Top 10 Best Kentucky Tourist Attractions
Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Kentucky Kentucky is often overlooked when it comes to tourism, but it has a lot…
2024 Kentucky Visitors Guide
The southern hospitality and charm of Kentucky are found from the heights of Appalachian Kentucky to the placid water of Lake Cumberland, the forests and falls of Daniel Boone Country, and the subterranean depths of Mammoth Cave. The natural wonders of Kentucky are punctuated with two metropolitan cities. Lexington, the heart of Bluegrass Country, is rich with state history and heritage. Louisville hosts the Kentucky Derby, an event started in 1875, with two weeks of festivals and entertainment in May each year. Treasures such as grand mansions, historic sites, and legendary horse farms are spread throughout the Bluegrass State. The Constitution Square State Historic Site in Danville is the birthplace of Kentucky’s statehood and features historic homes and monuments. Western Kentucky allows visitors to experience sports and recreation in a natural setting, while Northern Kentucky offers easy access to the metropolitan centers of Lexington, Louisville, and Cincinnati, Ohio. In the state, hike, golf, bike, climb, sightsee, explore underground caves, ride horses, canoe, raft, swim, or visit historical sights—the opportunities for adventure and relaxation are endless.
Northern Kentucky Visitors Guide
Northern Kentucky shares borders with the states of Indiana and Ohio and much of the region’s identity is influenced by the close proximity of Cincinnati, situated directly across the Ohio River. Northern Kentucky encompasses a total of 13 counties and several key cities, including Newport, Covington, Erlanger, and Independence, most of which are considered to be part of Greater Cincinnati. Newport offers visitors a striking view of the Cincinnati skyline and lures many tourists to premier attractions, such as the Newport Aquarium, Newport on the Levee, and the World Peace Bell. Covington is recognized for housing the Roman Catholic Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption and the historic architectural attraction, Holmes High School, originally built as a castle in the late 1800s. Rolling hills and farmland blend to form the Northern Kentucky landscape and many farms and eco-tours can be attributed to a large amount of agricultural industry in the area.
Western Kentucky Visitors Guide
Visitors to Western Kentucky can expect friendly locals and a myriad of attractions. The city of Owensboro, on the Ohio River, is known as the industrial and cultural center of Western Kentucky. One of the largest of the many festivals that Owensboro hosts every May is the International Bar-B-Q Festival, a weekend of good food, live entertainment, and shopping. For the outdoor enthusiast, a trip to Paducah enables mountain biking, horseback trails, camping, fishing and hunting and also encourages a stop at the Woodlands Nature Station. Bardstown in Nelson County is home to a number of historical attractions and has been named as one of the best small towns in the United States. A good family destination for picnics and camping, My Old Kentucky Home State Park is also located in Bardstown.
Bluegrass Kentucky Visitors Guide
Bluegrass Kentucky is centrally located in Kentucky and is often referred to as horse country, in view of the legendary horse racing and thoroughbred breeding in the area. Although the region embraces many towns and cities, Lexington is the most prominent, offering a full range of activities and attractions. Kentucky Horse Park and Red Mile Harness Track are just two of the many horse-related attractions. On the other hand, Georgetown is a must-see for the history buff, with Downtown Georgetown housing close to 300 historic structures. Additionally, antiquing in the Bluegrass Region is another popular way to explore the area’s history while accumulating treasures. The Kentucky River carves through the region causing unique topography that is characterized by thousands of caves and sinkholes created by underground stream drainage. These marvels are natural attractions in themselves.
Louisville Visitors Guide
Nestled against Indiana’s southern border, the Greater Louisville area is renowned for its world-famous horse race, the Kentucky Derby, and the two-week-long pre-race excitement of the Kentucky Derby Festival. But with so many museums, cultural venues, sporting events, and recreational facilities, Greater Louisville offers much more than horse racing. From concerts and plays at the Kentucky Center for the Arts to educational exhibits at the Frazier International History Museum and the Thomas Edison House, Louisville is rife with possibilities. New Haven is home to the Kentucky Railway Museum, where visitors can browse railroad exhibits and take a 22-mi (35-km) train ride through the scenic Rolling Fork River Valley on a restored passenger train. The Bernheim Arboretum in Clermont features picturesque flower gardens, a visitor center, and 30 mi (48 km) of hiking trails. Based out of Prospect, Classic Biplane Tours offers visitors the chance to tour Louisville from the air aboard a classic biplane that recalls the Golden Era of aviation.
Louisville, Kentucky, is best known as the home of the legendary Kentucky Derby horse race, held on the first Saturday of May each year. The Kentucky Derby Festival runs for two weeks preceding the race and features several major events, including Thunder Over Louisville, touted as the largest fireworks display in the United States. Another popular event is the Humana Festival of New American Plays in late February, a six-week-long festival that showcases new theatrical works. Each of the performing arts—opera, ballet, music, and theater—is represented in Louisville, with performances at the Kentucky Center for the Arts, Walden Theatre, and Louisville Palace among other venues. Arts enthusiasts should be sure to visit the Speed Art Museum, the oldest art museum in the state. Boasting over 120 city parks, Louisville has no shortage of green space and recreational facilities. Sports fans enjoy the ardor of Louisville’s celebrated college teams, namely the University of Louisville Cardinals.
Bowling Green, KY Visitors Guide
When looking for a fun-filled destination in South Central Kentucky, look no further than Bowling Green. Brimming with scores of unique attractions, this city also boasts a large student population, since it is home to Western Kentucky University. Automobile enthusiasts are well aware that Bowling Green is home to the Corvette Assembly Plant, where every Corvette in the world is produced. Visitors enjoy embarking on a guided tour of the factory or stopping by the National Corvette Museum, where over 75 mint-condition cars are on display. Thrill-seekers flock to Beech Bend Park, an amusement park that features over 40 rides, a waterpark, a racetrack, and a campground. A visit to Bowling Green is not complete without taking an underground boat tour through an ancient cave and a guided walk through the Lost River Cave & Valley, a natural area that is also home to a butterfly garden.
Lexington, KY Visitors Guide
As the home of Kentucky Horse Park, Keeneland Race Course, Red Mile Harness Track, and several other horse-related attractions and associations, Lexington has earned the title of Horse Capital of the World. Despite Lexington’s growing urban sprawl, an effort has been made to preserve the city’s horse farms and scenic Bluegrass region landscape, which remain major draws for visitors. Historic sites, museums, performing arts venues, antique shops, and eclectic dining options are among the other features that beckon travelers to Lexington. Browse local art exhibits at Artsplace, see the largest collection of Saddlebred artifacts in the world at the American Saddlebred Museum, tour the bottling operations at Alltech’s Lexington Brewing Company, titillate the senses at the Lexington Cemetery and Arboretum, or learn about the city’s affluent and high-cultured past at the 1814 Hunt-Morgan House. Civil War buffs should be sure to visit the reconstructions and historic sites located in the nearby communities of Harrodsburg, Perryville, and Nicholasville.
Attractions in Kentucky
Kentucky, a beautiful destination, has to offer a thousand interesting attractions. Kentucky is also known as the “Bluegrass State”, due to the bluegrass pastures that can be seen throughout the state. This land is also famous for its horse racing, bluegrass music, bourbon whiskey distilleries, and of course basketball. You may find this place suitable for your tastes and you will spend here a lovely vacation along with your family. Here are some interesting attractions you can visit in Kentucky.
Cumberland Falls
This place is also known as Little Niagara, Great Falls, or the Niagara of the South. Cumberland Falls is a large waterfall on the Cumberland River. This is one of the most famous places in Kentucky, where you can take photos for your vacation album and enjoy the miracle of nature. An interesting thing is happening under a full moon and clear night when white light is produced at the base of the Falls and continues downstream. This interesting phenomenon is called Moonbow.
Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington
The Lexington Kentucky Horse Park is visited by more than 800,000 competitors and tourists every year. You may find this park at 20 minutes’ drive from the city. The Kentucky Horse Park lies on a 1,300-acre park and is home to multiple Kentucky Derby winners. The best season to visit this park is during the summer when the grass is green and you can walk around to explore the land.
Mammoth Cave
This cave is considered to be one of the biggest caves in the world. Mammoth Cave is a 300-mile section that waits to be explored. The cave offers adventure, but also an informative and educative experience. Stalagtitnya and Stalagmites make you feel like you are in a dream world. Exploring this cave will offer you a unique experience and you will certainly not be bored, as you will actually have the sensation of being in another world.
Kentucky has multiple attractions that are very interesting and beautiful. Probably, Mammoth Cave is one of the most interesting places here. What do you say about this unique attraction?