Harlan
Around Harlan
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Countryside and towns · Kentucky · 45k people
Harlan
“Coal Country”
Where every holler has a story
goldblackdeep green
Welcome to Harlan and Letcher counties—where the mountains are steep, the stories are deep, and everybody knows your name. Whether you're here for the coal history, the bluegrass, or just to breathe that mountain air, you'll find a holler to call your own.
Clubs for Harlan
No clubs for Harlan yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Harlan. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Harlan. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Kentucky Coal Mining Museum Located in Benham, this museum tells the story of coal camps and mining families.
- Portal 31 A former coal mine in Lynch turned into an immersive underground tour experience.
- Appalshop A cultural center in Whitesburg dedicated to Appalachian arts, media, and storytelling.
- Kentucky Coal Mining Museum Located in Benham, this museum tells the story of coal camps and mining families.
- Portal 31 A former coal mine in Lynch turned into an immersive underground tour experience.
- Appalshop A cultural center in Whitesburg dedicated to Appalachian arts, media, and storytelling.
- Outdoors Hike Black Mountain
- Outdoors Fish the Cumberland River
- With kids Tour the Kentucky Coal Mining Museum in Benham
- With kids Explore Kingdom Come State Park
- Evenings Bluegrass jams at community centers
- Evenings Concerts at Appalshop
- Locals love Mountain hiking trails
- Locals love Creek fishing holes
Through the year
- Harlan County Fair July Carnival rides, 4-H livestock shows, and local food booths every summer.
- Mountain Heritage Festival September Celebrates Appalachian crafts, music, and food in Jenkins each fall.
- Seedtime on the Cumberland Spring A literary and music festival in Whitesburg featuring regional writers and performers.
- Coal Miner's Day at Portal 31 May A day of mine tours, storytelling, and honoring the region's mining heritage.
Mountain climate with cool summers and snowy winters. Rain falls year-round, so bring layers. The best times to be out are May–June and September–October. Best: Spring and fall are ideal—mild days, crisp nights, and the mountains are green or golden.
Talk like a local
- “holler”
- A small valley or hollow between mountains.
- “crick”
- A creek or small stream.
- “fixin' to”
- Getting ready to do something.
- “y'all”
- You all, used for a group.
Getaways
- Wise, VA Historic downtown, the High Knob Tower, and great mountain drives.
- Hazard, KY Gateway to the Daniel Boone National Forest and the Appalachian Arts Center.
- Pikeville, KY See the Pikeville Cut-Through, a massive engineering feat, and the Eastern Kentucky Expo Center.
- Kingsport–Bristol, TN-VA Bigger-city shopping, the Bristol Rhythm & Roots festival, and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.
Local flavour
Rooting for University of Kentucky Wildcats, University of Louisville Cardinals
Eat and drink
- soup beans and cornbread staple of Appalachian cuisine
- country ham salt-cured and often served with red-eye gravy
- fried apple pies a classic mountain dessert
- ramps wild leeks foraged in spring
- sorghum molasses sweetener made from sorghum cane
Where people go
- coal mines and mining camps the region's industrial heritage
- mountain hollers narrow valleys that shelter communities
- Appalachian forests dense woods of oak, hickory, and pine
- country roads winding routes that connect hollows
- rivers and creeks like the Cumberland River and its tributaries
- historic company towns former coal towns with company stores
- small-town diners gathering spots for coffee and gossip
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaWiseVirginiaMountain music, coal country warmth.HazardKentuckyHeart of the Appalachian hillsKingsport–BristolTennesseeWhere the mountains meet the music, and the race never stops.PikevilleKentuckyWhere the mountains hold the musicTazewellTennesseeSmall towns, big mountain heartsMiddlesboroughKentuckyWhere the mountains meet the skyMorristownTennesseeApple country and lake life in the foothills.GreenevilleTennesseeWhere the hills hold the history.
Harlan and Letcher counties, KY. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.