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 serious vacation spot for vacationers, however its full of gorgeous countryside excellent 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
Often called 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 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 suggest renting a raft and visiting them when there’s a full moon exterior!
- Customer’s Heart 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 just about 70 completely different distilleries, this state is effectively know for is bourbon.
This consists of 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 pink wax; and the Bardstown Bourbon Firm, the place you’ll be able to style bourbon straight from the barrel!
If you happen to love bourbon or are simply curious how they make this superb drink, this state lets you study extra about it daily of the week!
- Customer’s Heart Tackle: 829 W Major St, Louisville, KY 40202
- Greatest instances to go to: From March to Might
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 may hike, go to overlooks, and see a number of the most stunning surroundings you’ve possible seen in a very long time! I’d additionally suggest 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 it is best 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, energetic bars, and handful of distilleries, and you’ve got a significantly cool metropolis!
My favourite highlights embrace the 21C Museum Lodge, the Kentucky Museum of Artwork and Craft, the Muhammad Ali Heart, the Louisville Mega Cavern, and the Kentucky Science Heart.
- Customer’s Heart Tackle: 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 provide your standard boating and fishing alternatives.
It additionally presents poker runs, open regattas, drag boat races, and cabins you’ll be able to hire for a soothing and fun-filled trip!
You can too ski, swim, and take your favorite ski jet out on the water, and for those who’re an energetic sort, I’d extremely suggest making an attempt all of them!
- Customer’s Heart Tackle: 93 Carroll Rd. Benton KY 42025
- Peak instances to go to: From September to December
6. Frankfort
A captivating city fantastically positioned on the Kentucky River, this place appears to embody every little thing nice about this state in a compact type!
It’s identified 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 Heart Tackle: 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 by old school Southern paddlewheel boats. In that case, I counsel heading to the Shaker Village of Nice Hill and cruising by the Kentucky River Palisades on considered one of these boats.
After you’re accomplished cruising, come again ashore and go to the village itself. You may 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 location having fun with every little thing it presents or on a paddlewheel boat cruise, I’d extremely suggest 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 attractive Purple 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 superb vacationer spot presents stunning views and the chance to fulfil your dream of being an explorer within the 1800s.
- Customer’s Heart Tackle: 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 gorgeous 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, residence 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 stress-free and having fun with the unbelievable surroundings!
- Customer’s Heart Tackle: 1700 Bypass Highway, Winchester, KY 40391
- Peak instances to go to: fall
10. Dale Hole Lake
Stunning Dale Hole Lake presents mountaineering and boating actions, bird-watching alternatives, mountain bike trails, and rather 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 number of the most stunning 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 Heart Tackle: 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.
If you happen to 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.
If you happen to reside in northern Kentucky and are curious about attending a sporting occasion in Cincinnati, this is likely one of the finest methods to get there.
- Customer’s Heart Tackle: John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, Covington, KY 41011
- Greatest 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 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 equivalent to bison, elk, buffalo, and wild turkeys.
- Customer’s Heart Tackle: 238 Customer Heart 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 presents a Napa Valley-style expertise—swap the wine for whiskey!
It’s a really easy-on-the-eye place, which USA At the moment known as the “Most Stunning Small City in America.” It has additionally been named America’s Most Stunning City Sq..
- Customer’s Heart Tackle: 1 Court docket 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 number of 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 may 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 final word magnificence that Mom Nature can solely provide.
- Customer’s Heart Tackle: 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 just some miles from the birthplace of the Father of Bluegrass, Invoice Monroe.
Interactive displays, jam periods, concert events, classes, and particular occasions are included, together with the three-day ROMP Fest, which is normally held in June every year.
The Corridor of Fame at the moment 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 Tackle: 2590 Richmond St, Mt Vernon, KY 40456
- Greatest 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 right place to go to for those who like it when nature decides to point out off a bit.
A few of its sights embrace plenty of flowers and crops to take pleasure in, and so they specialise in occasions that train you every little thing you might want to learn about your favourite flower to new methods to take pleasure in every little thing rising indoors and open air on this spectacular backyard.
They provide particular actions for teenagers, occasions for particular holidays equivalent to Christmas, and rather more.
- Customer’s Heart Tackle: 2731 W 2nd St, Owensboro, KY 42301
- Greatest instances to go to: March to Might
17. Nolin Lake
This gorgeous 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 equivalent to boating, swimming, and stress-free on the sandy seaside!
The park has 32 campsites, nice amenities for all, and is open year-round. It additionally has a non-public seaside and loads of area for a soothing trip.
- Greatest instances to go to: fall
My favourite highlights…
- Going tenting close to a good looking sandy seaside.
- Going mountaineering on the Waterfall Loop on Brier Creek Path.
