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
Things to do in Kentucky, United States: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas
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. Salato Wildlife Education Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 163 reviews
Reviewed By connielQ8420WN
We really enjoyed walking the trails and visiting the exhibits. The employees were present and helpful, taking the time to answer all of our questions during the bobcat training. Animals can be observed in their natural habitats and the overlooks make viewing accessible to everyone. Great place to see for all ages! Donate now to help keep Salato's animals fed and happy!
2. Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By chloethomas1213 - Russell Springs, United States
The Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery is a must visit if you are in the Lake Cumberland Area. It is located near the dam and the campground and makes for a great morning or afternoon activity. Kids love it as well!
3. The Arboretum at Murray State
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By nkelso125 - Murray, United States
Great spot to take a walk or just stop and relax. Paved walking trail along with a pond and waterfall and a few different seating areas/benches. Great spot to look at different plant types, take in nature, and enjoy a nice day outside.
4. Bad Branch State Nature Preserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By kimmZ7321QD
What an awesome place to visit and so close to home. A wonderful hike for all seasons although spring probably provides the best views of the falls!
5. Cumberland Point Recreational Area
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Yehbut - Bluffton, United States
We have seen this place from the water by boat, but never drove by car. Nice camping area with a playground, boat dock, restrooms, and parking. Excellent place to fire up the grill on a winter or summer’s day! Lake Cumberland is truly one of the cleanest, well preserved, untainted lakes still available for worldwide travelers! It’s like being on a island.
6. Serano Alpacas & Yarns
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
We are a working alpaca farm with a fiber mill, and farm store. Come feed the alpacas and learn why their fiber has been revered for thousands of years. In our fiber mill you will see how we turn nearly 200# of fiber each year into finished products. Our farm store not only offers alpaca products and yarns, we have locally handcrafted gifts, and even a few collectibles. Tours by appt. year round.
7. Nada Tunnel
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By TheGigalo44
I was going from a job site to another job site first time working this route, and ended up on the Red River Gorge trail and came upon a one lane hole thru the mountain, a natural tunnel, was like what a nice surprise, a scenic route on a work day....
8. Coolmore America - Ashford Stud
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 96 reviews
Come and visit Ashford Stud, international breeding giant Coolmore’s home in the Blue Grass. Coolmore also have large operations in Ireland and Australia, making us one of the biggest bloodstock players globally. Behind Ashford’s historic stone walls you will find some of the most sought-after horseflesh in the world as well as a storied history. Our iconic stallion barns are home to Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup Classic hero AMERICAN PHAROAH along with the likes of Kentucky Derby winner FUSAICHI PEGASUS and record breaking freshman sire UNCLE MO. Come and see why Coolmore’s farms around the world have earned the moniker of the Home of Champions. We do our best to let fans see American Pharoah and our other champions, however, no guarantees can be made for any particular tour - showings are pending the health and welfare of the animals. For the same reason, we're unable to allow feeding of the horses during tours. No pets are allowed on property.
Reviewed By RosemaryAlb - Johns Creek, United States
Great tour and got to meet Justify! The grounds are what you picture for a Kentucky horse farm, beautiful!
9. Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 422 reviews
Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area offers 170,000-acres of outdoor activities and environmental learning between Barkley and Kentucky Lakes in western KY/TN. Enjoy hundreds of miles of bike, hike, horse, hunt, and off-highway vehicle trails. Campgrounds and picnic areas offer lake access to swim, boat, and bank fish. Get up close to owls, foxes, bobcats, and other rescued native wildlife at Woodlands Nature Station. Experience life on an 1850’s farm with period animals, crops, and hand-made tools at The Homeplace. Drive the 700 acre Elk & Bison Prairie to view native plants and wildlife. Daily shows at the Golden Pond Planetarium bring outer space to life in a 40-foot dome theater. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Reviewed By jbwhitehouse - Dallas, United States
The Golden Pond Visitor Center is open even amidst Covid-19 pandemic and a chilly November. The lady at the Information desk is helpful, the inside museum is very worthwhile to learn about the former and present area. Inside are also bathrooms, a gift shop, and racks of informational brochures. Outside is a wonderful picnic pavilion with a lovely view. There is also a playground area. The park contains many picnic areas and camping opportunities and wonderful trails. Pay $5 per car to drive through the Elk & Bison Prairie 3-mile loop enclosure--pay at the Visitor Center which is 1 mile south of the enclosure or at the enclosure entrance.
10. Raven Run Nature Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 194 reviews
Don your walking or hiking shoes and follow the trails through this 350-acre tract of land complete with forests, creeks, meadows, wildflowers and historic and geological landmarks.
Reviewed By melissaaQ7050VS
This was our favorite part of our KY visit. We hit it on the way out of town and were so pleasantly surprised. The hike is not for the faint of heart - Im not a hiker but I would consider their main trail Moderate. There is a map that includes each of the color trails' descriptions. We took the main loop (i think its red) and then a few of the white (sight seeing spot) off shoots from the main 4 mile hike. The views and the scenery were so varied that we were entertained the entire trip. There is a view of the Kentucky river as well as two or three points where you can see small creeks. The greenery was mostly gone during our November visit but there was still so much to see as far as mushrooms, fungus, color leaves and some remaining greenery. We even saw some turkey! Highly recommend. But it is a hike so be sure to check in at the main center (they have a sign in/out sheet) and take some water. I think it took us about 3 hours and we were meandering and taking photos. It was also a little wet from rain so we were in no rush.
