With its friendly neighbors, quaint downtown and focus on families, no small town is more charming than Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.

Fun for the Family

“The people are probably the town's greatest asset,” says Tracy Pearce, director of the Mount Sterling-Montgomery County Tourist and Convention Commission. “They'll welcome you right in.”

That friendly atmosphere lends itself well to families looking for a quiet place to settle down. From excellent amenities – including a progressive school system and a new hospital – Mt. Sterling caters to the family crowd.

“Everything we have is really centered around families,” Pearce says. “We're a very G-rated city.”

Range of Attractions

That doesn't mean residents don't know how to have fun. Mt. Sterling is home to the number-one golf course in the state, Old Silo Golf Course. Rated Kentucky's Best Golf Course for more than 10 years by Golf Digest, the 18-hole course, designed by Champions Tour player Graham Marsh, invites golfers from far and wide to take a swing on its famous slopes.

“It's certainly one of the city's biggest attractions," Pearce says. "It draws a lot of tourists because it's a destination course."

Also high on the city's list of tourist attractions is the annual October Court Days, Kentucky's oldest festival. Spanning four days and selling everything from guns to socks, the festival draws more than 130,000 people each year, Pearce says.

October Court Days is essentially a celebration of the city's history, but those who can't make it to the extravaganza will find no lack of history in the city's streets. Dating back to 1792, the city's story is well-preserved in the many historic buildings that line downtown. Walking tours are available and recommended to anyone interested in digging into Mt. Sterling's roots.

Families looking for recreation can find walking trails, playgrounds, ball fields, tennis courts, horseshoe pits and a fishing pond stocked with catfish at Easy Walker Park. On the outskirts of Montgomery County, working farms offer agritourism tours for kids.

Active Arts Scene

Mt. Sterling's modern side comes through strongly in its dedication to the arts.

“The city and county governments understand the need for the arts to create a well-balanced quality of life in a community, and the arts make an economic impact by bringing visitors into our community,” says Cay Lane, executive director of the Montgomery County Council for the Arts.

New on the city's art scene is the impressive Gateway Regional Arts Center, ranked second-best local performing arts center by Kentucky Living.

“The cultural scene in Montgomery County is definitely on the move,” Lane says. “Ideally, we will eventually have several galleries and arts-related businesses on Main Street.”

For now, the city continues to build its reputation as a great place for families. And with its prime location right next to the interstate, a trip to big-city Lexington is only 20 minutes away.

“You don't have to leave town to shop, but you have all of the benefits that come with small-town living,” Pearce says. “I couldn't imagine a better community to live in.”

Mt. Sterling offers a good mix of amenities in a tightly knit community, says Ron Thornton, who moved to the town 28 years ago to work for Lion Uniform Group.

"It's a very good community, and it has a tremendous amount of beauty and history," Thornton says. "I have the best neighbors in the world. They are there when you need them. What more can a person ask for?"