17 Most Beautiful Places To Visit In Kentucky

2. Bourbon Distilleries

Home to nearly 70 different distilleries, this state is well know for is delicious bourbon!

This includes Buffalo Trace, where you can enjoy a tour of the entire process, from cooking to distilling; Maker’s Mark, where you can hand-dip your bottle with their famous red wax; and the Bardstown Bourbon Company, where I could taste the bourbon straight from the barrel! 

If you love bourbon or are just curious how they make this amazing drink, then I highly recommend going on the famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail which includes 46 distilleries! 

• Location: Louisville, Lexington, and Bardstown (which is known as the “Bourbon Capital of the World”)
• Best times to visit: All year round

My highlights…

• Visiting one of my favorite distillery’s the small batch Maker’s Mark Distillery, I loved the rustic charm this place had and their signature red wax seal bottles! I highly recommend sampling the bold Maker’s Mark Cask Strength! 
• Seeing the distinctive Spanish Mission-Style Architecture at the Four Rose Bourbon Distellery.

3. Appalachian Mountains 

If you love the mountains, I recommend visiting the Eastern part of the state and seeing the Appalachian Mountains. 

You can hike, visit overlooks, and see some of the most beautiful scenery you’ve likely seen in a long time! I also recommend hiking or boating on the stunning forest trails, which offer seriously scenic views!

The Appalachian Mountains cover an extensive section of Eastern Kentucky, and it is one sight you should plan on seeing on your next visit.

• Location: the range cover the cover the eastern portion of the state. 
• Best times to visit: fall

My personal highlights…

• Experiencing a fun zip-lining ride over Red River Gorge which took me flying over forests and unique rock formations.
• Visiting the intriguing living museum Hensley Settlement located at Cumberland Gap where I saw the incredibly well-preserved early 20th-century Appalachian settlement and learnt all about the life of mountain pioneers that once lived there. I especially loved the oak cabins! 
• Hiking the short but challenging Bad Branch Falls Trail which eventually lead to a photogenic 60-foot waterfall (Bad Branch Falls) which is located on a Nature Preserve on a scenic round trip. 

4. Louisville

This is the largest and busiest city in the state, and I personally think one of the most underrated cities in the USA. It’s an easy-on-the-eye place with an impressive skyline, a booming arts scene, and a long-established bluegrass music scene.

Add excellent restaurants, lively bars, and a good handful of distilleries, and you have a seriously cool city!

My favorite highlights include the 21C Museum Hotel, the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, the Muhammad Ali Center, the Louisville Mega Cavern, and the Kentucky Science Center. 

• Visitor’s Center Address: 301 S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40202
• Best times to visit: March to November

My highlights…

• Going for a picnic at Louisville Waterfront Park on the large grassy expanse known as The Great Lawn, afterwards we walked across the nearby pedestrian-only Big Four Bridge which took us to Indiana!
• Going on a fun but creepy Ghost Tour of Old Louisville with Louisville Historic Tours – the combination of seeing the old Victorian mansions and listening to the spooky stories made it an interesting evening out!
• Dining at the cool but cozy Venezuelan restaurant Full Arepa. I highly recommend trying the tasty rice bowl with fiery jackfruit and black beans!

5. Kentucky Lake

Located in the southwestern part of the state, Kentucky Lake covers 184 miles and has more than 2,000 miles of shoreline.

But this lake doesn’t just offer your usual boating and fishing opportunities. It also offers poker runs, open regattas, drag boat races, and cabins you can rent for a relaxing and fun-filled vacation!

You can also ski, swim, boat and take your favourite ski jet out on the water, and if you’re an active type, I would highly recommend trying them all! 

• Visitor’s Center Address: 93 Carroll Rd. Benton KY 42025
• Best times to visit: From September to December

My personal highlights… 

• Hiring a kayak from Kentucky Lake Rentals and exploring the tranquil waters. 
• Staying over at Kenlake State Resort Park, I love the laid back rustic decor and the lakeside theater! We stayed in one of the cozy cottages which was nestled in the surrounding woodland.

6. Frankfort

A charming city beautifully located on the Kentucky River and the capital of the state, this place seems to embody everything great about this state in a compact form! 

It’s known for having one of the most beautiful Capitol buildings in the country and I loved visiting there as well as its fantastic bourbon distilleries, engaging museums, and the impressive new and old governor mansions. 

• Visitor’s Center Address: 300 St Clair St #102, Frankfort, KY 40601
• Peak times to visit: March to May

My personal highlights… 

• Taking a “Hard Hat Tour” which took us on behind the scene of the Buffalo Trace Distillery. I highly recommend sampling the Eagle Rare bourbon! 
• Visiting the Liberty Hall Historic Site which is two stunning and immaculately preserved historic houses built in 1796 and 1835. I loved learning about the wealthy and important families who lived there, seeing the opulent interiors and wandering around the beautifully kept gardens. 
• Dining at the classic American restaurant Bourbon On Main and then exploring the rest of the charming historic downtown area. I highly recommend sampling the divine chocolate chip bread pudding which came with bourbon caramel saucet! 

7. Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill

I suggest heading to the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill for an incredible stepping back in time experience. This place has won many travel awards and when I visited I could see why – it’s an immaculately preserved historic spot set in 3,000 acres.

I loved the historic Shaker structures (there are no less than thirty four of them!) built in the 19th century and the picturesque nature preserves, organic gardens, and more than 40 miles of scenic trails located here. Although we didn’t stay over there is also overnight accommodation here as well (Shaker-style of course!) as well as restaurants, a farm, excellent exhibitions and cute little craft shops! 

You did used to be able to take a cruise from Shaker’s Landing in an old-fashioned paddle cruiser but sadly this stopped a few years ago but you can still go paddle boarding or canoeing along the Kentucky River. 

My favorite highlights…

• Exploring the restored native prairie here (there are 1,000 acres located here!) on the popular 7 mile Shawnee Run Trail which took me on a scenic round trip through rolling hills, thick forests, and lush meadows and along Shawnee Run Creek. 
• Discovering the Cooper’s Shop where the Shakers once made barrels and all sorts of containers.

8. Red River Gorge and Natural Bridge

With a 65-foot-high natural bridge made chiefly of sandstone, I personally think the Red River Gorge is spectacular. 

Nearby, you can rent some cute cabins for the night, go camping at one of the many campgrounds in the area, hike some great scenic nature trails, go zip lining if you feel extra adventurous, and even rock-climbing when the desire hits you.

This amazing tourist spot offers beautiful views and the opportunity to fulfil your dream of being an explorer in the 1800s.

My personal highlights…

• Visitor’s Center Address: 3451 Sky Bridge Rd Hwy 715, Stanton, KY 40380
• Best times to visit: March to May and September to December

My highlights… 

• Hiking the Auxier Ridge Trail which took me a stunning three hour round trip. I especially loved the Instagram-worthy views Red River Gorge as I walked along the exposed ridgelines!
• Camping overnight at the Koomer Ridge Campground, I loved the quiet spot which was shaded by a lush green hardwood forest. 

9. Daniel Boone National Forest

This stunning area has been a national park since 1937. It sprawls across a vast 708,000 acres in the most rugged area west of the Appalachian Mountains, home to forested slopes, sandstone cliffs, and narrow ravines.

This is a nature lover’s dream. Here, you can hike, camp, picnic, rock climb, or go boating, although I recommend just relaxing and enjoying the fantastic scenery! 

• Visitor’s Center Address: 1700 Bypass Road, Winchester, KY 40391
• Peak times to visit: fall

My personal highlights… 

• Hiking the 10 mile section of the Sheltowee Trace Trail which is known as Natural Bridge State Park Section. I loved seeing the huge sandstone arch which is known as the Natural Bridge and then hiking up to the top of it to see the incredible panoramic views of the state. 
• Staying at the 3-star Natural Bridge State Park Resort Lodge, I loved the outdoor swimming pool, the family-friendly vibe and the cozy wooden lodges decked out with rustic decor! 

10. Dale Hollow Lake

Gorgeous and tranquil Dale Hollow Lake offers hiking and boating activities, bird-watching opportunities and awesome mountain bike trails.

It is located in south-central Kentucky and has over 27,000 acres of land. Erected in 1943, Dale Hollow Lake is a great place to visit if you love being on the water or merely standing on the sidelines and enjoying some stunning lakeside scenery.

Because of its beauty, I personally think this is a must-see location whenever you’re visiting the Bluegrass State.

• Visitor’s Center Address: 1005 Livingston Hwy, Byrdstown, TN 38549
• Best times to visit: May to September

My highlights…

• Renting a modern houseboat at Dale Hollow Marina with Dale Hollow Marinas which was a unique way to take a break on this stunning lake! I loved the modern interiors and the freedom we had to explore the lake. 
• Hiking the Boom Ridge Trail which took me three hours to complete, I loved the panoramic views of the lake from the high points of the trail!

11. John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge

This old bridge, completed in the 1860s, sits on the Ohio River between Cincinnati, Ohio, and Covington, Kentucky. It is a spectacular site with majestic-looking Gothic Revival spires and an Art Deco look to it which I loved! 

If you see the bridge and think you’ve seen it before, then I can tell you it was actually the inspiration behind the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City.

If you live in northern Kentucky and attending a sporting event in Cincinnati, this is one of the best ways to get there! 

• Visitor’s Center Address: John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, Covington, KY 41011
• Best times to visit: all year round

My personal highlights…

• Photographing the bride from Covington Riverfront for my Instagram gallery, it’s very photogenic!
• Walking along the pedestrian walkway and seeing breathtaking views of the mighty Ohio River, the stunning Cincinnati skyline and my favorite – Covington’s historic waterfront. It was a little vertigo inducing though! 

12. Land Between the Lakes Recreation Area

Consisting of more than 170,000 acres, the Land Between the Lakes Recreational Area is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve run by the Forest Service. I loved the the fascinating wildlife and the interesting history of the place.

You also get to enjoy more than 300 miles of undeveloped spectacular shoreline and trying to spot gorgeous bison, elk, and wild turkeys! 

• Visitor’s Center Address: 238 Visitor Center Dr, Golden Pond, KY 42211
• Best times to visit: late spring to early fall

My favorite highlights…

• Taking the very scenic drive through the 700-acre enclosed prairie and seeing(and photographing!) the gorgeous elk and bison roam freely there. 
• Hiking the Hematite Lake Trail which took me on a scenic hour’s loop around the tranquil lake, unique rock formations and lush woodland.

13. Bardstown

Perfectly positioned on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, this charming and attractive town offers a Napa Valley-style experience – but just swap the wine for whiskey! 

It’s a very easy-on-the-eye place, which USA Today called the “Most Beautiful Small Town in America.” It has also been named America’s Most Beautiful Town Square and when I visited I could see why, this place is a gem!

• Visitor’s Center Address: 1 Court Square # 102, Bardstown, KY 40004
• Best time to visit: All year round

My favorite highlights…

• Learning about the history whiskey making at the Spalding Hall & Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History. I loved the old bottles they had on display! 
• Exploring the s historic downtown filled with interesting colonial buildings and then dining on traditional Southern cuisine in The Rickhouse Restaurant & Lounge. I highly recommend their Chocolate and Orange Bourbon Bread Pudding, it was delicious! 

14. Mammoth Cave National Park

A natural setting with more than 400 miles of passageways, Mammoth Cave is spectacular and has some of the longest-known caves in the entire world.

These subterranean passageways are home to stalagmites, stalactites, helictites, and travertine dams, which you can view up close without any problems.

You can explore the cave on your own or go on one of the ranger-led tours so that nothing important is overlooked.

• Address: 1 Mammoth Cave Parkway, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
• Website
• Location: Central part of the state
• Best times to visit: it’s open all year round (with seasonal opening hours)

My highlights…

• Going on the popular two hour Historic Tour of the caves where we saw the most interesting parts of the cave including the Rotunda, and the incredible Bottomless Pit! Just be warned there are a lot of stairs to climb though! 

15. Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Located in Owensboro, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame is just a few miles from the birthplace of the Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe.

Interactive exhibits, jam sessions, concerts, lessons, and special events are included, including the three-day ROMP Fest, which is usually held in June each year.

The Hall of Fame currently has 60 inductees and houses the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. If you love bluegrass music, I recommend visiting this place!

• Visitor’s Center Address: 2590 Richmond St, Mt Vernon, KY 40456
• Website
• Best times to visit: Anytime apart from Mondays, as it’s closed

My personal highlights… 

• Learning all about Alison Krauss one of my favorite country singers! 
• Trying out playing the banjo in their fun interactive exhibition, I wasn’t much good though!

16. Western Kentucky Botanical Garden

Located in Owensboro, the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden, I’m a big fan of this well-kept and underrated gem.

Some of its attractions include lots of flowers and plants to enjoy, and they specialize in events that teach you everything you need to know about your favorite flower to new ways to enjoy everything growing indoors and outdoors in this spectacular garden.

They offer special activities for kids and events for special holidays such as Christmas.

• Visitor’s Center Address: 2731 W 2nd St, Owensboro, KY 42301
• Best times to visit: spring and summer to make the most of the flowers

My highlights…

• Discovering the gorgeous butterfly garden!
• Exploring the zen-like Japanese Memorial Garden and I especially loved the koi pond, and the ornate pagoda.

17. Nolin Lake

This stunning 5,795-acre park was opened to the public in 1996. If you need time to reconnect with nature, Nolin Lake offers activities such as boating, swimming, and relaxing on the sandy beach!

The park has 32 campsites, great facilities for all, and is open year-round. I loved its sandy beach and that it had plenty of space for a relaxing vacation.

• Address: Nolin Lake State Park, 2998 Brier Creek Road, Mammoth Cave, KY 4225
• Best times to visit: summer (or spring to see the nearby waterfall).

My favorite highlights…

• Renting a kayak and exploring the gorgeous waters! 
• Going hiking on the Waterfall Loop which is part of the longer Brier Creek Trail. It only took me 45 minutes and I loved seeing the lake views and the waterfall as well (although it’s seasonal so don’t expect to see it all the time).