Making memories should never come with a hefty price tag. Here in Harlan County, we have no shortage of inexpensive fun. From our highest peaks to our most beloved attractions, you can enjoy new experiences across our breathtaking county at little to no cost. Whether you are looking to take an unforgettable trip with your friends and family or adventure alone to connect with our beautiful mountains, wildlife, and unique Appalachian culture, you can bank on leaving Harlan County with a full heart.
- Historic Harlan Museum: Immerse yourself in Harlan County history at the Historic Harlan Museum! With exhibits ranging from coal to Cawood Ledford and cryptids, this immersive experience allows you to gain a better understanding of over 200 years of rich history we have here in Harlan County. Admission to the museum is $5 for adults and $3 for children. On Free Kids Day, which is observed on the last Tuesday of each month, kids can enter the museum for free (but the accompanying adult must pay for their own admission). Pro tip: keep your ticket stub and take it to the Summer Concert Series for a chance to win $250!
- Martin’s Fork Lake: Looking to make a splash this summer? Lie in the sun or cool off in the water, surrounded by the beauty of our mountains. The best part about this fun is that you can enjoy everything Martin’s Fork Lake has to offer at no cost!
- Pine Mountain Settlement School: Serving as a hub for cultural and environmental education, Pine Mountain Settlement School is a national historic landmark that has been a pillar of our community for more than one hundred years. They have preserved Appalachian traditions and the buildings on their campus, which make you feel like you are stepping back into history. You can visit the campus grounds for free during its operating hours.
- Paddle Boats: Spend some time on the water at Kingdom Come State Park by renting a paddle boat in their scenic 3.5-acre mountain lake. At just $3 per person, your family can participate in affordable fun while being surrounded by the beauty of Kingdom Come State Park.
- Summer Concert Series: You can enjoy a live concert every week this summer featuring incredible local and regional talent, all for FREE! Join us on Thursday evenings at the Courthouse Gazebo for a summer full of live music ranging in genre from country and folk to rock and contemporary Christian.
- Splash Pads: Beat the summer heat with the splash pads at the Verda Community Park and at the Dale Belcher Memorial Park (Blue Courts). These accessible splash pads make it easy to have fun while cooling off! They are free to use and open to the public from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM during the summer season.
- Blanton Forest: Did you know that Kentucky’s largest old-growth forest is in Harlan County? Blanton Forest is one of the largest old-growth forests in the entire Eastern United States. To put its size into perspective, it is almost three times the size of Central Park in New York City, about double the size of the country of Monaco, and equal to roughly 1,740 football fields, including the end zones. You can visit this ecological wonder for free and see trees that predate the founding of the United States by more than one hundred years.
- Gears and Beers: Get ready for a night of cars, community, and a packed 1st Street in front of the courthouse! Gears and Beers offers everything from classic cars, hot rods, imports, trucks with families out and kids picking their favorites! Join us every 4th Thursday until October, all for FREE!
- Outdoor Movie Nights: Pull up a chair, grab some popcorn, and enjoy some of your favorite movies for FREE at the Harlan Center! Check out our Facebook page for more information on screenings.
- Fourth Fest: What better way is there to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding than by watching fireworks, listening to live music, and eating great food at our annual Fourth Fest?! You can attend the Fourth Fest for free at the Harlan Center on the Fourth of July.
- Miniature Golf: Are your golfing skills up to par? Find out by playing against your friends or family at Kingdom Come State Park. Not only is the scenery surrounding this course absolutely beautiful, but you can play a round for only $3!
- Spray and Play: Jump for joy during the month of July with our annual Spray and Play! Children can enjoy water inflatables, kiddie pools, and popsicles and drinks all for FREE! Spray & Play is every Thursday following the 4th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the month of July.
- Harlan’s Fourth of July Parade: Celebrate our nation’s semiquincentennial by sporting your red, white, and blue and supporting Harlan’s annual Fourth of July Parade! Watch as local businesses, organizations, community members, and churches show off their American pride and creativity with their uniquely themed floats.
- Summer Reading Program: “Unearth a story” this summer with both the Harlan County Public Library in Harlan and the Rebecca Caudill Public Library in Cumberland! This is a perfect activity for young learners and families looking for some entertainment this summer! You can find the schedule for storytimes on the Facebook pages for both libraries.
- Miniatures Summer Camp at Pine Mountain Settlement School: Channel your creativity and magic by learning how to create a tiny world using everyday materials at this FREE summer camp! The Miniatures Summer Camp will meet at Pine Mountain Settlement School from Tuesday, June 30th to Thursday, July 2nd from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. Breakfast, lunch, and snack are provided for participants. This camp is open to any child between the ages of 8 and 15. All participants will come home with two handmade miniatures and an experience they won’t forget! You can register on their website using the following link: Miniatures Summer Camp.
- Fourth Fest Pie-Eating Contest: There is nothing more American than a delicious apple pie. If you love your country, pie, and winning prizes, then you can join the Fourth Fest Pie-Eating Contest for free! If you don’t leave with the title or a prize, you’ll at least leave with a heart full of American pride and (hopefully) a full stomach.
- Have a photoshoot at one of our murals! One thing that makes Harlan stand out is the colorful murals around town that perfectly captures our culture. Show off your Harlan County pride by snapping a picture with Petunia the opossum or another mural!
- Fish at Highsplint Lake: Fish in the same lake that is home to the record for the largest bass ever caught in Kentucky, weighing in at 14 pounds with a length of 26.8 inches. Who knows, maybe you will be the next to beat the record!
- Compete in the Fourth Fest Cornhole Tournament: Think you have what it takes to win big? Compete against your fellow Harlan Countians in a friendly game of cornhole for a chance to become the cornhole champion and win a prize of up to $100.
- Coffee and Connections: Take advantage of free coffee and make valuable professional connections at Coffee and Connections. Start your morning off by connecting with fellow professionals, community leaders, and local businesses from across Harlan County at this networking event hosted by the Harlan County Chamber of Commerce! Coffee and Connections is held on the 3rd Friday of every month.
- Dogs Days of Kentucky: Harlan County is home to Kentucky’s ONLY Hot Dog Championship and Festival! Join us on August 29, 2026, at the 4th Annual Dog Days of Kentucky for a day full of family fun, live entertainment, and of course, hot dog creations! You can enjoy family-friendly attractions, live competitions, food vendors, and more, all for free!
Making cherished memories should never break the bank. We hope you will take advantage of every opportunity to enjoy some inexpensive fun this summer in Harlan County.
