Kentucky Vacations Idea #1:
Mammoth Cave National Park is the most extensive cave system in the world. Over 350 miles of passageways have been mapped and there is still more undiscovered. There are more than a dozen different tours from a simple self-guided walking tour to a 6 hour exploration that will have you climbing walls and crawling through openings 9 inches high.
Kentucky Vacations Idea #2:
The Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, is a living museum and testament to the pacifist religious order that established the community two hundred years ago. Explore the 34 original 19th-century buildings and mingle with the costumed re-enactors. Lodging is available in some of the original 19th century buildings. This is one of the states most popular historical attractions.
Kentucky Vacations Idea #3:
Kentucky Horse Park, in Lexington, is a working horse farm dedicated to the world of horses and open to the public. See horse racing legends at
The Hall of Champions where they live and give daily presentations. Visit the
The International Museum of the Horse and
The American Saddlehorse Museum. Tour the blacksmith shop and the
Draft Horse Barn.
Kentucky Vacations Idea #4:
Visit one of the oldest rail museums in the country,
The Kentucky Railway Museum in New Haven. Take a trip back to the time when railroads were king and the modern highway system was not here yet. Browse the railroad memorabilia and artifacts in the restored New Haven depot. Ride the passenger car twenty-two miles through the scenic Kentucky countryside. Special events include a mock train robbery.
Kentucky Vacations Idea #5:
Pioneer Weapons Hunting Area is a 7,000 acre section of
Daniel Boone National Forest where hunting is permitted only with "primitive" weapons.
These include muzzle-loading firearms, long bows, recurve bows, compound bows, or crossbows.
The area is dedicated to wild life management and is multi-use. So camping is allowed and there are 115 miles of trails.
Kentucky Vacations Idea #6:
Celebrate German tradition with the annual
Oktoberfest in Covington. The event lasts three days with food booths, craft vendors, dancers and beer. Enjoy the log sawing contests, barrel rolling, and beer stein carrying contest. There may even be a few German style weddings. This is one of the top rated festivals in the state.
Vacation Ideas in Kentucky #7:
Louisville, Kentucky is the home of the
Churchill Downs racetrack. Every May since 1875, the track has hosted the
Kentucky Derby. This famous race is the first of the renowned
Triple Crown. Lousiville has long been a favorite Kentucky vacation spot for race fans, especially during the Kentucky Derby. Just ouside Gate #1 is the
Kentucky Derby Museum which is open year round. Celebrate the great race at the world’s largest Derby party, held at Lexington’s
Keeneland Race Course. You can make a week of it as there are plenty of races in the days leading up to the Kentucky Derby.
The Kentucky Derby Festival is a two week celebration leading up to the big race on May 1. There is a huge variety of events including the world's largest fireworks display, a Hole-In-One golf contest, The Great Balloon Race, The Steamboat Race, The Kentucky Derby Pegasus Race, and so much more.
Kentucky Vacations Idea #8:
The Buffalo Crossing Restaurant and Family Fun Ranch is a 1,000 acre working buffalo ranch in Shelbysville. They have over 500 head of buffalo. Tour the farm on a trolley ride through the buffalo. Explore the reproduction 18th century blacksmith shop, smokehouse and other buildings. See over 100 kinds of animals at the Animal Exhibit. And of course, sample the menu of buffalo meat at the restaurant.
Vacation Ideas in Kentucky #9:
If you are looking for a little adventure try
Torrent Falls Climbing Adventure's version of the European sport called Via Ferrata. This is a combination of rock climbing, rung climbing, and hiking. Iron bars are drilled into the rock and then you climb the vertical surfaces using the rungs. Safety is foremost and you are always connected to dual safety lines. No experience is needed, just the desire to test yourself and have some fun.
Kentucky Vacations Idea #10:
The Civil War Museum in Bardstown is the fourth largest in the country. It is 8500 square feet and focuses on the western theater of the war. It is the only one with a section dedicated to the women of the Civil War. There is also
Pioneer Village, a reproduction of a colonial village and a
Wildlife Museum.
Kentucky Vacations Idea #11:
Mammoth Cave, near Cave City, Kentucky, is a exotic system of caves that stretches farther than any other in the world. All totaled there are some 360 miles of caves going down as deep as 380 feet. There are enough caves to allow for a variety of different cave tours. Some are easy and so are suited for children and less agile adults.
But if you are up for some crawling and climbing there are tours for that too. Besides the subterranean adventures you can enjoy the activities above ground too. Canoeing, hiking, horseback riding and birdwatching are all activities for the family in the surrounding forest and nearby river.
Kentucky Vacations Idea #12:
Louisville, Kentucky is more than just the home of the Kentucky Derby. The
Louisville Science Center & IMAX is a great science museum experience plus the wonders of giant screen cinema. The kids will love all the many rocking roller coasters and water rides at the
Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. A fun year-round attraction is the
Louisville Zoo with over 1,200 animals and kid-friendly exhibits. You can cruise the Ohio River on the paddlewheel steamboat,
Belle of Louisville and Spirit of Jefferson. At the
Louisville Slugger Museum you can see bats that were used by many famous baseball players over the years as well as take a fun tour of the bat factory.
