Burnside is a destination for lakefront living
Burnside is a small city along the tree-lined shores of Lake Cumberland. The community has fewer than 1,000 people, many of whom came here looking for recreation and homes along the water. Here, it’s common to see jet skis, sports boats and pontoons drifting and racing down the lake. “It’s really lake oriented. They got their own marina. It’s actually a pretty nice marina, and that’s a really big draw,” says Epp Walls, owner of United Country Kentucky Lifestyle Properties. “People can come in and use the facility, and, within 2 or 3 minutes, they can get out of their boat, jump in their truck and be at any restaurant within minutes of the dock.”
Homes are along the lake, on hilly roads and in rural pockets
Burnside has several roads with no sidewalks winding across its hilly neighborhoods. There are also rural pockets with barns and other farm buildings. Some residents who live near the lake have access to private docks or neighborhood boat ramps. “You’ll have a guy who’s out here running a John Deere tractor 10 hours a day. Then, he’ll get off and jump on a $75,000 bass boat and head out," Walls says.
Architectural styles include ranch-style homes, New Traditionals and a few cabins. There are also upscale areas like The Villas at Woodson Bend, a gated community with luxury single-family homes, condos and duplexes. Many homes under 2,500 square feet sell between $150,000 and $270,000. Slightly larger options go from $350,000 to $450,000, while some prominent luxury homes can reach around $1 million. Depending on size, condos go from $210,000 to $500,000.
Outdoor activities include boating, fishing, golf and camping
Boaters may get out on Lake Cumberland through the Safe Harbor Burnside marina, which also rents tritoons and tubes with tow ropes. While on the lake, anglers may fish for crappie and bass. Another outdoor destination is General Burnside Island State Park, a 400-acre peninsula with just over 100 camp sites. The park also has the public, 18-hole General Burnside Island Golf Course. The city is also minutes from the Daniel Boone National Forest. Hikers may explore the forest’s Beaver Creek Wilderness, where they may see wildlife and pass under stone arches.
Burnside has a cafe and a few comfort food staples
Many may start their day with a drink and pastry from Gather Coffee Lounge, housed in a repurposed bungalow with wooden interiors and antique furnishings. Claiming to have “the world’s best hot dog,” The Goodie Shack is an institution for locally made fast food and frozen treats. Mama’s Country Cooking is another staple serving comfort foods and breakfast favorites like eggs, bacon and gravy-topped biscuits. Located a few miles north, Somerset has more dining options, like Cumberland Grill House, where patrons can dine outside with a lake view. Somerset also has Walmart and Kroger for grocery and retail shopping. “That’s where all the big restaurants would be,” Walls says about Somerset. “There are some really nice restaurants within a 2- or 3-minute drive of Burnside.”
Pulaski County Schools serves the community
The city has Burnside Elementary School, which gets a B-plus from Niche. Other schools serving the area include Southern Middle and Southwestern High. Southern Middle receives an A-minus, while Southwestern High gets a B-plus. The high school’s programs include Junior ROTC for students looking at a future in the military. The district also has the Pulaski Area Technology Center, which offers courses in fields like welding and health care. The city also has a private, faith-based school, the Jordan Christian Academy, which serves students from kindergarten to 12th grade.
Thunder Over Burnside brings in fireworks and live music
City events include August’s Thunder Over Burnside at Cole Community Park. The event starts in the afternoon and ends at night with a fireworks show. Other attractions include food trucks, a beer garden and several live music acts playing genres like blues, rock and country. Children may also get their faces painted and play in bounce houses.
The city is across the river from medical service
Burnside is across the Cumberland River from Somerset. In addition to dining and shopping, Somerset is the nearest place for services like medical care. Burnside’s neighbor has Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital, a 295-bed facility that covers multiple counties. Commuters may travel on U.S. Highway 27 to reach other communities in the region. Located 95 miles north, Blue Grass Airport in Lexington is one of the closest hubs for commercial flights.
