Identified 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 good for scenic highway journeys, limestone hills, unspoiled parks and thick forests. Listed below are my private favourite spots to discover within the state…
1. Cumberland Falls
Generally known as the Niagara of the South, these falls embrace a 125-foot-wide space of water that’s nothing wanting spectacular.
Positioned within the southeastern a part of the state, Cumberland Falls is beautiful and has one different distinction – it’s one in every of 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 Deal with: 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 stunning 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 liked the comfortable, rustic type decor it had and waking as much as the breathtaking views of the Cumberland River Valley!
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2. Bourbon Distilleries
Residence to almost 70 completely different distilleries, this state is effectively know for is scrumptious bourbon!
This contains Buffalo Hint, the place you possibly can get pleasure from a tour of the whole course of, from cooking to distilling; Maker’s Mark, the place you possibly can hand-dip your bottle with their well-known purple 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 superb 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 every of my favourite distillery’s the small batch Maker’s Mark Distillery, I liked the country attraction this place had and their signature purple 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 Japanese a part of the state and seeing the Appalachian Mountains.
You may hike, go to overlooks, and see a few of the most stunning surroundings you’ve possible seen in a very long time! I might additionally suggest mountain climbing or boating on the beautiful forest trails, which supply significantly scenic views!
The Appalachian Mountains cowl an intensive part of Japanese Kentucky, and it’s one sight you need to plan on seeing in your subsequent go to.
- Greatest instances to go to: fall
4. Louisville
That is the most important and busiest metropolis within the state, and I personally assume probably the most underrated cities within the USA. It’s an easy-on-the-eye place with a powerful skyline, a booming arts scene, and a long-established bluegrass music scene.
Add wonderful eating places, full of life bars, and a great 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 Deal with: 301 S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40202
- Greatest instances to go to: March to November
5. Kentucky Lake
Positioned 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 supply your regular boating and fishing alternatives.
It additionally provides poker runs, open regattas, drag boat races, and cabins you possibly can lease for a calming and fun-filled trip!
You may as well ski, swim, and take your favorite ski jet out on the water, and in the event you’re an energetic kind, I might extremely suggest attempting all of them!
- Customer’s Middle Deal with: 93 Carroll Rd. Benton KY 42025
- Peak instances to go to: From September to December
6. Frankfort
A captivating city fantastically situated on the Kentucky River, this place appears to embody every thing nice about this state in a compact kind!
It’s recognized for having probably the most stunning Capitol buildings within the nation. Nonetheless, my different favourite highlights embrace its bourbon distilleries, wine, and new and previous governor mansions.
- Customer’s Middle Deal with: 300 St Clair St #102, Frankfort, KY 40601
- Peak instances to go to: March to Might
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 via the Kentucky River Palisades on one in every of these boats.
After you’re carried out cruising, come again ashore and go to the village itself. You may get pleasure from 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 every thing 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 attractive Pink River Gorge is spectacular.
Close by, you possibly can lease some cute cabins for the evening, go tenting at one of many many campgrounds within the space, hike some nice scenic nature trails, go zip lining in the event you really feel further adventurous, and even rock-climbing when the need hits you.
This superb vacationer spot provides stunning views and the chance to fulfil your dream of being an explorer within the 1800s.
- Customer’s Middle Deal with: 3451 Sky Bridge Rd Hwy 715, Stanton, KY 40380
- Greatest instances to go to: March to Might and September to December
9. Daniel Boone Nationwide Forest
This beautiful space has been a nationwide park since 1937. It sprawls throughout an unlimited 708,000 acres in probably the most rugged space west of the Appalachian Mountains, residence to forested slopes, sandstone cliffs, and slim ravines.
This can be a nature lover’s dream. Right here, you possibly can hike, camp, picnic, rock climb, or go boating, though I like to recommend enjoyable and having fun with the improbable surroundings!
- Customer’s Middle Deal with: 1700 Bypass Highway, Winchester, KY 40391
- Peak instances to go to: fall
10. Dale Hole Lake
Lovely Dale Hole Lake provides mountain climbing and boating actions, bird-watching alternatives, mountain bike trails, and rather more.
It’s situated in south-central Kentucky and has over 27,000 acres of land. Erected in 1943, Dale Hole Lake is a superb place to go to in the event you love being on the water or merely standing on the sidelines and having fun with a few of the most stunning 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 Deal with: 1005 Livingston Hwy, Byrdstown, TN 38549
- Greatest instances to go to: Might 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 nearly Artwork Deco look.
In case you see the bridge and assume 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 inquisitive about attending a sporting occasion in Cincinnati, this is likely one of the greatest methods to get there.
- Customer’s Middle Deal with: 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 get pleasure from greater than 300 miles of undeveloped shoreline that’s nothing wanting spectacular, and thru all of it, you get to get pleasure from animals comparable to bison, elk, buffalo, and wild turkeys.
- Customer’s Middle Deal with: 238 Customer Middle Dr, Golden Pond, KY 42211
- Greatest instances to go to March to Might
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 At this time known as the “Most Lovely Small City in America.” It has additionally been named America’s Most Lovely City Sq..
- Customer’s Middle Deal with: 1 Courtroom Sq. # 102, Bardstown, KY 40004
- Peak instances to go to: From March to Might
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 residence to stalagmites, stalactites, helictites, and travertine dams, which you’ll view up shut with none issues. You may discover the cave by yourself or go on one of many ranger-led excursions in order that nothing vital is neglected.
Positioned in central Kentucky, this nationwide park is the place to be in the event you love the final word magnificence that Mom Nature can solely provide.
- Customer’s Middle Deal with: 1 Mammoth Cave Pkwy, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
- Greatest instances to go to: March to November
15. Bluegrass Music Corridor of Fame and Museum
Positioned in Owensboro, the Bluegrass Music Corridor of Fame is only a few miles from the birthplace of the Father of Bluegrass, Invoice Monroe.
Interactive reveals, jam periods, live shows, classes, and particular occasions are included, together with the three-day ROMP Fest, which is often held in June annually.
The Corridor of Fame at the moment 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 Deal with: 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
Positioned in Owensboro, the Western Kentucky Botanical Backyard is the right place to go to in the event you find it irresistible when nature decides to indicate off a bit.
A few of its sights embrace numerous flowers and crops to get pleasure from, they usually focus on occasions that train you every thing it is advisable find out about your favourite flower to new methods to get pleasure from every thing rising indoors and outside on this spectacular backyard.
They provide particular actions for teenagers, occasions for particular holidays comparable to Christmas, and rather more.
- Customer’s Middle Deal with: 2731 W 2nd St, Owensboro, KY 42301
- Greatest instances to go to: March to Might
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 comparable to boating, swimming, and enjoyable on the sandy seaside!
The park has 32 campsites, nice amenities for all, and is open year-round. It additionally has a personal seaside and loads of area for a calming trip.
- Greatest instances to go to: fall
My favourite highlights…
- Going tenting close to a gorgeous sandy seaside.
- Going mountain climbing on the Waterfall Loop on Brier Creek Path.