Kentucky is obsessed with horses—but it’s more than the famous Kentucky Derby. Experience a bit of the culture at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, with the world’s largest equestrian museum and live shows. Appreciate the state’s natural beauty at the 52 state parks and historic sites. Music lovers can visit the International Bluegrass Music Museum, and bourbon lovers can follow the bourbon trail—a tour of famous distilleries like Wild Turkey and Maker’s Mark.
Kentucky Highlights
Don’t leave without tasting…
The legendary Hot Brown sandwich at J. Graham’s restaurant at The Brown Hotel in Louisville is a meal in itself with turkey, bacon, tomato and a Mornay sauce to die for. Many other restaurants in the state offer this great sandwich, but the original was created at the Brown Hotel.
Put these events on your calendar
- On the first Saturday in May, the world is watching Louisville and the Kentucky Derby
- The spring and autumn meetings at Keeneland Race Course, a beautiful, historic track
- The last weekend in September for the Jerusalem Ridge bluegrass festival in Rosine, the birthplace of Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass
- September brings the Kentucky Bourbon Festival.
You might be surprised by…
The longest cave system in the world – Mammoth Cave – has more than 350 miles of explored underground trails.
Breathtaking scenery
- When you stand on top of Pinnacle Peak at Cumberland Gap in Middlesboro, you look out over Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky
- The view from the top of Natural Bridge in the Daniel Boone National Forest.
Must-see museum
- Muhammad Ali Center (Louisville)
- Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory (Louisville), where you can order a personalised baseball bat
- National Quilt Museum (Paducah)
- National Corvette Museum (Bowling Green)
- International Bluegrass Music Museum (Owensboro)
- Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum (Renfro Valley).
Classic road trip
Take U.S. 68 from Lexington to Maysville on the Ohio River. Drive through horse country, stop at Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park and enjoy touring Old Washington and Maysville, stops on the Underground Railroad. Dine in Maysville and don’t miss the miniature collection at the Gateway Museum.
Roadside attractions
The Cave City/Horse Cave area is noted for its kitschy attractions. Visit Dinosaur World, the Wax Museum, Guntown Mountain, Mike’s Rock Shop and Kentucky Down Under.
Best bargains
Bourbon distillery tours, including tastings for $5 or less (and many are free).
History happened here
President Abraham Lincoln was born in Hodgenville, now the site of a National Historical Park.
For first-time visitors...
Get up close and personal with horses at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. And sign up for a tour of the beautiful Thoroughbred horse farms in the Bluegrass Region.
