Top Things to do in Kentucky
Top Hotels in Kentucky
- 1. Aloft Louisville Downtown
- 2. Drury Inn & Suites Paducah
- 3. The Galt House Hotel
- 4. Embassy Suites by Hilton Louisville Downtown
- 5. Hampton Inn & Suites Newport / Cincinnati
- 6. Drury Inn & Suites Bowling Green, KY
- 7. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lexington South / Hamburg
- 8. Drury Inn Paducah
- 9. Hilton Garden Inn Louisville Airport
- 10. 21c Museum Hotel Louisville
10 Free Things to do in Kentucky That You Shouldn't Miss
Famous for Bourbon Country and horse farms, civil war battlefields and beautiful natural parks, Kentucky offers a delightful mix of experiences. You might begin in Lexington, where the 1200-acre Kentucky Horse Park is a popular attraction. The university adds exciting sports, impressive art and a vibrant student/professor population to the city. Louisville is similar, where renowned Churchill Downs hosts the annual Kentucky Derby and the Belle of Louisville, the nation’s oldest steam-driven river paddlewheeler, hosts enchanting lunch and dinner cruises along the beautiful Ohio River. Next, head south to visit Mammoth Cave National Park for a day of touring the cave (the world’s longest known cave), hiking and canoeing on the Green River. Paducah, Berea, Bowling Green – so many places to explore and enjoy!
Restaurants in Kentucky
1. Old Frankfort Pike
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By 527diannl
Took this drive during peak fall color. Beautiful countryside, farms, and the main attraction,the horses themselves. We spent a good 3-4 hours taking our time and stopping for lunch, but could be done in less. Do it!
2. St Mary's Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 161 reviews
Reviewed By MsEditor2 - Cincinnati, United States
We recently moved to the area and had seen this beautiful church which reminded me of Notre Dame. We stopped on a Monday morning to walk through. While it isn't on the size scale of most Western European churches I've visited, it is equally impressive, especially the stained glass windows. We were surprised at what a phenomenally beautiful cathedral, which reminded us of Europe, could be found in Covington. It is indeed a treasure. The marble along with the intricate mosaics from Germany pair well with the Venetian glass and make this a must see if you are in Northern Kentucky.
3. Swope's Cars of Yesteryear Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 262 reviews
"... a wonderful collection, and it's FREE! Thank you" a recent visitor. The Swope's Cars of Yesteryear Museum features vehicles ranging from the early 1900's to the 1960's in a variety of makes and models in both original condition and restored condition. After years of planning and nine months of construction, Swope`s Cars of Yesteryear opened in May 1999. The collection consists of sixty magnificent machines of the past, all museum quality. These are exciting automobiles that stir memories of long ago days when motoring was a fun-filled adventure. Our museum allows car fans and collectors to admire the progression of automobiles over time. Our collection includes antique cars like the 1914 Model T and the 1925 Pierce Arrow to classics like the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro and the 1956 Thunderbird.
Reviewed By Homecroft56 - Nineveh, United States
Almost missed it - road signs direct you to a previous location. It sits in the parking lot of the Swopes car dealerships right on US 31W. A small museum with about 40 antique cars, all in mint condition. Excellent collection and worth a stop to see. The museum is free.
4. Smothers Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 525 reviews
Reviewed By man0ske
Smothers Park is a beautiful clean park with a nice water park for the kids; a big playground; swings overlooking the river; and many fountains. Close to food and everything downtown. A definite must do when coming to Owensboro!
5. Purple Toad Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 369 reviews
Reviewed By Sweetspcl - Antioch, United States
I had heard of this winery before but never visited. As we were on our way to Metropolis we decided to stop and am I ever so glad we did!!!. This place was great, the staff was very welcoming, knowledgeable and engaging. The amount of different wines was unmatched compared to the many other wineries I have visited. I had recently stocked up on wine at the Tennessee wine festival but that didn't stop me from coming with 7 bottles from here. I am already planning a day trip with my girlfriends as part of my birthday celebration next month. It didn't hurt any that we caught them while having the customer appreciation sale of 20% off.
6. The Parklands of Floyds Fork
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 146 reviews
Reviewed By jeffF8875IX - Louisville, United States
Outstanding and well-kept park - perfect for hiking, dogwalking, and biking - paved bike paths as well as dirt trails through the woods and along Floyd's Fork creek - great time.
7. Daniel Boone National Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 95 reviews
Boat, fish, hike and hunt to your heart's content in this scenic national forest.
Reviewed By kadinger - Necedah, United States
Could spend a month here, great hiking camping, swimming and so much outdoor stuff. Wanted to go through the silver mine, will have to go back.
8. Old Louisville
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 519 reviews
Welcome to the official TA tour page for Old Louisville. All of our tours are brought to you by Louisville Historic Tours. LHT is the oldest and most well-known tour company in Old Louisville. Our tours have been recommend by the New York Times and we've guided over 50,000 visitors through beautiful Old Louisville. Please click on the specific tour on the right hand side or email us for more information. Operating hours are below.
9. Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,302 reviews
Known as the "Niagara of the South," the 125-foot wide curtain of water is dramatic day or night. But it's only at night during a full moon that you can see the moonbow, a phenomenon not regularly visible anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere. The park's many lodging, dining, and recreational opportunities make Cumberland Falls State Resort Park the perfect location for a family vacation, business retreat, or weekend getaway to the beautiful mountains of southeast Kentucky. The DuPont Lodge features 51 rooms, the Riverview Restaurant, meeting spaces, and easy access to the park's extensive trail system. Twenty woodland rooms and 25 cottages provide guests a more secluded lodging option. The 49-site campground, gift shop, horseback riding stables, Moonbow Cafe, playgrounds, tennis court, Olympic-size swimming pool, 17 miles of trails, and much more await visitors to Cumberland Falls - one of the "Nation's Finest" state parks!
Reviewed By jennyhazard
The Falls are amazing, the hiking trails are stellar, and the lodge is wonderful--the staff are all so friendly and helpful, and it's beautiful. Pro-Tip: Ask for a river view room (there are only two). The view is incredible and we had a great time. Drove over to Blue Heron Mining Camp (really cool, about a half hour away) an into Corbin for dinner at the Wrigley Taproom (great local food). If you're looking for a romantic getaway or a family vacation, you can't do better than this. Also good for meetings--our weekend started out with a Board retreat and the accommodations were perfect.
10. Natural Bridge State Resort Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 742 reviews
Features a great natural sandstone arch that stands over the mountain.
Reviewed By Richard19651965 - Murray, United States
How do so many people in Kentucky not know about this place? So many people travel to the same old vacation destinations such as Gatlinburg, Tennessee, or the beach at Gulf Shores, Alabama, or Panama City, Florida. This place is a jewel. It offers several hiking trails, the views are beautiful, and the lodge and grounds are well-maintained and impressive. This state park even includes a chair lift! Give this place a try if you haven't been.
