A two-story log house known as “Old Log Fort,” the unusually constructed Mother Goose Building and the North Fork Kentucky River give Hazard distinct historical and scenic points of interest. There is also an annual festival, summer programs at Bobby Davis Park, trails and sports facilities. If you’re looking for a hotel in Hazard, it helps to decide what your trip will focus on first: early building history, seasonal culture, or activities involving the river and exercise.
Early Building Histories
Elijah Combs built the first house on the North Fork of the Kentucky River during the warm months of 1795. His second house was a two-story log house near the river, known locally as “Old Log Fort.” The Mother Goose Building in Hazard was completed in 1940 and built to scale using a goose skeleton. The building embodies the imagination and creative work of George Stacy. In this way, early homes and an unusual architectural idea offer distinct themes for a trip shaped by cultural history.
Remembrance, Culture and the Seasons
Lawrence Davis founded the Bobby Davis Museum as a memorial to his son and other veterans who died in World War II. Its connection to personal remembrance and the fallen differs from the building histories of Old Log Fort and the Mother Goose Building, offering another way to explore Hazard’s history.
Hazard’s coal heritage is celebrated every September at the Black Gold Festival in downtown. During the summer months, Bobby Davis Park hosts games, food, music and theater performances. The festival and park program therefore offer different seasonal highlights. ArtStation in Hazard is also used for poetry readings and outdoor mountain jam sessions. If you’re planning your trip around one of these events, check the specific dates in advance.
River, Trails and Fishing
The North Fork Kentucky River flows through Hazard and offers opportunities to fish for musky, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish and rock bass. The Greenway is about a mile long and runs alongside the river and Main Street. The North Fork River Trail leads from the area behind City Hall to the boat ramp at Perry County Park.
These details offer different points of reference when choosing a trail: the Greenway is notable for its approximate length, while the North Fork River Trail can be navigated by its starting area and destination. The Hazard City Ramp and Fishing Pier has a single-lane concrete boat ramp in downtown Hazard, behind City Hall.
Sports and Recreation at the Hazard Pavilion
The Hazard Pavilion has a heated 25-meter swimming pool, tennis courts, and racquetball and handball courts. Facilities also include an aerobics room, a running track, a weight room, a sauna and cardiovascular equipment. There is also a sun deck, a terrace, locker rooms and an event space. Alongside trails and river activities, these offer sports and fitness as another distinct focus. If you’re planning a visit, check the opening hours beforehand, as they may change.
For the broader travel overview: Perry County.
