Explore Jaw-Dropping Scenery and Kentucky’s Coal Mining Heritage

September 22, 2025 at 01:00 AM EDT

SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) Kentucky is known the world over for its bourbon, horse racing and its jaw-dropping scenery, however on a deeper level there is so much more to the Bluegrass State. Literally.

Much of the coal that helped fuel the nation and the world in the last 200 years was mined and processed in the heart of Kentucky.

As coal helped to build the nation, a unique and vibrant culture sprang up in the communities in which it was mined. A culture that lives on.

Several destinations in Kentucky offer a way to remember and celebrate the spirit of those Kentucky communities. Destinations such as Portal 31 Coal Mine.

Located in Lynch, barely a mile from the Kentucky-Virginia border, the Portal 31 Underground Mine Tour offers a truly immersive experience. This isn’t a museum; it’s a preserved, historic coal mine where visitors can tour the tunnels and get a sense of the authentic miner experience by boarding a rail car and journeying deep into the earth, where animated exhibits and narration bring the demanding work and the history of the site to life.

Founded in 1917 as a coal camp, Lynch grew into one the biggest mining operations in the world, setting records for single-shift coal production in 1923. The original 1920s lamphouse and bathhouse at Portal 31, as well as a historic train depot and loadout system have been preserved. A walking tour provides context and explains the significance of the various structures. As a bonus, Portal 31 is a notable stop on the Kentucky African American Heritage Trail, highlighting the often-overlooked contributions of Black miners to the region.

Those who want to combine Kentucky’s gorgeous scenery and learning about the state’s coal history can check out the Big South Fork Scenic Railway.

This excursion on the historic Kentucky & Tennessee Railway line offers a picturesque 90-minute round trip to Blue Heron. Visitors can explore the beautiful and historic scenery, including a narration and history of the area on a ride through the scenic mountains of Southern Kentucky and stop at the historic Blue Heron Mining Camp. The Big South Fork Scenic Railway takes a 14-mile trip down to Blue Heron, the largest interpretive collection of historic coal mining in the United States.

For more information on these unique experiences and countless others, visit www.kentuckytourism.com.

By looking below the surface, visitors to Kentucky can discover so much more.

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Explore Jaw-Dropping Scenery and Kentucky’s Coal Mining Heritage

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