4,136 Kentucky Vacation Rentals & Short Term Rentals

About Kentucky

Kentucky is a state in the southeastern United States, just south of the Ohio River. It is home to many great sports attractions like the Kentucky Derby, the Louisville Slugger Museum, and the University of Kentucky basketball team. Kentucky is also filled with other fun attractions including Mammoth Cave, Lake Cumberland, and the Newport Aquarium. You can choose to spend your vacation in big cities like Louisville or Lexington, or stay in a quiet local town like Elizabethtown or Frankfort. No matter where you decide to stay, Kentucky is filled with fun for the whole family.

Things to do in Kentucky

Kentucky is filled with fun places and activities for you to check out. Outdoor fans can head out to Cave City for zip lining, or Lake Cumberland for fishing and jet skiing. Bring the family along and check out places like Lexington, for bluegrass and horseback riding, or Bowling Green, for shopping and bowling. Sports fans should venture out to cool places like the Louisville Slugger Museum, or the Muhammad Ali Center. Want to be in touch with nature? Kentucky is filled with a multitude of different preserves, including the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Best cities to visit in Kentucky

There are a few cool cities in Kentucky that you should check out during your stay. Louisville is the largest city in the state, and is filled with cool places for sports fans like the Louisville Slugger Museum, Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, and even the Muhammad Ali Museum. Bluegrass fans should travel to Lexington, where you will find things like the Kentucky Horse Park, or explore on your own with the Bluegrass Country Driving Tour. For a home-like vacation, head out to Bowling Green and enjoy the small city feel with places like the Lost River Cave, or Beech Bend Park. Planning a trip with some friends? Be sure to visit Bullitt County, a city filled with breweries and wineries alike, including the Jim Beam American Stillhouse.

Best small towns in Kentucky

Kentucky is filled with small, quiet towns for the perfect relaxing vacation. Edmonton is a small town with a population just over 1,500, filled with friendly people and a peaceful community. Bluegrass fans should head out to Cadiz, for live bluegrass music and home-cooked country meals. Buffalo is similar to a home away from home, with rolling hills and vast farmlands providing a perfect small town environment. Longing to be near the water? Travel to Cloverport and spend your vacation observing the nature and wildlife along the Ohio River.

Best lake vacations in Kentucky

There are plenty of lakes in Kentucky for you to have the perfect lake vacation out on the boat. Shanty Hollow Lake is a quiet little getaway where you can swim, fish, or even plan a picnic by the waterfall at the end of the mile-long walking trail. If you love to camp, head out to Paintsville Lake for some time by this small private campground. Martins Fork Lake is a great spot for fishers to set up for a few days, but also has some spots for swimming and paddle boating. Bringing the family along? Head to Kentucky Lake for fishing, camping, boating, and swimming, all while enjoying a beautiful view.

Best National Parks in Kentucky

There are a few great national parks in Kentucky that you should check out during your trip. The Cumberland Gap National Historic Park is a historic tribute to the Native Americans and western settlers that traveled down the “first great getaway to the west”, and offers a variety of different scenic trails and caves for you to adventure in. For some more fun outdoor activities, head out to the Daniel Boone National Forest in the Redbird Ranger district, where you can try your hand at things like horseback riding, hunting, or even ATVs. Cave explorers should check out Mammoth Cave, the world’s longest known cave system located in south central Kentucky. Looking for a more scenic getaway? Big South Fork is a national river and recreation area that is filled with beautiful scenic gorges and sandstone bluffs.