If you want to discover the history and the local vibe of any community, downtown is where you’ll usually want to start.
The heart of historic Danville is an experience all unto itself, with more than 20 unique dining options, 17 local shops, 6 sites to visit and events happening throughout the year. It will take many visits just to work your way through all that there is to enjoy within a short walk along and near Main Street.
First, let’s eat!
Craft burgers. Italian fare. Indian cuisine. Charcuterie boards. Homestyle cooking. Hawaiian dishes. Smoothies and lattes. And much more.
There is a mouthwatering number of unique local options for breakfast, lunch and dinner to be found downtown along Main, Fourth and Third streets, as well as Walnut Street and on the campus of Centre College.
Craving some fried provolone or Maryland crab cakes? Stop in at Copper & Oak. How about eggplant caprese or Tuscan salmon? La Cosa Nostra is the place to go.
If it’s time for breakfast, check out The Hub, Dry Stack, Waffle Stop or Red Rooster. Miss the college dining experience? Stroll over to the picturesque Centre College campus and enjoy a meal at Cowan Dining Hall, Einstein Bros Bagels, Flame Cafe~Cinco Cantina or Hall of Fame Café.
The full list of restaurants and coffee shops includes: La Cosa Nostra, Copper & Oak, Bluegrass Pizza and Pub, Las Margaritas, Bricks and Brews, Dry Stack, The Hub, Red Rooster, Boogie Knight’s, Mi Pueblo, Melton’s Deli, Daniel’s Poke & Ramen, Morley’s Backyard, Waffle Stop, Communion Café at Wine Seller, Murrini Cafe, JCrew Café, Shake It, Cowan Dining Hall, Einstein Bros Bagles, Flame Cafe~Cinco Cantina and Hall of Fame Cafe. And coming Aug. 3, 2024 – Biscuit Daddies.
Learn more about local restaurants here.
Shop ‘til you drop
Before and/or after you enjoy a tasty meal downtown, head out on foot and find an eclectic blend of boutique shops and several other specialty stores.
Looking for children’s books? Plaid Elephant has them. Want to select fine teas for yourself or as a gift? Stop at Elmwood Inn. How about some Centre College t-shirts to show off your school spirit? The Centre Bookstore at Main and Third has plenty in stock.
You can even find works for sale by world renowned glass artist Stephen Rolfe Powell at the GLASS National Art Museum, right along West Main Street.
Check your bank account balance, then map out a plan to shop at some or all of these downtown locations: Cerci on Main, Maple Tree Gallery, Plaid Elephant Books, Camp, Derby Shoppe and Raggs, Wine Seller, Constitution Square Gift Shop, Art Center Gift Shop, Purple Peacock, Carol’s Bridal, Centre Bookstore, Dry Branch Stock Farm, A&L Accessories, Anderson’s Lifestyle Boutique, Danville Bike and Footwear, Confidently You Boutique, Elmwood Inn Fine Teas and Lee Stephens.
Learn more about local shopping here.
Lots to See & Do
While you are downtown, take a little time to immerse yourself in Danville’s rich history and appreciate the local art scene. There are a number of pieces of public art on display throughout downtown that you can walk around and enjoy. Public art maps are available at the visitors center at Constitution Square.
While you are at Constitution Square – where Kentucky was born – take a little time to tour the log cabins and enjoy the picturesque grounds.
Check the websites for the following locations for hours and make reservations where needed to experience: The Art Center of the Bluegrass, GLASS National Art Museum, Public Art Tour, Constitution Square Historic Site, African American History Museum and the McDowell House Museum and Apothecary.
Come to an Event
There always seems to be events happening in downtown Danville.
From May-October, you can visit the farmer’s market each Saturday morning at Constitution Square for fresh vegetables, baked goods, art, food trucks and live music. And in September, the farmer’s market is paired up with the Constitution Square Festival, which features an entire day of art and live music.
Just down the street, Weisiger Park is home to the Downtown Downbeat concert series on the first Thursday of the month, from May-October. The Great American Brass Band Festival – one of the biggest events in Danville each year – also brings lots of live music downtown for an exciting weekend at the beginning of June each year.
You’ll find a number of other events happening downtown throughout the year, including quarterly Third Thursday events, gallery hops, the Soul of Second Street festival, a small town Christmas festival, and the yearly excitement that is associated with the Bourbon Chase relay race, which brings thousands of runners to Main Street to each October to eat and relax before moving on to the next checkpoint.
No matter what you enjoy, you are certain to find something in downtown Danville that is right up your alley. Keep up with the latest events on the calendar here at danvillekentucky.com.