You unpacked the boxes — now here is where students at Eastern Kentucky University (Richmond, KY) actually eat, shop, bank, and hang out. Bookmark this for your first month.
Apollo Pizza Pizza
Downtown Main St institution since the 1970s; delivers, plus big craft beer list
Babylon Cafe Mediterranean
Gyros, shawarma and cheap platters; longtime student favorite about a mile from campus
Madison Garden Bar & Grill Burgers/Bar
Downtown standby for burgers and game-watching; 21+ crowd at night
Purdy's Coffee Co. Coffee
Local roaster and cafe downtown; go-to for coffee dates and laptop sessions
Hall's on the River Kentucky classic
Beer cheese and catfish on the Kentucky River near Boonesborough, ~15-20 min out
Eastern Bypass fast-food row Cheap eats
Chick-fil-A, Cane's, tacos and more line the Bypass bordering campus
Kroger Grocery
Closest full grocery, on the Eastern Bypass about 5 min from campus
Walmart Supercenter Big-box
820 Eastern Bypass; groceries, dorm gear and pharmacy, ~5 min drive
CVS Pharmacy Pharmacy
Prescriptions and essentials just off campus on the Bypass/Main St side
Goodwill Thrift
Cheap dorm furniture, clothes and Halloween finds on the Bypass retail strip
Dollar Tree Budget
Dollar-store staples for dorm supplies in the Bypass shopping centers
Commonwealth Credit Union Credit union
Richmond branch at 108 Meridian Way near the Bypass; student-friendly accounts
Central Bank Bank
Central Kentucky bank with a Richmond branch and ATMs around town
Community Trust Bank Bank
Kentucky-based bank with Richmond branches a short drive from campus
Baptist Health Richmond Hospital/clinic
Hospital, ER and walk-in care on the Eastern Bypass minutes from campus
US Post Office - Richmond Post office
Main branch at 140 N Madison Ave downtown; ship and receive packages
Madison County Public Library Study spot
507 W Main St; free Wi-Fi, study rooms and quiet space off campus
Walmart Auto Care Center Auto
Budget oil changes, tires and batteries at the Supercenter on the Bypass
Downtown Richmond Nightlife
Main St bars, cafes and shops about a mile from campus; walkable weekend scene
EKU Colonels game day Sports
Football at Roy Kidd Stadium and hoops at Alumni Coliseum; cheap or free for students
Lake Reba Recreational Complex Outdoors
Fishing, trails, Gibson Bay golf and Paradise Cove pool, ~10 min from campus
Fort Boonesborough State Park Day trip
Reconstructed frontier fort and Kentucky River beach, ~20 min north
Lexington day trip City trip
Rupp Arena concerts, malls and UK rivalry fun ~30 min up I-75
Hand-checked August 2026. Hours and locations change — give places a quick look before you head out. Some links on this site earn us a commission at no cost to you.