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 all the time a significant vacation spot for vacationers, however its full of gorgeous countryside good 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
Generally known as the Niagara of the South, these falls embrace a 125-foot-wide space of water that’s nothing in need of spectacular.
Positioned 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 advocate renting a raft and visiting them when there’s a full moon exterior!
- Customer’s Middle Deal with: Cumberland Falls Rd, Williamsburg, KY 40769
- Finest time to go to: Throughout the full moon to catch the magical moonbow!
My favourite highlights…
- Going birdwatching and recognizing beautiful woodpeckers!
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2. Bourbon Distilleries
Dwelling to almost 70 completely different distilleries, this state is nicely know for is bourbon.
This contains Buffalo Hint, the place you may take pleasure in a tour of all the course of, from cooking to distilling; Maker’s Mark, the place you may hand-dip your bottle with their well-known crimson wax; and the Bardstown Bourbon Firm, the place you may style bourbon straight from the barrel!
In the event you love bourbon or are simply curious how they make this superb drink, this state lets you be taught extra about it each day of the week!
- Customer’s Middle Deal with: 829 W Primary St, Louisville, KY 40202
- Finest occasions to go to: From March to Could
3. Appalachian Mountains
In the event 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 among the most lovely surroundings you’ve probably seen in a very long time! I’d additionally advocate mountaineering or boating on the gorgeous forest trails, which supply significantly scenic views!
The Appalachian Mountains cowl an in depth part of Jap Kentucky, and it’s one sight you need to plan on seeing in your subsequent go to.
- Finest occasions to go to: fall
4. Louisville
That is the biggest and busiest metropolis within the state, and I personally suppose probably the most 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 glorious eating places, energetic 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
- Finest occasions 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 provide your traditional boating and fishing alternatives.
It additionally presents poker runs, open regattas, drag boat races, and cabins you may hire for a calming and fun-filled trip!
You can even ski, swim, and take your favorite ski jet out on the water, and for those who’re an lively sort, I’d extremely advocate attempting all of them!
- Customer’s Middle Deal with: 93 Carroll Rd. Benton KY 42025
- Peak occasions to go to: From September to December
6. Frankfort
A captivating city fantastically positioned on the Kentucky River, this place appears to embody the whole lot nice about this state in a compact type!
It’s recognized for having probably the most 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 Deal with: 300 St Clair St #102, Frankfort, KY 40601
- Peak occasions to go to: March to Could
7. Dixie Belle Paddle Wheels
Suppose you’re interested by 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 finished 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 authentic Shaker village that also has 34 of its authentic buildings. Whether or not you’re on the positioning having fun with the whole lot it presents or on a paddlewheel boat cruise, I’d extremely advocate including this to your Kentucky itinerary!
8. Purple River Gorge and Pure Bridge
With a 65-foot-high pure bridge made mainly of sandstone, the gorgeous Purple River Gorge is spectacular.
Close by, you may hire 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 for those who really feel additional adventurous, and even rock-climbing when the need hits you.
This superb vacationer spot presents lovely 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
- Finest occasions to go to: March to Could and September to December
9. Daniel Boone Nationwide Forest
This gorgeous space has been a nationwide park since 1937. It sprawls throughout an unlimited 708,000 acres in essentially the most rugged space west of the Appalachian Mountains, residence to forested slopes, sandstone cliffs, and slender ravines.
It is a nature lover’s dream. Right here, you may hike, camp, picnic, rock climb, or go boating, though I like to recommend enjoyable and having fun with the implausible surroundings!
- Customer’s Middle Deal with: 1700 Bypass Street, Winchester, KY 40391
- Peak occasions to go to: fall
10. Dale Hole Lake
Lovely Dale Hole Lake presents mountaineering 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 among 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 Deal with: 1005 Livingston Hwy, Byrdstown, TN 38549
- Finest occasions 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 the event you see the bridge and suppose you’ve seen it earlier than, you don’t must get spooked as a result of this bridge was the inspiration behind the Brooklyn Bridge in New York Metropolis.
In the event you stay in northern Kentucky and are all for attending a sporting occasion in Cincinnati, this is among the finest methods to get there.
- Customer’s Middle Deal with: John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, Covington, KY 41011
- Finest occasions to go to: all 12 months 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 resembling bison, elk, buffalo, and wild turkeys.
- Customer’s Middle Deal with: 238 Customer Middle Dr, Golden Pond, KY 42211
- Finest occasions to go to March to Could
13. Bardstown
Completely positioned on the Kentucky Bourbon Path, this charming and engaging city presents a Napa Valley-style expertise—swap the wine for whiskey!
It’s a really easy-on-the-eye place, which USA Immediately referred to 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 Court docket Sq. # 102, Bardstown, KY 40004
- Peak occasions 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 among the longest-known caves in all the world.
These subterranean passageways are residence 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 vital is ignored.
Positioned in central Kentucky, this nationwide park is the place to be for those who love the final word magnificence that Mom Nature can solely provide.
- Customer’s Middle Deal with: 1 Mammoth Cave Pkwy, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
- Finest occasions to go to: March to November
15. Bluegrass Music Corridor of Fame and Museum
Positioned in Owensboro, the Bluegrass Music Corridor of Fame is just some 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 normally held in June annually.
The Corridor of Fame at the moment has 60 inductees and homes the Worldwide Bluegrass Music Corridor of Fame. In the event you love bluegrass music, I like to recommend visiting this place!
- Customer’s Middle Deal with: 2590 Richmond St, Mt Vernon, KY 40456
- Finest occasions 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 for those who find it irresistible when nature decides to indicate off a bit.
A few of its points of interest embrace numerous flowers and crops to take pleasure in, and so they specialise in 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 youths, occasions for particular holidays resembling Christmas, and far more.
- Customer’s Middle Deal with: 2731 W 2nd St, Owensboro, KY 42301
- Finest occasions to go to: March to Could
17. Nolin Lake
This gorgeous 5,795-acre park was opened to the general public in 1996. In the event you want time to reconnect with nature, Nolin Lake presents actions resembling 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.
- Finest occasions to go to: fall
My favourite highlights…
- Going tenting close to a lovely sandy seashore.
- Going mountaineering on the Waterfall Loop on Brier Creek Path.