Local Travel Features

Day Trippin' in Cadiz, Kentucky

December 15, 2017 | Jessica Perkins

If you’re looking for something to do near Kentucky Lake or Lake Barkley, you might consider a trip to Cadiz, Kentucky. Cadiz is home to several lakeside resorts and lodges and offers visitors a quaint, small town experience they’ll treasure for a lifetime. In addition to gorgeous views and natural scenery, Cadiz is home to a few cultural attractions, including the Janice Mason Art Museum and Harper House Restaurant.

The Janice Mason Art Museum

Opened in 1998, the Janice Mason Art Museum provides an opportunity for visitors to interact with the visual and performing arts available n Trigg County and the surrounding area.

The museum offers eight to ten exhibits a year. Local exhibits largely consist of community involvement, such as the annual school exhibit. In December, the Janice Mason hosts the Festival of Trees, which opens the first Saturday in December—a nice complement to the city’s Christmas parade that same day Other exhibits include art from regional and national artists.

“We try to show a diverse range of art in our exhibits,” says executive director Joan Demers. “We bring in different media, from two-dimensional art to sculptures and other three-dimensional art, to photography. The exhibits are always changing so if you don’t like what’s up right now, just wait and we’ll have another exhibit shortly.”

Quilt Competition and Exhibition

Another exhibit the Janice Mason features every year is from the Trigg County Quilter’s Guild. During the Trigg County Ham Festival in October, the guild hosts their annual competition. Their quilts are displayed at the Janice Mason Art Museum. For only a dollar, visitors can browse through dozens of intricately-designed quilts.

Stained-glass Studio and Ceramic Studio

In addition to exhibits, the Janice Mason also offers a number of workshops. They have a stained-glass studio in the basement, as well as a ceramic studio. To find out more about upcoming workshops, you can call the museum at 270.522.9056.

Grab a Bite Before You Go

While you’re in Cadiz, you should also make plans to stop in for dinner at Harper House Restaurant. The restaurant offers all sorts of menu items to tempt your palette from an appetizer of fried goat cheese caprese to entrees featuring juicy ribeye steaks, pork chops, filet mignon and a variety of seafood dishes. Guests looking for something a bit more simple will find a variety of salads, burgers and side dishes that fit almost any budget.

What makes the restaurant so intriguing is the structure in which it is housed. This 20,000 square foot building is made up of three agricultural silos, which gives the eatery a bit of an industrial-agricultural vibe, says owner Nelson Green.

In addition to Harper House Restaurant, the facility includes a bar, banquet hall and Triplets BBQ, a southern style barbecue restaurant that serves up some of the region’s finest smoked meats, from chicken to pork and beef. Some of Triplets specialty items made there on site include sausage-by-the-inch, smoked brisket and pulled pork.

For a complete list of menu items and restaurant hours, visit the Harper House website.

Plan A Day Trip to Cadiz!

The area surrounding Kentucky Lake contains many hidden gems of culture and activity. So if have a long weekend to explore, or just find yourself passing through, make sure to visit the Janice Mason Art Museum and Harper House Restaurant to get your fill of art, creative workshops and delectable local eateries.

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