Barbourville is the site of many historic locations important to the history of Kentucky.  Just a few miles out of town, the first house built in the state by European explorers was erected in 1750 by the Dr. Thomas Walker party.  The first Civil War battle in Kentucky was fought in Barbourville in September 1861, when the Confederacy destroyed a Federal recruiting station at the present site of Union College, the oldest college in the mountains (founded 1879). 

The history of the Wilderness Road area comes alive at the Knox Historical Museum. 

Outside of town, reconstructed pioneer homesteads and communities may be visited, including a pioneer village at KCEOC.

Opportunities to purchase local crafts abound.

Barbourville is wealthy in recreational parks, but the Barbourville Recreational Park, which features the brickyard Waves Waterpark, with its twisting water slide, wave pool, and lazy river pool, is the pride of the city.  Here visitors may enjoy duck-filled lakes, fishing, paddle boat riding, exercising on the walking tracks, baseball or tennis fields.  In winter, the waterfront glows with brilliant colors as fanciful Christmas figures sparkle over the reflecting water.

Festivals take place in all seasons.  New Year's fireworks at the park, spring and summer concerts at the band shell, a Civil War battle staging, the Daniel Boone Festival (since 1948), Christmas parades and other events make Barbourville a place visitors will want to visit often.