Things to Do

Big Bear Resort is located within a short distance of some fantastic attractions that offer something for everyone! Whether you want to gaze at nature’s splendor, do some shopping or go for a wild ride on a giant water slide the Kentucky Lake area offers great fun for the entire family!

Amusement Parks/Miniature Golf

Forgotten Past

Close to Big Bear Resort. Go-carts, 18 hole miniature golf, bumper cars, museum, arcade and gifts. Open daily at 1 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day. Open weekends in May and September.
US 68, Draffenville, KY.
(270) 527-9244

Kentucky Shores

Go-carts & miniature golf. Open seasonally
US 641, Gilbertsville, KY.
(270) 362-4774
www.kentuckyshores.com

Kenlake Go-Carts/Batting Range

Go-carts & batting cages. Open seasonally.
US 641, Gilbertsville, KY.
(270) 362-8808

Maggie’s Jungle Golf

Putt-putt at its best. Enjoy shuffleboard, live animals, petting zoo, nature trail & picnic area. Take a ride in the safari car.
US 641, Gilbertsville, KY.
(270) 362-8933

Venture River Water Park

7 exciting water slides, Cyclone, Old Man River, kiddie/wave pools & more.
US 62, Eddyville, KY.
(270) 388-7999

Antiques

Antiques Et Cetera & Emporium

Selection of antiques, jewelry, primitives, pottery and more.
1026 Main Street, Benton, KY.
(270) 527-7922
https://www.loc8nearme.com/kentucky/benton/antiques-et-cetera/3138992/

Cadiz Antiques

15 miles East of Aurora. Miles of aisles await in the antique malls and shops of Cadiz.
Cadiz, KY.
(270) 522-389

Granny’s Attic Antiques

Variety of antiques and furniture.
2-1/2 miles west of Benton on KY 58W. Benton, KY.
(270) 527-9367

Hazel Antiques

7 miles South of Murray. More than 200 dealers in 13 stores.
Main St., Hazel, KY.
(270) 492-8796

Hitching Post

Old country store, antique mall. Large selection of t-shirts & sweatshirts, gifts, Hadley pottery & more.
16747 US 68, Aurora, KY.
(270) 474-2266

Mayfield Antiques

Antique malls located throughout historic city of Mayfield KY.
(270) 247-6101

Mercantile Antique Mall

This 3,500 square foot mall includes several dealers and a variety of antiques.
US 68 Aurora, KY
(270) 474-2333

Paducah Antiques

Stroll down brick side-walks past turn-of-the-century buildings filled with unique antique malls, quilts, restaurants, ice cream, candy & gift shops. There are 22 antique shops and malls in historic downtown.
Located on Broadway & Market House Square, Paducah, KY.
(800) PADUCAH

The Strawberry Patch

Victorian furniture, quilts (old & new) and collectibles. By appointment.
US 68W, Palma, KY
(270) 527-8186

Golf

Arrowhead Golf Course

14 Arrowhead Blvd. Cadiz, KY 42211 (270) 522-1999
Golf Pro: N/A
Par: 72/72/72 18 Holes / Semi-Private
Yardage: 6,551/ 6,084/ 5,682/ 5,019
Rating: 68.8/ 68.8/ 69.9
Slope: 115/ 115/ 115

Benton Golf & Country Club

Golf Course Rd. Benton, KY 42025 (270) 527-9673
Golf Pro: N/A
Par: 71/71/71 18 Holes / Open-Private
Yardage: 6,170/ 5,715/ 4,518
Rating: 68.9/ 66.8/ 65.1
Slope: 117/ 113/ 107

Calvert City Country Club

199 Country Club. Calvert City, KY 42029 (270)395-5831
Golf Pro: N/A
Par: 72/72/72 18 Holes / Semi-Private
Yardage: 6,762/ 6,507/ 5,416
Rating: 70.3/ 69.1/ 69.3
Slope: 111/ 108/ 109

Kenlake Golf Course

542 Kenlake Rd. Aurora, KY 42048 (270) 474-2211
Golf Pro: N/A
Par: 30/34 9 Holes / Public
Yardage: 1,919/ 1,919
Rating: N/A
Slope: 135/131/124

Kentucky Dam Golf Course

US Hwy 641 N. Gilbertsville, KY 42044 (270) 362-4261
Golf Pro: N/A
Par: 72/72/72/72 18 Holes / Public
Yardage: 6,704/ 6,307/ 5,839/ 5,094
Rating: 73/ 71/ 70.1
Slope: 135/ 131/ 124

Lake Barkley Golf Course

US 68W. Cadiz, KY 42211 (270) 924-1131
Golf Pro: Bill Love
Par: 72/72/72 18 Holes / Public
Yardage: 6,771/ 6,548/ 5,191
Rating: 72.7/ 70.6/ 70.2
Slope: 135/ 131/ 124

Mayfield Golf & Country Club

1301 W. Broadway Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 247-1862
Golf Pro: Tim Harkleroad
Par: 70/71 18 Holes / Open-Private
Yardage: 6,169/ 5,016
Rating:70.2/ 69.4
Slope: 125/119

Frances E. Miller Memorial

KY 280 Murray, KY 42071 (270) 762-2238
Golf Pro: Billy R. Waggoner
Par: 71/71/71 18 Holes / Public
Yardage: 6,403/ 6,081/ 5,133
Rating: 71.6/ 69.9/ 68.9
Slope: 125/ 122/ 117

Murray Country Club

College Farm Rd. Murray, KY 42071 (270) 753-9430
Golf Pro: Mike Noland
Par: 72/72/72/72 18 Holes / Semi-Private
Yardage: 6,551/ 6,084/ 5,682/ 5,019
Rating: 68.8/ 68.8/ 69.9
Slope: 115/ 115/ 115

Oaks Country Club

Oaks Country Club Rd. Murray, KY 42071 (270) 753-6454
Golf Pro: Wanda Brown
Par: 72/72/72 18 Holes / Open-Private
Yardage: 6,403/6,081/ 5,133
Rating: 70/ 69.5/ 69.5
Slope: 119/ 118/ 116

Edwin J. Paxton Park

841 Berger Rd. Paducah, KY 42002 (270) 444-9514
Golf Pro: Daniel “Kayo” Mullen
Par: 71/76 18 Holes / Public
Yardage: 6,581/ 5,799
Rating: 70/70.6
Slope: 117/116

South Highland Country Club

3313 KY 303 Mayfield, KY 42066 (270) 247-2918
Golf Pro: Jimmy Hazelwood
Par: 72/72/72 18 Holes / Semi-Private
Yardage: 6,452/ 5,258/ 5,154
Rating: 70.4/ 69/ 68
Slope: 118/ 113/ 113

PAR 3 COURSES

Ramada Inn Resort Golf Course

US HWY 62 Gilbertsville, KY 42044
(270) 362-4278

Sullivan’s Par 3 Golf Center

1647 N. 16th St. Murray, KY 42071
(270) 753-1152

Horse Racing/Horseback Riding

Double “J” Stables

LBL- Wranglers Campground
(270) 924-2200

Kentucky Dam Village State Park Stables

US 641, Gilbertsville, KY
(270) 362-8386

Pebble Creek Stables

KY 93 South Eddyville, KY
(270) 388-4747

Players Bluegrass Downs

Exciting live thoroughbred racing on our track Set. 27- Oct. 28, with pari-mutual wagering. Also featuring racing from all major KY tracks and select tracks from around the U.S.
Exit 4 off I-24, Paducah, KY
(270) 444-7117

Museums

Adsmore

Relive the legacy and lifestyle of this prominent Kentucky family in their spacious home. Decor changes with the seasons of the year. Closed Monday.
304 N. Jefferson, Princeton, KY.
(270) 365-3114

Forgotten Past Museum

A collection of antique farm equipment, buggies, sleighs, fire trucks & many nostalgic items. Open 1pm. daily: Memorial Day – Labor Day. Weekends only in May & September.
US 68, 4 miles from Big Bear Resort. Draffenville, KY.
(270) 527-9244

Market House Square

Located in historic downtown Paducah on the Riverfront, the area features a museum, art gallery and theater.
Paducah, KY.
(270) 443-7759

Museum of the American Quilter’s Society

“One of its kind” in the US. This 30,000 sq. ft. museum houses 3 galleries with 200 quilts displayed. View themes from antique to contemporary. Book and Gift shop. Open Tuesday-Saturday year-round.
215 Jefferson St., Paducah, KY.
(270) 442-8856

Rose Hill Museum

An early 19th century house overlooking Lake Barkley. Rose Hill stands in the shadow of “The Castle on the Cumberland”, the KY State Penitentiary. Guided tours.
Hwy 93 South to KY Hwy 730, Eddyville, KY.
(270) 388-7322

Western Kentucky Museum

This area was the site of one of the largest tobacco markets in the state of Kentucky. Browse through memorabilia relating to the past industry and the tobacco grown in this area.
Mayfield KY.
(270) 247-6101

Riverboat Casino

Harrah’s Casino

Unlimited stakes, unlimited action, unlimited fun aboard a 1,650 passenger riverboat. Las Vegas style gambling on the Ohio River.
Merv Griffin’s landing, Metropolis, IL
(800) 929-5905

Self Tours

Barkley Dam and Vistors Center

The Visitor’s Center depicts river life in the steamboat era with audiovisual exhibits and artifacts. Mon-Fri 8 am.-4pm.; Weekends seasonally. Free admission.
Grand Rivers, KY
(270)362-4236

Kentucky Dam and Visitors Center

Completed in 1945, the dam stands 206 ft. high overlooking Kentucky Lake. The observation deck provides a close-up view of the steady flow of barges. The power house is open daily for self-tours through parts of the power production area. Daily, 9am.-5pm., June 1-September 30. Free Admission.
Gilbertsville, KY
(270)362-4221

Stage Shows/Movie Theaters

Calvert Drive-In

Call for movies and schedules
Located on KY 95, Calvert City, KY. www. calvert drive in.com
(270) 395-4660

Cheri 5

1008 Chestnut St., Murray, KY.
(270) 753-3314, (800) 223-7593

Kentucky Oaks Cinemark

12 screen theater, Ky Oaks Mall, I-24 exit 4, Paducah, KY.
(270) 444-9770

Kentucky Opry

Branson-Missouri-style family music show. Admission charge. Shows 8pm Friday and Saturday in June, July and August. Saturday only during the off-season. Reservations recommended.
US 641, Draffenville, KY.
(270) 527-3869, (888) 459-8704

Market House Theatre

Broadway musicals, comedies, drama & children’s shows are presented by this award-winning community theater located in historic downtown Paducah. Call for schedule and ticket information.
141 KY Ave., Paducah, KY.
(270) 444-6828

Playhouse in the Park

Located in the city of Murray. P.O. Box 952, Murray, KY 42071.
(270) 759-1752

Trails/Nature Parks

Buffalo Range

Across from The Homeplace you will find about 50 American Bison, which are native to this area.
Located at Land Between the Lakes.
(800)LBL-7077

Elk & Bison Prairie

A 750 acre drive-through wildlife viewing area featuring elk, bison & deer grazing on native prairie grasses.
Located at Land Between the Lakes.
(800)LBL-7077

Golden Pond Planetarium

Open 7 days a week, the planetarium features astronomy programs on its 40-foot domed screen.
Located at Land Between the Lakes.
(800)LBL-7077

The Homeplace 1850

Step back in time at this living history farm where interpreters in period clothing re-create the chores and pastimes of a mid-19th century rural farm family. Special events, programs and festivals throughout the season.
Located at Land Between the Lakes.
(800)LBL-7077

The Nature Station

A nature museum that features a theater, plant and animal exhibits, self-guided tours and various types of wildlife. See red wolves, golden eagles, bald eagles and more. Canoe and bike rentals available.
Located at Land Between the Lakes.
(800)LBL-7077

Train Ride/Skating

Circus Skate

US HWY 641 N.
Murray, KY
(270) 753-9622

Kingsway Skateland

3430 Wayne Sullivan Drive
Paducah, KY
(270) 443-1646

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Text: Family Fun at Kentucky Lake's Big Bear Resort! Marina - Campground - Lodging.

Kentucky Lake & Lake Barkley Lake Levels

 
Kentucky Lake: 362.3′ Lake Barkley: 362.3′
Water Temp: 82°

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