Best Vacation Spots In Kentucky

Not all the best vacation spots in Kentucky are well known especially to travelers from out of state. Kentucky is centralized between seven states. At the heart of the state, there is a series of rolling hills and meadows.

Best Vacation Spots In Kentucky

On average Kentucky is at an elevation of 750 feet above sea level, the highest being 257 feet. Kentucky is a state full of surprises.

You will find so many things that make Kentucky famous. There is horse riding, bourbon, automobile manufacturing, and historic state park.  

Vacation In Frankfort

Frankfort is the capital city of the Commonwealth of Kentucky since 1792. You can take your kids to the Kids Work Children’s Museum.

The Museum develops knowledge in children with their hands-on science and art. They will also play and learn with fun.

We played an escape game at Crisis Rooms. We worked as a team and solved challenging problems in real time. The fabulous escape room thrills the participants with interesting clues. 

The Frankfort Park conducts educational and recreational programs regularly to impart the importance of preserving the parks.

We had dinner at dancing Marlin Restaurant. The place adorns a nautical-themed space to serve their delicious seafood. Wine and craft cocktails are available. Vegetarians are not left out either.

Catching a movie at Emagine Frankfort will offer a way of passing time. The luxury seats are very comfortable, they are leather recliners. Their advanced projectors give a clear view and they know how to adjust their sound systems.

Practice playing golf at Square Links Golf Course. The place is well maintained to enable you to enjoy it to the fullest. If you enjoy watching people playing grab a beer or any drink and relax in the viewing area.   

Vacation in Newport in Kentucky

Newport is a seaside city on Aquidneck Island inland in Newport County. Taking three and a half-mile long cliff is the best way to see Newport.

The walk runs along the eastern shoreline, wildflowers and colored rocks surround the area and show interesting geological history.

Newport art museum operates a wide gallery in the historic John N. Griswold House. The museum also organizes special exhibitions.

Drawings, art from other museums, and private collections are exhibited. There are also special programs accompanying the exhibits.

Fort Adams State Park offers panoramic views of Narragansett Bay. The Park offers swimming, picnics, boating, and other recreational services. The Park also hosts Newport Folk Festival and also has a jazz festival.

The international tennis hall of fame and museum celebrates and honors players and contributors. Enjoy the grass tennis court or the indoor tennis court.

If you want a rejuvenating experience through massage, visit the Bodhi Spa. It is hidden behind a storefront on Newport’s lower Thames Street.

They also have skincare, cold and hot plunge pools, wet and dry saunas. The hydrotherapy steam room, soothing décor, spacious and relaxing courtyard gives you peace and total relaxation.

Fluke wine bar Newport is a delightful spot with magnificent views of the Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay. They offer locally harvested seafood, lobster, and fish.

Visit Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park

Pennyrile Forest State Park is located near Dawson Springs. The Park has the most beautiful forested land in the commonwealth.

Enjoying the beauty of the park in a 68-site campground is fun. I enjoyed a day in a healthy competition on their basket/ tennis court.

A visit to the bird dock can fill your day with fun. You can rent pedal boats, rowboats, trolling motors, canoes, and kayaks.

There is a fishing challenge just near and motorboats are allowed there. You can also borrow fishing gear at the front desk.

We requested a bird feeder to feed the birds as we took dinner. There are many birds observed during the winter. The birds include Juncos; White-breasted Nuthatches, and Purple Finches.

We visited the gift shop which offers a huge section of Kentucky handicrafts and souvenirs. Test your skills on the regulation 18- hole golf course.  

Taking photos on nature trails will keep the memories alive. There is seven trails loop around the lake. If you have a horse, use the new 1.25-mile horse trail near the campground. You will find a horseshoe pit between the mini-golf course and the amphitheater.

Three playgrounds are available for kids. The newest is near the lodge but available only when the campground is open. Swimming in the lodge pool is available.

Vacation in Lexington Kentucky

Lexington is a city in Kentucky. It is the second largest. Make sure to visit the Kentucky Horse Park. They celebrate and raise awareness for humanity’s relationship with everything equine. The site chronicles the evolution of horse rearing and various uses of horses in society.

Get up close and personal with union history at the Mary Todd Lincoln House. Dance your passion to the festival and enjoy the Bluegrass.

The people here host one of the best parties in the genre. For travelers with kids in tow, there are on-site banjo and music workshops.

The Aviation Museum of Kentucky is a perfect place for budding petrol heads. The aviation hall of fame pays homage to all local greats traveling exhibits. There are historic photograph collections to model and aircraft-related artifacts.

The Arboretum features seasonal activities and attractions. A variety of themed gardens exists and acts as both a conservation center and educational resource. There is also a children’s garden located on the grounds.   

You can also visit Jacobson Park which features an expansive range of attractions. There is a large pond that hosts pedal rental boats and fishing opportunities. The Park also has basketball courts, volleyball nets, and opens fields.

McConnell Springs is a sprawling nature park and contains trails reaching 2 miles long. The Park is also home to several historical artifacts. There is also a dam, an old creamery, and a historic stone fence.

The pies and pints are a beer and pizza joint. The joint offers dining options for lunch and dinner.

Vacation in Paducah Kentucky

You will find Paducah at the confluence of the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers. At Paducah, the park spans almost 1500 acres where you can hike, picnic, golf, fishing, and camping.

National Quilt Museum serves as a global destination that welcomes visitors from across the United States. They display quilting and fiber artworks.

The Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area has a natural space for hiking, cycling, hunting, water sports, and fishing. You can also watch wildlife or enjoy a picnic.

You can also visit Shawnee National Forest and enjoy the natural playground that offers several recreational outlets. There are rock formations that you can tour, camp, or play with the water.

Paducah Railroad Museum has a rich locomotive history. The museum contains a wide range of models and artifacts of the locomotive age.

Fort Massac State Park gives you details that bring the past back to life. There are also modern recreation activities like fishing, hiking, boating, picnicking, and hunting.

The River Discovery Centre will enrich your knowledge about rivers. You will get highlights of the river city and the history of the four river basins. The rivers are the Mississippi, Tennessee, Cumberland, and Ohio.

The people at Craving the Curls knew me because I would go for their unique ice creams daily. Randy and Renee Hayden are very nice, they run the business with the help of their daughters. They love what they do and are very friendly.

For coffee, I would go to Etcetera Coffeehouse or the Pipers Tea and Coffee.

Vacation in Bowling Green Kentucky

Bowling Green is a city in southern Kentucky. It was founded in 1798. In 2014 security cameras caught devastating footage of a sinkhole swallowing up priceless Corvettes.

You can see the world’s most famous sinkhole at the National Corvette Museum.

You may have seen caves yes but not like the one of Mammoth Cave National Park. Take a tour in a 400-mile underground karst landscape, mapped and explored.

At Basil Griffin Park you will be able to feed ducks and geese through pellet dispensers. There is also a paradise playground for young children. Popular recreational outlets include fishing and boating. An 18- hole disc golf course is also available.

Aviation Heritage Park has five aircraft on a circular plaza of the park. There are fighter jets, supersonic trainers, and a Phantom II that was shot down during Vietnam War.

Capitol Arts Center is for entertainment. There is a theater that is home to variety shows, touring music acts, and film series.

The lost River cave offers underground boat tours. The tour guide did a great job relating the history of the cave and underground waterway. The guided tour is suitable for all ages.

Vacation in Lake Cumberland

Lake Cumberland is a reservoir in Clinton. The lake was impounded from the Cumberland River and the most popular recreational area.

Hiking along the beautiful shoreline is fun. There are two moderate hiking trails. Horseback riding is available around the lake. Hiking boots and water will help a lot.

Renting a boat in Lake Cumberland is easy. You will enjoy a brisk ride on a sailboat or speed around on a motorboat. Sunscreen and a life jacket are necessary.

You can swim by the lake or enjoy the splashing and thrills at a local water park. Pool areas are divided so that all ages can enjoy themselves.

A trip through a local vineyard and farm will make your day. These vineyards offer wine tasting for adults. Purchasing some to take home is allowed.

Bear Wallow Farm will allow you to feed the animals and explore the nature trail. Kids can find their way to the center of a corn maze.

Several local parks offer golf courses. Eagle’s Nest Country Club offers an 18-hole golf course for you and your family. Master Musicians Festival allows you to enjoy the music of your choice. Jazz, folk, bluegrass, country, and blues are all available.

Renting a boat will help you catch fish if you don’t own one. Carry a camera, you may be lucky to catch a big one and document the experience.

Vacation in Louisville Kentucky

Louisville is Kentucky’s largest city. The city can be easily found on the banks of the Ohio River.

Visit the Kentucky Derby and enjoy a horse race or be part of the crowd. We had a lot of fun dressing for the occasion. We were encouraged to wear a flamboyant hat.

The Kentucky Derby Museum provides historical insight and perspective on horse racing. At the display, you will see trophies, riding silk, photographs, and Derby glasses.

At Louisville Zoo, 1,500 exotic animals are featured. Gorillas, lions, tigers, polar bears, and penguins are some of the animals you find. There is also a giraffe and camel parakeet feeding.

Frankfort Avenue is a section of the road that connects historic neighborhoods. There are locally owned boutiques, trendy art studios, galleries, and eateries.

The big four bridge is a former railroad truss bridge that spans the Ohio River. There are urban green spaces on either end of the bridge. You can also relax at the children’s playground.

For baseball lovers, there is Louisville Slugger Field stadium. It has a sitting capacity of 13000 people. An old train shed was incorporated into its design. Visitors enter the stadium through this train shed.

Louisville Waterfront Park hosts many outdoor festivals and concerts.  

Land Between the Lake National Recreation Area

Land Between the Lake National Recreation Area is one of the hidden Gems in Kentucky. You can learn about wildlife at the Woodlands Nature Station. There is a nice educational center packed with information about wildlife.

Catch a show at the Golden Pond Planetarium. Shows are offered daily on a nice projector. Each show is 40 minutes long. The Elk & Bison Prairie occupies about 700-acres. You can drive through a pay gate and enjoy unbelievable wildlife views.

Explore Settler’s Life at the home place 1850 working farm. You can also go fishing at numerous ponds throughout the recreational area. There are over 500 miles of hiking trails.  

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Final Thoughts

Whether you want to travel alone, with your partner or family, Kentucky is a good place to visit. The Kentuckians are mostly friendly. Before leaving prepare a packing list depending on where you want to visit. Make sure you have your phone charger, water bottle, and sunscreen.   

Kentucky has all you need and I hope this post on the best vacation spots in Kentucky gave you some ideas on awesome things to see and do. Enjoy your trip and also follow me on Visiting Travelers Pinterest.

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