The Tiny Kentucky Resort Town Where Golf Carts Outnumber Cars
Last spring, I stumbled into Grand Rivers on a whim, chasing rumors of a town where golf carts ruled the roads. Turns out, the rumors were true.
This pocket-sized Kentucky resort village sits snug between two sprawling lakes, and locals zip around in electric carts like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
Park your sedan, grab a cart, and suddenly you’re cruising past marinas, pie shops, and twinkling lights at a breezy fifteen miles per hour.
It’s the kind of place that makes you forget about highways and hurry.
Why this tiny resort village fits a cart-first weekend
Golf carts roll legally on designated streets here, backed by a standing city ordinance that makes low-speed cruising official.
Multiple rental spots dot the town, so you can park the car and scoot to dinner, loop the marina, or chase sunset views without ever turning a key.
I rented mine on a Friday afternoon and didn’t touch my car again until checkout. The freedom felt oddly liberating, like trading rush-hour stress for a breeze-in-your-hair vibe.
Restaurants, shops, and waterfront trails all sit within easy cart reach, so you can map a whole weekend without ever hitting third gear.
Where it sits: between two big waters
Grand Rivers hugs a slim neck of land wedged between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, earning its nickname as the gateway to Land Between the Lakes.
Marinas, coves, and long sky-mirrors set a calm, resorty rhythm that slows your pulse the moment you arrive.
Standing on the bridge at dusk, you can see water on both sides, reflecting pink and gold like a postcard that refuses to quit.
The lakes stretch for miles, drawing boaters, anglers, and anyone who craves a horizon without skyscrapers.
That double-water setup gives the town a breezy, island-like feel, even though you’re landlocked in Western Kentucky.
Stay right on the harbor at Green Turtle Bay
Condo-style rooms, pools, a spa, and a full-service marina give winter-to-summer comfort without leaving the property.
I woke to the soft ticking of masts swaying in the breeze, wandered to on-site dining for coffee, then cruised out for a sunset lap in my rented cart.
The resort wraps around a protected harbor, so you can watch sailboats and pontoons glide past while you lounge on a deck chair. Families, couples, and solo travelers all find their rhythm here.
Everything you need sits within a few hundred yards, making it easy to unplug and unwind without overthinking logistics.
Lighthouse Landing for cottage mornings and sail-school days
Waterfront cottages face Kentucky Lake, offering front-row seats to sunrise and the steady parade of boats. An ASA-affiliated sailing school runs seasons of on-the-water instruction, so even landlubbers can learn to tack and jibe.
I spent a morning sipping tea on the cottage porch, watching students hoist sails and wobble through their first solo runs. The marina view and easy boardwalk strolls make this spot a favorite for non-sailors, too.
Rent a cart right on-site, and you’re minutes from restaurants, shops, and the town’s twinkling main drag. It’s cottage life with zero isolation.
A beloved stop: Patti’s 1880’s Settlement
Holiday lights, gardens, and big-hearted plates keep this Western Kentucky classic on every itinerary. I rolled up in my cart, grabbed pie by the slice, and wandered through gift shops packed with candles, quilts, and local honey.
The pork chops are legendary, the flower beds sprawl like a storybook, and the twinkling lights stay up year-round in some corners. It’s the kind of place where strangers chat in line and nobody rushes dessert.
After dinner, a slow cart ride back to the room felt like the perfect epilogue to a meal that deserves applause.
Wildlife wow minutes away
Land Between the Lakes’ Elk & Bison Prairie sits a short drive from town, offering a looping road through native grassland where big silhouettes move at golden hour.
Eyes up, and patience rewarded when a bull bison lumbers across the paved loop.
I visited on a cloudy afternoon and still spotted a dozen elk grazing near the tree line. The prairie stretches wide and quiet, a throwback to a wilder Kentucky that once covered these hills.
It’s a quick detour that delivers outsized wonder, especially if you time it for sunrise or sunset.
Make it a golf-cart kind of weekend
Visitors rent at Lighthouse Landing or The Outpost, and owners can bring their own cart for inspection and a local permit at City Hall. Everything lines up for easy, low-speed exploring, from breakfast runs to daytime town loops.
I picked up mine at The Outpost, signed a quick waiver, and got a laminated map of cart-approved streets. The process took about ten minutes, and I was rolling.
Once you’re in the cart groove, the whole town opens up in a way that feels equal parts nostalgic and novel, like a vacation inside a vacation.
When evenings glow
The Holiday season flips on more than two million lights around town, transforming streets, trees, and storefronts into a twinkling wonderland.
Shows at Badgett Playhouse add a cozy, small-town finale after dinner, with live music and local talent that feels refreshingly unpretentious.
I walked through the light displays on a chilly December night, bundled under a blanket and grinning like a kid. The glow reflected off the water, doubling the magic.
Evening strolls under twinkle strings seal the vibe, turning a simple evening into a memory that sticks long after you’ve packed up and headed home.