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 serious vacation spot for vacationers, however its stuffed with gorgeous countryside good for scenic street 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 embody 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 considered one of solely two locations on the planet that experiences moonbows.
Moonbows are rainbows created by the moon’s gentle. 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 Tackle: Cumberland Falls Rd, Williamsburg, KY 40769
- Greatest time to go to: In the course of the full moon to catch the magical moonbow!
My favourite highlights…
- Going birdwatching and recognizing beautiful woodpeckers!
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2. Bourbon Distilleries
House to almost 70 totally different distilleries, this state is properly know for is bourbon.
This contains Buffalo Hint, the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in a tour of all the course of, from cooking to distilling; Maker’s Mark, the place you’ll be able to hand-dip your bottle with their well-known purple wax; and the Bardstown Bourbon Firm, the place you’ll be able to style bourbon straight from the barrel!
When you love bourbon or are simply curious how they make this wonderful drink, this state permits you to be taught extra about it day-after-day of the week!
- Customer’s Middle Tackle: 829 W Predominant St, Louisville, KY 40202
- Greatest occasions to go to: From March to Might
3. Appalachian Mountains
When 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 doubtless seen in a very long time! I’d additionally advocate climbing 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 it is best to plan on seeing in your subsequent go to.
- Greatest occasions to go to: fall
4. Louisville
That is the most important and busiest metropolis within the state, and I personally assume one of the 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, energetic bars, and an excellent handful of distilleries, and you’ve got a significantly cool metropolis!
My favourite highlights embody 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 Tackle: 301 S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40202
- Greatest occasions 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 supply your common boating and fishing alternatives.
It additionally affords poker runs, open regattas, drag boat races, and cabins you’ll be able to lease for a calming and fun-filled trip!
It’s also possible to ski, swim, and take your favorite ski jet out on the water, and in the event you’re an energetic sort, I’d extremely advocate making an attempt all of them!
- Customer’s Middle Tackle: 93 Carroll Rd. Benton KY 42025
- Peak occasions to go to: From September to December
6. Frankfort
An enthralling city superbly positioned on the Kentucky River, this place appears to embody every thing nice about this state in a compact kind!
It’s identified for having one of the lovely Capitol buildings within the nation. Nonetheless, my different favourite highlights embody its bourbon distilleries, wine, and new and previous governor mansions.
- Customer’s Middle Tackle: 300 St Clair St #102, Frankfort, KY 40601
- Peak occasions to go to: March to Might
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 considered one of 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 authentic Shaker village that also has 34 of its authentic buildings. Whether or not you’re on the positioning having fun with every thing it affords or on a paddlewheel boat cruise, I’d extremely advocate including this to your Kentucky itinerary!
8. Crimson River Gorge and Pure Bridge
With a 65-foot-high pure bridge made mainly of sandstone, the gorgeous Crimson River Gorge is spectacular.
Close by, you’ll be able to 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 will hits you.
This wonderful vacationer spot affords lovely views and the chance to fulfil your dream of being an explorer within the 1800s.
- Customer’s Middle Tackle: 3451 Sky Bridge Rd Hwy 715, Stanton, KY 40380
- Greatest occasions to go to: March to Might 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, dwelling 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 Tackle: 1700 Bypass Highway, Winchester, KY 40391
- Peak occasions to go to: fall
10. Dale Hole Lake
Stunning Dale Hole Lake affords climbing and boating actions, bird-watching alternatives, mountain bike trails, and way more.
It’s positioned 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 among the most lovely surroundings you’ll ever discover.
Due to its magnificence, this can be a must-see location everytime you’re visiting the Bluegrass State.
- Customer’s Middle Tackle: 1005 Livingston Hwy, Byrdstown, TN 38549
- Greatest occasions 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.
When you see the bridge and assume you’ve seen it earlier than, you don’t should get spooked as a result of this bridge was the inspiration behind the Brooklyn Bridge in New York Metropolis.
When you stay in northern Kentucky and are involved in attending a sporting occasion in Cincinnati, this is without doubt one of the greatest methods to get there.
- Customer’s Middle Tackle: John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, Covington, KY 41011
- Greatest occasions 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 embody 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 similar to bison, elk, buffalo, and wild turkeys.
- Customer’s Middle Tackle: 238 Customer Middle Dr, Golden Pond, KY 42211
- Greatest occasions to go to March to Might
13. Bardstown
Completely positioned on the Kentucky Bourbon Path, this charming and enticing city affords a Napa Valley-style expertise—swap the wine for whiskey!
It’s a really easy-on-the-eye place, which USA At the moment referred to as the “Most Stunning Small City in America.” It has additionally been named America’s Most Stunning City Sq..
- Customer’s Middle Tackle: 1 Courtroom Sq. # 102, Bardstown, KY 40004
- Peak occasions 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 among the longest-known caves in all the world.
These subterranean passageways are dwelling to stalagmites, stalactites, helictites, and travertine dams, which you’ll be able to 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 necessary is missed.
Situated in central Kentucky, this nationwide park is the place to be in the event you love the last word magnificence that Mom Nature can solely provide.
- Customer’s Middle Tackle: 1 Mammoth Cave Pkwy, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
- Greatest occasions 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 reveals, jam classes, 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 present has 60 inductees and homes the Worldwide Bluegrass Music Corridor of Fame. When you love bluegrass music, I like to recommend visiting this place!
- Customer’s Middle Tackle: 2590 Richmond St, Mt Vernon, KY 40456
- Greatest occasions 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 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 embody a lot of flowers and crops to take pleasure in, they usually concentrate on occasions that educate you every thing you could learn about your favourite flower to new methods to take pleasure in every thing rising indoors and open air on this spectacular backyard.
They provide particular actions for youths, occasions for particular holidays similar to Christmas, and way more.
- Customer’s Middle Tackle: 2731 W 2nd St, Owensboro, KY 42301
- Greatest occasions to go to: March to Might
17. Nolin Lake
This gorgeous 5,795-acre park was opened to the general public in 1996. When you want time to reconnect with nature, Nolin Lake affords actions similar 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 house for a calming trip.
- Greatest occasions to go to: fall
My favourite highlights…
- Going tenting close to a phenomenal sandy seaside.
- Going climbing on the Waterfall Loop on Brier Creek Path.