family-friendly trips | fresh-air adventures | leisurely getaways | elite excursions
Kentucky
K entucky caters to a variety of travelers, thanks to its natural beauty and incomparable strengths in the whiskey and horseracing worlds. Its pillars—the great outdoors, horses, Appalachian culture, bluegrass music and bourbon—can be found in a variety of ways among the state’s rolling hills.
Whether you’re looking to explore caves, check out fine art, get a behind-the-scenes look at racehorses or to simply sip on some bourbon in a historic home, Kentucky delivers. Trips here range from family-friendly experiences like paying homage to an iconic American sport to upscale glamping overnights that involve saunas in the woods.
Whether you're traveling solo or with your favorite people, Kentucky offers plenty of ways to spend a few days in the Bluegrass State. Read on for our guide.
Outdoors
You never know what new friends you might make on vacation, but if you bring your crew to Lake Malone State Park, you can meet the Malone family. Happy, Bobber, Oakley, Wattson, Annette and Paige are the Big Twigs, a series of 10-,14- and 17-foot sculptures. They’re each depicted in some sort of activity, such as hiking, camping, fishing, reading, roasting marshmallows and catching fireflies or butterflies.
Stretching 338 acres, Lake Malone State Park is about two miles west of Dunmor. It’s free to visit the park and the Big Twigs from dawn to dusk from mid-March through mid-November. Members of the Malone family are located throughout the park so wear comfortable hiking shoes.
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Pennyroyal Scuba Center
Family-friendly trips
Fresh-air adventures
Leisurely getaways
Elite excursions
Red River Gorge Geological Area
Plan your trip
Red River Gorgeous's Pirate Ship Cliff House: a treehouse glamping rental
Kentucky Music Hall of Fame
Wild Turkey Distillery
Spy Coast Farm
Horseback riding at Mammoth Cave
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Appalachian Horse Project
Mammoth Cave
Lane's End Farm
New Riff Distilling
Nine Pines Retreats
Keeneland Racetrack
Maker's Mark tour
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
Red River Gorge Geological Area
Lane's End Farm
Nine Pines Retreats
Horses
One thing you’ll soon discover (maybe to the delight of a pony-obsessed child) is that horses can be found in lots of places in Kentucky. Take Adventures of Mammoth Cave in Cave City, for example. On a 60-acre property of rolling hills, look up and you’ll see folks ziplining anywhere from 20 mph to 40 mph above you on two different courses. But for those equine-inclined, there’s horseback riding for all abilities (and for anyone 5 years of age or older). The one-hour guided trek takes you and your horse along gentle trails with panoramic views of the countryside. Lodging is also available here.
Bourbon
While bourbon isn’t for everyone, the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort does offer a tour that children of all ages can join. The Trace Tour takes visitors through rolling bourbon barrels as a guide tells the story of the distillery that goes back to 1775. Lasting 75 minutes, the tour can easily hold adults’ attention, but there is an on-site playground open daily for children who prefer that. While the tour is free, reservations are required; plan ahead as tours fill up fast and tickets are released two months in advance.
The four other Buffalo Trace Distillery tours are open for guests at least 12 years old with an adult companion.
Outdoors
Nature provides plenty of adrenaline rushes, and Kentucky has both in spades. Located within the Daniel Boone National Forest, the Red River Gorge Geological Area in Stanton is a world-renowned climbing destination thanks to its rugged terrain featuring sandstone cliffs and exposed limestone rock faces. Rock climbers flock to “the Red” as it’s known, but so do hikers, as the area has more than 60 miles of trails.
Pennyroyal Scuba Center in Hopkinsville is Kentucky’s only diver-exclusive facility, housed inside a 22-acre rock quarry. Here, all levels of divers come to the scuba park to practice skills, complete certification dives and just have some fun in the clear water. The Pennyroyal diving season starts in April and ends in November.
Horses
Wild horses, descendants of days gone by, still live in the mountains of eastern Kentucky. Protected as a national heritage species, there are small and large herds roaming thousands of acres. The Appalachian Horse Project provides feed and vet care when needed, plus tours so visitors can experience the animals and the mountain scenery.
The tours begin just outside of Jackson and last about two to three hours in a vehicle designed for rough, bumpy mountain roads. Not only will you hear about the coal mining history of the area as you travel up the mountain, but you’ll stop at various locations where the free-roaming herds are frequently spotted. Feel free to bring carrots or apples to feed the horses too, as there will be opportunities to get close to them and even pet them. If no horses are spotted, you'll get a full refund.
Bourbon
The Wine, Whiskey & Ale Trail is a collection of seven stops in Bullitt County that have tours and tastings within nine miles of each other. They include James B. Beam American Outpost, Four Roses Warehouse & Bottling, Gallant Fox Brewing Co., Wight-Meyer Winery, MillaNova Winery, Forest Edge Winery and Brooks Hill Winery. Download the Wine, Whiskey & Ale Trail Pass, and after visiting all seven locations, you can receive a free souvenir glass at either Forest Edge Winery or the Bullitt County Visitor Center.
While exploring this county, save a few hours for Bernheim Forest and Arboretum. Spread out over 16,000 acres, this pristine wilderness has more than 40 miles of hiking trails. Stroll the canopy tree walk that hangs 75 feet above the forest floor. Enjoy a variety of art installations, like the Sensory Garden and the Forest Giants in a Giant Forest.
Outdoors
If natural wonders are on your bucket list, make a beeline to Mammoth Cave, which is the longest-known cave system in the world, measuring more than 425 miles in south central Kentucky. At this UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Region, you can choose from a variety of cave tours, including a fully wheelchair accessible tour, lantern tours, crawling tours and both short and long (i.e. up to four hours) tours. Reserve your tickets well in advance as they tend to sell out.
The cave is part of Mammoth Cave National Park, which is nearly 53,000 acres of reclaimed forest. Above ground, visitors can go horseback riding, canoeing, fishing and hiking during the day. Overnight guests can stay in the on-site Mammoth Cave lodge or go camping and enjoy the dark night sky. (The grounds were deemed an International Dark Sky Park in 2021.)
Horses
Horses are an integral part of Kentucky’s history, heritage and present day. Horse Country, a nonprofit organization, offers immersive experiences, so visitors get a behind-the-scenes look at working farms or businesses. These include tours of a wide range of organizations such as stallion farms, nurseries, veterinary clinics and feed mills, racetrack and training facilities as well as retraining and adoption facilities.
Meet racehorses after their racing careers are done at Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Learn about the medical and surgical care provided to all equine breeds at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. See stallions that have produced winning horses at Airdrie Stud Inc., a commercial breeding operation. Send good vibes to the rescue horses at Kentucky Equine Adoption Center, who are all in need of a forever home. Pet the mares and foals at Lane's End Farm while learning about breeding thoroughbreds.
Bourbon
It’s no secret that bourbon and Kentucky go hand in hand. After all, the state's Bourbon Trail has showcased its many iconic distilleries since 1999. The B-Line in northern Kentucky came about in 2018 as a way to highlight the spirit’s contribution even more. This self-guided bourbon trail also includes bourbon bars and bourbon-centric restaurants; altogether, there are nine distilleries, nine bars and 10 restaurants.
Download the B-Line passport or pick up the paper version at any stop on the trail. Collect passport stamps as you go along to redeem B-line merchandise like glasses or T-shirts.
Outdoors
There’s camping, there’s glamping and then there’s Nine Pines Retreats. You might want to move here after you spend some time relaxing in your plush digs. Spread out over 100 acres in Cadiz, Nine Pines offers two kinds of accommodations. Luxury tents have a queen-size bed, full bathroom, sofa, refrigerator, TV, Wi-Fi and a private back deck. Geo domes go a step further and also include a heated jacuzzi tub and a pizza oven.
Guests are invited to rejuvenate in the barrel saunas or to unwind around the traditional campfire. There’s also an overlook deck as well as a hiking trail through the pines. Pets are not allowed.
Horses
Founded in 1936, Keeneland Racetrack is a National Historic Landmark in Lexington. Though it’s open year-round, races only take place in April and October. The rest of the year, trainers and exercise riders bring their horses to the track to work out. There are also horse sales for those in the market.
The Owner’s Experience is the ultimate thrill if you’ve ever dreamed of having a thoroughbred racehorse. On this tour, you’ll follow along as the horses make their way inside the Saddling Paddock, the fenced area where the horses are saddled, and the “Rider’s Up” call goes out. You’ll even get to watch the race from the Winner’s Circle. Book in advance as tickets may sell out.
Bourbon
Everyone might have Maker’s Mark in their house, but not many can that they’ve actually stayed in the founder’s home. Rent The Samuels House, a 200-year old Federal-style manor home owned and operated by the founding family of Maker’s Mark Distillery. While it’s been updated with modern amenities, they’ve kept personal artifacts like the deep fryer that Margie Samuels used to perfect the iconic red wax seal.
The three bedrooms here sleep up to eight guests. There are three modern bathrooms, a kitchen with high-end appliances and a whiskey parlor featuring a custom-made bar.
Only overnight guests can book the VIP Daytime Experience at Star Hill Farm, the home of Maker’s Mark Distillery. The comprehensive tour includes exploring the distillery grounds, a hike, a few tastings and a cocktail workshop.
Culture
Whether you’ve got a Little Leaguer in your household or not, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is a way to see how baseball’s iconic bat is made. (Part of the fun of going to the factory is spotting the building-sized bat outside the front doors.) Take pictures with lifelike sculptures of baseball legends, see historic bats like Babe Ruth’s slugger from 1927 with its 21 home-run notches and witness a hand-turning demonstration to see how timber turns into sport.
Available daily, the standard museum and factory tour includes admission to the Bat Vault, full of more than 3,000 original bat models, and ends with a free mini-bat. Baseball enthusiasts can splurge on the All-Star Experience, a private, behind-the-scenes tour that is topped off with a limited-edition, personalized bat.
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
Culture
Kentucky has more than 130 caves and caverns, and you don’t have to go far to find them. In fact, on the Main Street of the town of Horse Cave, there is even a cave entrance. Adventurous folks can take advantage of the limestone face of Hidden River Cave and rappel down. Others can take a guided tour of the cave and see two underground rivers flowing more than 100 feet below the surface. Walk above the water via the longest subterranean suspension bridge and find yourself in Sunset Dome, one of the largest free-standing cave domes in the U.S., which turns orange and yellow as the sun sets.
The tour price also includes entry to the American Cave Museum, the only one in the U.S. devoted to their history and science. Learn how Mammoth Cave’s saltpeter was important during the War of 1812. See photos from the Kentucky Cave Wars, when owners competed for tourists in the early 20th century.
Culture
The only cultural center solely dedicated to bluegrass music, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum tells the story of this genre. Wander through the River of Sound, a permanent exhibition of history and memorabilia. Head upstairs for current exhibitions, like “Jerry Garcia: A Bluegrass Journey,” which showcases several of his instruments and exclusive interview content.
Produced by the museum as a fundraiser for its education programming, ROMP Festival (June 25–28) takes place at Yellow Creek Park in Owensboro. Now in its 22nd year, Wynonna Judd will be the headliner with more than 20 other bands playing over four days. The line-up includes artist-led instrument workshops, songwriting, clogging, bluegrass jamming and yoga, not to mention craft vendors and farm-to-table food stalls. Attendees are encouraged to bring their instruments and jam away into the night; there’s even on-site camping for tents and RVs if you can’t tear yourself away.
Culture
See everything from a Picasso painting to American folk art at the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art. Here, more than 4,000 objects of American, European and Asian art— ranging from the 15th-century to present-day—are displayed in two wings. In addition to paintings and sculptures, there is also a decorative arts wing that features four period rooms highlighting five centuries of fine and decorative arts. Look up in wonder in the stained-glass gallery full of late-nineteenth century German stained-glass windows.
Established in 1977, Kentucky’s second largest art museum is free to enter. Exhibits change every three months in the temporary exhibitions wing. Through May 9, see the “Owensboro Art Guild 63rd Annual Juried Exhibition,” which showcases submissions from artists around Kentucky and surrounding states.
Owensboro Museum of Fine Art
Happy Malone at Lake Malone State Park
Hidden River Cave and American Cave Museum
Hidden River Cave and American Cave Museum
ROMP Festival
Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum
Forest Edge Winery
Bernheim Forest
The Kitchen Table at James B. Beam Distillery
Retired thoroughbred at Old Friends
Kentucky Horse Park
family-friendly trips | fresh-air adventures | leisurely getaways | elite excursions
family-friendly trips | fresh-air adventures | leisurely getaways | elite excursions
family-friendly trips | fresh-air adventures | leisurely getaways | elite excursions
Outdoors
You never know what new friends you might make on vacation, but if you bring your crew to Lake Malone State Park, you can meet the Malone family. Happy, Bobber, Oakley, Wattson, Annette and Paige are the Big Twigs, a series of 10-,14- and 17-foot sculptures. They’re each depicted in some sort of activity, such as hiking, camping, fishing, reading, roasting marshmallows and catching fireflies or butterflies.
Stretching 338 acres, Lake Malone State Park is about two miles west of Dunmor. It’s free to visit the park and the Big Twigs from dawn to dusk from mid-March through mid-November. Members of the Malone family are located throughout the park so wear comfortable hiking shoes.
Horses
One thing you’ll soon discover (maybe to the delight of a pony-obsessed child) is that horses can be found in lots of places in Kentucky. Take Adventures of Mammoth Cave in Cave City, for example. On a 60-acre property of rolling hills, look up and you’ll see folks ziplining anywhere from 20 mph to 40 mph above you on two different courses. But for those equine-inclined, there’s horseback riding for all abilities (and for anyone 5 years of age or older). The one-hour guided trek takes you and your horse along gentle trails with panoramic views of the countryside. Lodging is also available here.
Bourbon
While bourbon isn’t for everyone, the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort does offer a tour that children of all ages can join. The Trace Tour takes visitors through rolling bourbon barrels as a guide tells the story of the distillery that goes back to 1775. Lasting 75 minutes, the tour can easily hold adults’ attention, but there is an on-site playground open daily for children who prefer that. While the tour is free, reservations are required; plan ahead as tours fill up fast and tickets are released two months in advance.
The four other Buffalo Trace Distillery tours are open for guests at least 12 years old with an adult companion.
Culture
Whether you’ve got a Little Leaguer in your household or not, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is a way to see how baseball’s iconic bat is made. (Part of the fun of going to the factory is spotting the building-sized bat outside the front doors.) Take pictures with lifelike sculptures of baseball legends, see historic bats like Babe Ruth’s slugger from 1927 with its 21 home-run notches and witness a hand-turning demonstration to see how timber turns into sport.
Available daily, the standard museum and factory tour includes admission to the Bat Vault, full of more than 3,000 original bat models, and ends with a free mini-bat. Baseball enthusiasts can splurge on the All-Star Experience, a private, behind-the-scenes tour that is topped off with a limited-edition, personalized bat.
Outdoors
Nature provides plenty of adrenaline rushes, and Kentucky has both in spades. Located within the Daniel Boone National Forest, the Red River Gorge Geological Area in Stanton is a world-renowned climbing destination thanks to its rugged terrain featuring sandstone cliffs and exposed limestone rock faces. Rock climbers flock to “the Red” as it’s known, but so do hikers, as the area has more than 60 miles of trails.
Pennyroyal Scuba Center in Hopkinsville is Kentucky’s only diver-exclusive facility, housed inside a 22-acre rock quarry. Here, all levels of divers come to the scuba park to practice skills, complete certification dives and just have some fun in the clear water. The Pennyroyal diving season starts in April and ends in November.
Horses
Wild horses, descendants of days gone by, still live in the mountains of eastern Kentucky. Protected as a national heritage species, there are small and large herds roaming thousands of acres. The Appalachian Horse Project provides feed and vet care when needed, plus tours so visitors can experience the animals and the mountain scenery.
The tours begin just outside of Jackson and last about two to three hours in a vehicle designed for rough, bumpy mountain roads. Not only will you hear about the coal mining history of the area as you travel up the mountain, but you’ll stop at various locations where the free-roaming herds are frequently spotted. Feel free to bring carrots or apples to feed the horses too, as there will be opportunities to get close to them and even pet them. If no horses are spotted, you'll get a full refund.
Bourbon
The Wine, Whiskey & Ale Trail is a collection of seven stops in Bullitt County that have tours and tastings within nine miles of each other. They include James B. Beam American Outpost, Four Roses Warehouse & Bottling, Gallant Fox Brewing Co., Wight-Meyer Winery, MillaNova Winery, Forest Edge Winery and Brooks Hill Winery. Download the Wine, Whiskey & Ale Trail Pass, and after visiting all seven locations, you can receive a free souvenir glass at either Forest Edge Winery or the Bullitt County Visitor Center.
While exploring this county, save a few hours for Bernheim Forest and Arboretum. Spread out over 16,000 acres, this pristine wilderness has more than 40 miles of hiking trails. Stroll the canopy tree walk that hangs 75 feet above the forest floor. Enjoy a variety of art installations, like the Sensory Garden and the Forest Giants in a Giant Forest.
Culture
Kentucky has more than 130 caves and caverns, and you don’t have to go far to find them. In fact, on the Main Street of the town of Horse Cave, there is even a cave entrance. Adventurous folks can take advantage of the limestone face of Hidden River Cave and rappel down. Others can take a guided tour of the cave and see two underground rivers flowing more than 100 feet below the surface. Walk above the water via the longest subterranean suspension bridge and find yourself in Sunset Dome, one of the largest free-standing cave domes in the U.S., which turns orange and yellow as the sun sets.
The tour price also includes entry to the American Cave Museum, the only one in the U.S. devoted to their history and science. Learn how Mammoth Cave’s saltpeter was important during the War of 1812. See photos from the Kentucky Cave Wars, when owners competed for tourists in the early 20th century.
Outdoors
If natural wonders are on your bucket list, make a beeline to Mammoth Cave, which is the longest-known cave system in the world, measuring more than 425 miles in south central Kentucky. At this UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Region, you can choose from a variety of cave tours, including a fully wheelchair accessible tour, lantern tours, crawling tours and both short and long (i.e. up to four hours) tours. Reserve your tickets well in advance as they tend to sell out.
The cave is part of Mammoth Cave National Park, which is nearly 53,000 acres of reclaimed forest. Above ground, visitors can go horseback riding, canoeing, fishing and hiking during the day. Overnight guests can stay in the on-site Mammoth Cave lodge or go camping and enjoy the dark night sky. (The grounds were deemed an International Dark Sky Park in 2021.)
Horses
Horses are an integral part of Kentucky’s history, heritage and present day. Horse Country, a nonprofit organization, offers immersive experiences, so visitors get a behind-the-scenes look at working farms or businesses. These include tours of a wide range of organizations such as stallion farms, nurseries, veterinary clinics and feed mills, racetrack and training facilities as well as retraining and adoption facilities.
Meet racehorses after their racing careers are done at Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Learn about the medical and surgical care provided to all equine breeds at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. See stallions that have produced winning horses at Airdrie Stud Inc., a commercial breeding operation. Send good vibes to the rescue horses at Kentucky Equine Adoption Center, who are all in need of a forever home. Pet the mares and foals at Lane's End Farm while learning about breeding thoroughbreds.
Bourbon
It’s no secret that bourbon and Kentucky go hand in hand. After all, the state's Bourbon Trail has showcased its many iconic distilleries since 1999. The B-Line in northern Kentucky came about in 2018 as a way to highlight the spirit’s contribution even more. This self-guided bourbon trail also includes bourbon bars and bourbon-centric restaurants; altogether, there are nine distilleries, nine bars and 10 restaurants.
Download the B-Line passport or pick up the paper version at any stop on the trail. Collect passport stamps as you go along to redeem B-line merchandise like glasses or T-shirts.
Culture
The only cultural center solely dedicated to bluegrass music, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum tells the story of this genre. Wander through the River of Sound, a permanent exhibition of history and memorabilia. Head upstairs for current exhibitions, like “Jerry Garcia: A Bluegrass Journey,” which showcases several of his instruments and exclusive interview content.
Produced by the museum as a fundraiser for its education programming, ROMP Festival (June 25–28) takes place at Yellow Creek Park in Owensboro. Now in its 22nd year, Wynonna Judd will be the headliner with more than 20 other bands playing over four days. The line-up includes artist-led instrument workshops, songwriting, clogging, bluegrass jamming and yoga, not to mention craft vendors and farm-to-table food stalls. Attendees are encouraged to bring their instruments and jam away into the night; there’s even on-site camping for tents and RVs if you can’t tear yourself away.
Outdoors
There’s camping, there’s glamping and then there’s Nine Pines Retreats. You might want to move here after you spend some time relaxing in your plush digs. Spread out over 100 acres in Cadiz, Nine Pines offers two kinds of accommodations. Luxury tents have a queen-size bed, full bathroom, sofa, refrigerator, TV, Wi-Fi and a private back deck. Geo domes go a step further and also include a heated jacuzzi tub and a pizza oven.
Guests are invited to rejuvenate in the barrel saunas or to unwind around the traditional campfire. There’s also an overlook deck as well as a hiking trail through the pines. Pets are not allowed.
Horses
Founded in 1936, Keeneland Racetrack is a National Historic Landmark in Lexington. Though it’s open year-round, races only take place in April and October. The rest of the year, trainers and exercise riders bring their horses to the track to work out. There are also horse sales for those in the market.
The Owner’s Experience is the ultimate thrill if you’ve ever dreamed of having a thoroughbred racehorse. On this tour, you’ll follow along as the horses make their way inside the Saddling Paddock, the fenced area where the horses are saddled, and the “Rider’s Up” call goes out. You’ll even get to watch the race from the Winner’s Circle. Book in advance as tickets may sell out.
Bourbon
Everyone might have Maker’s Mark in their house, but not many can that they’ve actually stayed in the founder’s home. Rent The Samuels House, a 200-year old Federal-style manor home owned and operated by the founding family of Maker’s Mark Distillery. While it’s been updated with modern amenities, they’ve kept personal artifacts like the deep fryer that Margie Samuels used to perfect the iconic red wax seal.
The three bedrooms here sleep up to eight guests. There are three modern bathrooms, a kitchen with high-end appliances and a whiskey parlor featuring a custom-made bar.
Only overnight guests can book the VIP Daytime Experience at Star Hill Farm, the home of Maker’s Mark Distillery. The comprehensive tour includes exploring the distillery grounds, a hike, a few tastings and a cocktail workshop.
Culture
See everything from a Picasso painting to American folk art at the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art. Here, more than 4,000 objects of American, European and Asian art— ranging from the 15th-century to present-day—are displayed in two wings. In addition to paintings and sculptures, there is also a decorative arts wing that features four period rooms highlighting five centuries of fine and decorative arts. Look up in wonder in the stained-glass gallery full of late-nineteenth century German stained-glass windows.
Established in 1977, Kentucky’s second largest art museum is free to enter. Exhibits change every three months in the temporary exhibitions wing. Through May 9, see the “Owensboro Art Guild 63rd Annual Juried Exhibition,” which showcases submissions from artists around Kentucky and surrounding states.