Points of Interest: Poage's Landing, Central Park,The Kentucky Highlands Museum, Ashland Area Art Gallery.

Founded in 1786 by the Scotch-Irish Poage family at Poage's Landing on the banks of the Ohio River, Ashland is a premiere city in the "Kentucky Highlands." The Landing is now the city's Central Park, but the landing was once used by ancient Native Americans as a burial ground (circa. 800 B.C. to 800 A.D.) and the burial mounds are now part of the park. The Kentucky Highlands Museum, the Ashland Area Art Gallery, two iron furnaces from the mid-1800s and the Country Music Highway are just some of the interesting diversions Ashland offers. Also, a walking tour of the old town, with its large, fine, old homes, is a great way to spend the afternoon.

HARLAN

Points of Interest: Little Shepherd Trail, Pine Mountain, Kentenia State Forest.

Harlan is one of Kentucky's most ruggedly beautiful mountain areas. It's paradise for hikers and campers. The most spectacular scenery is along the Little Shepherd Trail, winding for 38 miles along the crest of the 2,800 foot-high Pine Mountain.

MOREHEAD

Points of Interest:Cave Run Lake, Kentucky Folk Art Center, Morehead State University, Daniel Boone National Forest

Morehead is a great area for outdoor recreation. It is best known for Cave Run Lake with 8,270 acres and 166 miles of shoreline. Some call it Kentucky's "best kept secret." This scenic lake is outstanding for sailing and fishing. Cave Run is surrounded by the Daniel Boone National Forest. While visiting Morehead, don't miss the fascinating collection at the Kentucky Folk Art Center on 1st Street, which is home to artwork constructed from found objects made by renowned Kentucky folk artists.

MOUNT STERLING

Mount Sterling, named for a nearby Indian burial mound, is famous for its October Court Days festival, a huge community festival. While in town, check out the work of local and regional artists at Gallery for the Arts.

PAINTSVILLE

The Paintsville area is known as the birthplace of country music queen Loretta Lynn, the "Coal Miner's Daughter." You will find directions to her childhood home, Butcher Hollow, at the visitor center on Main Street. Beautiful Paintsville Lake with its steep, rocky cliffs and wooded coves is perfect for boating, skiing and fishing. Don't miss the nearby Mountain HomePlace, a living history village depicting the rugged way of life on the Appalachian plateau in the mid-1800s. Costumed interpreters go about their day-to-day chores.

PIKEVILLE

Travel back in time and visit six restored sites of the most famous feud of all time. The Hatfields and McCoys began their feud in 1865 and continued it for 20 years.

WINCHESTER

Winchester and Clark County enjoy a special location advantage near the I-64 and Mountain Parkway interchange -- the area's strategic location at the major highway turnoff toward the Appalachia highlands.

PRESTONSBURG

Prestonsburg has set the stage for fall entertainment with The Mountain Arts Center's superb headliner acts, as well as The Kentucky Opry, the Kentucky Highland Folk Festival and the Jenny Wiley Pioneer Festival. It's a colorful time for visitors to travel to Eastern Kentucky and Prestonsburg. Choose lodging from the beautiful Jenny Wiley SRP or from four other modern motels. Experience fine dining and mountain hospitality in Prestonsburg.

RED RIVER GORGE AREA

The U.S. Forest Service has designated 13,000 acres of the Daniel Boone National Forest as a national geologic area in recognition of its unique, natural features. Vacationing families enjoy canoeing, backpacking, rock climbing and picnicking in the Red River Gorge. See the splendor of the forest by taking a hike on one of the many trails.