Boyd County: Culture, History and Leisure

Boyd County offers several ways to experience culture and leisure: in Ashland, the range spans regional history and stage productions; Catlettsburg combines public murals with city history. There are also outdoor trails, indoor attractions, and ways to explore the river. You can plan your trip around your interests.

Cultural History in Ashland and Catlettsburg

The Highlands Museum & Discovery Center in Ashland is a regional history museum and children's museum. Also in Ashland, the C.B. Nuckolls Community Center & Black History Museum documents and preserves the history of Black people in Ashland and across the United States. The two institutions focus on different areas: one is dedicated to regional history, while the other explores the history of Black people locally and nationwide.

The Paramount Arts Center opened in 1931 as an Art Deco movie palace. Following preservation and restoration, it retains many original fixtures and furnishings. The venue's offerings include singing lessons, educational concerts, community theater, and entertainment programs. Here, the preserved features of a historic movie palace meet a wide-ranging program of performances and educational events.

In Catlettsburg, floodwall murals honor the city's industrial roots, cultural milestones, and residents, forming an open-air museum. Another distinctive part of the city's history is its stately Beaux-Arts limestone courthouse, which continues to stand as a landmark of civic pride.

Leisure Activities and Events

For outdoor activities, Rush Off-Road spans 7,000 acres and has more than 100 miles of trails. Routes range from easy scenic drives to challenging rock crawling. Both the size of the grounds and the range of trails described are important parts of what it offers.

Malibu Jacks Indoor Theme Park at Camp Landing offers 14 bowling lanes, a go-kart track, miniature golf, a laser tag arena, indoor roller coasters, 3D rides, and a modern arcade. Tap That Sports at Camp Landing takes a different approach: it has eight HD sports simulators and more than 75 multiplayer challenges and games. The two attractions differ in their focus: one offers a wide range of indoor activities, while the other centers on simulations and multiplayer games.

Catlettsburg celebrates Labor Day each year with a parade and a festival weekend. The tradition dates back to the mid-1960s and has continued for more than half a century. The Boyd County Fair has a different event focus: it has been running for more than 30 years and continues to grow each year.

River Setting and Orientation

The Port of Catlettsburg is located where the Big Sandy River flows into the Ohio River, at the meeting point of the borders of Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia. The port welcomes recreational boats and offers activities along the riverfront. The river confluence and the meeting of the three state borders give this location a clear geographic context; recreational boats and activities add a practical way to experience the river landscape.

Ashland's current train station serves as an intermodal transportation facility. Armco Park is one of the reservation options in Boyd County. When choosing a hotel, you can first decide which of the topics described will shape your trip: regional history, stage productions, events, outdoor trails, or activities along the riverfront.

Explore more destinations: Ashland, Catlettsburg, Boone County, Meade County, Estill County, Floyd County, McCreary County, Breathitt County

For the main travel overview: Kentucky.