Murray
Around Murray
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Town and around · Kentucky · 38k people
Murray
Racer pride and lake life
Murray State goldMurray State blue
Welcome to Murray, where the lake is big and the town is small. You'll find friendly faces at the square and a whole lot of Racers pride. Come for the catfish, stay for the sunset over Kentucky Lake.
Clubs for Murray
No clubs for Murray yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Murray. 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 Murray. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area 170,000 acres of forests, lakes, and trails.
- Kentucky Lake Largest man-made lake east of the Mississippi.
- Lake Barkley Part of the Land Between the Lakes peninsula.
- Murray State University Home of the Racers.
- Murray's Historic Courthouse Square Center of downtown Murray.
- Benton's Town Square County seat charm in Marshall County.
- Outdoors Fishing on Kentucky Lake
- Outdoors Hiking and biking the trails at Land Between the Lakes
- With kids Visit the Elk & Bison Prairie
- With kids Explore the Homeplace 1850s Working Farm
- Evenings Catch live music at a local bar
- Evenings Watch a game at a sports bar
- Locals love Lake fishing spots
- Locals love Trailheads for hiking
Through the year
- Calloway County Fair summer A summer staple with rides, livestock, and local food.
- Murray State Racers football games fall Fall Saturdays at Roy Stewart Stadium.
- Murray State Racers basketball games winter Winter hoops at the CFSB Center.
- Kentucky Lake fishing tournaments spring/summer Spring and summer bass and catfish tournaments.
- Murray Farmers Market summer Fresh produce and local goods on summer weekends.
Humid subtropical with hot, muggy summers and mild winters. Best: Spring and fall are the best times to be out, with pleasant temps and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “The Lakes”
- Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley
- “LBL”
- Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
- “Racer”
- A Murray State student or fan
Getaways
- Paducah National Quilt Museum and riverfront dining.
- Clarksville Larger city with shopping, dining, and entertainment.
- Martin College town with a relaxed vibe.
- Mayfield Small-town charm and local shops.
Local flavour
Teams
- Murray State Racers NCAA Division I
Eat and drink
- Kentucky Lake catfish Fresh catfish from the nearby lakes, often fried and served at local eateries.
- burgoo A hearty Kentucky stew, commonly made with mixed meats and vegetables.
- Ale-8-One A ginger‑and‑citrus soft drink from Kentucky, a regional favorite.
Where people go
- Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area A vast outdoor area between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, with forests, trails, and wildlife.
- Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley Two large reservoirs that dominate the region, popular for fishing and boating.
- Murray State University campus The historic campus with its iconic red‑brick buildings and the Racer spirit.
- Small‑town squares Quaint downtown areas in Murray, Benton, and Hardin with local shops and diners.
Heritage and traditions
Murray and the surrounding lakes region are proud of their small-town Southern hospitality, the strong sense of community around Murray State University, and the natural beauty of Kentucky Lake and Land Between the Lakes.
This time of year in Murray
- Fall foliage drives October Scenic drives through the lakes region.
Say it like a local: “Fixin' to” — about to
Festivals
- Tater Day April Celebrates the sweet potato with a parade, crafts, and food.
- Murray State University International Festival Spring Showcases global cultures with food, music, and performances.
- Murray's Fourth of July Celebration July Fireworks and festivities at the lake.
- Murray Christmas Parade December A festive parade through downtown Murray.
Landmarks with a story
- Wrather West Kentucky Museum Located on Murray State's campus, showcasing regional history.
- Murray-Calloway County Courthouse An architectural landmark in the town square.
- Benton Marshall County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Benton's town square.
Food traditions
- Sweet potato pie A dessert tied to the sweet potato harvest and Tater Day.
- Country ham Salt-cured ham, often served with biscuits at holiday meals.
- Hushpuppies Fried cornmeal balls, a classic side with fried fish.
- Fried green tomatoes A Southern favorite, often served as an appetizer.
- Biscuits and gravy A hearty breakfast staple across the region.
Music and arts
- Bluegrass and country music Local jam sessions and festivals celebrate these genres.
- Quilting and folk arts Traditional crafts showcased at the Homeplace and local fairs.
- Murray State's music and theatre University productions and concerts are cultural highlights.
- Photography and painting inspired by lakes The natural scenery draws artists.
A little history
- 1818 Jackson Purchase
- 1822 Murray founded
- 1922 Murray State Normal School
- 1944 Kentucky Lake created
- 1963 Land Between the Lakes established
Rivalries
- Murray State vs. Austin Peay Ohio Valley Conference football rivalry.
- Murray State vs. Morehead State Basketball rivalry in the OVC.
- Murray State vs. Tennessee Tech All-sports conference battles.
- Game day Murray State basketball
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Outdoors Kayaking on the lakes
- Outdoors Hiking the North/South Trail
- With kids Tater Day
- With kids Wrather West Kentucky Museum
People in the Murray area speak with a Southern accent, use 'y'all' and 'fixin' to', and say 'pop' for soft drinks. They also pronounce 'creek' as 'crick' and use expressions like 'bless your heart.'
Only here
- Tater Day - the oldest trade day in the country, celebrating sweet potatoes.
- Elk & Bison Prairie - a unique drive-through wildlife viewing area in Land Between the Lakes.
- The 'Jackson Purchase' region - a distinct cultural area with a shared history.
- Two large lakes - Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley create a vast water recreation area.
New here? A few tips
- Be ready for hot, humid summers and mild winters.
- Try the fried catfish and sweet tea.
- Get a fishing license and explore Kentucky Lake.
- Support the Murray State Racers.
- Watch for deer on rural roads.
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Nearby
Every areaKentucky LakeKentuckyWhere the lake meets the landMayfieldKentuckyWarm welcomes and wide open skiesParisTennesseeBig peanuts, bigger sunsets on Kentucky Lake.FultonKentuckyWhere the river meets the fieldsHuntingdonTennesseeWhere the rivers meet the fieldsMartinTennesseeWhere Southern charm meets college spiritPaducahKentuckyWhere the river meets the quiltUnion CityTennesseeHome of Reelfoot Lake
Murray, 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.