2026 is America’s 250th birthday, and what better way to celebrate than to revamp one of our favorite blogs? This year, we’ve updated our lists and added an additional 25 activities to help chase away any cabin fever and answer the age-old question, “So what’s there to do in Murray anyway?”

Food and Drink

Enjoy the Honey Cinnamon Latte at Shaffer Coffee Co.
Indulge in Willow Bistro’s fresh guacamole
Cruise to Burrito Shack and snack on crispy chips and pineapple salsa
Eat wings at Mister B's before watching a Racer football or basketball game
Order perfectly fluffy pancakes from Hih Burger
Try a maple bacon donut from Murray Donuts
Order one of Dumplin's famous hot rolls with butter
Enjoy a “meat and three” on the Keg patio for lunch
Grab a deep-dish pizza at Mugsy's Hideout
Sip on a frappe from 5th and Main Coffee
Enjoy a to-go dessert from Tiny Cakes Emporium
Snag some Bad Bob's BBQ on a hot summer day
Try the football-size burrito at Don Sol
Pick up a slice of locally loved pizza from Matt B’s
Explore a hidden gem and order from the cafe menu at Corvette Lanes
Snag a honeysuckle latte or specialty tea from the Future Grounds drive-thru
Enjoy authentic Italian cuisine at Stephano’s Trattoria
Grab lunch and hope to run into Hank Williams Jr. at La Cocina
Get friends together for a hibachi grilled meal at Shogun
Get together some friends for Taco Tuesday at Los Portales

21. Get tasty bar food at Tap 216 while overlooking the campus on their patio

22. Enjoy a classic breakfast plate at Rudy’s

23. Have a date night at Tom's Grille

24. Visit the "Big Cow" and grab dinner at Sirloin Stockade

25. Grab a diner-style cheeseburger and milkshake at Duncan’s Market

26. Try one of the four signature cocktails inspired by Murray at the Marriott bar

27. Participate in the local tradition of going to Dairy Queen on opening and closing day

28. Pick up an Acai bowl from The Blend By Avery.

29. Browse 5th and Main’s selection of take-home coffee beans for your next at-home brew

30. Grab a quick pick-me-up with a homestyle meal or treat from Sammon’s Bakery

31. Order a pizza from Pagliai’s and enjoy a movie night in

32. Indulge in a fresh cheeseburger grilled to order at Off the Hoof

33. Grab a slice of pie and a fresh-fish dinner at Blue & White Grille

34. Enjoy a tasty weekend brunch at Tap 216

35. Head to Jasmine’s for sushi and try the Murray Roll

36. Eat BBQ nachos at the Big Apple Cafe

Shopping

37. Shop local artisans at the Murray Art Guild Art Market

38. Head to Murray Supply to find Traeger Grills with all the accessories

39. Take a workout class at Tribe Fitness

40. Level up your bicycle for the trails with a gadget from Gear Up Cycles

41. Find Murray-themed gifts at Intuition of Murray

42. Participate in Shop Small Saturday

43. Get the perfect card from the Hallmark Gold Crown Collection at New Life Christian Bookstore

44. Head down to Hazel for antique shopping

45. Try on colorful and trendy dresses at Ribbon Chix

46. Stop in at Charlton and Park for the perfect piece to add to your home

47. Shop the beautiful furniture pieces at LuLu’s

48. Stop by for all manner of games at Enchanted Gaming Emporium

49. Search for one of your favorite albums at Wits’ End Records.

50. Enjoy a wide selection of Lily Pulitzer clothing at The Palm on Chestnut

51. Get the perfect holiday home décor inside Whitney’s

52. Shop for the men in your life at Dan’s

53. Grab the perfect baby accessories for your expecting friends at The Plaid Rabbit

54. Get your smartphone screen repaired at Techknowledge

55. Wander through A Good Thing Consignment for a new couch

56. Find a new mattress or furniture set at Carraway Furniture

57. Spend an afternoon walking through Trends and Treasures

58. Get lost in Peddler’s Mall, looking at each booth to see what treasure you can find

59. Explore new furniture and home decor at Five Psalms Co.

60. Browse gently used, curated vintage clothing at Nik’s Piks Downtown

61. Find your newest outfit at The Clothing Co.

62. Find a perfect gift for the woman in your life at The Place, the only carrier of Estee Lauder in Murray

63. Visit Plantation Place and find stationery or invitations for any future events

64. Browse DeBento Italian Market for unique new ingredients, and be sure to pick up a cannoli on the way out

65. Find the perfect pair of booties or wedges at Penique’s Boutique

66. Shop at Angels Attic to help raise money for the Needline Food Pantry

67. Find a great new piece for your home at Woodcrafters

68. Pick up a new musical hobby with an instrument from Greymare Music Works downtown

69. Try out a new look with a hairstyle at Reflections Salon

70. Order a custom embroidered jacket or sweatshirt from Plant ation Place

71. Pick out essentials for your garden at Rolling Hills Nursery

72. Check out the full-service garden, with abundant produce you have been missing at The Farmers Basket

73. Browse locally owned tween and children’s clothing at Growing Wild

74. Check out used and rare finds at locally owned Bolin Books

75. Shop stylish men’s clothing at Rooster’s Supply Company

Outdoors

76. Snap an Instagrammable picture in front of one of the MKY-Murals

77. Visit the dog park at Central Park with your favorite furry friend

78. Relax while walking through the Doran Arboretum

79. Enjoy a walk through campus

80. Visit Kentucky Lake

81. Hike through Land Between the Lakes

82. Take a picnic lunch to Renaissance Park

83. Try your hand at Disc Golf at Central Park

84. Shred some pavement at the Lions Club Skate Park

85. Visit the Veterans’ Memorial at Chestnut Park

86. Participate in a group bike ride at Gear Up Cycles

87. Travel the Calloway County Barn Quilt Trail on a sunny day

88. Visit the Elk and Bison Prairie In LBL

89. Train for one of Murray’s local 5Ks

90. Practice Yoga outside at the Doran Arboretum

91. Play pick-up basketball at Chestnut Park

92. Grab friends and rent a field for a softball or kickball game through the park

93. Spend a hot afternoon at the Spray Park at Central Park

94. Play 18 holes at Miller Memorial Golf Course

95. Enjoy the ADA playground in Central Park

96. Visit Ft. Heiman

97. Play soccer at Murray Bank Soccer Complex

98. Check out the selection or donate to the “Free Little Library” at the Doran Arboretum

99. Go paddle boarding on Kentucky Lake

100. Go for an early morning walk around the trail at Chestnut Park

101. Explore the county for the 13 historical land mark signs

102. Get a good luck charm by throwing a penny in the fountain at Renaissance Park

103. Go fishing on Blood River

104. Play a round of Disc-Golf in the Chestnut Park

105. Ride a four-wheeler at Turkey Creek

106. Visit the Nature Center in LBL

107. Walk the Eggner’s Ferry Bridge over Kentucky Lake

108. Walk the trails at Central Park

109. Take an eagle tour in LBL

110. Do a self-guided cemetery tour through Calloway County

111. Visit the Homeplace 1880s working farm in LBL

112. Sit outside for live music at Tap 216

113. Walk Downtown Murray and sport a few historic Barn Quilt squares.

Activities

113. Get some friends together for a paint and sip class at Splat Art Play Studio

114. Support local musicians and poets at Wit’s End records after-hours open mic nights.

115. Take the Downtown Murray Historic Walking Tour

116. Be the next star and come to Tap 216 for Karaoke Thursdays

117. Tune on to Mornings in Murray on your daily commute

118. Make a beautiful, witty rap about the MKY in your apartment

119. Take a photo in front of the MKY bike rack in downtown

120. Visit the Historic Homes mural in downtown

121. Play in The Big Apple Cafe’s weekly darts tournament

122. Sign up for a MAG Makers session and share your current art projects

123. Enjoy a good book in Imagination Alley Pocket Park

124. Find Murray, Kentucky on Spotify and stream an episode of Meet Us on Main

125. Join CCPL’s Silent Book Club

126. Play a round of SINGO at The Big Apple Bar and Grill

127. Join the Brown Bag Book Club at the Calloway County Public Library

128. Show off your niche knowledge on Trivia nights at Tap 216

129. Test your skills in the arcade at Corvette Lanes

130. See a movie at the Cheri Theatre

131. Catch a performance at Playhouse in the Park

132. See the Town and Gown Band & Chorale concert

133. Walk through a Murray Art Guild exhibit

134. Grab a Murray Kentucky coloring book from Murray Main Street’s office Downtown

135. Try to get a strike at Corvette Lanes

136. Get hooked in an art class at the Murray Art Guild

137. Find one of Murray’s local food truck out and about

138. Play with animals at the Murray Calloway Humane Society

139. Volunteer at Soup for the Soul

140. Look through historic photos of Calloway County at the Murray CVB

141. Donate and fill the Blessing Boxes

142. See a laser light show at the Golden Pond Planetarium

143. Paint a bowl for the Empty Bowls project at the MAG

144. Relax with a yoga class at The Barre: Murray

145. Read the inside scoop on Murray, Kentucky’s blog

146. Participate in Trade Day at Chestnut Park

147. Send a Murray-themed postcard to a long-distance friend

148. Visit the historic Penny Grocery Store

149. Attend one of the 120 local churches

150. Socialize with community members at one of the Calloway County Library’s adult craft nights

151. Snap a picture in front of the mural at the Murray CVB

152. Adopt an animal at the Humane Society

153. Volunteer to help paint sets or work concessions at Playhouse in the Park

154. Grab your kiddos and get creative at Splat!

155. Get your library card at the Calloway County Library

156. Discover your new favorite small business with a walk downtown after the farmers market

157. Go out of your comfort zone with a classic barre class at The Barre: Murray

Seasonal

158. Get in line to watch the West Kentucky Chuckwagon Races in October

159. Attend the Playhouse in the Park Summer Camp performance

160. Be dazzled by the lights in Rotary's Light Up Murray Christmas Parade

161. Carve a pumpkin at Fall on the Farm

162. Find the Murray Bank Ice Cream machine around town in the summer for a free and refreshing treat

163. Participate in the annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning

164. Celebrate our nation’s independence at the Freedom Fest Parade

165. Run or walk the Main Street Mile before the Freedom Fest parade

166. Support Needline with the "Stuff the Truck" campaign at the Farmer's

167. Attend Hazel Day’s and Car Show

168. Shop the Holiday Open House Weekend

169. Take a picture with Santa on the court square

170. Go and Touch-A-Truck at Central Park

171. Support local musicians on select Saturdays at the Downtown Farmer’s Market

172. Visit all the local Pumpkin Patches

173. Attend the Chamber’s Annual Business Celebration

174. Buy tickets and attend the Empty Bowls Event

175. Wander around the Chamber's Sidewalk Sale

176. Be wowed by the talent at Festival of Champions

177. Enjoy the Spring Plant Sale at the Doran Arboretum

178. See the fireworks at Freedom Fest

179. Visit the Downtown Farmer's Market on Saturdays, May - October

180. Put a team together for the Annual Rotary Golf Tournament

181. Attend the Cross Town Classic, between Calloway County High School and Murray High School

182. Hunt down eggs at Easter on the Square in downtown Murray

183. Do some spring cleaning and participate in the Citywide Yard Sale

184. Join the summer reading program through the Calloway County Public Library

185. Attend the Calloway County Fair

186. Buy a ticket to Third Street Beerfest and explore local brews

187. Get in the Christmas spirit and check out some lights during the Murray Bank’s Night Walk

188. Join your friends and family at Trail of Treats in Central Park

189. See the Festival of Lights at Central Park

190. Watch the Community Christmas Tree Lighting in downtown

191. Get in the Christmas spirit at the Main Street Merriment event

192. Eat at the Gary Taylor Memorial Ham Breakfast with all the local Boy Scouts during Freedom Fest

193. Eat with Murray Rotary Club at the Tom Rushing Memorial Ham Breakfast

194. Volunteer at one of Murray Main Street’s community events

195. Participate in the Towing for Toys Annual Golf Tournament

196. Look at boats at the West Kentucky Boat and Outdoor Show

197. Attend a children’s book signing at New Life Christian Book Store

198. Pick up some flowers at the Fall Mum Sale at the Doran Arboretum

199. Get a photo with Mr. Tom Carrots, the Easter Bunny, at Easter on the Square

200. Watch the Veteran’s Day parade in downtown

201. See vintage cars at the Murray Main Street Car Show

202. Find your way through the Doran Arboretum Corn Maze

203. Run in the Towing for Toys 5K event

204. Skate downtown at the Downtown Ice Skating weekend

205. Purchase Christmas gifts from the MAG Holiday Sale

206. Watch a summer performance at the Rotary Amphitheatre in Central Park

207. Grab a bag of books at the Friends of Library Book Sale (spring and fall)

208. Shop at the Holiday Farmers Market

Murray State

209. Grab a photo with the Racer One statue in front of the Curris Center

210. Enjoy a good book and Einstein’s bagel outside at Waterfield Library

211. Take your furry friend to Murray State’s Doggy Day Spa

212. Go to a Racer tennis match

213. Get your picture taken with Dunker

214. See Racer Band perform at MSU Football Games

215. Rub the diploma of the Rainey T. Wells statue for good luck

216. Visit Wrather West Kentucky Museum

217. See one of the exhibits at the Clara M. Eagle Gallery on campus

218. See a concert at the historic Lovett Auditorium

219. Participate in the Family Weekend Activities

220. Attend the Homecoming Parade

221. Go to Racer Arena and watch Racer Volleyball

222. Watch Racer Baseball on a sunny spring day

223. See the Bull Blowout at the Expo Center

224. Attend the MSU Step Show

225. Watch a Murray State Soccer game on the hill

226. Go to the Truck and Tractor Pull at the Expo Center

227. Watch All Campus Sing on the Quad

228. Explore local and regional opportunities at the MSU Career Fair

229. Cheer on the Racers at a Women’s Basketball game

230. Catch an international movie at the Curris Center Theatre

231. Feel like a college basketball star at Ryan Miller’s Basketball Camp

232. Enjoy ‘Campus Lights’ Performance in Lovett Auditorium

233. Get a group together and support the Racer basketball team

234. Grab the latest copy of the Murray State News student newspaper

235. Hone your soccer skills just in time for the World Cup at the Murray State Soccer Camp

236. Enjoy the latest theatre production at the Johnson Theatre

237. Have fun at Murray State Rodeo at the Expo Center

238. Watch an MSU Women’s Softball game

239. Attend the Annual Presidential Lecture Series at Murray State

240. Cheer on the students playing at the Intramural fields

241. Grab friends, coolers and a grill to tailgate at a Murray State Football game

242. Have fun at Tent City during Homecoming Weekend

243. Get ready to tackle at Murray State’s Football Camp

244. Visit the Shoe Tree on campus

245. Elevate your performance skills at one of MSU’s Vocal Arts Camps

246. Purchase MSU gear at the campus bookstore

247. Check out the McGaughey lecture series at Lovett Auditorium

248. Get a group together and enjoy a picnic on the main quad

249. Play a Tennis match on the MSU courts

250. Grab some Murray swag from the Murray CVB’s booth at an RNO

250 Things to Do in Murray