The Hitching Post in Aurora Kentucky
We were in Aurora, Kentucky recently – visiting the wonderful Hitching Post and it’s remarkably friendly people and grabbing hot dogs so sensational you have to see them to believe them and taste them to truly experience a hot dog. They’re called Dixie Dogs and you only think you’ve had a true hot dog before.
Aurora Bar-B-Que in Aurora Kentucky
While we were in town, I wish we had eaten at Aurora Bar-B-Q (delicious!), but we were anxious to try another barbecue restaurant in the Land Between the Lakes region.
Big mistake. The service was decidedly unfriendly (as cold as ice cream) and the food wasn’t fit to write about. Literally – since I don’t do negative food reviews on Genuine Kentucky. If we have outstanding food and service, I write about it on Genuine Kentucky – if it’s the pits…. I pretend it never happened. A throwback to, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all!”
See, mom, I was paying attention.
Honestly, if you want the best bar-b-que in and around the Land Between the Lakes region, you simply have to make your way to Aurora and the home of the winking pig. Trust me. We’ve had bar-b-que from just about everywhere in the Lake’s region and Aurora’s home to the absolute best. The workers are friendly, the service is wonderful, and the food is outstanding.
I’ve said it in other posts on this site before, but I’ll say it again (after all, when I’m truly impressed with people and/or food, I’ll sing their praises for the rest of my life – I’m nothing if not loyal): You have to spend some time in Aurora, Kentucky. It’s one of my favorite places on earth. The town is very small, quiet, and unassuming. It’s also extremely charming, friendly, warm, and fun.
Dixie Dogs in front of the Hitching Post in Aurora, Kentucky
What makes Aurora Kentucky so special?
- The people couldn’t be nicer if you paid them to be. Not once have I come across an unfriendly person Aurora.
- In my personal opinion, the Willow Pond Catfish restaurant in Aurora is the best of all the Willow Pond restaurants. They’re all outstanding, mind you, but the one in Aurora Kentucky is just a little better. The servers are a little friendlier and the hushpuppies are a little better. Maybe more than a little.
- The Hitching Post is one of the most outrageously cool and fun places you could hope to spend an afternoon in. The new owners have made the Hitching Post such a wonderful place to visit that it’s a wonder they don’t charge admission. They obviously have a great passion for what they do and a great love for their guests. The Hitching Post is, at once, the funnest and coolest gift shop you could ever conceive AND a remarkable little “Step Back in Time” museum. They have put a great deal of time, money, and work into renovating a little country store beside the Hitching Post’s main shop. They proudly display some truly remarkable things from the distant past – it’s simply outstanding. I’ve seen (and paid) admission required for far less fascinating exhibits.
- Right out front of the Hitching Post is Dixie Dogs (click the link for my other review of this deliciousness)! After browsing around the Country Store and gift shop (be sure to grab a bottle of pop), you’ll want to walk out to the Dixie Dogs stand and introduce your taste buds to the most remarkable hot dog they’ve ever met.
- Another of my favorite places on earth to visit is the gorgeous nearby Elk and Bison Prairie. I’m the biggest animal lover in the world and these majestic animals just take my breath away every single time. We once had the pleasure of having our vehicle completely surrounded by peaceful bison. They’re a favorite animal of mine, so I literally had tears in my eyes. It’s moving to be so close to such amazing animals as elk and bison.
- The nearby Nature Station and the Bison Range are also great experiences and provide wonderful photo ops along with memories for a lifetime.
- Kentucky Lake! Kentucky Lake is one of the largest man-made lakes and is a beautifully relaxing way to spend a family vacation. Over 160,000 acres of water and 2,064 miles of shoreline are populated with over 100 species of fish, including catfish, crappie, bluegill, stripes any more. Talk about an outstanding fishing vacation.
- Kenlake Lodge is a quiet, charming, understated, and wonderful place to stay and/or eat. I often call it the best kept secret in the Land Between the Lakes. Click the link to see what makes Kenlake State Resort Park so special.
Kenlake State Resort Park
Do yourself and your family (of all ages!) a huge favor and spend a weekend or a week in Aurora Kentucky on your next vacation. While there’s something to be said for keeping our dollars in Kentucky, it wouldn’t be worth it if there weren’t extraordinary places to see, visit, and stay. Fortunately, Kentucky is full of remarkable places and Aurora, Kentucky is one of them.
The Land Between the Lakes is an outstanding place for people of all ages and will provide fun memories that’ll last forever. When the vacation comes to an end, your only question will be, “How soon can we come back?!?!”
This, I promise.
EDIT:
Since writing this particular article, I’ve found something else to strengthen my Aurora obsession: The Brass Lantern! I’m in the process of writing an entire article about this outstanding (seriously OUTSTANDING) restaurant – I’ll link to it as soon as the article is published. I’ll just sort of whet your appetite by saying this: I’ve never eaten anything better in any restaurant, anywhere, at any time. This beautiful Kentucky restaurant is just exceptional and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. – Joi
My artistic abilities are limited to stick people and even they aren’t what you could call brilliant (Is it a dumbell…no, no, it’s a tree, right?… the state of Rhode Island?..). I guess that’s why I’m completely blown away by illustrators, cartoonists, and artists of all strokes of life.
