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
What to do and see in Kentucky, United States: The Best Things to do
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. Keeneland
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,811 reviews
Part thoroughbred race course, part sales company and considered one of America's most beautiful tracks, Keeneland is known for its well-designed and meticulous landscaping. The grounds consist of the paddock, a prep area where visitors can view horses up-close just before the race and a combination of dirt and turf race tracks.
Reviewed By garydK3367BN
Just a afternoon trip to see Keeneland before all the action starts APRIL 2-24 for live racing! A must is to stop by the GIFT SHOP great things for everyone! Many places to EAT but fun to wonder around grab something on the run to eat! Check out the paddock where you can get a closeup view of the horses and say “hi” to your favorite jockey or trainer! Great place to dress up and many restaurants to set down and eat( love The Lexington room on 4th floor). Arrive early and watch the morning workouts and have breakfast at the Track Kitchen (great food)!!! Very friendly people to help you with making your bets or finding great food!!! ENJOY ????
2. Angel's Envy Distillery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 813 reviews
Built in the heart of Louisville, the Angel’s Envy Distillery is downtown’s first fully operational whiskey production facility. Angel’s Envy puts you in the center of our distilling process for a unique tour experience. TOURS ARE BY ONLINE RESERVATION ONLY.
Reviewed By victoriaef2017 - Elizabethtown, United States
A classy distillery with history.... Minimalist surroundings Jimmy James was a fun & informative tour guide, answered all questions with a grin Loved having a drink In the bar reserved for those completing the tour And Kelly was a very friendly mixologist....fun to watch creating tasty as well as attractive libations A must if you are doing the Kentucky Bourbon Trail!
3. Kentucky Derby Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,298 reviews
The Kentucky Derby Museum, where every day is Derby day, is the official tour provider of historic Churchill Downs. When you visit the Museum, you will find yourself immersed in the next best thing to actually being at the Derby! As the exclusive tour provider for the track, various tours are offered throughout the year even when the track isn’t in session with live racing. General admission includes two levels of family-friendly interactive permanent & temporary exhibits, "The Greatest Race," a 360-degree immersive sound and visual experience that'll get your heart racing and emotions soaring, Historic Walking Tour of Churchill Downs Racetrack, access to the Gift Shop, Kentucky fare in the Derby Cafe Express and much more!
Reviewed By B465DMsarahc - Glenwood, United States
We stopped here on our drive through to take a break and it was well worth it. It was four of us, 10-month old, 14 year old, and my husband and I. We took the tour, watched the video, and walked around the museum. It was all well worth it and we learned a lot. We didn't get to see the entire museum because we had to get back on the road. You can stop here for a little over an hour, or spend the day....lots of options and lots of different tours depending on how long you want to stay. I will say, we got there after lunch time and the more in depth tours were already sold out, so if you want to take the behind the scenes tour that take you to the barns, etc. - you probably need to book those early. We would come here again.
4. National Corvette Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,875 reviews
See over 70 Corvettes in periodic settings including a mid-century barbershop, service station and historic race track. Exhibit Hall features special displays that change regularly. For hands-on activities visit the KidZone, Corvette Cave-In / Sinkhole Experience and numerous trivia kiosks, then try a Corvette on for size in the lobby. The Corvette Store offers apparel, collectibles, home and gift items. On-site 50's-inspired Corvette Cafe serves breakfast, lunch and snacks.
Reviewed By anitak474 - Oklahoma, United States
If you are a corvette or a car buff, then you will love this museum. Very well done and very well presented!
5. Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,521 reviews
Batter up! It takes a special place to craft the #1 Bat in Major League Baseball. At Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, experience history-in-the-making as you stroll through the actual factory where world-famous Louisville Slugger bats are created. The award-winning factory tour is a highlight of the visit here, but there's plenty more to enjoy along with it. Admire the World's Biggest Bat - stretching 120 feet into the sky. Hold bats actually used by baseball superstars like Mickey Mantle, Johnny Bench, Cal Ripken Jr. And Derek Jeter. Face down a 90-mph fastball hurled by a major league pitcher. Count the homerun notches Babe Ruth carved into his Louisville Slugger bat for every home run he hit with it. Step into the batting cages and take some swings with a replica model of your hero's bat. Guests even get a free miniature souvenir bat at the end of the factory tour. You can even create a bat with your own name on it, just like the pros. They make great gifts for all kinds of special occasions, from newborn babies, to groomsmen gifts, to team trophies and more. The museum store is also loaded with lots of sporty merchandise for every budget. Be sure to swing by!
Reviewed By Vmorris99 - Saint Louis, United States
Don't hesitate...go...and pay for the tour! We toured the museum while in Louisville for a convention and visit with friends. My husband and I took our 9 year old son. We all found the museum to exceed our expectations. You can pop into the museum, and you have the option to pay for a tour of the factory. We are so glad we took the tour! Our tour guide was knowledgeable, interesting and funny. You begin with a short movie about how they own their own forest, and how trees are selected, harvested for production and conserved. It was a short and interesting film. Then, our guide lead us through the factory and stopped at key points to describe the process of bat production, labeling and painting. I found the info on how MLB players select bats fascinating. At the end if the tour, each person receives a miniature bat. Afterwards, you are able to explore the museum, which contains baseball history, actual bats of famous players, clocked pitching speed demo, and fun photo opportunities including a dugout and pitching mound where you can pose with a famous player's actual bat. For fellow smashed penny collectors, the lobby features a crank machine with four designs for your smashing pleasure! The lobby also contains a nice gift shop where custom bats, hats, keychains and other souvenirs can be purchased. The ginormous bat on the outside of the building is Instagramable!
6. Churchill Downs
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,642 reviews
This beautiful racetrack has been the home of the Kentucky Derby since 1875.
Reviewed By Realtor44 - Hamden, United States
Churchill Downs Louisville Ky. As the home of the internationally known Kentucky Derby as well as a long history of racing excellence Churchill Downs certainly needs no introduction. I can only relay a very unique opportunity accorded to me recently regarding Churchill Downs. We were invited to a recent event held there known as DAY AT THE RACES - CHURCHILL DOWNS. The host had secured the entire floor of the Starting Gates Tower for the entire day. The ability to experience a day of races from such a stylish and luxurious setting has ruined me for races for life. Having such amenities as leather bound chairs and tables while watching the races from picture windows, flat screen TV’s or stepping outside to your private balcony box seats is a treat. A number of guests were trainers or owners so we had the additional advantage of going inside the Paddock area. I can only imagine what it would be like for the Derby. This was magical enough.
7. Lost River Cave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,077 reviews
Lost River Cave is home to the only underground boat tour in the state of Kentucky and the only zipline in Bowling Green. In addition to the boat tour, Lost River Cave offers over two miles of nature trails, ziplines, and a unique, seasonal butterfly habitat. Lost River Cave is one of the largest nature parks in the South Central Kentucky region. Book your tickets online
Reviewed By toddsP6204AD - Manassas, United States
This is a "new" cave where the formation is young. The tour is far less physically demanding since you're seated in a boat for most of it. The blue hole is unique to any cave tour I've taken and they spin great local lore as part of the tour. Run by a non profit- they go into a lot of the science too. Great for the young, old, or in between.
8. Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 398 reviews
Where the Spirit Leads YouFor more than 200 years, Kentucky's legendary distilleries have crafted the world's finest Bourbons, using secret recipes and a time-honored process passed down from generation to generation.Now you can explore the rich tradition and proud history of "America's Official Native Spirit" on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail(R) tour, featuring 9 signature distilleries nestled among the most beautiful scenery the Bluegrass has to offer.Discover the art and science of the Master Distiller...Savor the distinct, mellow flavor...And see how Kentucky's perfect natural mix of weather and pure limestone water produces the classic taste and deep amber color.World-renowned Bourbon.Winding country roads.Inviting historic towns.Rolling green hills.And Bluegrass hospitality at its best.The Kentucky Bourbon Trail(R) tour - where the spirit leads you.
Reviewed By Dingram_24 - Knoxville, United States
Bourbon trail in a weekend: Friday 4 distilleries, Sat 4 Distilleries, Sunday 3. Started in Knoxville and traveled up to Lexington for our first stop at Lexington Brewing & Distillery Co Town Branch. Tour time 10am. Then we traveled to Woodford reserve with tour time 12. My wife got use lunch food to go at Glenns creek cafe at Woodford. Traveled to next stop Four Roses Distillery tour time 2:00. Finished day at Wild Turkey Distillery at 4pm. Stayed at Hampton Inn in Frankfort, KY that night. Next day started early at Buffalo Trace (ITS FREE) and our tour was at 9am. Then we traveled to Evan Williams downtown Louisville on Main street tour time 11:20 (parking located next to building for $6). At this point if you are all about the stamps you could have one person tour and the other go get stamps at other distilleries downtown). Next stop Bulliet Stitzel Weller Distillery with tour time 1pm. Off to American Stillhouse Jim Bean with tour time 3:30 (we were there earlier than that but they had no openings for a tour, just FYI you could schedule probably at 3). Saturday night we stayed in Bardstown KY at Bourbon Manor B&B. We ate that night at Rickhouse Restaurant & lounge (need a reservation for this one we did 6:30--also an option in town they have a dinner train but it leaves at 4:30--we couldn't make it). Sunday Started at Bardstown Bourbon Company (beautiful place-has lunch that starts at 11:30 very fancy) Tour time 10. Next Bourbon Heritage Center 12:15 tour and ended the day at Makers Mark at 2pm tour. The whole thing was so fun with most expensive tour ticket at Woodford $20. We got 11 of 17 distilleries in one weekend.
9. The Big Four Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,909 reviews
Reviewed By 291genej - Silver Spring, United States
It was a beautiful morning to park at the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge Parking lot River Road(Google) with nice restrooms open at 9 AM. We joined other walkers, joggers and bicyclists on the 1/2+ mile crossing to Jeffersonville, IN. Historical signage throughout, classical music in the mid section and views of busy I-65 on the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge and the Abraham Lincoln Bridge make for lots of general interest.
10. Ark Encounter
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,003 reviews
Reviewed By optionstrader122112 - Clearwater, United States
Massive! Huge! Words that describe this ark when you first see it. The sheer size and scope of this life sized model of Noah's Ark leaves one with great appreciation and gratitude towards Noah for taking on an enormous task. And he did it all without today's power tools. I took my time to see everything I wanted to see including the outdoor petting zoo and to take some pictures. (9:15 - 6:15) Good buffet. A lot of research went into building a life size replica as written in the Bible. While some details were not included in the Bible, the research kicked in to reproduce what was inside the ark, including the kinds of animals, the cages, how they were fed and given water, cleaned their cages, and how Noah's family lived to survive the flood. Take some breaks, This is not a quick trip if one wants to see the details that went into building the ark, and what life was like inside the ark for Noah's family and the animals. Overall a very impressive reproduction. On its own it's a great sight to see and learn from. I would recommend seeing the Creation Museum first if one is going to see both. Creation Museum gives a general overview, with a lot of it focused on Noah and the Global Flood. This Ark exhibit gives the more detailed look into Noah and the Ark.
TAGS
