Kentucky is probably best known for horse racing, bourbon, and the city of Louisville, but I found a lot more here than I expected. Before my visit I pictured something similar to West Virginia, with small towns and plenty of outdoor opportunities. After traveling around the state, I was surprised by how much there actually was to see. Louisville had far more going on than I expected, Frankfort was an interesting small capital, and Mammoth Cave is easily one of the most impressive natural attractions in the country. I really think Kentucky is one of the more overlooked travel destinations in the United States.
Explore Louisville
Louisville is Kentucky’s largest city and has a large downtown, interesting architecture, and several neighborhoods worth exploring. The city is most famous for the Kentucky Derby, but the celebration is much larger than just the horse race itself. The Kentucky Derby Festival lasts for weeks and includes everything from races and marathons to one of the country’s largest annual fireworks displays. Even if you have no interest in horse racing, there is plenty to see and do around Louisville.
Explore Frankfort
Kentucky’s capital of Frankfort is surprisingly small, but there are plenty of historic sites and outdoor areas around the city. One of its most famous residents is Daniel Boone, the American frontiersman who helped explore and settle Kentucky during the 18th century. Boone is buried in Frankfort Cemetery, which sits on a hill overlooking the city. The surrounding area also has wildlife sanctuaries, hiking opportunities, and scenic roads with some great views of the capital.
Explore Bowling Green
Bowling Green is one of Kentucky’s largest cities and is known for its Civil War history, museums, and especially the Corvette. Chevrolet has built Corvettes here for decades, and the National Corvette Museum attracts car enthusiasts from all over the country. Bowling Green is also conveniently located near Mammoth Cave, making the two an easy combination during a trip through southern Kentucky.
Explore Mammoth Cave
Mammoth Cave is the longest known cave system in the world, with hundreds of miles of passages already explored and new connections still being discovered. The enormous cave system became a World Heritage Site and is easily one of Kentucky’s greatest natural attractions. You don’t have to be an experienced caver to enjoy it either. There are easier guided tours for casual visitors as well as much more adventurous routes for anyone interested in crawling and squeezing their way through the caves. For anyone interested in spelunking, Mammoth Cave is pretty much the mecca of the sport.
