Story by ALLISON PARKER
EXPLORE:
Grand Rivers, Kentucky
Gateway to Land Between the Lakes
If you like a waterfront view, you’ ll find plenty of them in Grand Rivers.
At the northern end of Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area sits the town of Grand Rivers, tucked into the southwestern corner of Kentucky. With a population of less than 400 residents, it’ s easy to ride past and miss it if you don’ t know it’ s there, but that would be a mistake.
Grand Rivers is situated between Kentucky Lake on the Tennessee River and Lake Barkley on the Cumberland River. With marinas to the east and west of town, Grand Rivers is a popular boating destination, but it offers plenty to explore off the water as well. Whether you’ re riding through or looking for a friendly town to stage a weekend trip from, Grand Rivers is open to visitors of all kinds.
The main attraction in town is Patti’ s 1880s Settlement. Well-known for its 2-inch porkchop and flowerpot bread served with strawberry butter, this restaurant is a destination in itself. It encompasses a campus of shops and activities for all ages, and it becomes an even bigger spectacle around the holidays with generous decorations. After a fire in 2018, Patti’ s was rebuilt in 2019 and is bigger and better than ever. One could easily spend hours exploring the campus, enjoying minigolf, getting an ice cream, sampling moonshine, and shopping at the various boutiques. If you hope to dine at Patti’ s, which I recommend, you’ ll want to call ahead and reserve a table, especially during peak seasons in the summer and around Christmas. Even if you’ re not dining in, it’ s worth going inside and browsing the gift shop. If you can’ t get a table at Patti’ s, T. Lawson’ s across the road is owned by the same group and features a wellstocked bar and many tasty entrees.
If you have time, you should also check the calendar at Badgett Playhouse. Located in the heart of Grand Rivers, the playhouse puts on shows throughout the year, including musical performances and theater. For provisions, stock up at the Village Market, which includes a full-service grocery store, a cafe, and a liquor store.
While in town, you’ ll also want to check out the marinas, located only about a mile apart but on two different lakes. On the west side is Lighthouse Landing on Kentucky Lake, and to the east you’ ll find Green Turtle Bay on Lake
42 / NOVEMBER 2026 / RIDERMAGAZINE. COM