mile tour (1 hr – 1 _ hrs), the museum (30 minutes) and the audio program (15 minutes). Allow about 2 _ hours.

Stop in the little town of Dover, TN for some shopping. Continue to Paris, TN to enjoy their 1920’s era style historic downtown with boutiques, restaurants, and antique shops. Don’t forget to visit the Eiffel Tour replica.

Plan your trip around one of the many special events, festivals, and programs in the region.

Land BetweenThe Lakes

Day 1
Spend the morning enjoying historic 1920’s era style downtown of Paris, TN. Don’t forget to visit the Eiffel Tour replica. (Allow approximately 2 hours)

Have a sack lunch prepared for a picnic in one of LBL’s scenic picnic areas. Travel time approximately 20 minutes.

Interested in a little history. Stop by Fort Donelson National Battlefield (11 miles from Paris). Spend an hour or two learning the history of the Battle of Fort Donelson. You can enjoy the 6-mile tour (1 hr – 1 _ hrs), the museum (30 minutes) and the audio program (15 minutes). Allow about 2 _ hours.

Grab a bite to eat before heading to Land BetweenThe Lakes or enjoy a picnic lunch at The Homeplace picnic shelter or head down the road for lunch at the Golden Pond Visitor Center and Planetarium. Travel time approximately 20 minutes.

Then head to Land BetweenThe Lakes National Recreation Area. First stop; arrive at The Center Furnace and the South Bison Range in Land BetweenThe Lakes. Take a few minutes to learn the history of iron ore production in LBL and capture some must have photos of the Bison. Then head to The Homeplace, an 1850’s living history farm. Interpreters dressed in period clothing demonstrate the daily activities of the 19th century family farm. The Homeplace includes 16 historic and restored log buildings, most relocated from within 10 miles, as well as historic livestock breeds and heirloom vegetable garden. (Allow 1–1/2 hours) Travel time approximately 30 minutes.

Leave The Homeplace and travel to the Golden Pond Visitor Center. Pick up a souvenir at the gift shop and enjoy a Planetarium show before heading out to see The Elk & Bison Prairie. Allow 1-_ hours if watching a show. Travel time is approximately 5 minutes.

Don’t forget to pick up your Elk & Bison Prairie token for the bus before leaving the Visitor Center. Wildlife viewing is best during the cooler hours of the day, early morning and evening. Get out your camera and binoculars as you travel through. This 700-acre enclosure has a 3-1/2-mile loop road that includes three interpretive pull-offs. (Allow 1 hour)

Head to your hotel for dinner and some relaxation. Kenlake State Resort Park or Lake Barkley State Resort Park are close by. Additional hotels and restaurants are available in Marshall County, about 25 minutes drive. If time allows or as an option, plan to catch an evening show at the Kentucky Opry for some good ol’ live entertainment.

Day 2
Enjoy breakfast before heading out.  Travel north on the Trace towards Grand Rivers, KY.  Your first stop is the Woodlands Nature Station to enjoy interactive displays, demonstrations, bird feeding stations, wildlife exhibits, gardens, ponds, and more. Step out into the Backyard where you can see many of the wildlife and plants found in Land BetweenThe Lakes.  Daily programs take place from 10am-4pm. (Allow 1 to 1- 1/2 hours for visit)   If you would like to stretch your legs, take a short hike around Hematite Lake to view migratory birds and other wildlife, approximately 2.2 miles. Travel time is approximately 30 minutes.

Continue north to the beautiful quaint lakes community of Grand Rivers, KY.  Enjoy unique shops, restaurants, and musical entertainment.  Spend the afternoon enjoying the downtown. Be sure to enjoy the gardens around Patti’s Settlement. Most of all be sure you have lunch at this award-winning restaurant before heading out.

Travel time approximately 10 minutes.

Don’t forget to take a tour of Kentucky Dam before heading out. (Allow about 1 hour). Plan your trip around one of the many special events, festivals, and programs in the region.