Recognized for its bourbon, bluegrass music, and acres of attractive 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 beautiful countryside good for scenic street journeys, limestone hills, unspoiled parks and thick forests. Listed below are my private favourite spots to discover within the state…
1. Cumberland Falls
Often 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 attractive 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 outdoors!
Customer’s Heart Deal with: Cumberland Falls Rd, Williamsburg, KY 40769
Finest time to go to: In the course of the full moon to catch the magical moonbow!
My favourite highlights…
Going birdwatching and recognizing attractive woodpeckers!
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2. Bourbon Distilleries
Dwelling to almost 70 completely different distilleries, this state is properly know for is bourbon.
This contains Buffalo Hint, the place you possibly can get pleasure from a tour of all the course of, from cooking to distilling; Maker’s Mark, the place you possibly can hand-dip your bottle with their well-known pink wax; and the Bardstown Bourbon Firm, the place you possibly can style bourbon straight from the barrel!
If you happen to love bourbon or are simply curious how they make this superb drink, this state permits you to be taught extra about it day by day of the week!
Customer’s Heart Deal with: 829 W Primary St, Louisville, KY 40202
Finest instances to go to: From March to Could
3. Appalachian Mountains
If you happen to 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 number of the most lovely surroundings you’ve seemingly seen in a very long time! I’d additionally suggest mountain climbing or boating on the beautiful forest trails, which supply critically scenic views!
The Appalachian Mountains cowl an intensive part of Jap Kentucky, and it’s one sight it is best to plan on seeing in your subsequent go to.
Finest instances to go to: fall
4. Louisville
That is the biggest and busiest metropolis within the state, and I personally suppose one of the vital 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 very good handful of distilleries, and you’ve got a critically cool metropolis!
My favourite highlights embrace the 21C Museum Resort, the Kentucky Museum of Artwork and Craft, the Muhammad Ali Heart, the Louisville Mega Cavern, and the Kentucky Science Heart.
Customer’s Heart Deal with: 301 S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40202
Finest 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 provide your ordinary boating and fishing alternatives.
It additionally presents poker runs, open regattas, drag boat races, and cabins you possibly can hire for a soothing 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 energetic sort, I’d extremely suggest attempting all of them!
Customer’s Heart Deal with: 93 Carroll Rd. Benton KY 42025
Peak instances to go to: From September to December
6. Frankfort
An enthralling city fantastically situated on the Kentucky River, this place appears to embody all the pieces nice about this state in a compact kind!
It’s recognized for having one of the vital lovely Capitol buildings within the nation. Nonetheless, my different favourite highlights embrace its bourbon distilleries, wine, and new and outdated governor mansions.
Customer’s Heart Deal with: 300 St Clair St #102, Frankfort, KY 40601
Peak instances to go to: March to Could
7. Dixie Belle Paddle Wheels
Suppose you’re inquisitive about 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 accomplished cruising, come again ashore and go to the village itself. You’ll be able to 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 all the pieces it presents 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 possibly can 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 superb vacationer spot presents lovely views and the chance to fulfil your dream of being an explorer within the 1800s.
Customer’s Heart Deal with: 3451 Sky Bridge Rd Hwy 715, Stanton, KY 40380
Finest 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, dwelling to forested slopes, sandstone cliffs, and slender ravines.
It is a nature lover’s dream. Right here, you possibly can hike, camp, picnic, rock climb, or go boating, though I like to recommend stress-free and having fun with the improbable surroundings!
Customer’s Heart Deal with: 1700 Bypass Highway, Winchester, KY 40391
Peak instances to go to: fall
10. Dale Hole Lake
Lovely Dale Hole Lake presents mountain climbing and boating actions, bird-watching alternatives, mountain bike trails, and way more.
It’s situated 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 number 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 Heart Deal with: 1005 Livingston Hwy, Byrdstown, TN 38549
Finest instances to go to: Could to September
11. John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge
This outdated 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.
If you happen to see the bridge and suppose 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.
If you happen to dwell in northern Kentucky and are concerned about attending a sporting occasion in Cincinnati, this is among the finest methods to get there.
Customer’s Heart Deal with: John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, Covington, KY 41011
Finest instances 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 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 akin to bison, elk, buffalo, and wild turkeys.
Customer’s Heart Deal with: 238 Customer Heart Dr, Golden Pond, KY 42211
Finest instances to go to March to Could
13. Bardstown
Completely positioned on the Kentucky Bourbon Path, this charming and enticing city presents a Napa Valley-style expertise—swap the wine for whiskey!
It’s a really easy-on-the-eye place, which USA As we speak known as the “Most Lovely Small City in America.” It has additionally been named America’s Most Lovely City Sq..
Customer’s Heart Deal with: 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 number of 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 essential is ignored.
Positioned 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 Heart Deal with: 1 Mammoth Cave Pkwy, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
Finest 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 just some miles from the birthplace of the Father of Bluegrass, Invoice Monroe.
Interactive reveals, jam periods, concert events, 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. If you happen to love bluegrass music, I like to recommend visiting this place!
Customer’s Heart Deal with: 2590 Richmond St, Mt Vernon, KY 40456
Finest instances to go to: Anytime aside from Mondays, because it’s closed
16. Western Kentucky Botanical Backyard
Positioned in Owensboro, the Western Kentucky Botanical Backyard is the proper place to go to for those who like it when nature decides to point out off a bit.
A few of its points of interest embrace numerous flowers and crops to get pleasure from, and so they concentrate on occasions that educate you all the pieces you might want to learn about your favourite flower to new methods to get pleasure from all the pieces rising indoors and outside on this spectacular backyard.
They provide particular actions for teenagers, occasions for particular holidays akin to Christmas, and way more.
Customer’s Heart Deal with: 2731 W 2nd St, Owensboro, KY 42301
Finest instances to go to: March to Could
17. Nolin Lake
This beautiful 5,795-acre park was opened to the general public in 1996. If you happen to want time to reconnect with nature, Nolin Lake presents actions akin to boating, swimming, and stress-free on the sandy seaside!
The park has 32 campsites, nice services for all, and is open year-round. It additionally has a personal seaside and loads of area for a soothing trip.
Finest instances to go to: fall
My favourite highlights…
Going tenting close to a fantastic sandy seaside.
Going mountain climbing on the Waterfall Loop on Brier Creek Path.