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See Yourself as an EKU Colonel

Get a feel for life as a colonel with a campus visit! EKU sits on one of the most beautiful campuses in the Commonwealth. From our LEED gold certified science building to our pedestrian-friendly campus layout, every aspect of EKU is designed with our students in mind. We’re excited to welcome you to campus and help you explore everything we have to offer.

Visit In-Person

Campus visits are offered Monday through Friday and select Saturdays. Prospective students are invited to bring up to 2 guests to visit campus.

Visits will include:

  • A brief information session
  • Guided walking tour with a student ambassador
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Visit Virtually

Can’t make it to campus? Explore EKU from your home!

Upcoming Events

Calendars
Venues
Days of the Week
Time of Day
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Plain
Tue
06

Spring 2025 Chellgren Success Workshop Series: Preparing for Finals

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Wed
07

Walkabout Wednesday

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Wed
07

Spring 2025 Chellgren Success Workshop Series: Preparing for Finals

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Richmond & Surrounding Areas

Whether you prefer the relative peace and quiet of a small town or all the buzz of a large city, living in Richmond while you attend Eastern Kentucky University offers the best of both worlds. Richmond is a fast-growing but still quiet community of about 35,000 where the Bluegrass region and all its scenic horse farms meet the foothills of the rugged Appalachian mountains. Just 25 miles north, an easy drive on I-75, is Kentucky’s second-largest city, Lexington, population 322,000. Other large cities within an easy two-hour, all-interstate drive are Louisville, Ky., Cincinnati, Ohio, and Knoxville, Tenn.

Richmond Centre offers a great selection of stores in a beautifully landscaped open-air environment located on exit 87 from I-75 — just one mile from campus. Stores include Belk, JC Penney, Michael’s, Home Goods and T. J. Maxx, to name just a few, along with a variety of restaurants. Richmond Centre also houses Cinemark Theatre featuring 12 screens playing the newest releases. A variety of other shopping venues can be found in downtown and throughout the city.

  • EKU Center for the Arts is Central Kentucky’s premier live entertainment and arts destination.
  • Galaxy Bowling and Entertainment Center offers special rates for college night.
  • Lake Reba Recreational Complex has something for everyone featuring nature trails, batting cages, putt-putt golf, horseshoes, boating, fishing, a playground, Gibson Bay Golf Course and Paradise Cove Water Park.
  • E.C. Million Memorial Park is perfect for a leisurely day out with walking trails, two playgrounds, tennis courts, soccer fields, picnic tables and shelters.

Quick and Easy: Popular fast-food restaurants are plentiful in Richmond. Many are located close to exits 87 and 90 just off I-75.

Leisurely Meals: Well-known restaurants in Richmond include Olive Garden, Logan’s Roadhouse, Golden Corral, Texas Roadhouse, Cracker Barrel and Red Lobster. Most are conveniently located on exits 87 and 90.

Local Flavor: For a variety of food with local flair, Richmond is home to:

  • Madison Garden – wide array of food in a fun environment
  • The Paddy Wagon Irish Pub – great food and live music
  • Babylon Café – traditional Greek and Mediterranean food
  • Purdy’s Coffee Co. – soups, sandwiches, salads, coffee and baked treats
  • Thai Smile – Thai food for every pallet from mild to mega-hot
  • Casa Fiesta and Casa Café – for EKU Colonels with a taste for Mexican food

Exit 87:

  • Best Western Holiday Plaza 859-623-9220
  • Comfort Suites 859-624-0770
  • Hampton Inn 859-626-1002
  • Holiday Inn Express 859-624-4055
  • TownePlace Suites by Marriott 859-353-4860
  • Tru By Hilton 859-544-6312
  • Quality Inn 859-623-0063

Exit 90:

  • Days Inn 859-624-5769
  • LaQuinta Inn 859-623-9121
  • Red Roof Inn 859-625-0084

EKU News & Updates