Best vacation places in kentucky
Best vacation places in kentucky: Kentucky is the state located at the north-central region of the United States and is one of the country’s four most popular tourist destinations. The state is considered to be a part of the Mideast, Midwest, Southeast and the Great Lakes regions with its famous Bluegrass, Horse racing and Bourbon distilleries.
Kentucky is a state in the United States of America and is known for horse racing, bluegrass music and tobacco. The Bluegrass Region is the area known for gentle rolling hills and horse farms while The Knobs Region has high ridges and waterfalls. The major cities of the state include Louisville and Lexington. University of Kentucky is one of the oldest Universities in the state having a history of over 170 years. The highest peaks are Black Mountain reaching to 1,500 ft above sea level and Cumberland Mountains at 2,400 ft above sea level. Seldom resort can be found in all the regions such as Cave Run Lake, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Tannery Ridge, Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area, Natural Bridge State Resort Park among many others . Below is a list of some famous vacation places in Kentucky.
While vacationing in the USA, one of the states that can give you ultimate pleasure is the beautiful state of Kentucky. It is one of them States in the US which still has a lot of untapped potential. Though it is not as popular as some of the eastern states such as Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina it has some beautiful areas which make it a perfect destination for vacation.
Kentucky is a great state for vacation. It is filled with beautiful scenery, interesting history and culture, and fun activities for the whole family. Below are some of our favorite places to visit when we want to relax and rejuvenate.
The Great Smokey Mountains National Park is located in Eastern Kentucky near the Tennessee border. This park is home to many different types of wildlife including black bears, elk, deer, bobcats, raccoons and wolves. There are also over 1,500 miles worth of hiking trails that wind through this beautiful park offering breathtaking views at every turn!
Echo Lake State Park is located on the shore of Lake Barkley near Cadiz Kentucky. The lake itself is home to many different types of fish including largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill sunfish. There are also several campgrounds within this park where you can stay overnight if you wish!
The Mammoth Cave National Park in central Kentucky has over 400 miles worth of caves that have been explored by humans since 1816! There are several different tours available ranging from self-guided walking tours all the way up to guided cave tubing tours where guides row rafts through underground rivers inside Mammoth Cave’s
The best vacation places in Kentucky are:
-Falls of the Ohio
-Bluegrass Region
-The Bourbon Trail
-Black Gold Festival
1. Louisville
If you only have time to visit one city in Kentucky it should be Louisville. It is home to Churchill Downs horse racetrack and most known for its annual Kentucky Derby, which attracts horse lovers from around the world. The city is one of the oldest in the state, founded in 1778, so you will find a lot of history here.
Start your Louisville visit on West Main Street in downtown, one of the most historic sections of the city. The downtown area’s Museum Row has 10 attractions to visit, including the Muhammad Ali Center, the Louisville Slugger Museum, the Kentucky Science Center, and the Frazier History Museum.
For interactive experiences, you can spend an afternoon at the Speed Art Museum or plan a river cruise on board the Belle of Louisville, the city’s historic paddle wheel boat. You can stay at Homewood Suites by Hilton in downtown and walk to some of the top Louisville attractions.
Much of the social action in Louisville happens on Fourth Street in downtown, where you will find local theaters and entertainment; a variety of restaurants serving up authentic homemade Southern cuisine; and seven blocks of shops, historic hotels, and the riverfront activities on the Ohio River.
For outdoor recreation, you can take a walk or bike ride along part of the 100-mile loop around the city or sit and relax in the 85-acre green space at the waterfront park.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Louisville
2. Lexington
The city of Lexington is considered the horse capital of the world. It is the place to visit to experience the history of Thoroughbred racing that goes back for several centuries in the city.
You can start your trip to Lexington at its famous horse racetracks. The Kentucky Horse Park has a number of museums to visit and regular horse demonstrations. You can watch Thoroughbreds go through their morning exercises at the Keenland Race Course and walk through the grounds, then plan breakfast at the Track Kitchen.
If you enjoy learning about the horses, you should definitely plan a Horse Farm Tour, which is a unique experience in Lexington. There are nearly 450 horse farms where you can book an appointment and see where some of the famous Kentucky Derby winners now reside.
You can also just drive along the Lexington countryside on the Bluegrass Country Driving Tour and see the farms and horses grazing in the pastures. If you want to stay in the countryside, you can book a room at Steele’s Run Bed and Breakfast, which is surrounded by scenic farms.
Besides its horse fame, Lexington has some nice historical sites and a vibrant arts scene. While in town, you can tour some historic homes previously owned by famous Lexington residents, like Mary Todd Lincoln, and visit the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, a restored Shaker village with original buildings and land. You can take a guided or self-guided Historic Downtown Walking Tour or just stroll on your own along the streets to enjoy local dining, art galleries, and shops at Victorian Square.
Accommodation: Where to stay in Lexington
3. Newport
Newport in northern Kentucky is a small and fun waterfront city located just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. Newport on the Levee is where you can spend much of your time.
One of the top attractions is the Newport Aquarium, which has world-class exhibits and interactive demonstrations, from the Shark Bridge and fish feedings to interacting with penguins.
The Newport on the Levee complex has a wide range of dining and entertainment options, from stand-up comedy to movies. Another fun must-do in Newport is to walk across the half-mile Purple People Bridge, officially called the Newport Southbank Bridge. The pedestrian bridge connects both sides of the river and provides one of the best views of the Ohio River.
Newport also has a nice historic district in the East Row neighborhood. The district is the second largest historic area in Kentucky, established in the 1700s, where you can walk around and see some of the homes. While you are exploring the area be sure to see the World Peace Bell, which is the world’s largest swinging bell.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Newport
4. Cumberland Gap
The majestic Cumberland Gap near Middlesboro, Kentucky is one of the best places to visit for outdoor beauty in the state. The Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is not only a beautiful area but it’s also historic: early settlers used it to move buffalo to the west. There are more than 85 miles of trails. Most are easily accessible, but some backcountry trails spread across the 24,000 acres of wilderness.
Besides the many outdoor experiences at the Cumberland Gap, you can visit the Hensley Settlement in the park, which is a living history village representative of early Appalachian settlement. The Cumberland Gap Visitor Center, the Artists Co-op, and Mitty’s Metal Art workshop are also fun stops in the park if you are looking to fill out a day in the area.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Middlesboro
5. Bowling Green
The town of Bowling Green is one of the best places to visit in Kentucky, especially if you are an automotive or aviation enthusiast. It is home to the National Corvette Museum, where you can see a large collection of restored vintage Corvettes and exhibits related to the iconic American car.
Bowling Green’s contributions to transportation are also on display at the Historic Railpark and Train Museum and the Aviation Heritage Park, which are both open to visitors.
The more natural side of Bowling Green is best seen at Lost River Cave, where you can spend a day. There are underground cave boat tours that are great for families and a fun way to explore the cave system. The complex above ground has ziplining, several miles of hiking trails, and a butterfly habitat.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Bowling Green
6. Mammoth Cave National Park
The massive cave system at Mammoth Cave National Park, near Brownsville in central Kentucky, is the longest known in existence in the world. There are more than 400 miles of pathways and cave chambers, and many are open to visitors for tours. Several types of tours are available that showcase dripstone formations and other natural elements inside the cave system.
In addition to exploring the caves, this is one of the best places to visit in Kentucky because there are so many other things to do in the park, like kayaking or fishing on the Nolin River and Green River.
Hiking is another popular activity. There are several miles of trails that start from the visitor center and can accommodate every skill level. You can also book a horseback riding tour through the national park.
Accommodation: Where to Stay near Mammoth Cave National Park
7. London
There is one reason that London makes the list of one of the best places to go in Kentucky: it is the birthplace of the world-famous Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants. It is a quirky town and is probably best known for hosting an annual World Chicken Festival, although the town has plenty of things to do during other times of the year.
If you visit during the festival, which is usually held in the fall, you can bite into a fresh piece of Kentucky fried chicken from the world’s largest skillet.
Outside the festival timeframe, London is a great place to visit, especially if you enjoy Civil War history. The Camp Wildcat Battlefield is nice to visit, especially during one of the Civil War reenactments that occasionally take place here. It was one of the sites of the first engagement in the Civil War for Kentucky troops.
The Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park is another place to visit to see how early settlers navigated the wilderness to eventually call Kentucky home. There is a living history pioneer settlement at the Mountain Life Museum inside the park.