What better way to start the New Year than to make a bucket list of amazing Kentucky destinations? All of these places are right here in the Bluegrass State, and you can make some awesome day or weekend trips out of them. This list only scratches the surface of incredible places to visit in Kentucky, but checking them out will surely make 2017 memorable.
- Red River Gorge, Slade
Flickr/ hspauldi The Red River Gorge in Daniel Boone National Forest is the perfect place to hike, rock climb, camp, and just enjoy the outdoors. Paddle down the Red River or walk across one of the many natural sandstone arches.
- Mammoth Cave, Edmonson County
Flickr/Margaret River Descend into the world’s longest known cave system at Mammoth Cave National Park. You’ll see some unbelievable sites at this subterranean wonder.
- Cumberland Falls during a moon bow, Corbin
Flickr/Daveblog A moon bow is a natural phenomenon that occurs at Cumberland Falls near Corbin around the time of a full moon. Cumberland Falls is the only place in the western hemisphere that is known to experience a regular occurrence of a moonbow.
- Dale Hollow Lake, Cumberland and Clinton Counties
Wikimedia Commons/Brian Stansberry Come marvel at the blue water of Dale Hollow Lake on the Kentucky/Tennessee border. This reservoir is ideal to visit in the warmer months for fishing, boating, jet skiing, and swimming.
- The Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville
Flickr/TimHaag In 2016, we unfortunately lost one of Kentucky’s heroes, but his life and legacy lives on in the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville. Visit it to learn more about this boxer and activist’s inspiring life. The Muhammad Ali Center is located at 144 N. 6th Street, Louisville, KY 40202.
- Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Prestonsburg
Flickr/Kevin Schraer Relax and explore in this beautiful natural area near Prestonsburg. Stay in a cozy cottage or lodge, or pitch a tent and camp in the wilderness.
- Land Between the Lakes Natural Recreation Area, Golden Pond
Flickr/Stefan Krasowski The Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is located right in between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, making it a perfect place for hiking, camping, boating, and water sports.
- Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo, Horse Cave
TripAdvisor/management Lounge with a kangaroo, feed a lorikeet, or milk a cow at this unique and interactive Australian-themed zoo. Your ticket also includes entry to Mammoth Onyx Cave. Kentucky Down Under is located at 3700 L and N Turnpike Road, Horse Cave, KY 42749.
- Bardstown, Kentucky
Flickr/Matt Zaske Bardstown is known as “the most beautiful small town in America.” Even though it’s a small town, there is plenty to do and see, and it makes a great day trip. Visit a bourbon distillery, or see one of the many historic sites in Bardstown.
- Bernheim Forest, Clermont
Flickr/Dianna Wood Not far from Bardstown is Bernheim Forest, located in Clermont. This arboretum and research forest is the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with nature. Be sure to walk down the Canopy Tree Walk, which is a boardwalk elevated 75 feet above to forest floor to give you breathtaking panoramic views.
- Falling Rock Park, La Grange
Yelp/Kathy V. Falling Rock Park in La Grange, Kentucky makes a perfect summer trip. This swimming hole located in an old rock quarry is a great place to cool off during those humid Kentucky summers. Falling Rock Park is located at 2201 Fendley Mill Road, La Grange, KY 40031.
- A Bourbon Distillery
Flickr/jshyun See how Kentucky’s native spirit is made at one of the many bourbon distilleries in the state, or make a it a goal to finish the whole Bourbon Trail. This is a great activity to do year round, especially in the winter when you’re looking to warm up and cure your cabin fever.
- Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg
Flickr/Frank Kehren Step back in time at this historic village near Harrodsburg. Learn how Kentucky Shakers lived in the 19th century, or just simply take a stroll through their beautiful 3,000-acre property. Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill is located at 3501 Lexington Road, Harrodsburg, KY 40330.
- Newport Aquarium, Newport
Flickr/michael kudela Newport Aquarium is another great option for a day trip. The aquarium is at Newport on the Levee, meaning there are tons of options for shopping, eating, and entertainment after gazing at sea creatures. Plus you’ll have an amazing view of the Cincinnati skyline. Newport Aquarium is located at 1 Aquarium Way, Newport, KY 41071.
- Old Friends Farm, Georgetown
Yelp/Jason B. This thoroughbred retirement farm lets you see famous race horses enjoying life after racing, such as 1997 Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm. While you’re in the heart of horse country, why not drive around to see more of it? Old Friends is located at 1841 Paynes Depot Road, Georgetown, KY 40324.
- Perryville Battlefield, Perryville
Flickr/Navin75 Perryville Battlefield is an extremely significant piece of Kentucky history. The Battle of Perryville took place on October 8, 1862, and was one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. The 745-acre park is now said to be haunted by the ghosts of soldiers who lost their lives there. Perryville Battlefield is located at 1825 Battlefield Road, Perryville, KY 40468.
- Rabbit Hash, Kentucky
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM This little town in along the Ohio River in Boone County just might be the most unique town in the state. This small community has a population of 315, and their mayor is a pit bull named Brynneth Pawltro. They have several buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, most notably, the Rabbit Hash General Store. Unfortunately, the general store caught fire in early 2016, but it is currently being restored and will reopen in 2017.
- Tri-State Peak at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
Flickr/ Taber Andrew Bain Stand in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia all at once at this hidden gem of a destination in far eastern Kentucky. Explore this mountainous area where European settlers first crossed into Kentucky.
- Yew Dell Botanical Gardens, Crestwood
Facebook/Yew Dell Botanical Gardens If you’re looking to visit someplace that’s more of a local secret, then check out this beautiful garden in Crestwood. Tour the gardens to discover new kinds of plants, or enjoy the natural beauty of their hiking trails. Yew Dell Botanical Gardens is located at 6220 Old La Grange Road, Crestwood, KY 40014.
- Louisville’s Waterfront Park
Flickr/flickrized There is plenty to do along Louisville’s waterfront. Stroll across the Big Four Bridge, play a game of frisbee on the Great Lawn, or check out their spray park if you have kiddos that need to cool off in the summer. Numerous events take place on the waterfront as well, such as Forecastle Festival and WFPK’s Waterfront Wednesdays.
What other places would you add on to a Kentucky destinations bucket list?
Flickr/ hspauldi
The Red River Gorge in Daniel Boone National Forest is the perfect place to hike, rock climb, camp, and just enjoy the outdoors. Paddle down the Red River or walk across one of the many natural sandstone arches.
Flickr/Margaret River
Descend into the world’s longest known cave system at Mammoth Cave National Park. You’ll see some unbelievable sites at this subterranean wonder.
Flickr/Daveblog
A moon bow is a natural phenomenon that occurs at Cumberland Falls near Corbin around the time of a full moon. Cumberland Falls is the only place in the western hemisphere that is known to experience a regular occurrence of a moonbow.
Wikimedia Commons/Brian Stansberry
Come marvel at the blue water of Dale Hollow Lake on the Kentucky/Tennessee border. This reservoir is ideal to visit in the warmer months for fishing, boating, jet skiing, and swimming.
Flickr/TimHaag
In 2016, we unfortunately lost one of Kentucky’s heroes, but his life and legacy lives on in the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville. Visit it to learn more about this boxer and activist’s inspiring life. The Muhammad Ali Center is located at 144 N. 6th Street, Louisville, KY 40202.
Flickr/Kevin Schraer
Relax and explore in this beautiful natural area near Prestonsburg. Stay in a cozy cottage or lodge, or pitch a tent and camp in the wilderness.
Flickr/Stefan Krasowski
The Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is located right in between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, making it a perfect place for hiking, camping, boating, and water sports.
TripAdvisor/management
Lounge with a kangaroo, feed a lorikeet, or milk a cow at this unique and interactive Australian-themed zoo. Your ticket also includes entry to Mammoth Onyx Cave. Kentucky Down Under is located at 3700 L and N Turnpike Road, Horse Cave, KY 42749.
Flickr/Matt Zaske
Bardstown is known as “the most beautiful small town in America.” Even though it’s a small town, there is plenty to do and see, and it makes a great day trip. Visit a bourbon distillery, or see one of the many historic sites in Bardstown.
Flickr/Dianna Wood
Not far from Bardstown is Bernheim Forest, located in Clermont. This arboretum and research forest is the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with nature. Be sure to walk down the Canopy Tree Walk, which is a boardwalk elevated 75 feet above to forest floor to give you breathtaking panoramic views.
Yelp/Kathy V.
Falling Rock Park in La Grange, Kentucky makes a perfect summer trip. This swimming hole located in an old rock quarry is a great place to cool off during those humid Kentucky summers. Falling Rock Park is located at 2201 Fendley Mill Road, La Grange, KY 40031.
Flickr/jshyun
See how Kentucky’s native spirit is made at one of the many bourbon distilleries in the state, or make a it a goal to finish the whole Bourbon Trail. This is a great activity to do year round, especially in the winter when you’re looking to warm up and cure your cabin fever.
Flickr/Frank Kehren
Step back in time at this historic village near Harrodsburg. Learn how Kentucky Shakers lived in the 19th century, or just simply take a stroll through their beautiful 3,000-acre property. Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill is located at 3501 Lexington Road, Harrodsburg, KY 40330.
Flickr/michael kudela
Newport Aquarium is another great option for a day trip. The aquarium is at Newport on the Levee, meaning there are tons of options for shopping, eating, and entertainment after gazing at sea creatures. Plus you’ll have an amazing view of the Cincinnati skyline. Newport Aquarium is located at 1 Aquarium Way, Newport, KY 41071.
Yelp/Jason B.
This thoroughbred retirement farm lets you see famous race horses enjoying life after racing, such as 1997 Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm. While you’re in the heart of horse country, why not drive around to see more of it? Old Friends is located at 1841 Paynes Depot Road, Georgetown, KY 40324.
Flickr/Navin75
Perryville Battlefield is an extremely significant piece of Kentucky history. The Battle of Perryville took place on October 8, 1862, and was one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. The 745-acre park is now said to be haunted by the ghosts of soldiers who lost their lives there. Perryville Battlefield is located at 1825 Battlefield Road, Perryville, KY 40468.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
This little town in along the Ohio River in Boone County just might be the most unique town in the state. This small community has a population of 315, and their mayor is a pit bull named Brynneth Pawltro. They have several buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, most notably, the Rabbit Hash General Store. Unfortunately, the general store caught fire in early 2016, but it is currently being restored and will reopen in 2017.
Flickr/ Taber Andrew Bain
Stand in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia all at once at this hidden gem of a destination in far eastern Kentucky. Explore this mountainous area where European settlers first crossed into Kentucky.
Facebook/Yew Dell Botanical Gardens
If you’re looking to visit someplace that’s more of a local secret, then check out this beautiful garden in Crestwood. Tour the gardens to discover new kinds of plants, or enjoy the natural beauty of their hiking trails. Yew Dell Botanical Gardens is located at 6220 Old La Grange Road, Crestwood, KY 40014.
Flickr/flickrized
There is plenty to do along Louisville’s waterfront. Stroll across the Big Four Bridge, play a game of frisbee on the Great Lawn, or check out their spray park if you have kiddos that need to cool off in the summer. Numerous events take place on the waterfront as well, such as Forecastle Festival and WFPK’s Waterfront Wednesdays.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
