To be trustworthy, Kentucky wasn’t at all times on my journey radar. Like many individuals unfamiliar with the Bluegrass State, I beforehand had plenty of assumptions about it. Nevertheless, the state is way more than meets the attention, and it’s dwelling to some unbelievable locations. This record breaks down the most effective, together with fantastic cities, neat cities, lovely parks, distinctive stops, and extra:
Cities & Cities
40. Louisville
As Kentucky’s largest metropolis, Louisville is a hub for almost all the things that makes this state particular. You’ll discover numerous venues to see reside bluegrass exhibits, race tracks with the nation’s most spectacular horses, and a few superb Southern cooking. Not solely that, however Louisville is bursting with tradition and has a thriving artwork group.
Listed here are just a few must-visit spots in this vibrant metropolis:
39. Frankfort Avenue
So far as locations to go in Louisville, this is among the greatest to take a look at as quickly as you get into city. Frankfort Avenue, aka “The Avenue,” is a protracted hall that connects town’s most hip and taking place neighborhoods. Alongside it, you’ll see native companies galore, from boutiques to galleries to mother ‘n’ pop eating places.
38. Fairmount Falls Park
On the outskirts of Louisville is Fairmount Falls, one of many metropolis’s hidden pure gems. Visiting looks like discovering a Louisville secret that not many different vacationers get to expertise. The waterfall is tucked away in the forest, a couple of mile’s hike from the path entrance.
To get to this attractive waterfall, you may make a reservation to entry the park at Jefferson Memorial Forest Welcome Middle. Since solely three automobiles are allowed in the park per day, a reservation almost ensures you’ll have the falls nearly all to your self.
37. Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs is as well-known because it will get when it comes to Louisville establishments. The 2 longest constantly working sporting occasions in the US are held at Churchill Downs: the Kentucky Derby and the all-female Kentucky Oaks races. Even when you aren’t in city throughout a type of, test the occasions calendar to see what else is happening on the race observe throughout you go to.
36. Muhammad Ali Middle
The well-known boxer-turned-philanthropist Muhammad Ali is a Louisville native and positively engenders a beneficiant quantity of hometown satisfaction. Opened in 2005, the Muhammad Ali Middle is a nonprofit museum that serves to show Ali’s six core ideas: confidence, conviction, dedication, giving, respect, and spirituality. It’s one of the crucial inspirational museums in Kentucky. Discover extra info right here.
35. Louisville Mega Cavern
Journey seekers is not going to need to miss out on a go to to the Louisville Mega Cavern, the world’s solely underground aerial ropes course. This former 1930s mine web site has 17 miles of corridors you can discover through Historic Tram Tour or strolling tour, on which you’ll study in regards to the historical past and geology of the caverns. This is among the high locations to see in all of Kentucky, not to mention Louisville!
34. Cherokee Park
Do you know that Frederick Legislation Olmsted, who designed NYC’s Central Park, additionally designed Cherokee Park in Louisville? It’s true! His eye for design is obvious in the Park, which options quaint woodlands, open meadows, rolling hills, and trickling streams. That’s proper, you possibly can take pleasure in all of that pure magnificence with out having to go away Louisville’s metropolis limits.
33. Lexington
Lexington is Kentucky’s second largest metropolis and is spilling over with historical past, Southern allure, and distinctive locations to go to. Because the nation’s horse capital, you’ll discover a great deal of alternatives to study in regards to the metropolis’s horse racing and breeding legacy. Not solely that however Lexington is in the center of bluegrass nation and packs an enormous punch with its wealthy bourbon tradition.
Listed here are among the greatest locations to go to in or close to Lexington:
32. Keeneland Race Monitor
Keeneland is an internationally famend racecourse dedicated to preserving the custom of thoroughbred horse racing. The observe is open to the general public, so that you don’t have to attend an precise race to take in its fantastically landscaped gardens and pristine grandstand. The place captures the essence of horse racing tradition and status. This tour features a cease at Keeneland with an knowledgeable information.
31. Ashland: Henry Clay Property
So far as historic locations in Kentucky, that is simply one of the crucial well-known. Henry Clay was one in every of Kentucky’s most well-known statesmen, and Ashland was his dwelling throughout the top of his profession. The Henry Clay Memorial Basis has an fascinating method of telling the tales of people that lived, labored, and had been enslaved on the Ashland property. This guided tour is an effective way to get essentially the most out of your go to.
30. Kentucky Horse Park
In the event you can’t get sufficient of horse-related points of interest, Kentucky Horse Park is the final word vacation spot. Not solely does the park have a completely operational horse farm, nevertheless it additionally homes the Smithsonian Worldwide Museum of the Horse. You may simply spend a day visiting this equine treasure in Lexington.
29. Raven Run Nature Sanctuary
This pristinely preserved nature sanctuary in Lexington is the final word nature lover’s paradise. Throughout 734 acres, there are over 10 miles of trails to take pleasure in. Spend a heat summer time afternoon mountaineering, biking, or picnicking right here. Visiting in fall? The autumn colours in Raven Run Nature Sanctuary are attractive!
28. Jacobson Park
On 216 acres of land, Jacobson Park consists of a big reservoir good for kayaking, paddleboarding, or simply hanging out on the grass close to the shore. The park additionally has volleyball courts, a disc golf course, and extra. Of all of the inexperienced areas in Lexington, this one is among the greatest for a quiet afternoon in nature.
27. Shaker Village of Nice Hill
Simply 45 minutes exterior of Lexington is Shaker Village of Nice Hill. Vacationers from everywhere in the world go to Shaker Village every year to get a glimpse into the previous of a society that was ready to thrive off the land.The Shakers had been a spiritual group that was lively in Nice Hill from 1805 to 1910.
This 3,000-acre landmark is among the most well-preserved websites of Shaker historical past. The nonprofit group Shaker Village has labored laborious to keep the 34 authentic historic buildings, a nature protect, and conserved farmland on the positioning. You may even keep in Shaker Village’s inn!
26. Bardstown
As the house of 9 well-known bourbon distilleries, Bardstown is one in every of Kentucky’s most notable bourbon locations. Not solely that, however the city additionally has the Bardstown Civil Struggle Museum, the fourth-largest such museum in the nation. Additionally it is dwelling to Kentucky’s “official outside drama” (“The Stephen Foster Story”) and even has a complete exhibit devoted to ladies’s roles in the warfare.
Bardstown has a picturesque city sq. and is general an exquisite little city to go to. You may guide a complete weekend getaway there, full with loads of bourbon-filled experiences, right here.
25. Frankfort
Recognized to have one of the crucial lovely capitol buildings in the nation, this small capital metropolis deserves a spot in your Kentucky bucket record. Situated alongside the Kentucky River between Louisville and Lexington, Frankfort is completely tucked into the inexperienced hills and is surrounded by nature. Right here you’ll discover outside journey, historic relics, and, after all, loads of bourbon.
24. Bowling Inexperienced
As one in every of Kentucky’s many bustling school cities, Bowling Inexperienced has a novel combine of recent and outdated, historic and modern. You’ll discover venerable neighborhoods full with colonial structure and manicured lawns, in addition to a few of Kentucky’s greatest museums. Considered one of them is the Nationwide Corvette Museum, which takes guests on a journey by the long-lasting historical past of America’s sports activities automobile.
Bowling Inexperienced can be the proper launching level for Mammoth Cave Nationwide Park (extra on that later!), so take into account staying right here an evening or two throughout your Kentucky journey to benefit from this attraction-filled space.
23. Newport
In case you are an American historical past fanatic, you gained’t need to miss out on a go to to Newport. This quaint riverside group was as soon as set to grow to be what’s now Las Vegas. Actually, the city was as soon as dwelling to many casinos and was frequented by none apart from Frank Sinatra, who carried out there. Even Las Vegas’s nickname, “Sin Metropolis,” was first utilized to Newport earlier than it was given to Las Vegas.
Since Newport is so shut to Cincinnati, Ohio, you possibly can take a sundown cruise to see the Cincinnati skyline from Newport.
22. London
This one is for all of the cyclists on the market! London is one in every of Kentucky’s designated “path cities,” due to its entry to street biking, mountain biking, and mountaineering trails. It’s subsequent to Daniel Boone Nationwide Forest, so nature lovers discover London the proper place to keep whereas they discover close by parks, trails, and forests.
21. Paducah
Referred to as “The Quilt Metropolis,” Paducah is America’s quilt-making capital. Actually, UNESCO dubbed Paducah a Metropolis of Crafts and People Artwork in 2013. You may find out about this legacy on the Nationwide Quilt Museum.
As quickly as you arrive in Paducah, you’ll understand that this small city is something however strange. The customer’s heart is housed in a restored 1860s mansion, which really units the stage for a historic journey. Benefit from the city’s peace and quiet with a stroll alongside the river and a stroll by city to see the historic buildings.
20. Owensboro
Owensboro is a small metropolis packed filled with all of the issues that make Kentucky nice. It has among the state’s greatest barbecue joints, bluegrass music venues, and artwork museums.
Take a look at the Owensboro Museum of Effective Artwork, the place you’ll discover a sculpture park and folks artwork courting again to the 15th century.
Owensboro is legendary for its mutton barbeque, so when you’re a meat eater you shouldn’t go away city with out attempting it at both Previous Hickory Bar-B-Que or Ole South Bar-B-Q.
19. Worldwide Bluegrass Music Museum
No journey to Owensboro is full with out a cease on the Worldwide Bluegrass Music Museum. We’re itemizing this place all by itself as a result of it’s simply one of many high points of interest in the state. Even when you’re new to bluegrass music, this museum is bound to preserve you entertained all day lengthy with its interactive displays and nuggets of historical past all through. You’ll see a wide range of neat classic devices, study in regards to the style’s most influential musicians, and see the evolution of the style through the years.
Get your tickets right here.
18. Stanton
That is the final word vacation spot for journey seekers in Kentucky. Stanton is the proper launching level for mountaineering and biking trails, with direct entry to the Crimson River Gorge Byway. The Crimson River Gorge has over 100 stone arches and several other waterfalls, together with the picturesque Nada Tunnel. It additionally has a novel panorama that’s ready to be explored.
Nationwide Parks, State Parks, and Extra
17. Mammoth Cave Nationwide Park
Mammoth Cave Nationwide Park is among the most beloved locations in Kentucky. This superb pure marvel is dwelling to the longest recorded cave system in the world, at over 400 miles explored and mapped. Cave excursions are a wonderful method to get aware of among the park’s most notable caves.
Not solely is the park adored for its pure magnificence, nevertheless it additionally holds many tales from the individuals who used to reside there, from the unique settlements of Native People to colonial settlers to the African People who had been an important guides and explorers of the caves in the 19th and 20th centuries.
16. Daniel Boone Nationwide Forest
Chances are you’ll acknowledge the identify Daniel Boone when you’re into outdoorsman historical past. This huge forest spans greater than two million acres and gives over 600 miles of trails to discover. Sandstone cliffs are good for mountaineering, and the abundance of rivers and lakes creates the proper setting for individuals who take pleasure in getting out on the water. Though most of the trails had been initially meant just for mountaineering, mountain biking is feasible in many places. Backpackers and different campers will benefit from the many forest campgrounds.
15. Cumberland Hole Nationwide Historic Park
The mountainous surroundings at Cumberland Hole Nationwide Historic Park is simply one of many many causes to pay a go to. Past the beautiful views from hidden overlooks, you’ll discover epic sandstone formations, considerable underground caverns, and loads of plant and animal life in every single place.
There’s a wealth of historical past to uncover right here. This superb nationwide historic park is dwelling to the Hensley Settlement, which supplies guests a time-warping take a look at a 20th century mountain group settlement. The Wilderness Highway Path will take you on an equally thrilling journey in the footsteps of Native People, early settlers, and Civil Struggle troopers.
14. Land Between the Lakes Nationwide Recreation Space
As one of many largest areas of undeveloped forest in the USA, the Land Between the Lakes Nationwide Recreation Space is about as rugged because it will get. Stretching over 170,000 acres of forests and wetlands, there’s loads of nature to admire right here. There are 300 miles of pure shoreline, providing alternatives to camp, picnic, hike, and bike.
As well as to 500 miles of trails all through the park to take pleasure in, you possibly can go to the Woodlands Nature Station, Elk & Bison Prairie, Homeplace 1850s Working Farm, or Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory for genuine academic experiences.
Land Between the Lakes can be the perfect place for a street journey, with unbelievable scenic drives and walks.
13. Cumberland Falls State Park
If you’d like to see one thing almost as majestic as Niagara Falls with out leaving the South, be sure that to add Cumberland Falls State Park to your Kentucky itinerary. It will get its nickname, “the Niagara of the South,” due to the 68-foot tall and 125-foot extensive waterfall. One of many coolest issues about this waterfall, moreover its immense measurement, is that it’s one of many few locations in the world the place you possibly can see a moonbow, aka a lunar rainbow. If the sky is evident on the night time of a full moon, you would possibly find a way to see one in all of its magnificent glory.
As well as to the plain go to to the falls, Cumberland Falls State Park is overflowing with adventurous issues to do (see what I did there?). Go birding in the park, rafting on the Cumberland River, tenting at one of many 50 campsites, or mountaineering on 17 miles of trails. You may even attempt your hand at gem mining.
12. Breaks Interstate Park
Situated proper on the Kentucky-Virginia state border is the severely underrated Breaks Interstate Park. Spanning 3,500 acres of greenwood lands filled with mountainous surroundings, that is one in every of solely two interstate parks in the nation. This attractive pure space has the most important canyon east of the Mississippi River, which spans 5 miles and is 1,650 toes deep, incomes its nickname “the Grand Canyon of the South.”
Breaks Interstate Park is a haven for rock climbers, campers, and hikers alike. Irrespective of the way you select to benefit from the park, you’re actually in for a deal with.
11. Massive South Fork Nationwide River
Massive South Fork Nationwide River is commonly referred to as a large outside playground, and for good purpose. This 125,000-acre recreation space options rugged gorges and pristine forests, together with quite a few streams and, after all, the thunderous Massive South Fork of the Cumberland River.
Outside actions on the Massive South Fork Nationwide River embody mountaineering by forests and gorges, horseback using, mountaineering sandstone cliffs, and paddling and swimming in crystal-clear waters. This recreation space can be a super place to camp and backpack.
10. The Pinnacles of Berea
In 2019, Outdoors Journal named the Pinnacles of Berea hike the #1 hike in Kentucky. If that isn’t sufficient to spark your curiosity, guests who take pleasure in peace and quiet love this hike due to its sparse crowds and unbelievable views of the Daniel Boone Nationwide Forest.
This stellar hike is simple to get to from Berea, Kentucky, and is even an awesome spot to keep whilst you go to Crimson River Gorge and different large close by points of interest. Having such an superior hike just like the Pinnacles Hike is simply the cherry on high.
9. My Previous Kentucky House State Park
It is a state park in contrast to some other. You in all probability affiliate state parks with mountaineering trails and the nice open air, however a few of this park’s greatest function are literally indoors. It’s dwelling to the property of US Sen. John Rowan, which holds 2 hundred years of tales, from duels to horse racing to household fortunes and all the things in between. You may tour the mansion and listen to guides sing a particular tune on each tour.
Horse Farms
8. Solar Valley Horse Farm
This basic horse farm’s slogan is “On the Crossroad of Bourbon & Horses.” It makes a neat connection between horses and bourbon by its ties to bourbon pioneer Elijah Pepper. The easiest way to expertise Solar Valley is on a guided tour, which leads friends by the farm to witness the inside workings of an award-winning thoroughbred horse farm nursery.
7. Hermitage Farm
Hermitage Farm is greater than only a horse farm and nursery. Past working a famend thoroughbred operation, the farm additionally prides itself on its sustainable and natural agriculture. You may even get a style of Heritage Farm’s farm-fresh produce at its Barn8 Farm Restaurant.
Within the temper for some bourbon? You are able to do a bourbon tasting that includes merchandise from any of the distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon path.
This farm gives a very well-rounded view of Kentucky’s wealthy agricultural tradition and historical past. Select from quite a lot of excursions and tastings at Hermitage Farm to get essentially the most out of your go to.
6. Claiborne Farm
This one is for the historical past buffs on the market. Claiborne Farm is among the most iconic thoroughbred horse farms in Kentucky, greatest identified for being the ultimate resting place of one of the crucial well-known horses in historical past, Secretariat.
Claiborne Farm gives historic excursions of the on-site services, taking friends on a journey by the farm’s origin story up till current day with a take a look at how the working farm takes care of the beautiful beauties that reside there.
Distinctive Stops
5. The Pete Treehouse
This utterly off-grid treehouse was a part of Animal Planet’s Treehouse Masters and is now one of many coolest Airbnbs you’ll discover in Kentucky. Pete Nelson is the mastermind behind the development of the treehouse, which is tucked away in nature about 1.5 hours from Lexington. The place is filled with considerate touches, together with a hearth pit and balcony.
After watching Kristin’s treehouse journey, you’re in all probability getting enthusiastic about staying in a treehouse, so don’t miss out on this one whenever you go to Kentucky!
4. Harland Sanders Café and Museum
These days, yow will discover a KFC in nearly any nation in the world. Have you ever puzzled about how it began, although? On the Harland Sanders Café and Museum in Corbin, you’ll find a way to see the birthplace of Kentucky Fried Rooster at Colonel Sanders’ authentic restaurant.
Not solely are you able to really dine on the Harland Sanders Café and Museum, however you possibly can then tour the constructing and see all types of artifacts and memorabilia from the well-known restaurateur’s legacy.
3. Vent Haven Museum
Within the small city of Fort Mitchell is the world’s solely museum devoted to ventriloquism: the Vent Haven Museum. That is by far one of many strangest locations I’ve ever seen whereas researching a vacation spot, and now it has been bumped up fairly excessive on my bucket record.
The museum has over 700 dolls, that includes some which were on TV and in films, all from the non-public assortment of William Shakespeare Berger. In the event you’re a fan of bizarre museums and occur to be driving by Fort Mitchell, you’ll undoubtedly need to make a pit cease right here.
2. Historic Diamond Caverns
Situated proper subsequent to Mammoth Cave Nationwide Park, this distinctive attraction is a must-visit whilst you’re in the world. Its cathedral-like caverns function cascades of naturally colourful calcite and different mind-blowing formations. Guided excursions can be found and are the proper method to see the attractive caverns and find out about their fascinating historical past.
1. Kentucky Kingdom
I’m an enormous fan of curler coasters, so I can’t skip out on including Kentucky Kingdom to this record. This theme park could also be small in contrast to megaparks like Six Flags and Disney World, nevertheless it’s an enthralling homegrown spot that locals adore. There are 5 curler coasters, a 5-D cinema, and loads of different enjoyable points of interest to take pleasure in.
***
As you possibly can see, Kentucky is filled with quirky surprises and considerable pure magnificence. There are many superb locations simply ready to be found by vacationers who’re new to the state and in addition by locals trying to study extra about what there may be to do close to them!
Are you a Kentucky native? Which locations did we miss this time? Tell us the place your secret spots are!
Click on to learn extra posts about