If you’re planning to visit the Bluegrass State, there’s never been a better time - Kentucky is beautiful during all seasons and offers an abundance of things to do for visitors and residents alike.
Kentucky is called the Bluegrass State because of the bluegrass that is found in many of its scenic pastures. Louisville and Lexington, two of Kentucky’s biggest cities, are set in the beautiful Bluegrass Region of the state.
Whether you want to visit Kentucky as your main destination or will be passing through on your next road trip, here are five of the best places to visit in the state.
Top 5 Places To Go On Your Trip To Kentucky
1. Visit Mammoth Cave National Park
Discover mysterious caves during your time in Kentucky at Mammoth Cave National Park. You can go on a tour of a cave all year round, and camping is available from late spring to early fall. Explore the park’s network of bike trails, or go on a horseback ride. If you are traveling between Louisville and Nashville, Tennessee, this is a fantastic place to stop on the way. Plan to spend some time there - the lush forests are as worth seeing as the caves!
2. See a Horse Race in Lexington
See the best racehorses in the country and the race track where they train at Keeneland. Located just outside of Lexington, Keeneland is known as one of the best racetracks in the world. If you are visiting Kentucky in April or October, you can watch a live race! You can still visit at any time of the year, though, and walk around the grounds and watch the trainers walk the horses. An unexpected bonus of visiting Keeneland is the phenomenal dining - enjoy breakfast or lunch at the restaurant while you are there.
3. Go Bourbon Tasting at a Distillery
Kentucky is known for its bourbon for a reason! The state has more than 20 distilleries that you can visit for a tasting experience. Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort and Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles are two of the state’s top-rated destinations for tasting. In Louisville and Lexington there are many more options to choose from. To plan your trip, visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail website for more information.
4. Spend an Afternoon at Mary Todd Lincoln’s House in Lexington
Enjoy this piece of American history located right in the heart of Lexington. Mary Todd Lincoln’s elegant and historic house is a great place to get a feel for old Lexington. This architectural masterpiece was nearly in ruins before it was restored and turned into a museum. Mary Todd Lincoln visited the house often with the President, and you can learn much more about Mary Todd’s life before and after Lincoln’s assassination.
5. Relax at the Louisville Waterfront Park
There is no better place to spend a sunny day than in the expansive Louisville Waterfront Park on the Ohio River. The park hosts countless concerts and festivals throughout the year, including Thunder Over Louisville from late April to early May. On warm summer nights, nowhere is more vibrant and alive!
Wherever your travels in Kentucky take you, you are sure to learn a lot more about the Bluegrass State in the process. Enjoy the lush forests, beautiful pastures, and all the history associated with this part of the United States!
This article was written by Cathy Trainor.