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Berea is a small city in Kentucky's Bluegrass Region in southern Madison County about 15 miles (24 km) south of Richmond and 45 miles (72 km) south of Lexington. The community has experienced major population growth: 38% from 2000 to 2010, and 16% to 2018. It is known for its active arts and crafts scene and as the home of Berea College, a liberal arts school which serves students from the Appalachia region.
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This is the official visitor center for Berea College, which occupies much of the center of the town and dominates it both culturally and economically. At the visitor center, you can schedule tours of the campus (historical, craft, or ecological), watch students engaged in traditional crafts, or buy artisan products and college-related paraphernalia. The visitor center also sells smoothies and other refreshments. You can also walk around the campus on your own.
Information center for the town (as opposed to the college), located in the heart of Berea's "Old Town." The visitor center, located in a historic train station, has some exhibits on the history of the town, and is surrounded by craft shops which you can easily visit on foot while parked at the center.
Berea College Forest
This is the most popular and scenic section of the Berea College Forest, an 8000-acre forest managed by Berea College. Several miles of trails are maintained by the college's Department of Forestry and are open to the public during daylight hours. The trails lead to several cliff side overlooks with spectacular views. A forestry center includes educational displays, bathrooms, and an information desk.
Offers canoe, kayak, and e-bike rentals from two Berea locations and is involved with various local events and activities. The boating activities take place on Owsley Fork Reservoir, a few miles out of town past the Pinnacles.
Also part of the Berea College Forest. Hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty, including a gravel trail alongside the creek and a network of trails that eventually take you up on the ridges above the town, with good views over the town and across the Outer Bluegrass to Richmond. These trails are not as spectacular or popular as those at the Pinnacles, but the ridgetop hiking is also worth exploring, and it's easier to take a short hike here if you don't have time for the full experience. The trails are used by cross-country runners.
Acting school and community theater offering shows nearly every weekend.
Fine dining featuring locally grown ingredients from the Berea College Farm. Dress attire is tastefully casual and reservations are recommended for evening meals. Alcohol now available by the drink.
This popular and unpretentious Italian restaurant, focusing on pizza, has been open since 1984 and sits just around the corner from Boone Tavern on College Square.
Southern cooking between Boone Tavern and Papa Leno's.
Mexican street food, specializing in tamales.
Made Food & Wine Magazine's 2021 list of the 50 best bagel shops in the country. During the evenings a restaurant/pub operates out of the same space (see under "Drink").
Southern country cooking.
Fine dining in a historic building once the home of Churchill Weavers.
A local coffee shop featuring sustainable and free trade products. A wide variety of drinks, bakery items, and sandwiches are available.
Serves food as well as alcoholic beverages, in the same building as Native Bagel but during the evening hours.
A bed and breakfast in a Greek Revival style home.
A house constructed in 1917 featuring 3 bedrooms and within walking distance of Berea College.
A privately owned campground located on working farm. RV and tent sites with electric and water hookups are available. The campground has a bathhouse with flush toilets and showers are available April through October. No pets are allowed and cell phone service is unreliable.
A privately owned campground featuring 70 campsites ranging from primitive to full hookups. The campground features a store, pool, laundry facilities, and shower houses.
A privately owned campground featuring 103 campsites ranging from primitive to full hook up. The campground features a store, shower houses, Wi-Fi, and laundry facilities
Constructed in 1909, this hotel is operated by Berea College. The rooms feature handcrafted wooden furniture. A restaurant is attached to the hotel.
Traveler's Center
If you're looking for a one-stop shopping location, this is the place to go.
Original art by Dinah Tyree, besides hand-made Christmas ornaments and a variety of other products for sale.
Husband and wife team demonstrate weaving as well as selling their products.
You'll almost certainly get to Berea by car. Berea is accessible from exits 76 and 77 off of I-75.
Read in the guideThere are two areas that make up the major centers of Berea: Old Town Artisan Village, and College Square. Each is easily traversable by foot.
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