Harland Sanders Café and Museum — Attraction in Corbin

This was a really fun little museum to visit. The site of the Original Kentucky fried Chicken! Who doesn't know The Colonel? Most of us have had a piece of his chicken at some point in life. Harland Sanders (The Colonel) was a fascinating individual. There is a must-see video right at the beginning of the exhibit from a female assistant of his (I wish I could remember her name, but I visited a couple months ago now and it escapes me), who tells some really great anecdotes. I thought it was just about the highlight of the whole thing because she does him quite an homage with the stories she shares and brings him to life in a big way. There are many displays of KFC from years gone by. From the different chicken buckets, promotional trinkets, and even the only known remaining original table and chairs. There was also one of the iconic white suits and black tie that he was known for...the story behind that is really funny. While we enjoyed the museum there was one bit of disappointment, and that was the style of the restaurant. The building itself is not the original building. It has been remodeled and refurbished to look like a modern-day fast food restaurant. I thought that was too bad. It would have been more fitting to design this restaurant with a nostalgic aesthetic that reflects and celebrates its historical roots rather than adopting the appearance of a modern-day fast food chain. Such an approach would have created a unique and immersive experience, honoring the past while standing out in the present. I didn't have any of the chicken, I'm quite familiar with it and just wasn't in the mood. All in all, a fun...

My wife and I stopped here on August 13, 2024 while en route from Natural Bridge Resort State Park to Cumberland Falls State Park and towing our small travel trailer through eastern Kentucky on a weeks long camping trip. I had read about it several weeks beforehand, while planning our trip and the reviews made it sound like it was worth definitely worth visiting (i.e., not a tourist trap). We certainly were not disappointed. This place is a jewel of a little museum and is directly attached to an active KFC franchise that is probably the cleanest and most efficiently run KFC unit on the entire planet earth. If you are fan of Kentucky Fried Chicken (who isn't?) and you have any thirst for the awesome "American Dream story" that is behind it's worldwide popularity, then you definitely want to take the detour off of I-75 exit and make a stop here for lunch and a 1-2 hour walkabout through the displays. It's free, and you don't even have to order food to walk through the museum section. The entire life story of Colonel Harland Sanders' and his rise to franchise restaurant fame and fortune is captured here, with many great displays featuring some of his famous quotes and storied business witticisms. I was a little worried about being able to stop here because I was towing a 20' long travel trailer, but the parking lot is quite large so I was able to park crosswise on the far end of it where there no cars. It was a weekday stop, so it was not that busy, and when I got in side, a manager said it was okay for me to park that way for an...

Harland Sanders Café & Museum – Where History Comes Extra Crispy

If you’re cruising down I-75, do yourself a favor and make the detour to the Harland Sanders Café and Museum in Corbin, Kentucky. This place is an absolute must-see — not just for chicken lovers, but for anyone who appreciates a good American success story.

They’ve preserved the original building where Colonel Sanders perfected his recipe and built the foundation of what would become a global empire. It’s now a fully functioning Kentucky Fried Chicken, but also a museum — and get this: it might be the only museum in the country where you can bring in a full meal and wander through history with a biscuit in hand. There’s seating scattered throughout the museum, so you can eat while you explore the exhibits and memorabilia.

The story here is powerful — Colonel Sanders didn’t find success until later in life, proving that grit, perseverance, and a secret blend of 11 herbs and spices really can change the world. It’s inspiring, it’s nostalgic, and it’s finger lickin’ good.

And yes — we did eat. Being in the original KFC, there was no question: I went for the Original Recipe #1 meal, and it did not disappoint. Classic, crispy, and cooked just like the Colonel intended.

This isn’t just a stop — it’s a pilgrimage for fans of food, history, and...