Recognized for its bourbon, bluegrass music, and acres of beautiful farmland, Kentucky is a state with each character and soul! Bordered by seven states, together with Indiana and Ohio, it’s not at all times a significant vacation spot for vacationers, however its full of beautiful countryside excellent for scenic highway journeys, limestone hills, unspoiled parks and thick forests. Listed here are my private favourite spots to discover within the state…
1. Cumberland Falls
Referred to as the Niagara of the South, these falls embrace a 125-foot-wide space of water that’s nothing in need of spectacular.
Situated within the southeastern a part of the state, Cumberland Falls is beautiful and has one different distinction – it’s one in all solely two locations on the planet that experiences moonbows.
Moonbows are rainbows created by the moon’s mild. One is in Zambia on the continent of Africa. If you wish to take full benefit of the falls, I extremely suggest renting a raft and visiting them when there’s a full moon exterior!
- Customer’s Middle Handle: Cumberland Falls Rd, Williamsburg, KY 40769
- Greatest time to go to: Throughout the full moon to catch the magical moonbow!
My favourite highlights…
- Going birdwatching and recognizing a beautiful red-headed woodpecker!
- Having fun with rafting down the Cumberland River, which took me proper beneath the falls for an unimaginable view!
- Staying in a single day on the close by Dupont Lodge – I cherished the comfy, rustic fashion decor it had and waking as much as the breathtaking views of the Cumberland River Valley!
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2. Bourbon Distilleries
House to just about 70 totally different distilleries, this state is effectively know for is scrumptious bourbon!
This contains Buffalo Hint, the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in a tour of the whole course of, from cooking to distilling; Maker’s Mark, the place you’ll be able to hand-dip your bottle with their well-known pink wax; and the Bardstown Bourbon Firm, the place I may style the bourbon straight from the barrel!
In case you love bourbon or are simply curious how they make this wonderful drink, then I extremely suggest occurring the well-known Kentucky Bourbon Path which incorporates 46 distilleries!
- Location: Louisville, Lexington, and Bardstown (which is named the “Bourbon Capital of the World”)
- Greatest instances to go to: All yr spherical
My highlights…
- Visiting one in all my favourite distillery’s the small batch Maker’s Mark Distillery, I cherished the country appeal this place had and their signature pink wax seal bottles! I extremely suggest sampling the daring Maker’s Mark Cask Power!
- Seeing the distinctive Spanish Mission-Model Structure on the 4 Rose Bourbon Distellery.
3. Appalachian Mountains
In case you love the mountains, I like to recommend visiting the Jap a part of the state and seeing the Appalachian Mountains.
You’ll be able to hike, go to overlooks, and see a few of the most lovely surroundings you’ve doubtless seen in a very long time! I might additionally suggest climbing or boating on the beautiful forest trails, which supply significantly scenic views!
The Appalachian Mountains cowl an intensive part of Jap Kentucky, and it’s one sight it’s best to plan on seeing in your subsequent go to.
- Greatest instances to go to: fall
4. Louisville
That is the biggest and busiest metropolis within the state, and I personally suppose one of the underrated cities within the USA. It’s an easy-on-the-eye place with a formidable skyline, a booming arts scene, and a long-established bluegrass music scene.
Add wonderful eating places, energetic bars, and an excellent handful of distilleries, and you’ve got a significantly cool metropolis!
My favourite highlights embrace the 21C Museum Resort, the Kentucky Museum of Artwork and Craft, the Muhammad Ali Middle, the Louisville Mega Cavern, and the Kentucky Science Middle.
- Customer’s Middle Handle: 301 S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40202
- Greatest instances to go to: March to November
5. Kentucky Lake
Situated within the southwestern a part of the state, Kentucky Lake covers 184 miles and has greater than 2,000 miles of shoreline. However this lake doesn’t simply provide your ordinary boating and fishing alternatives.
It additionally provides poker runs, open regattas, drag boat races, and cabins you’ll be able to hire for a calming and fun-filled trip!
You may also ski, swim, and take your favorite ski jet out on the water, and for those who’re an lively kind, I might extremely suggest making an attempt all of them!
- Customer’s Middle Handle: 93 Carroll Rd. Benton KY 42025
- Peak instances to go to: From September to December
6. Frankfort
A captivating city superbly positioned on the Kentucky River, this place appears to embody the whole lot nice about this state in a compact kind!
It’s recognized for having one of the lovely Capitol buildings within the nation. Nonetheless, my different favourite highlights embrace its bourbon distilleries, wine, and new and previous governor mansions.
- Customer’s Middle Handle: 300 St Clair St #102, Frankfort, KY 40601
- Peak instances to go to: March to Could
7. Dixie Belle Paddle Wheels
Suppose you’re interested in old school Southern paddlewheel boats. In that case, I recommend heading to the Shaker Village of Nice Hill and cruising by the Kentucky River Palisades on one in all these boats.
After you’re performed cruising, come again ashore and go to the village itself. You’ll be able to take pleasure in nature preserves, natural gardens, and greater than 40 miles of trails right here.
That is an unique Shaker village that also has 34 of its unique buildings. Whether or not you’re on the positioning having fun with the whole lot it provides or on a paddlewheel boat cruise, I’d extremely suggest including this to your Kentucky itinerary!
8. Pink River Gorge and Pure Bridge
With a 65-foot-high pure bridge made mainly of sandstone, the gorgeous Pink River Gorge is spectacular.
Close by, you’ll be able to hire some cute cabins for the night time, go tenting at one of many many campgrounds within the space, hike some nice scenic nature trails, go zip lining for those who really feel additional adventurous, and even rock-climbing when the need hits you.
This wonderful vacationer spot provides lovely views and the chance to fulfil your dream of being an explorer within the 1800s.
- Customer’s Middle Handle: 3451 Sky Bridge Rd Hwy 715, Stanton, KY 40380
- Greatest instances to go to: March to Could and September to December
9. Daniel Boone Nationwide Forest
This beautiful space has been a nationwide park since 1937. It sprawls throughout an enormous 708,000 acres in essentially the most rugged space west of the Appalachian Mountains, house to forested slopes, sandstone cliffs, and slim ravines.
It is a nature lover’s dream. Right here, you’ll be able to hike, camp, picnic, rock climb, or go boating, though I like to recommend enjoyable and having fun with the implausible surroundings!
- Customer’s Middle Handle: 1700 Bypass Street, Winchester, KY 40391
- Peak instances to go to: fall
10. Dale Hole Lake
Lovely Dale Hole Lake provides climbing and boating actions, bird-watching alternatives, mountain bike trails, and far more.
It’s positioned in south-central Kentucky and has over 27,000 acres of land. Erected in 1943, Dale Hole Lake is a good place to go to for those who love being on the water or merely standing on the sidelines and having fun with a few of the most lovely surroundings you’ll ever discover.
Due to its magnificence, it is a must-see location everytime you’re visiting the Bluegrass State.
- Customer’s Middle Handle: 1005 Livingston Hwy, Byrdstown, TN 38549
- Greatest instances to go to: Could to September
11. John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge
This previous bridge, accomplished within the 1860s, sits on the Ohio River between Cincinnati, Ohio, and Covington, Kentucky. It’s a spectacular web site with majestic-looking spires and an virtually Artwork Deco look.
In case you see the bridge and suppose you’ve seen it earlier than, you don’t need to get spooked as a result of this bridge was the inspiration behind the Brooklyn Bridge in New York Metropolis.
In case you stay in northern Kentucky and are focused on attending a sporting occasion in Cincinnati, this is likely one of the greatest methods to get there.
- Customer’s Middle Handle: John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, Covington, KY 41011
- Greatest instances to go to: all yr spherical
12. Land Between the Lakes Recreation Space
Consisting of greater than 170,000 acres, the Land Between the Lakes Leisure Space is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve run by the Forest Service. My favourite highlights embrace the fascinating wildlife and the fascinating historical past.
You additionally get to take pleasure in greater than 300 miles of undeveloped shoreline that’s nothing in need of spectacular, and thru all of it, you get to take pleasure in animals reminiscent of bison, elk, buffalo, and wild turkeys.
- Customer’s Middle Handle: 238 Customer Middle Dr, Golden Pond, KY 42211
- Greatest instances to go to March to Could
13. Bardstown
Completely positioned on the Kentucky Bourbon Path, this charming and enticing city provides a Napa Valley-style expertise—swap the wine for whiskey!
It’s a really easy-on-the-eye place, which USA Right this moment referred to as the “Most Lovely Small City in America.” It has additionally been named America’s Most Lovely City Sq..
- Customer’s Middle Handle: 1 Court docket Sq. # 102, Bardstown, KY 40004
- Peak instances to go to: From March to Could
14. Mammoth Cave Nationwide Park
A pure setting with greater than 400 miles of passageways, Mammoth Cave is spectacular and has a few of the longest-known caves in the whole world.
These subterranean passageways are house to stalagmites, stalactites, helictites, and travertine dams, which you’ll view up shut with none issues. You’ll be able to discover the cave by yourself or go on one of many ranger-led excursions in order that nothing essential is ignored.
Situated in central Kentucky, this nationwide park is the place to be for those who love the last word magnificence that Mom Nature can solely provide.
- Customer’s Middle Handle: 1 Mammoth Cave Pkwy, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
- Greatest instances to go to: March to November
15. Bluegrass Music Corridor of Fame and Museum
Situated in Owensboro, the Bluegrass Music Corridor of Fame is just some miles from the birthplace of the Father of Bluegrass, Invoice Monroe.
Interactive displays, jam classes, concert events, classes, and particular occasions are included, together with the three-day ROMP Fest, which is often held in June every year.
The Corridor of Fame presently has 60 inductees and homes the Worldwide Bluegrass Music Corridor of Fame. In case you love bluegrass music, I like to recommend visiting this place!
- Customer’s Middle Handle: 2590 Richmond St, Mt Vernon, KY 40456
- Greatest instances to go to: Anytime other than Mondays, because it’s closed
16. Western Kentucky Botanical Backyard
Situated in Owensboro, the Western Kentucky Botanical Backyard is the proper place to go to for those who find it irresistible when nature decides to point out off a bit.
A few of its points of interest embrace numerous flowers and vegetation to take pleasure in, they usually concentrate on occasions that educate you the whole lot you’ll want to find out about your favourite flower to new methods to take pleasure in the whole lot rising indoors and outside on this spectacular backyard.
They provide particular actions for teenagers, occasions for particular holidays reminiscent of Christmas, and far more.
- Customer’s Middle Handle: 2731 W 2nd St, Owensboro, KY 42301
- Greatest instances to go to: March to Could
17. Nolin Lake
This beautiful 5,795-acre park was opened to the general public in 1996. In case you want time to reconnect with nature, Nolin Lake provides actions reminiscent of boating, swimming, and enjoyable on the sandy seashore!
The park has 32 campsites, nice amenities for all, and is open year-round. It additionally has a personal seashore and loads of area for a calming trip.
- Greatest instances to go to: fall
My favourite highlights…
- Going tenting close to an exquisite sandy seashore.
- Going climbing on the Waterfall Loop on Brier Creek Path.