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THE OFFICIAL KENTUCKY VISITOR’S GUIDE 2023

WELCOME TO THE BLUEGRASS STATE

Over this past year, people across the globe have learned the importance of never taking anything for granted. We’ve missed out on memories and time with loved ones, all for the greater good. Now, we find ourselves inspired to seek out new adventures to fuel our love for travel and to make up for the time we’ve missed. Those opportunities await right here in the Bluegrass State.

Travelers and Kentuckians alike find themselves inspired by the commonwealth’s diverse offerings. From our deep-rooted culture and history to our flavorful culinary stops to our worldfamous bourbon and horse country, every experience is sure to leave you wanting more. Each region of Kentucky is distinct, offering guests small-town charm, breathtaking views or adventurous outdoor terrain. But one thing that remains consistent throughout is the spirit of our people and our hospitality.

Whether you enjoy the crisp fall air and colorful scenery, winter traditions, spring racing and Mint Juleps or summer fun, our doors are always open and you’re sure to leave with memories you will treasure for years to come.

On behalf of the commonwealth, I invite you to experience the uniqueness of Kentucky. Our tourism industry is full of passionate Kentuckians ready to ensure you have a safe, fun and spirited trip here in the Bluegrass.

Andy Beshear, Governor

Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Greenup

KENTUCKY’S REGIONS

Bluegrass, Horses, Bourbon & Boone

Fall in love with the heart of the Bluegrass, with its peaceful landscapes stretching across rolling hills. Page 60

Bourbon, Horses & History

Soak up the sights and sounds, notes and flavors, cultures and traditions that define Kentucky. Page 48

Bluegrass, Blues & BBQ

Explore vibrant towns full of local restaurants, quaint shops, stunning natural beauty and ... BBQ. Page 130

Western Waterlands

Enjoy rivers and lakes as far as the eye can see — and countless adventures on the land around them. Page 120

Caves, Lakes & Corvettes

Get behind the wheel or venture deep underground to discover the history, mystery and beauty of Kentucky. Page 112

KEY:

Southern Kentucky Vacations

Make a splash on or off the water in a recreation wonderland full of lakes, forests, parks and trails. Page 102

Kentucky Appalachians

Hear the music of the mountains — and the sounds of nature — ringing through the Eastern Kentucky hills.

Page 80

Daniel Boone Country

Soak up stunning views in an area blessed by rugged beauty and rich in Kentucky traditions. Page 92

National Parks State Resort Parks State Recreational Parks State Historic Sites

DISCOVER MORE ONLINE

Now is the time and kentuckytourism.com is the place to plan your next great getaway. Combined with this guide, it provides a wealth of travel content and tools to make trip planning a breeze. Here’s just a taste of what you’ll find!

Find vacation inspiration, videos, planning tools and more on our website, social channels and enewsletters.

WELCOME CENTERS

Kentucky's eight Welcome Centers offer travelers a hospitable respite from the open road. Stop in for maps, directions, attraction brochures and local event information, or find nearby lodging and restaurants.

EXPLORE BY INTEREST

Looking for great live music or a walk back in time? Hoping to tour a bourbon distillery or stroll a pastoral horse farm? We’ve got endless travel inspiration, suggested trips, featured events and more – all arranged by the topics that interest you most. kentuckytourism.com

1 Whitehaven Welcome Center 1845 Lone Oak Rd. Paducah 270-554-2077

2 Christian County Welcome Center I-24 West Mile Marker 92 Hopkinsville 270-439-7505

3 Simpson County Welcome Center I-65 North Mile Marker 0 Franklin 270-586-6292

WATCH EPISODIC VIDEOS

From watching young foals in the stables to champions training for their next race, we go behind the scenes to offer a fascinating look at Kentucky Horse Country. Other series take a closer look at bourbon, food, outdoor adventures and more. kentuckytourism.com/all-videos

FIND REGIONAL ITINERARIES

You’ll find natural beauty and outdoor adventure in every part of the state, along with vibrant music, art, culture, food and more. Explore the Bluegrass State’s diverse regions and find suggested itineraries along the way. kentuckytourism.com/explore-kentucky

FREE TRAVEL TIPS

Sign up for our monthly enewsletter, full of the latest travel inspiration, suggested trips, upcoming events, special deals and more –all delivered right to your inbox. Better yet, just scan the code here to sign up instantly! kentuckytourism.com/travel-tools

LET’S GET SOCIAL

Want to follow all the fun others are having in Kentucky, or perhaps share your own awesome tips and pics? Become part of our #TravelKY family on the channels below! Share your experiences with #TravelKY

4 Bullitt County Welcome Center I-65 South Mile Marker 114 Shepherdsville 502-543-5900

5 Shelby County Welcome Center 17600 I-64 East Shelbyville 502-722-9383

6 Kentucky Artisan Center I-75 North & South Mile Marker 77 200 Artisan Way Berea 859-985-5548

7 Whitley County Welcome Center I-75 North Mile Marker 1.5 Williamsburg 606-786-4474

8 Carter County Welcome Center I-64 West Mile Marker 173 Grayson 606-474-4333

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ACCELERATE YOUR DREAM.

Ever gone 0 – 60 in a few seconds? Here’s your chance to test your performance against the Corvette, America’s iconic sportscar. Experience the power, adrenaline, and thrill of driving one of the world’s fastest cars around a 3.2-mile road course. Reserve your time behind the wheel now. You’re just a click away from blast off!

Or sprint around the Kartplex track in high-speed go-karts designed for racing and challenging family, friends and coworkers to an exciting little competition.

TO

MOTORSPORTSPARK.ORG

BOWLING GREEN, KY

Each Best Western® branded hotel is independently owned and operated. Best Western and the Best Western marks are service marks or registered service marks of Best Western International, Inc. ©2022 Best

KENTUCKY’S OTHER SOURCE OF LEGENDARY HORSEPOWER

ADRENALINE MEETS TRADITION

Seventy years ago an American icon was born. See how Corvette’s aero-dynamic design, high performance and speed have made a significant impression on American culture and history.

Corvettemuseum.org | Bowling Green, KY

HONING OUR CRAFT

A heritage quilt, a piece of glass, a fine instrument, a bourbon barrel, a plate of food. Each represents the voice of an artist who has drawn inspiration from living here; each a brushstroke of beauty framed by possibility. This is Kentucky.

It is a canvas on which to create your own experience, add your own voice and forge beautiful memories.

The National Quilt Museum, Paducah

ake inspiration from the showy gardens that welcome visitors to Adsmore Museum in Princeton. Find centuries of skills fired into the bourbon barrels at Lebanon’s Kentucky Cooperage. See the transformation of downtown Mt. Sterling, from old to bold, through brilliantly colorful murals and the seasonal art installation, Umbrella Alley.

Behind each of these creations and others are the craftspeople who enrich Kentucky with the stories they share through their art.

Owensboro Fine Art Museum, Owensboro

Umbrella Alley, Mt. Sterling

Kentucky Cooperage, Lebanon

Second Sight Spirits, Ludlow

Adsmore Museum, Princeton

Julie Christmann, Independence (Photo: Lucia Harmon Photography)

Lacy Hale, Whitesburg (Photo: Ben Spangler)

Glass art, by Mark Lenn Johnson

Julie Christmann brings a bit of the Byzantine Empire into her work in contemporary mosaic art. Inspired by a childhood spent exploring nature, the Independence artist loves to forage nature for rock and stone, including Kentucky shale, to incorporate into her designs. She conducts workshops at Covington’s Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center.

Lexington glassmaker and photographer Mark Lenn Johnson credits three people for inspiring his art: the late Centre College instructor Stephen Rolfe Powell; the late painter Ellis Wilson; and his grandmother, Frossie Hornbuckle, whose vintage glass collection fascinated him and fueled a desire to make his own glass. Johnson’s work may be seen at ArtHouse Kentucky in Lexington’s Historic East End, where his studio is located.

Bowling Green artist A lice Gatewood Waddell weaves positive messaging into her mixed-media designs on display at the Kentucky Museum. Lacy Hale, a painter, muralist and printmaker from Whitesburg, steeps her art in the symbolism of her Appalachian surroundings, proudly gracing murals and outdoor spaces from Lexington to Hindman.

A child of immigrants, Latino artist Sebastian Duverge is known for his use of bold and vibrant colors in the watercolor paper mosaics, paper weavings and watercolor paintings crafted at his studio at Louisville’s Art Sanctuary. Also in Louisville, internationally recognized writer/poet/ spoken-word artist Hannah Drake tells her story through works of poetry, novels and collections of commentaries on politics, race and feminism, all the while challenging readers to live and dream bigger.

Fred Nez-Keams brought his love of flutemaking from New Mexico to Kentucky, where he has lived for more than 15 years. An enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, Nez-Keams carves customized Native American flutes from Kentucky red cedar, each reflecting Navajo culture through design and symbolism, including the use of turquoise, leather ties and bear tracks.

Sebastian Duverge, Louisville

Kentucky’s love of thoroughbreds and thoroughbred racing is captured in the paintings of Robert Clark at his gallery in Georgetown. A visit to the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Mount Vernon reveals the state’s deep musical roots, seen through an impressive collection of memorabilia and instruments you can use to create your own sounds.

And with each masterpiece she plates, chef Ouita Michel shows her culinary prowess – as well as her deep commitment to enriching Kentucky culture by supporting local farmers, growers and Kentucky agriculture – by sharing culinary traditions at a half-dozen restaurants throughout central Kentucky and beyond, including Holly Hill Inn in Midway.

Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Mount Vernon

Gateway Regional Arts Center, Mt. Sterling

KENTUCKY CREATOR Meet the artist

Kacy

No matter the subject – horses, bourbon, notable Kentuckians such as the great Muhammad Ali – Louisville muralist Kacy Jackson has one goal: that his work uplifts, creates impact and inspires those who see it.

“Any piece that does this, I’m happy and satisfied,” he says.

The self-taught artist learned his craft at his parents’ knees. Both were creative types –art hobbyists who inspired their son to always be creative, always explore and always blend his surroundings into his work.

“Muhammad Ali and the spirit of entrepreneurism of KFC have influenced me to take my art to the next level and be an entrepreneur and an artist,” Jackson says. “I always try to incorporate Kentucky’s horse and bourbon presence, Kentucky hospitality and Kentucky’s diversity into my work.”

His mural that graces this year’s cover, “The Unified Race,” is an explosion of brilliant color that captures the energy and excitement of Kentucky thoroughbred horse racing. But he says it’s a lot more than that, too. The inspiration for it came from the pandemic and knowing the toll it took on people everywhere.

“I wanted to give people something uplifting to look at, give them a breath of fresh air.”

That, he did.

International Museum of the Horse, Lexington

SCAN TO LEARN more about Kacy Jackson and see his talents in action!

Jackson, Muralist (Louisville)

Holly Hill Inn, Midway

At the heart of America’s inland waterways, you’ll find a sophisticated rivertown that inspires. Paducah, Kentucky, is a confluence of cultural heritage and creativity where art goes beyond something to appreciate – it’s a way of life.

A designated UNESCO Creative City, Paducah is gaining acclaim as a destination for those who crave rich, authentic cultural experiences!

CELEBRATE Quilting

Immerse yourself in the artistry and technique of masterpieces from around the globe at the National Quilt Museum.

Plan your experience at Paducah.travel

1-800-PADUCAH

Arts PERFORMI N G

MUSIC, THEATER & DANCE

A 1950s time capsule of summer stock theater. A craft brewery with its own historic theater offering concerts, circus shows, comedy and dance. An amphitheater that bursts to life in color, song and swirling hoopskirts. They all are part of a collage of only-in-Kentucky storytelling venues.

Bircus Brewing Co., Ludlow

kentuckytourism.com/culture/arts/performing-arts

entucky’s oldest outdoor theater, Danville’s Pioneer Playhouse, experience of professional theater in a rustic setting, where a young John Travolta once came to learn the craft. A barbecue dinner with live music precedes the show. Stroll through the Antique Village and gift shop for children’s books by author Heather Henson, daughter of Playhouse founder Eben Henson.

Musicals, comedies, dramas and … occasional puppets? Paducah’s award-winning Market House Theatre has been serving up community entertainment for nearly 60 years from its historic downtown location. Headlining musicians, Broadway productions, holiday favorites and arts exhibitions are on the playbill at Bowling Green’s Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center

Lexington’s Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center, originally opened in 1948 as a movie house, was an entertainment mecca that brought top Black entertainment featuring African American musicians and performers, including such marquee headliners as Ray Charles and Count Basie, to Black audiences. Today it presents “WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour,” live on Monday evenings.

In Louisville, the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage honors the history and cultural contributions of African Americans through live music and performances. Tucked away amidst Newport’s bustling streetscape is the Falcon Theatre, a true “storefront” theater offering extraordinary arts experiences in an intimate setting.

Mount Vernon’s Renfro Valley Entertainment Center is “Kentucky’s Country Music Capital” – an all-in-one entertainment destination with live concerts, a music store and RV park. Love to jam? Bring your acoustic instrument and join the bluegrass fun Thursday nights during Jammin’ on the Porch at the Historic Thomas House in Horse Cave.

Built during the silent movie era of a century ago, Somerset’s Virginia – a 1922 movie theater named for the designer’s daughter – hosts theater productions, musical concerts, comedy acts and more for a one-of-a-kind performing arts experience.

Catch family-friendly comedies and grand old opry, Kentucky-style, at Billie Jean Osborne’s Kentucky Opry at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg.

NOW PLAYING

National headliners jam at The Amp at Dant Crossing , an acoustically pristine venue in New Haven. Expect to see musicians from Kentucky and beyond, like pioneering country music singer/ songwriter Dwight Yoakam.

An Ohio River setting, the biggest names across all musical genres and state-of-the-art live concert spaces (including an indoor music hall, indoor club and outdoor amphitheater) make up Newport’s MegaCorp Pavilion

In the rugged, rural farmland of Sharpsburg, The Barnyard Venue rocks with countryside concerts, comedy shows, a summer season of country and bluegrass performances, plus family fun.

Book a yurt or treehouse with Berea’s farmland funhouse, HomeGrown HideAways, during its “Holler in the Holler” summer concert series.

BIG STAGES

In a barn located at the site of Kentucky’s largest National Historic Landmark you’ll find the Chamber Music Festival of the Bluegrass. Held in May at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, it is a weekend with worldacclaimed chamber musicians.

Seventy-six trombones – and sometimes more – lead the big parade, while horns of every shape and size play in Danville’s Great American Brass Band Festival in June.

Hosted by the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Owensboro’s ROMP Festival is four days of live music, family fun, camping and more in June.

Name your music pleasure: blues, bluegrass, newgrass, jazz, progressive country, Americana. It’s all at the Master Musicians Festival in Somerset in July. Past headliners have included Willie Nelson, Counting Crows and the late John Prine.

KENTUCKY ON SPOTIFY

Find your dream mix of Kentucky music from a Spotify playlist that gathers the legends of the Bluegrass State, including the Everly Brothers’ “Bye Bye Love” and Bill Monroe crooning “Blue Moon of Kentucky.” Blending bluegrass, country and rock, it’s the ultimate Kentucky music experience featuring Chris Stapleton, My Morning Jacket and legions of homegrown talent.

SCAN TO HEAR the Kentucky music playlist on Spotify!

The Amp at Dant Crossing, New Haven Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Owensboro

Award-winning Native and African American vocalist, songwriter, composer and educator Martha Redbone is known for her magnificent voice and mesmerizing stage presence. Having grown up with her grandparents in Harlan County, she brings the melodies of Kentucky into her music.

“I incorporate the sounds of music from Appalachia from the various styles of folk music that surrounded me as a child –blues, country, rock and R&B,” she says. Her recent work “Bone Hill: The Concert” – in collaboration with her husband, composer/pianist/producer Aaron Whitby – is a mesmerizing work of interdisciplinary musical theater inspired by the lives of Martha’s family in the hills of coal-mining Appalachia.

Now based in New York City, Martha and her band perform across the country but make a point to play a few concerts in Kentucky every year.

No matter where Martha is, though, her music is alive with the sounds of the Bluegrass State.

“I believe our music transcends boundaries and tells the full story of Kentucky’s rich culture from all the people who I descend from. And it honors our rich ancestry of Native, European and African American roots, reminding us of how connected we have always been in and around Harlan County.”

“Cornbread and Tortillas” at HomeGrown HideAways, Berea

Martha Redbone, Vocalist/Songwriter (Harlan)

SCAN TO WATCH Kentucky artists in action!

ARTISANS, CRAFTS & LITERATURE

Indoors and out, from a little shop around the corner to entire towns, Kentucky isn’t shy about celebrating its culture and history through artistic and literary works.

Downing Museum, Bowling Green

kentuckytourism.com/culture/arts/visual-art-in-kentucky

t Bowling Green’s travel through the lifework of a Kentucky abstract artist and a collection of decorative arts set amidst the backdrop of Baker Arboretum

For small towns with a big arts scene, check out the Arts Center of the Bluegrass in Danville, find artisan-made primitives and furniture at the Screen Door & Country Market in Greenville or stroll more than 20 independent shops in Murray offering local art, jewelry, home décor and more. That charming town is also your base for exploring more than 60 large painted quilt squares on the nearby Calloway County Quilt Trail

Can there ever be too many murals, statues and sculpture parks? Nope! Play on the art at Frankfort’s Josephine Sculpture Park . Make like a zombie and sneak up on the world’s largest Walking Dead Mural in Cynthiana. Greet Civil Rights pioneer Alice Allison Dunnigan in Russellville, where her bronze statue stands outside the SEEK Museum

See a bas-relief sandstone sculpture carved into a boulder and hidden in a hillside in Owsley County. The Abraham Lincoln Statue is larger than life, just like the 16th president, and was carved circa 1935 as a thank-you gift.

Behold the vision – a 680-pound stainless steel fork rising 21 feet above a rural landscape. The Fork in the Road is among several sculptures adding quirky fun to Franklin’s public art scene, which also includes The Cutting Edge, a 24-foottall butter knife.

Within Manchester’s historic Rawlings/ Stinson Park is the Red Bird Petroglyph , a well-known yet mysterious rock containing ancient inscriptions, including the alphabet of an ancient kingdom in northwest South Africa. The mystery is … why?

It seems only natural that a state with such strong handcrafting lineage would have a “Folk Arts & Crafts Capital” (it does: Berea) and worldwide recognition (that too: Paducah, a UNESCO Creative City that’s one of only nine in the country).

Silas House, Bobbie Ann Mason, Wendell Berry – these authors add their voices to a rich literary tradition that travels across the state. Explore their stories and others at Greenup’s Jesse Stuart State Nature Preserve and La Grange’s Windy Meadows Equestrian/Event Center

ONE-STOP ARTISAN SHOP

Kentucky’s handcrafting tradition is as old as the hills and hollows of the Cumberland Plateau, which provides a scenic setting for the Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea.

Situated on a lush 10-acre campus complete with hiking trails, the center is home to a vast array of unique art and craftworks by more than 800 Kentucky artisans – from traditional to modern –plus specialty foods, music, DVDs and books by Kentucky authors.

See original sculptures, paintings, traditional furniture, pottery, glass art and more representing juried artists from more than 100 counties in Kentucky. Admission is free and the center welcomes hundreds of guests, seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

With its arts showcase, musical performances, artist demonstrations and café serving traditional American cuisine, the center is a full Kentucky immersion experience.

GREAT GALLERIES

Travel around the world, from the 15th century to the present, at the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art. See works of art inside a work of art at Louisville’s Speed Art Museum , Kentucky’s oldest and largest art museum.

Appalachian art and artists, musicians and dulcimer makers grab the spotlight at Hindman’s Appalachian Artisan Center. Exquisitely crafted miniatures, semi-precious jewelry, bibelots … bib-a-whats? See these tiny treasures at Lexington’s Headley-Whitney Museum of Art

More precious pieces may be seen at Maysville’s Kentucky Gateway Museum Center as part of the Kathleen Savage Browning Miniatures Collection of art objects, room boxes and more – including the magnificent re-creation of Princess Diana’s ancestral home.

Kentucky Gateway Museum Center, Maysville

Kentucky Artisan Center, Berea

KENTUCKY CREATOR

Wyatt Severs grew up playing in the woods behind his house.

“The time I spent among the trees instilled in me a respect and love for the beauty and wonders of nature,” he recalls.

Today, the former Murray State University student and Kentucky Lake resident travels and teaches nationally, bringing that influence into his woodworking with a portfolio that includes fine furniture and sculpture.

“Each piece of wood is distinctive, and I make aesthetic choices in tandem with the unique traits of grain pattern found inside each tree organism,” Wyatt says. “Trees are more than a material resource and are a vital component to the stability of our environment. My turned pieces are made from local fallen trees that I find myself.”

Wyatt’s mission is sharing craft knowledge and creating educational experiences for children and adults, and he recently bought a home on Kentucky Lake to build a studio for creating and teaching.

“Art changed my life for the better and I am passionate about exposing people to visual art and providing opportunity for personal growth through hands-on woodworking classes,” he adds. “I chose to put down roots in Western Kentucky so I can be a resource for the region.”

SCAN TO WATCH Kentucky artists in action!

SEEK Museum, Russellville

Wyatt Severs, 3D Woodworking Artist (Murray)

BOURBON, SPIRITS & FOOD

Every setting a gallery of good taste. Every plate a waiting canvas. Every bourbon a creative masterpiece. Kentucky knows how to make and style both mood and food.

Anna’s Greek Restaurant, Bowling Green

pproachable but complex, it’s the bourbon that gets the party started at Lexington’s Fresh Bourbon , owned bourbon distilleries in Kentucky.

Tucked into Louisville’s Harrods Creek neighborhood, the Pine Room presents Chef Joe Flesia’s classic food stylings, like squash croquettes and buttermilk fried chicken accompanied by live piano music.

Vintage whiskey in a historic setting? Toast a signature sip at The Bar at Willett in Bardstown. Craving a pint instead? Scout & Scholar Brewing Co. is blossoming in Kentucky’s bourbon capital. Further south, Flywheel Brewing owners/brewers Aaron Hawkins, Josh Durham and Ashley Willoughby offer up a taste of Elizabethtown in an upcycled taproom where local food truck Scratch Batch is known to roll up with its homemade cannoli.

North along the Ohio River, Covington’s tiny Ripple Wine Bar serves up a perfect evening with inventive light bites like Beef Wellington popovers, spicedup Sicilian flatbread and crispy marble potatoes. Nearby, no secret knock is required at Newport’s Prohibition Bourbon Bar at Newberry Bros. Coffee, where a vast collection of bourbon and rye whiskey beckons in a speakeasy atmosphere.

Prestonsburg’s award-winning Brickhouse Restaurant is down-home Kentucky, from its Kentucky beer cheese and apple bourbon wings to live music performances starring regional singers and songwriters. And in Ashland, there’s the local watering hole that never met a stranger: Just pull up a stool already for bourbon, brisket and bands at Tomcat Bourbon & Brew House

From chicken dinners to fried pies, enjoy all the tastes of Amish Country at Farmwald’s Restaurant & Bakery in Horse Cave. Further west in Bowling Green, Anna’s Greek Restaurant delights diners with an array of dazzling Greek, Turkish, Italian, German and French dishes.

On the West Kentucky Brewery Hop Trail, Yancey’s Gastropub & Brewery serves up a Glasgow original with its craft beer-marinated hot dogs heaped with spicy coleslaw, pub sauerkraut and garden veggies.

COOPED UP

There’s only one way to see how the coopers of Brown-Forman Cooperage shape the barrels and that is on a Mint Julep Cooperage Tour Experience. See the metamorphosis unfold, from first stave to finished barrel.

How many staves does it take to fashion a bourbon barrel? Count ‘em out on a tour of Lebanon’s Kentucky Cooperage. Watch the flames char the wood to toasty, flavor-imparting perfection. Kentucky craftspeople also make bourbon barrels for the world’s most award-winning distillery, Buffalo Trace, at Cumberland Cooperage

MIXED UP

Shaken? Stirred? Find your bourbon bliss at curated mixology classes at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont and at Bardstown Bourbon Company

Pssst! Paducah’s Barrel & Bond is one of the “Best Bars in Bourbon Country.” Just ask The Bourbon Review magazine or the many patrons sipping one of the 1,600 bourbons and American whiskeys here.

Sip right in: Kentucky’s largest bourbon collection is here, at Lexington’s Bluegrass Tavern

There’s plenty of bourbon behind the bar — and more than 35 rotating beer taps, too — at Covington’s Cock & Bull Public House, also known for delicious pub fare.

WINE DOWN

Like superlatives? Sip wine at Nicholasville’s First Vineyard, the first commercial winery in the country, or soak up history at Augusta’s Baker-Bird Winery, home of America’s oldest wine cellar.

Quaff full-bodied wine amidst countryside elegance at Eubank’s Cave Hill Vineyard & Winery or in the farming community of Rockfield at Traveler’s Cellar Winery.

Farmer & Frenchman in Robards combines a winery, restaurant and cabins for a full farm-to-table getaway. Bluegrass Vineyard in Smiths Grove serves Makin’ Mamma Happy, a red wine that pairs beautifully with an overnight at the on-site B&B.

Prefer mead? Find honey wine at Kentucky’s only meadery: Oldham County’s Hive & Barrel Meadery

Farmer & Frenchman Winery, Robards

Cock & Bull Public House, Covington

KENTUCKY CREATOR

From military brat to Head Potions Master, with a stint at Louisville’s Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS) along the way, Felicia Corbett adds a splash of Kentucky to every beverage she blends at Louisville’s Trouble Bar, named one of 2021’s Best Bars in America by Esquire Magazine.

“I try to use local ingredients and gather stories from locals as to what they’d like to see in flavor profiles,” she explains. “But the biggest part of Kentucky I bring is hospitality.”

Felicia’s acceptance at YPAS ignited and continues to inspire her creativity.

“The education, exposure, experience and lifelong connections allowed me to grow my creativity in ways I never thought I would or could.”

When not at Trouble Bar, Felicia can be found creating fun and educational events for charities she supports. She also puts her heart and soul into a beverage program that feels like a personal welcome to everyone who makes their way to Louisville’s Shelby Park neighborhood.

“Most of what I do creatively is to make each patron’s experience at Trouble Bar so memorable we’re the place they want to celebrate all occasions, small or large.”

Hive & Barrel Meadery at Oldham Gardens, Crestwood

SCAN TO WATCH Kentucky artists in action!

Head Potions Master at Trouble Bar (Louisville)

Nature’s

Art

OUTDOOR BEAUTY & RECREATION

Give Mother Nature a paintbrush and get out of her way. The result? Just take a look at these masterpieces

It tops the adventure bucket list, but did you know Mammoth Cave National Park is also a certified International Dark Sky Park – THE place for stargazing?

Glide into history on a boat tour of Lost River Cave, once an ancient hunting ground, hideout for bank bandit Jesse James and, unbelievably, a 1930s nightclub in Bowling Green.

Inside the mountains, beneath the path pioneers took, Gap Cave at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is a world of dripstone formations that descends 183 steps down.

The Cumberland Falls moonbow, a lunar rainbow that glows like meteorological poetry, appears just once a month in the mist under a full moon.

Mammoth Cave National Park, Mammoth Cave

Columbus-Belmont State Park, Columbus

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin

WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT?

In Kentucky, we’re all about jaw-dropping overlooks!

The Natural Bridge Overlook in Slade is an ever-changing panorama –a tapestry of texture, color and shifting silhouettes – that never ceases to amaze or inspire.

In a city that moved mountains, Pikeville’s Cut-Through Overlook peaks as a project so breathtaking in scope that it made history as one of the world’s foremost engineering marvels.

Pinnacle Overlook offers the view that has inspired generations of adventure-seekers to journey through Cumberland Gap.

Watch the sun as it sets over the mighty Mississippi River at Columbus-Belmont State Park in Columbus.

GOLDEN GRAMS

Elevate your Instagram game with these stunning shots!

Deep within Horse Cave’s Hidden River Cave, a suspension bridge swings over a rushing subterranean river to sunburst-colored Sunset Dome.

In Paducah, Bob Noble Park has a new interactive music garden, accessible nature trail and “Wacinton” – a Native American carving by Peter “Wolf” Toth – among its treasures.

Clear waters, quiet coves, emerald enclave: Laurel River Lake in the Daniel Boone National Forest boasts them all.

Bowling Green’s Shanty Hollow Hiking Trail unwinds beneath a leafy canopy and past moss-covered boulders and outcroppings toward a hidden waterfall.

Painted bourbon barrel, by Zijah Popajah, NKY Bourbon Barrel Walk

A tour of a Kentucky horse farm is about as Kentucky as you can get – and an experience you’ll never forget. Each farm offers a unique snapshot of the Kentucky horse industry, from Midway’s Kismet Farms broodmare nursery to Lexington’s Megson Farms, home to the largest herd of white thoroughbreds in the world.

Tour the home of Secretariat at Claiborne Farm in Paris, one of Kentucky’s most iconic thoroughbred breeding farms. Meet Tiznow, the only horse to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic – twice! – at WinStar Farm in Versailles. See the stallions at Jonabell Farm in Lexington.

Listen to the cascading waters at Fulling Mill Falls in Harrodsburg, or paddle the whisper-quiet waterways at Gorge Underground in Rogers.

Splash in the creek, snap a selfie at a bridge or slip into the forest’s shade at Morehead’s award-winning Rodburn Hollow Park

Covington’s Devou Park Overlook features breathtaking views of Roebling Bridge, Northern Kentucky skylines and the Ohio River Valley sweeping into the horizon.

Jonabell Farm, Lexington

Gorge Underground, Rogers

KENTUCKY CREATOR

Singer Artist/Owner, Couture Hats (Georgetown)

Every single one of the hats milliner Polly Singer designs embodies her love of the natural beauty of Kentucky.

“I love using flowers and locally sourced feathers when I can find them,” she says. “I used to use duck feathers from my Dad’s farm! I also mimic the rolling hills in the wavy, hand-curved brims in my hats and fascinators.”

World famous for her one-of-a-kind works of wearable art, Polly has won numerous awards and was named “Best Couture Hat Designer in the United States” by England’s preeminent Luxe Magazine. Her clients are from across the globe and, for many of them, a visit to her Georgetown shop is their first trip to Kentucky, making her an ambassador to the Bluegrass State’s many wonders.

Polly grew up in Georgetown, actively participating in 4-H and home extension projects, and often entering her sewing projects in local county fairs. Today, she lives one block from her childhood home.

Polly’s hats may be seen in her online shop and at special events, such as teas and shows at Lexington’s Griffin Gate Marriott Resort. Many also make an indelible appearance at the Kentucky Derby.

Fulling Mill Falls, Harrodsburg

Polly

SCAN TO WATCH Kentucky artists in action!

Heaven Horse

Bucket list sporting event. World’s largest fashion show topped by resplendent hats. Edge-of-your-seat thoroughbred horse race that is over in two minutes. A lifetime of memories. Three centuries of traditions and thoroughbred horse-racing history are packed into the world’s most famous dirt racetrack at the iconic Churchill Downs , home of the Kentucky Derby , in Louisville.

Experience the artistry, beauty and athleticism of the horse at Lexington’s Kentucky Horse Park , from the colorful Parade of Breed Shows to the horse history unfolding across four museums. Join the thoroughbreds for bath time, peek into the Jockeys Quarters, experience race day like an owner and place your bets during spring or fall meets at Keeneland, Lexington’s historic thoroughbred racetrack.

It’s ladies only at Our Mims Retirement Haven , the Paris refuge where famous and not-so-famous mares are cherished, loved and tended to while living out their golden years.

At Petersburg’s luxurious First Farm Inn, get to know the horse you’ll ride into the rolling countryside as you help groom your equine companion. At some State Parks in Kentucky, you can hop on for a horseback ride (either guided or on your own) through some of the Bluegrass State’s most gorgeous scenery.

Got your camera? Watch herds of horses roam freely along rushing streams and across the mountainous landscape of Jackson on a guided tour with the Appalachian Horse Project

Our Mims Retirement Haven, Paris

Churchill Downs, Louisville

Handcrafted metal horse, by Scot and Laura Kellersberger

These scenic spots, lakefront getaways and tucked-away gems are where vacations come to live out their dreams.

Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill

entucky State Parks make it easy to craft your own getaway. Choose from 45 parks all over the state and a menu of experiences that includes sun-dappled lakes, miles of meandering shorelines, forested hiking trails, secluded cabins and cottages, camping sites with scenic views and lakeside resorts, plus amenities like swimming beaches, boating, horseback riding trails, museums and more.

No matter what your park experience looks like, the result will be the same: Ahhh!

Amid a break in the foliage you’ll discover John James Audubon State Park, a fairytale world built on the artistry of the worldfamous ornithologist with a museum, nature center, wetlands boardwalk and Bald Eagle sightings in Henderson.

Hike to an underground waterfall on the scenic Cascade Cave Tour at Carter Caves State Resort Park in Olive Hill. Explore 33 miles of trails showing off the park’s unique geology and spot five natural bridges along the way.

Bike Eggner’s Ferry Bridge Hike & Bike Trail from Hardin’s Kenlake State Resort Park to the 170,000-acre outdoor playground at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area . Glide across Kentucky Lake by pontoon.

Plan a sunset picnic overlooking the Mississippi River from a patch of greenery at Columbus-Belmont State Park in Columbus. Top off an afternoon hiking the trails through Civil War earthworks with soft serve ice cream in season.

At Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park in Carlisle, stroll the grounds Daniel Boone once traversed on your way to the Pioneer Museum to see Native American and early settler artifacts. Why “battlefield?” This is the site of the Revolutionary War’s final battle.

Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz

Kenlake State Resort Park, Hardin

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin

Calling all mountain bikers: Nearly 10 miles of singletrack trails unspool through Nolin Lake State Park near Mammoth Cave. Families also love Kincaid Lake State Park for its boating, camping, hiking and other fun in Falmouth.

There’s no shortage of killer views at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park in Corbin. Follow the cliff line to one of the best views of Cumberland Falls on the rugged Eagle Falls Trail. Drink in the scenery while dining at Riverview Restaurant.

See Kentucky’s longest-running outdoor drama, “The Stephen Foster Story,” at My Old Kentucky Home State Park in Bardstown. Tour the grounds and mansion. Hear the famous song. (You already know the words.)

Enjoy signature and small-town events that are feasts for the tastebuds — the soul and eyes, too.

ROMP Festival, Owensboro

Find fun festivals and events!

kentuckytourism.com/trip-planning/ky-events

ore than 90 of Kentucky’s premier visual and craft artists gather in March to exhibit their work at The Kentucky Crafted Market Kentucky Arts Council’s showcase event held in Lexington. AQS QuiltWeek celebrates the art and artistry of quilts and quiltmakers each April in the only place it could happen: Quilt City USA in Paducah.

Another one-of-a-kind celebration takes place each April when live music, dancing, crafts, a carnival, parade and more take over the streets during Hillbilly Days in Pikeville.

The Kentucky Derby Festival – Louisville’s monthlong party with hats, horses, bourbon, BalloonFest, fireworks, WineFest and more – leads up to May’s “Run for the Roses.” Barbecue, burgoo and bourbon fill the Owensboro riverfront during the Bar-B-Q Block Party the second weekend in May each year.

The German-spiced breakfast sausage made in Kentucky is pronounced “get-uh,” and it’s celebrated in Covington/ Newport at Glier’s Goettafest in everything from brownies to beer each summer.

In cities across Kentucky, numerous Juneteenth and Pride events are commemorated annually.

One of the world’s grandest jet events, Jets Over Kentucky, takes off in Campbellsville each July with 600 RC jets and eight days of flying. As if July weren’t hot enough already, it heats up even more with Ashland’s Summer Motion, a popular family-friendly festival. Set on the riverfront, live music headlines the event, but there’s also a carnival, food vendors, specialty booths, children’s activities, fireworks and more.

For more than three decades, Hardin’s Kenlake Hot August Blues has sizzled with a weekend filled with great music, performing and visual artists, craftspeople, craft beer and more – right on the shores of beautiful Kentucky Lake.

Georgetown’s Festival of the Horse is a lively three days of parades, craft vendors, music, food, beer and a celebration of horse heritage in September. In Lexington, the Roots and Heritage Festival – a “Top 20 Event in the Southeast” – gets underway in September with colorful pageantry combined with cultural and educational programs.

Automotive mayhem races into Bowling Green each September for the Holley LS Fest East with drag racing, drifting, burn-out contests and more revved-up action. A Colonel Sanders lookalike contest? Could it be anything but London’s World Chicken Festival in September?

Follow the turning leaves to Harlan and its Festival of the Mountain Masters. This November event features authentic Appalachian artists, many from the Pine Mountain Settlement School, showing and selling their handcrafts.

Bourbon, Horses & History

The president who shepherded the country through the Civil War. A boxer and humanitarian who left his imprint on Civil Rights history. A century apart, their stories intertwine at Hodgenville’s Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park , on the Lincoln Heritage Trail and at Louisville’s Muhammad Ali Center on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail.

Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville

orld-famous setting for the greatest two minutes in sports. Iconic symbol of Kentucky’s homeplace. “We sing one song” – it opens the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and rings out at the 19th-century mansion Federal Hill , better known as My Old Kentucky Home, containing one of the country’s most complete collections of any historic plantation museum.

Let’s talk bourbon. In Louisville, it’s Whiskey Row, the Urban Bourbon Trail and Frazier History Museum. In Bardstown and the surrounding area, aka “Bourbon Capital of the World,” it’s nearly a dozen distilleries, including Heaven Hill, Log Still and Willett

Get your gait on with a tour of Simpsonville’s Kismet Farm , home to American Saddlebreds. Get your tölt on at Léttleiki Icelandics , Shelbyville’s historic farm breeding the pony-sized Icelandic horse.

Want a complete picture of Kentucky in one frame? Goshen’s Hermitage Farm is a working thoroughbred horse operation that includes Barn8 farm-to-table restaurant and bourbon bar, gracious accommodations and a botanical garden.

Which trail will you take at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest ? “Meditation,” “Edible Garden” or “Forest Giants” – the trail that leads to the genial goliaths Mama Loumari, Little Elina and Little Nis?

It’s more straightforward on the Marion County Trail, where you’ll go directly to Maker’s Mark, Limestone Branch Distillery and Kentucky Cooperage

Willett Distillery, Bardstown

Locust Grove, Louisville

Follow the Marion County Quilt Trail from barn to building on this segment of the Kentucky/Ohio/ Tennessee “Clothesline of Quilts Trail” into Gravel Switch, Loretto and other rural and colorful communities. Each quilt square conveys the traditions and connections of home.

Amble along a 1-mile loop of downtown Shelbyville’s Sculpture Walk to see stainless steel flowers, Butterfly Bench, Wind Horse (representing the Saddlebred) and a picture frame that invites you to become part of the art.

Louisville artist Ed Hamilton puts the icing on the cake – or in this case, view – with his sculpture of an amiable, seated President Lincoln. Adding folk art fun are 28 metal birds comprising

“Flock of Finns,” plus other dynamic Louisville Waterfront Park sculptures.

In early October, a juried fine arts show featuring 600 artists sets up in the midst of the country’s largest collection of Victorian homes in the long-running St. James Court Art Show in the heart of historic Old Louisville.

Pottery, by Laura George Lynch

Hermitage Farm, Goshen

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Bardstown/Nelson County 502-348-4877, visitbardstown.com

Breckinridge County 270-756-0268

breckinridgecountychamber.com

Elizabethtown 270-765-2175, touretown.com

Grayson County 270-259-5587, visitgrayson.com

Henry County 502-845-9206, henrykychamber.com

Hodgenville/LaRue County 270-358-3163, lincolnmuseum-ky.org

La Grange 877-576-6451, visitlagrangeky.com

Lebanon 270-692-0021, visitlebanonky.com

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Hodgenville

Dant Crossing, New Haven

General George Patton Museum, Fort Knox

REGIONAL ITINERARY

DAY 1 DAY 2

Yew Dell Botanical Gardens, Crestwood

Slip into the Secret Garden to smell hellebores, hostas and other shade plants. Explore plants from the Himalayan Mountains in the Sunken Rock Garden. Be enchanted by a stone castle built by hand. It’s all right here, at one of the nation’s top destination gardens.

Whiskey Row, Louisville

Inside a beautifully preserved lineup of Revivalist and Chicago School-style buildings, many with cast-iron storefronts, are half a dozen bourbon distilleries at Ground Zero in Bourbon City. Take a tour. Taste the spirits.

The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass, Simpsonville

You know the names: Tory Burch. Kate Spade. Ann Taylor. Michael Kors. Explore some 90 coveted designer outlets offering big discounts in a setting with a welcoming vibe, food court, fountains and a fireplace.

Bullitt County Wine, Whiskey & Ale Trail

Four award-winning wineries, two renowned bourbon distilleries and one brewery – the first brewery in Bullitt County, in fact – make up this fascinating trail.

Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History, Bardstown

In the beginning, there was bourbon. This bourbon tell-all digs into the juicy details: Prohibition-era “prescriptions,” Abraham Lincoln’s tavern license, hatchet-swinging temperance warrior Carry Nation and much more. The 5,000-piece collection even includes an authentic moonshine still captured in the hills of Kentucky.

My Old Kentucky Dinner Train, Bardstown

Lunch, dinner and themed excursions trundle through Bernheim Forest on 32-mile excursions aboard period restored vintage trains. The dining is fine (seasonally inspired menus), the views are spectacular and the experience is pure nostalgic fun.

SCAN HERE

to explore this region! kentuckytourism.com/ explore-kentucky

KEY: National Parks State Resort Parks State Recreational Parks State Historic Sites

Leitchfield 270-259-5587, visitleitchfield.com Louisville 888-568-4784, gotolouisville.com

Meade County 270-422-3626, visitmeadecounty.org

Oldham County 502-222-0056, touroldham.com

Radcliff/Fort Knox 800-334-7540, radclifftourism.org

Shelbyville/Simpsonville/Shelby County 502-633-6388, visitshelbyky.com

Shepherdsville/Bullitt County 502-543-8656, travelbullitt.org

Springfield 859-336-5412 ext. 6, springfieldkytourism.com

Taylorsville/Spencer County 502-902-7039, visittaylorsville.com

Bourbon, horses & outdoor adventure

ShelbyKY is the perfect Kentucky getaway. Home to two distilleries, brandname and boutique lodging, one-of-a-kind dining, and fun-filled outdoor recreation, there’s no shortage of adventure to find in Shelbyville, Simpsonville, and Shelby County.

Discover Your Bourbon Destination at visitshelbyky.com.

Bluegrass, Horses, Bourbon & Boone

While you can ride, pet and admire horses throughout the Bluegrass State, this is definitely the heart of Kentucky Horse Country. Hundreds of farms blanket pastoral countryside, museums honor all things equine and Kentucky history abounds, from the place where the state began to its capital today.

ake a Kentucky journey at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, a trip that bumps along from ancient times and frontier life to bourbon and baseball bats. Follow African American soldiers through their story of recruitment and training at Camp Nelson National Monument in Nicholasville, also a refugee camp for their wives and children.

Pompeii in Kentucky? Yes, ruins of the historic O.F.C. Distillery unearthed at Frankfort’s Buffalo Trace Distillery are featured on the Bourbon Pompeii Tour by Kentucky River Tours, the nation’s only boat-based bourbon tour. On land, the stony façades of Woodford Reserve in Versailles draw architectural aficionados, history buffs and bourbon lovers to this circa 1812 National Historic Landmark.

It’s round-the-clock crafting in Berea, Kentucky’s “Folk Arts & Crafts Capital,” with an Artisan Village, working studios, LearnShops and the Kentucky Artisan Center.

Among reasons Lexington is the “Horse Capital of the World” are Kentucky Horse Park, the everything-equine theme park featuring the Parade of Horses, museums and horseback riding, and Keeneland, where thoroughbred racing takes place at one of the country’s most gorgeous courses.

Green pastures, comfy stables and all the carrots one can eat. Retirement never looked so good. Just ask the equine residents living their best life at Georgetown’s Old Friends thoroughbred retirement farm.

Old Friends, Georgetown

Weston Glass Studio, Berea

Murals, sculptures, mosaics and more – downtown Danville’s public art includes 16 contemporary pieces punctuated by the breathtaking, brilliantly colored glass chandelier suspended from the ceiling of the Boyle County Public Library

More than 50 mural masterpieces create an outdoor art gallery in Lexington, celebrating storybook charm, the legendary Man o’ War, the East End’s musical heritage and Kentucky-born actor Harry Dean Stanton.

Get a sensory lift in downtown Frankfort, with a mural honoring Tony Award-winning Frankfort native George C. Wolfe, a ringing bell sound sculpture and the 100-ton Kentucky Floral Clock

As the unofficial Horse Headquarters of Kentucky, it’s only fitting that Georgetown’s landmark mural is “Unbridled Spirit of Horse Country,” one of several yarn-spinning murals that also includes “Miss Sadie Watches Over Her Town.”

An open studio tour hosted by the architectural blacksmiths at Lawrenceburg’s Maynard Studios shows off an array of metal-forged design work – sculptures, furniture, chandeliers and more – from French classical to mid-century modern to urban contemporary.

Folk art, by Jo Ann Butts

Kentucky River Tours, Frankfort

Berea 859-986-2540, visitberea.com

Carlisle/Nicholas County 859-749-7986

carlisle-nicholascounty.org

Cynthiana/Harrison County 859-234-5236, cynthianatourism.com

Danville/Boyle County 859-618-6433, danvillekentucky.com

Frankfort/Franklin County 502-875-8687, visitfrankfort.com

Georgetown/Scott County 502-863-2547 georgetownky.com

Harrodsburg/Mercer County 800-355-9192 mercercountyky.com

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg

Jonabell Farm, Lexington

Beer Cheese Trail, Clark County

REGIONAL ITINERARY

DAY 1

Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site, Perryville

At one of the country’s most unaltered Civil War sites, the hushed tranquility of rolling countryside gives no hint to the exploding cannons and cries of men that took place during one of Kentucky’s bloodiest Civil War battles more than 160 years ago.

Great American Dollhouse Museum, Danville

Follow a timeline from Native Americans to the modern era at this singularly unique museum portraying the social history of the U.S. through miniature vignettes in more than 200 dollhouses, room boxes – even a medieval castle.

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg

Go hands-on at this landmark destination that shares 3,000 acres of discovery in the spirit of the Kentucky Shakers: meet farm animals, add your voice to a Shaker singalong, take a firefly hike and dance at Music on the Lawn.

DAY 2

Holly Hill Inn, Midway

Through her flagship fine-dining restaurant, multiple James Beard Foundation nominee Ouita Michel articulates Kentucky’s culinary story – one of inspired menus based on fresh, seasonal ingredients from Kentucky farmers, paired with an award-winning wine list and bourbon library, and served up in the midst of Horse Country.

Horse Farm Tours, Inc., Lexington

From nursery and stud farms to equine hospitals, racetracks and feed mills. Get it straight from the horse’s mouth through experiences that share stories where it all takes place: the “Horse Capital of the World.”

Winchester-Clark County Beer Cheese Trail, Winchester

Treat your taste buds to this ooey-gooey concoction created 90 years ago. Enjoy 13 different tastes and 13 venues, including the steak and beer cheese omelet at Pilot View Market, perched on the path Daniel Boone blazed on his first visit to Kentucky.

SCAN HERE to explore this region!

kentuckytourism.com/explore-kentucky

KEY: National Parks State Resort Parks State Recreational Parks State Historic Sites

Lawrenceburg/Anderson County 502-598-3127

visitlawrenceburgky.com

Lexington 859-233-7299

visitlex.com

Nicholasville/Wilmore 859-305-6040

visitjessamine.com

Paris/Bourbon County 859-987-8744

pariskytourism.com

Richmond 859-626-8474

richmondkytourism.com

Stanford/Lincoln County 606-365-4500

stanford-lincolncountytourism.com

Winchester/Clark County 859-744-0556

visitwinchesterky.com

Woodford County 859-214-4510

reservewoodford.com

DANVILLE, KENTUCKY It All Starts Here!

Northern Kentucky River

Good times roll along the Ohio River at the confluence of history, colorful characters and bourbon. Begin with The B-Line, Northern Kentucky’s own bourbon experience featuring stops across distilleries, bars and restaurants.

merican Legacy’s Newport Gangster Tour takes to the former mean streets of “Sin City’s” gambling and bootlegging heyday. Bridgeview Box Park at Newport on the Levee vibes as an open-air shipping container park with curated food, a local artisan market and more. You’ll catch plenty of oohs and aahs at Newport Aquarium with its immersive Coral Reef Tunnel, Penguin Palooza and Gator Alley.

Within Covington’s Devou Park , the Behringer-Crawford Museum is hands-on play with a transportation theme featuring model trains and a paddlewheel riverboat. Williamstown supersizes the boat theme to biblical proportions with its Ark Encounter, where Noah and company hold court on three decks.

Burlington’s Dinsmore Homestead shares a slice of mid-19th century rural farming life through family diaries and tombstones. The artistry of one of the world’s most beloved singers comes to life at Augusta’s Rosemary Clooney House through personal memorabilia and the largest collection of “White Christmas” props from the movie.

Camp beneath the stars in a woodland setting and cast a line at Kincaid Lake State Park . Place your bets at Turfway Park in Florence, whose thoroughbred racing history stretches back to 1883.

Fine art miniatures have their moment at Maysville’s Kentucky Gateway Museum Center through tiny room boxes and houses filled with even tinier furnishings, tools and toys. And the region’s German heritage is on full display at Covington’s Mainstrasse Village, from the glockenspiel to Goose Girl Fountain.

Riverside Drive Statue Tour, Covington

Newport Aquarium, Newport

With each brushstroke, the history of Covington comes alive in magnificent color and detail across the floodwall’s 18 Roebling Murals. Quirky public art abounds with guided walks from NKY Art Tours featuring colorful murals, mosaics and more, plus you’ll find notable historical figures along the Riverside Drive Statue Tour

“Put yourself in the picture,” invites local artist Stephanie Martinez’s murals, designed to spark Instagrammable moments, beautify the historic downtown and continue the story begun with Maysville’s Floodwall Murals. Grab the balloons. Stop and smell the flowers.

Color washes over levee gatewells linking the towns of the Licking River Greenway and Trails – from Covington to Taylor Mill, Wilder and Newport – creating an urban trail where art and nature play beautifully together. The country’s second-most photographed covered bridge is found in Fleming County, along with two others, each a study of folk beauty and 19th-century

Carrollton rocks the arts in September with Bands & at Point Park, a two-day food and fun fest featuring a juried Handcraft and Homespun Market.

Rosemary Clooney House, Augusta

Augusta/Bracken County 606-756-2183, augustaky.com

Carrollton/Carroll County 502-732-7036, visitcarrolltonky.com

Fleming County 606-845-1223, flemingkychamber.com

Gallatin County 859-380-0256, visitgallatincountyky.com

Grant County 859-824-3451, visitgrantky.com

Lewis County 606-440-0135

Goddard White Bridge, Goddard

Kincaid Lake State Park, Falmouth

Big Bone Lick State Park, Union

DAY 2 DAY 1

Hoist a stein at the Hofbrauhaus Newport, where every day is Oktoberfest, on the way to shop-hopping along Bellevue’s bustling Fairfield Avenue. Boutiques, art galleries, bars, bistros and a brewery line the avenue of this bustling charmer that also hosts Friday food trucks and pop-up shops.

Follow the twisty roads into Americana, where artisan-made brooms, pottery, soaps and more line the shelves of this old-timey gathering place perched on the banks of the Ohio River. You might even spot the town’s canine mayor snoozing on the porch.

Big Bone Lick State Park, Union

Kentucky’s prehistoric past lives here among the bison herd, diorama pit and museum exhibits about Ice Age mammals, Native American history and Ordovician geology at the spot known as the “Birthplace of American Vertebrate Paleontology.”

General Butler State Resort Park, Carrollton

Fishing, hiking, paddle boating, playing miniature golf, taking part in programs with the park naturalist, sharing a farm-fresh meal – just add family. And closing the day? A spectacular view of the sun setting over the Ohio River from the overlook.

Kincaid Lake State Park, Falmouth

Cast a line, paddle a kayak, pedal a boat or motor along pretty Kincaid Lake, where a secluded campground also provides a quiet oasis to pitch a tent for the night. Take a misty morning hike the next day to soak up more natural beauty.

Covered Bridges, Flemingsburg

This charming small town is a big stop when it comes to covered bridges. You’ll discover three of them here, all built in the 1800s. See each antique structure up close, then explore their history in the local covered bridge museum.

Maysville/Mason County 606-563-2596, visitmaysvilleky.com

Northern Kentucky/Covington/Florence/Newport 859-261-4677, meetnky.com

Owen County 502-563-5050, facebook.com/owencountykytourism

Pendleton County pendletoncountytourism.com

1 Historic Fairfield Avenue District , Bellevue

2 Rabbit Hash General Store, Rabbit Hash

covington

Home to good times and true Southern style, Covington is headquarters of The B-Line, NKY’s self-guided bourbon tour. Check out award-winning restaurants in Germaninspired Mainstrasse Village and don’t miss a performance at the new Covington Plaza amphitheater, set beneath the iconic Roebling Bridge with the Cincinnati skyline as the backdrop. Enjoy the best local flavors, riverside atmosphere, and fun experiences for everyone in your group.

newport

Don’t miss the underwater panorama at Newport Aquarium and check out the newly transformed Newport on the Levee and Bridgeview Box Park! Enjoy NKY’s German roots at Hofbräuhaus Newport, then experience the Ohio River in style aboard a BB Riverboats cruise. Take a tour at New Ri Distilling, then sample local fare in Bellevue before catching a concert at MegaCorp Pavilion

MegaCorp Pavilion

florence

Catch a Florence Y’alls baseball game, polish your skills at World of Golf, then get some air at DEFY Florence! If you’re looking for more horsepower, catch a live race at Turfway Park, then race around the track at Full Throttle Indoor Karting. Or maybe a history lesson and bison viewing at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is more your speed. The family fun doesn’t end there—you’re only minutes away from Ark Encounter and Creation Museum, where state-of-the-art exhibits bring the stories of the Bible to life, botanical gardens awaken the senses, and zip lines thrill all ages.

meetNKY.com

BB Riverboats and Roebling Bridge

Kentucky Appalachians

Twist around the same mountain roads Dwight Yoakam, Chris Stapleton, The Judds and so many other Kentucky country music sensations drove on their way up the Billboard charts.

he U.S. 23 Country Music Highway unspools through key sites connected to these legends and the U.S. 23 Country Music Highway Museum shows off their personal memorabilia, including musical instruments and stage costumes.

There’s more to Ashland’s Paramount Arts Center than an “Achy Breaky Heart” (although Billy Ray Cyrus did film his hit music video here) like concerts, comedy acts and theater productions. Head south to visit Butcher Hollow, birthplace of the late legend Loretta Lynn and inspiration for her song, “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”

Name your wilderness pleasure: camping, hiking and fishing in Daniel Boone National Forest; playing on the swimming beaches of Morehead’s Cave Run Lake; or backpacking and boating at Louisa’s Yatesville Lake

Follow your whims to the Kentucky Folk Art Center , tucked into the historic Union Grocery near Morehead State University, and The App – that is, the Appalachian Center for the Arts –in Pikeville, which elevates the theater experience with professional and critically acclaimed productions.

A fight to the bitter end? Find out on Pikeville’s Hatfields & McCoys Historic Feud Driving Tour, where winding mountain roads cross the battle lines of this world-famous vendetta featuring the McCoy Homeplace, Devil Anse Hatfield Statue, “Cotton Top” Hanging Sites and more.

Loretta Lynn birthplace, Butcher Hollow

Port of Ashland, Ashland

What happens when a worldrenowned artist falls in love with a Kentucky town? He creates three showstopping mixed-media bronze monuments symbolizing its beauty, culture, history and rebirth. Venus, Vulcan and Genesis make up the Port of Ashland Sculptures

It’s hard to resist smiling back at “Mountain Mona Lisa,” local artist Austin Casebolt’s mural filled with Appalachian symbolism officially titled “Woman with Cardinal.” Or any of the other murals adding artistic vitality to downtown Pikeville.

Outdoor art as boldly bright and colorful as the community it took root in: that’s the Tree Mural at Main Street Park in Mt. Sterling, bringing pops of primary hues to its pretty-as-apicture downtown.

Morehead’s seasonal outdoor Maker’s Market sets up on the lawn of the Rowan County Arts Center on first Saturdays April through October. It’s all about local: foods, music, and arts and crafts featuring wood-carved items, yarn crafts, jewelry and more.

Russell Fork, Elkhorn City

Woodwork, by Mountain Laurel Woodworks

Travel Information

Ashland 606-329-1007, visitaky.com

Boyd County 606-585-4770, visitboydcounty.com

Frenchburg/Menifee County 606-768-9000, frenchburgky.com

Grayson/Olive Hill/Carter County 606-474-5366

facebook.com/cartercountytourism

Greenup County

606-473-6440

greenupcountyky.gov/tourism

Louisa/Lawrence County 606-638-0078

visitlcky.com

Morehead/Rowan County 606-780-4342

visitmorehead.com

Cave Run Lake, Morehead

Mountain HomePlace, Staffordsville

Ruth Hunt Candy Co., Mt. Sterling

REGIONAL ITINERARY

DAY 2 DAY 1

Mountain HomePlace, Staffordsville

Peek into the one-room schoolhouse for a lesson in the “three Rs” (reading, ’riting and ’rithmetic) 1850s style. Sit in on an outdoor concert or video about early Appalachian settlers. For a souvenir, browse the hand-painted gourds.

Butcher Hollow/Loretta Lynn’s Homeplace, Coal Miners’ Museum, Van Lear

The humble beginnings of the late “Queen of Country Music” happened in this hollow homestead wedged between two mountains – inspiration for Loretta Lynn’s songwriting. Learn more about the “Coal Miner’s Daughter” at the museum tucked in Webb’s Grocery, a former Consolidated Coal Company office that is featured in the Oscar-winning movie.

Sugarcamp Mountain Trails, Prestonsburg

Hiking, mountain biking and horse-friendly trails. Check. Spectacular views of Dewey Lake in Jenny Wiley State Resort Park. Check. A scenic place amidst the forest to embrace a slower place. You can check that, too!

Ruth Hunt Candy Co., Mt. Sterling

Bourbon-soaked fondant. Rich, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate. Buttery pecans. Ruth Hunt’s homemade Bourbon Balls aren’t the only treat here to make one weak in the knees. Chew on this Kentucky tradition, as well as the copper kettle-cooked Pulled Cream Candy.

Rowan County Arts Center, Morehead

For a little savory after your sweet, bite into a fried green tomato sandwich from Brooklyn Belle Market, then head to the historic courthouse building where the creative and performing arts live. Warm weather brings the Maker’s Market, with arts and crafts, locally produced foods and activities for kids.

Downtown Shops & Museums, Morehead Boutique shop and gallery hop through downtown, including a stop at the Kentucky Folk Art Center. While on Main Street, enjoy a stroll, hike or bike along the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail as it meanders the street and into Daniel Boone National Forest.

SCAN HERE to explore this region.

Daniel Boone Country

Heed the call of the wild on rugged adventures that climb into canyons and over rocky outcroppings in the Red River Gorge Geological Area and Daniel Boone National Forest.

Red River Gorge Ziplines, Campton

ee a majestic natural wonder at 60-foot Cumberland Falls in Cumberland Falls State Resort Park in Corbin. Soak up more surroundings as you soar among treetops at Black Mountain Off Road Adventure Area/Black Mountain Thunder Zip Line in Evarts.

Laurel River Lake, an enclave of enchantment hidden away in London, seems the result of a magician’s wand – or perhaps it’s simply Mother Nature showing off. Craggy splendor is both backdrop and backbone, an adrenaline junkie’s happy place for hiking, climbing, mountain biking, camping, canoeing and wildlife viewing. Nearby Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park adds more fun, thanks to a treetop adventure area featuring 60 different elements.

Twin pioneering traditions of spunkiness and neighborliness inspired the creation of Mount Vernon’s Renfro Valley Entertainment Center – “Kentucky’s Country Music Capital” – and home to the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Take a railcar into the Portal 31 Coal Mine in Lynch. Hike up the Chained Rock Trail in Pine Mountain State Resort Park. Your eyes don’t deceive you – a chain is holding that massive boulder hovering above town in place.

What did bison, Native Americans, longhunters and pioneers see as they crossed into a wilderness frontier? Follow their footsteps into colliding mountains and the past at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in Middlesboro. Later, Confederate soldiers would enter Kentucky through the Gap, only to be sent back to Tennessee by determined Union forces. Their story is told at Camp Wildcat Civil War Battlefield

Chained Rock, Pineville

Portal 31 Coal Mine, Lynch

Feel

Award-winning artist Lacy Hale, creator of the “No Hate in My Holler” arts campaign, has left her imprint all over Daniel Boone Country, with murals in Corbin, Hindman, Hazard and Harlan, including the beloved Possum and Pokeweed Mural in downtown Harlan.

Celebrating Williamsburg’s Appalachian heritage is Old-Fashioned Trading Days , held every September the

weekend after Labor Day on the lawn of Courthouse Square. There are arts and crafts exhibitors, car shows, gospel singing, bluegrass and country music –and great food.

Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park, London

Metal sculpture, by Courtney Campbell, CPE Incorporated

Barbourville/Knox County

606-545-9674

barbourvilletourism.com

Beattyville/Lee County 606-464-5038, visitleecountyky.com

Breathitt County 606-666-4159

Corbin 606-528-8860, corbinkytourism.com

Cumberland/Benham/Lynch 606-573-4156

harlancountytrails.com/explore/tri-cities

Evarts 606-837-0609, evartskentucky.com

Harlan 606-573-4156

harlancountytourism.com

Hazard/Perry County 606-487-1580, hazardperrytourism.com

Irvine/Estill County 606-723-2450, exploreestill.com

Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, Buckhorn

Falcon Overlook, Whitesburg

Harland Sanders Café and Museum, Corbin

REGIONAL ITINERARY

DAY 2 DAY 1

Wildcat Off-Road Park, East Bernstadt

Neither novice nor experienced rider can resist this family-friendly off-road park with 100 miles of trails. Get your rugged on, then swap keys for paddles and take a kayak out for a float on Rockcastle River.

Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park, London

Early adventurers used the Wilderness Road to reach Kentucky from Virginia. Today’s daredevils take treetop treks with ziplines, sky-high rope bridges and suspended obstacles at this full-on family-fun destination with camping, swimming pool, mini golf and hiking, too.

Harland Sanders Café and Museum, Corbin

Bring your appetite for nostalgia to the place where the world’s most famous 11 secret herbs and spices blended their way into history. Sit beside a sculpture of the KFC king and snap a selfie. And if there’s a moonbow (a rare lunar rainbow) happening while you’re in town, make a beeline to Cumberland Falls!

Appalachian Artisan Center, Hindman

Have a playdate with the arts through revolving exhibitions, a dulcimer museum honoring famous luthiers, workshops on jewelry making and forging knives, and a store showing off the works of juried artists from Appalachia’s 52 counties – sculptures, quilts, handcrafted rocking chairs and more.

Mother Goose House, Hazard

From a life-size Colonel Sanders to a behemoth-sized goose perched atop a house shaped like a nest and with eyes made from headlights. Yep, just another roadside photo-op!

Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, Buckhorn

Paradise is calling: swimming pool, sandy beach, 1,200acre lake, miniature golf, hiking, horseshoes, fishing, pontoon boats, museum, gift shop, picnicking and playgrounds. Exhausted?

Fuel up on Kentucky ProudTM dishes at Bowlingtown Country Kitchen.

kentuckytourism.com/explore-kentucky

London/Laurel County

606-878-6900, visitlondonky.com

Middlesboro/Pineville/Bell County 606-248-2482, bellcountytourism.com

Mount Vernon/Rockcastle County

606-256-9814, rockcastletourism.com

Slade/Red River Gorge/ Powell County

606-663-1161, gopoco.org

Whitesburg/Letcher County

606-634-1814

discoverletcher.com

Whitley County

606-549-6000, whitleycountytourism.com

Williamsburg

606-549-0530, williamsburgky.com

Wolfe County

606-359-2353, visitwolfecounty.com

KEY: National Parks State Resort Parks State Recreational Parks State Historic Sites

Black Mountain Thunder Zipline

Portal 31 Animatronic Mine Tourr

Black Mountain Off-Road Adventure

Southern Kentucky Vacations

A gleaming houseboat. Forested shorelines with secret coves and lazy waters. A family lounging on the sundeck and splashing about in the lake below – all having a wonderful time. Don’t you wish you were here?

Conley Bottom Resort, Monticello

ake Cumberland , “Houseboat Capital of the World,” combines with Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, Lake Cumberland State Resort Park and Green River Lake State Park to create vacation heaven. Boating, beaching, caving, fishing, golfing, horseback riding – each is a snapshot on a postcard inspiring a camping, cabin or houseboating getaway.

Need a bigger playground? Like the entire Cumberland Plateau? Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area in in Whitley City and Stearns beckons with hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, whitewater paddling and all the free scenic splendor your eyes can drink in – from Yahoo Falls cascading 113 feet into a pool below to the Twin Arches and other geologic wonders.

Experience life at the 1902 Barthell Coal Mining Camp in a “company house” reconstructed from Stearns Coal & Lumber Company’s original floor plans on actual sites. Explore Blue Heron Mining Community, an abandoned coal-mining town of ghost structures.

The first decisive victory for the Union Army in the Western Theater of the Civil War is recounted at Nancy’s Mills Springs Battlefield National Monument. Pilgrimage from site to site to see the remains of the Confederate Field Hospital and Last Stand Hill.

Restored in 1994 after years of sitting vacant, the historic Star Theater in Russell Springs has sprung back to life with a lineup of touring Broadway shows and other performances throughout the year.

Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, Whitley City/Stearns

Star Theater, Russell Springs

Artistic

Follow

In November, dozens of eastern and southern Kentucky’s finest artists gather at Somerset’s

Center for Rural Development to show off their baskets, pottery, quilts, musical instruments and more during the Sheltowee

Artisans Art Fair

Artists line the streets and exhibit their work. Musicians of every stripe perform. Add food truck fare, a signature drink and plenty of outdoor fun: It’s Pulaski County’s Moonlight Festival and it all takes place each October.

SomerSplash Waterpark, Somerset

Crochet doll, by Emma Terwilliger, Emmscrochetshop (Etsy)

the Downtown Somerset Mural Trail and spot secret images (aka Easter eggs) hidden in five murals – with more on the way – throughout the area.

treasures come in many forms at the Amish and Mennonite shops in Liberty. Browse handcrafted furniture, hunt for rare antiques, pick up fresh plants and produce – then dig into delicious baked goods.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Burnside 800-240-2531, visitburnside.com

Clinton County 606-387-2051, clintoncoky.com

Columbia/Adair County 270-384-6020, visitcolumbiaky.com

Cumberland County 270-864-5890

cumberlandcounty.com

Green County 270-932-4298

Lake Cumberland/Russell County 270-866-4333

lakecumberlandvacation.com

Big South Fork Scenic Railway, Stearns

Kentucky Trail Town, Campbellsville Dairy Bar, Whitley City

Historic Greensburg Courthouse

If these walls could talk, they would tell stories of one of Kentucky’s oldest public buildings, built between 1802-1804 and the oldest courthouse west of the Allegheny Mountains. And they would speak of Abraham Lincoln’s future law partner and biographer, William H. Herndon, born in this town in 1818.

Homeplace on Green River

Get back to nature at this 227-acre historical farm – “part living time capsule, part laboratory for forward-thinking ideas” – with open jams in the barn, miles of hiking trails and a nature area with blue heron wetlands, forests and plenty of wildlife.

Columbia Trail Town

Small-town pleasures, big scenic splendors – thanks to gorgeous Green River Lake, a waterway wonderland for boaters, paddlers and fishers. Outdoor lovers flock to this historic burg on the banks of Russell Creek, home of Holmes Bend Marina and its many houseboat and cabin rentals.

Liberty 606-706-7777, explorelibertyky.com

McCreary County 606-376-3008, mccrearytourism.com

Pulaski County/Lake Cumberland 606-679-6394, lctourism.com

Somerset 606-679-6366, seesomerset.com

Taylor County 270-465-3786, campbellsvilleky.com

Wayne County 606-348-4241, heartoflakecumberland.com

MASTER MUSICIANS FESTIVAL FESTIVAL FIELD • SOMERSET, KY

LAKE CUMBERLAND SOMERSET-PULASKI COUNTY, KY

Caves, Lakes & Corvettes

The world’s longest cave, historic sites and the home of America’s Sports Car all combine to create an irresistible, action-packed region – both underground and above – that never puts on the brakes.

ourney by lantern light back to prehistoric times in Mammoth Cave National Park , one of numerous guided tour options at the world’s longest-known cave system. While exploring Kentucky’s Cave Country, see unique formations at Crystal Onyx , Diamond Caverns, Hidden River, Lost River, Mammoth Onyx , Onyx or Outlaw caves.

In Horse Cave, take a hay wagon trek to see wildebeests, camels and alpacas at Dutch Country Safari Park . You can feed and pet a kangaroo at Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo

Boat, fish, golf, hike and swim at Barren River Lake State Park in Lucas. Looking for more relaxation? Downshift to watch a setting sun melt into the lake from your balcony, patio, the beach or Highlands Pub

Thoroughbreds pound over the Europeanstyle racecourse at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, and the thoroughbred of sports cars – the Corvette – zooms around the track at NCM Motorsports Park in Bowling Green near the National Corvette Museum

Please DO touch the railcars at Bowling Green’s Historic Rail Park and Train Museum. At Russellville’s SEEK Museum, follow a story of enslavement through three generations and a half-dozen heritage sites, where the struggle for equality played out over two centuries. Slip into the history of the Shakers in the place where it happened: South Union Shaker Village

Mammoth Cave National Park, Mammoth Cave

Kentucky Downs, Franklin

A spaceship in the field, with an alien lurking within. A giant fork and butter knife cutting into the skyline. These stop-you-in-yourtracks sculptures are part of Simpson County’s quirky and colorful public arts landscape, including Sculpture Park

It’s easy to “Rise and Shine, Y’all” on the streets of Bowling Green, where a cheerful and playful collection of artist murals to walk by without stopping to snap a selfie.

The original Stonehenge in England to the Neolithic Period.

Munfordville’s Kentucky Stonehenge is of a more recent vintage, a circle-ofrocks masterpiece built at the turn of the 21st century. Make a pilgrimage to this “ancient society” and the Garden

See the gleam and artistry of yesteryear vehicles lined up, one after another, during Franklin’s Festival on the Square in September.

Find treasures like handmade jewelry, quilts, toys and other crafts items, then picnic beneath the trees in this historic setting.

Brier Creek Trail, Brownsville

Painting, by Travis Dunn

Bowling Green

270-782-0800, visitbgky.com

Cave City

270-773-8833, cavecity.com

Edmonson County

270-597-2222, cavesandlakes.com

Edmonton/Metcalfe County 270-432-3222, metcalfechamber.com

Franklin/Simpson County 270-586-3040, franklinky.com

Glasgow/Barren County

270-429-7259

betterinthebarrens.com

Horse Cave/Hart County 270-218-0386, kygetaway.com

KOA Conestoga Wagons, Horse Cave

National Corvette Museum, Bowling Green

Dinosaur World, Cave City

REGIONAL ITINERARY

DAY 2 DAY 1

Dinosaur World, Cave City

Brake for down-home deliciousness at Bucky Bees BBQ and its famous Bucky’s Pie – skillet-fried cornbread topped with pulled pork, beans and house-made coleslaw –before entering Kentucky’s version of Jurassic Park, where 150 replica life-size dinosaurs prowl through the forest.

Hidden River Cave/American Cave Museum, Horse Cave

Feeling bold? Grab the handrails and brave the world’s longest underground swinging bridge, suspended 50 feet above the canyon floor. Soak up the mysteries and history of a cavern beneath a town at the country’s only museum devoted solely to caves.

Blue Water Trail/Mammoth Cave National Park, Horse Cave

In waters teeming with fish, enjoy a relaxing float through the heart of this geologic marvel, from Dennison Ferry to Green River Ferry, paddling along a bluff-lined gorge with streamside caves and past the entrance of Crystal Cave, where the tragic story of cave explorer Floyd Collins played out.

Double J Stables and Campground, Mammoth Cave

Gallop along horse trails unfurling through the backcountry of Mammoth Cave National Park with the only stable operating in the park. Campers get immersed in a ranch experience, grooming and tacking up horses, and taking guided trail rides.

Beech Bend Park & Splash Lagoon, Bowling Green

Moby Dick and Sea Dragon are on the loose at this family-fun amusement park that levels up the zany, from a lazy river and wave pool to thunderous coasters and rollicking entertainment, including a Wild West Show featuring Wild Bill Hiccup.

Dueling Grounds Distillery, Franklin

A land once known for dueling men defending their honor is now famous for crafting premium, small-batch bourbon aged to mellow sweetness in charred white oak. Book an unhurried tour and tasting to hear the history of both.

KEY: National Parks State Resort Parks State Recreational Parks State Historic Sites

Logan County 270-726-1678, visitlogancounty.org

Monroe County 270-487-1314

monroecountykytourism.com

Morgantown/Butler County 270-526-6827, morgantowncoc.com Munfordville 270-524-4752 visitmunfordville.com

Western Waterlands

Unplug and escape to the wild side at Land Between the Lakes, an idyllic inland peninsula setting for everything outdoors: camping, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, picnicking and playing along 300 miles of shoreline. On either side you’ll find the shimmering waters of Kentucky’s dynamic duo – Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake.

Lighthouse Landing Resort and Marina, Grand Rivers

ith access to both lakes is Grand Rivers, a tiny village treasure tucked between two marinas – Green Turtle Bay and Lighthouse Landing – that overflows with fun: downtown dining, a playhouse theater and outdoor adventure.

Mother Nature rules and outdoor lovers drool over Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park . Pitch a tent, saddle up a horse, lace up your hiking boots or kick off your shoes and dig your toes into a sandy beach at Lake Barkley State Resort Park Or “dig” for treasure with antique shopping in nearby Cadiz.

Take a detour into history, circa 1830s, at the Trail of Tears Commemorative Park in Hopkinsville to pay respects at the gravesites of Chiefs White Path and Fly Smith, two of the few verified gravesites on this nationally designated trail. Travel further back to A.D. 1100 at Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site, where a Native American village once flourished. Today, the archaeological site has museum exhibits, picnic areas and a walking trail.

As the world’s most prestigious venue of its kind, Paducah’s National Quilt Museum puts the art of quilt-making on display through a rotating 650-piece collection of quilts. The contemporary pieces are grounded in quilting’s age-old traditions.

Is there anything more aromatic than fresh-baked Amish bread and just-picked produce? Follow your nose to the Marion Amish Community and we think you’ll agree there isn’t. Then follow the scenic drive southeast to Crofton to admire (and buy!) high-quality pottery, wood and bamboo creations at Brushy Fork Creek Gallery

Trail of Tears Pow Wow, Hopkinsville

Brushy Fork Creek Gallery, Crofton

One would expect a designated UNESCO Creative City to be bursting at the seams with art, and Paducah does not disappoint. Its Wall to Wall Murals present the city’s history in more than 50 life-sized, richly detailed panoramic paintings.

Follow the glorious pink and white blooms of dogwoods, redbuds and weeping cherry trees on a 12-mile lighted trail through Paducah’s historic downtown, Lower Town Arts District and residential neighborhoods during the Annual Dogwood Trail Celebration in mid-April.

The Wooldridge Monuments – known collectively as “The Strange Procession That Never Moves” – depicts 18 lifesize statues voguing it up in Mayfield’s Maplewood Cemetery. Even the family pets are remembered, with monuments to hunting dogs Tow-Head and Bob.

Enhancing the “pretty town perched upon a handsome hill” – Mark Twain’s description for this tiny river town on the Mississippi along Kentucky’s Great River Road –are the 76 historical paintings comprising the Hickman Floodwall Murals

National Quilt Museum, Paducah

Woodwork, by Paul Ferrell

Cadiz/Trigg County 888-446-6402, gocadiz.com

Calloway County 270-713-0110, experiencekylake.com

Grand Rivers 270-362-0152, grandrivers.org

Hickman 270-236-9335, kygrro.com

Hopkinsville/Christian County 270-887-2300, visithopkinsville.com

Kentucky Lake/Marshall County 270-527-3128, visitkylake.com

Kentucky’s Great River Road (Ballard, Carlisle, Hickman and Fulton counties) 573-427-8348, kygrro.com

Kuttawa/Lyon County 270-601-6885, visitkuttawaky.com

Patti’s 1880’s Settlement, Grand Rivers

Mantle Rock Nature Preserve, Smithland

Hotel Metropolitan, Paducah

REGIONAL ITINERARY

DAY 2 DAY 1

1. Antiques, Boutiques & Unique Shops, Murray

It’s a retail therapy kind of town, with more than 20 locally owned shops and cafés that can be sandwiched (see what we did there?) between morning brews at Shaffer’s Coffee and savory chews at Jasmine Thai Cuisine and Sushi Bar.

2. Land Between the Lakes, Golden Pond

Safari through the Elk and Bison Prairie. Gallop or wagondrive horse trails at Wranglers Campground. Watch the sun slide into Kentucky Lake from the top deck of your houseboat or the waterside porch of your cottage at Lighthouse Landing Resort and Marina. Then shoot over to Oak Grove Gaming and Racing for 1,300 Vegasstyle gaming machines, live weekend entertainment and summer shows at the amphitheater.

3. Patti’s 1800’s Settlement , Grand Rivers

For nearly 50 years, this dining destination has been dishing up charm and memories, plus Flower Pot Bread and Bill’s Boatsinker Pie. The setting is resort-picturesque with a re-created historical log cabin village, gardens, a gift shop and lodging, all tucked between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.

4. Mantle Rock Nature Preserve, Smithland

Pack your camera and a sense of awe for this certified site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail with a 30-foot-high natural sandstone bridge, floral spring bling, and the best example of rare and fragile sandstone glades in Kentucky.

5. Piper’s Tea and Coffee at The Coke Plant , Paducah Mmm. Savor locally roasted coffee and handcrafted loose-leaf tea paired with locally made baked goods and artisanal chocolates in a place steeped in the arts. You’ll find arts exhibitions, music events, chalkboard poetry and a “behind the scenes” storytelling mural by local artist/ filmmaker Shanden Simmons.

6. Hotel Metropolitan, Paducah

Listed in the “Green Book” as a hotel operated by and for African Americans during segregation – the first in Paducah – it hosted Jazz Age legends Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, singers Tina Turner and Ella Fitzgerald, and sports greats the Harlem Globetrotters. Book a tour and learn about its 24-year-old founder.

kentuckytourism.com

Lake Barkley

270-388-5300, lakebarkley.org

Livingston County 270-557-9835, kentuckylakegateway.com

Marion 270-965-5015, discovermarion.com

Mayfield/Graves County 270-247-6106, visitmayfieldgraves.org

Murray 270-759-2199, tourmurray.com

Oak Grove 270-439-5675, visitoakgroveky.com

Paducah 270-443-8783, paducah.travel

Princeton 270-365-9575, tourprincetonky.com

KEY: National Parks State Resort Parks State Recreational Parks State Historic Sites

Bluegrass, Blues & BBQ

Birds, Bill, botanicals, brews and barbecue. There’s a whole lotta fun brewing here, from taking a pilgrimage to sites connected to the Father of Bluegrass – Bill Monroe Homeplace, Uncle Pen’s Cabin and Rosine Barn Jamboree – to spending a few hours at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum

Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Owensboro

BLUEGRASS, BLUES & BBQ

he slogan at Muhlenberg Music & History Museum could be, “Local musicians make it big!” This fascinating spot tells the stories of local legends Merle Travis, the Everly Brothers, country folk singer/songwriter John Prine and other homegrown talents.

Roses, conifers, quilts and Bill Monroe enrich the layer cake of color and fragrance at Western Kentucky Botanical Garden, whose soundtrack of wind chimes tinkles in the background.

At John James Audubon State Park in Henderson, see the masterwork of the ornithologist/artist of “The Birds of Prey.” Kentucky’s first designated Important Bird Area, Sloughs Wildlife Management Area, is home to the most prolific bald eagle nests east of the Mississippi River.

Ride along eight miles of Grapevine Bike Trails, then put your money and your bets down at Henderson’s Ellis Park Racing & Gaming , a thoroughbred racetrack and casino.

Sip suds, collect swag. It’s as simple as that on the West Kentucky Brew Hop Trail, featuring 13 breweries in nine different cities. For eats, it’s barbecue treats on the Western Kentucky Barbecue Trail, stretching from Owensboro to Louisville for slowcooked classics including mutton, pork and chicken.

Spend the day hiking, biking, canoeing and kayaking in Kentucky’s first Trail Town , Dawson Springs. The perfect chaser? A homecooked meat-and-three at Miss Becky’s

Sloughs Wildlife Management Area, Corydon

Ellis Park Racing & Gaming, Henderson

Level up your walk to scavenger hunt fun on Henderson’s Audubon Sculpture Tour , seeking out the hidden details on some of its 16 bronze statues. Spoiler alert! Is that a tree frog hanging out with John James Audubon?

Meet Happy, Bobber and Oakley, the Malone Family of “Big Twigs” (make that ginormous!) that hike, fish and roast marshmallows at Lake Malone State Park in Dunmor. They are sassy, whimsical and always ready for your selfie.

Celebrating unity and the Black community is the Black history mural in

Owensboro’s Kendall Perkins Park , a dramatic work splashed over a 626-foot wall. The theme, according to Owensboro artist Aaron Kizer? “Ancient Africa and early, early, early America.”

Painted by Owensboro muralist Steve Lane, the Hopkins County timeline mural stretching across Elmer Kelley Stadium in Madisonville City Park is the county’s largest outdoor art display. Meet key people, places and events in Hopkins County’s history.

Lake Malone State Park, Dunmore

Sculpture, by Raymond Graf

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Beaver Dam 270-274-7106, beaverdamtourism.com

Central City 270-754-9603, cityofcentralcity.com

Greenville 270-338-1895, tourgreenville.com

Hancock County hancockky.us

Henderson 270-826-3128, hendersonky.org

Madisonville/Hopkins County 270-821-4171, visitmadisonvilleky.com

Green River Distilling Co., Owensboro

Bill Monroe Homeplace, Beaver Dam

Kentucky’s First Trail Town, Dawson Springs

REGIONAL ITINERARY

DAY 2 DAY 1

1. Tradewater River Wildlife Management Area, Dawson Springs

Put in at this lowland stream meandering along the Pennyrile Forest for paddling Kentucky’s hinterlands. Back-to-nature lovers gravitate to the hiking-birding trail with its rock overhangs, steep bluffs and small caves. Primitive campers love pitching their tents on a patch of its 729 acres.

2. The Crystal Gallery by House of Onyx, Greenville

The world’s original artist – Mother Nature – shows her handiwork in fossils, minerals, gemstone formations and more catching the light in glass cases: carved spearheads, copper ore specimens, crystal birthstones and citrine geodes.

3. Bill Monroe Homeplace, Beaver Dam

The childhood home, restored on the site of the family farm, is where “bluegrass was born.” The museum, just 2 miles down the road in Rosine, is filled with memorabilia honoring the life and career of this country music legend.

4. Green River Distilling Co., Owensboro

Go behind the scenes, inside and outside, up and down stairs, over uneven ground and into active production areas. Worth it? For a full distillery tour and tasting of this heritage member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®? Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes!

5. Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Owensboro

The story of bluegrass music is told through the people, instruments and music that influenced and shaped the genre. Drift on down the “River of Sound,” traveling from the dawn of bluegrass music to the acoustic-driven folk music of contemporary artists.

6.

Three words: eat, drink, taste. European-style recipes with Kentucky ingredients. Small-farm vineyard co-mingling Kentucky wines with European imports. Uniquely designed solar-powered cabins. Three more words: come, stay, indulge.

KEY: National Parks State Resort Parks State Recreational Parks State Historic Sites

Farmer & Frenchman Winery, Robards