We thought it was about time again to feature one of our more under-appreciated states in the USA – the home of both the light bulb as well as a very famous fast food chain! That’s right, this time around, we’re heading to Kentucky!
“Kentucky, known as the Bluegrass State because of the gorgeous “blue-hued” grass that grows here, is one of the most beautiful states in the country! We are the horse capital of the world. Our southern hospitality, breathtaking nature, and fascinating history are second to none!”
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park. Hodgenville
Fort Boonesborough State Park. Frontier fort & historical site in Richmond
Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site. Perryville
Frazier History Museum. The only museum in the world in partnership with the tower of London granted permission to exhibit rare historical artifacts from Great Britain in addition to amazing exhibits relating to American History including rare Native- American relics, Louisville
National Corvette Museum. Bowling Green
Kentucky Derby Museum. Louisville
Muhammad Ali Museum and Cultural Center. Louisville
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. Louisville
Old State Capitol. Frankfort
Mary Todd Lincoln House. Lexington
Historic RailPark and Train Museum. Bowling Green
Newport Aquarium. Newport
Mammoth Caves. Largest underground cave system in the world, Cave City
Kentucky, the birthplace of Bourbon. The state Kentucky has 68 distilleries which craft over 95% of the world’s bourbon. Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Heaven Hill, and Wild Turkey are just a few of famous brands who distill their world-renowned Bourbon in the Bluegrass State. Most distilleries offer tours of their facilities and samplings of their products.
Churchill Downs. Thoroughbred racetrack & home of the Kentucky Derby, Louisville
Kentucky Derby. Annually held horse race, on the first Saturday in May, every year since 1875, Louisville
Birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. Hodgenville
One of the country’s best State Park systems. Kentucky has 46 fabulous state parks, spanning lake shorelines, stunning Appalachian mountains, winding caves, majestic woodlands. Unparalleled camping, hiking, cave exploration, canoeing, kayaking, rustic cabin rentals, and luxurious lodge accommodations galore!
Toyota Manufacturing Plant & Visitor Center. Georgetown
“Southern” Cuisine. The delicious “Kentucky Hot Brown” sandwich was invented in 1926 by a chef at the famous Brown Hotel in Louisville, and has remained a classic favorite ever since. Owensboro is known for its unique style of barbeque; Catfish and hushpuppies are favorites throughout the state; and, of course, the world-famous Kentucky Fried Chicken was born here, and the international KFC headquarters is located in Louisville.
KY Farms. Farms are one of the many things that this wonderful state is known for, e.g. the Sun Valley Farm in Versailles (KY) or the Claiborne Farm in Paris (KY)
Factory & industrial tours:
Louisville Slugger Factory Tour. Louisville
Toyota Visitor Center and Plant Tour. Georgetown
Jim Beam Distillery Tour. Clermont
Ale-8-One Factory Tour. Winchester
Louisville Glassworks Tour. Louisville
Kentucky Cooperage Tour. Lebanon
Rebecca Ruth Candy Factory Tour. Frankfort
Tour the American Printing House for the Blind. Louisville
Shakespeare in the Park Festival. May 29-August 4 2019, Louisville
“My Old Kentucky Home” amphitheater shows. Bardstown
St James Court Art Show. End September / beginning October,
Louisville
Great American Brass Band Festival. Mid June, Danville
Kentucky Renaissance Fair. Beginning June – mid July,
Eminence
Blues & Barbecue Festival. Mid July, Louisville
International Bar-B-Q Festival. Mid May, Owensboro
Kentucky Bluegrass Music & Burgoo Festival. Beginning September, Louisville
Garvin Gate Blues Festival. Early October, Louisville
Kentucky State Fair. Mid August, Louisville
Trail of Tears Pow-Wow (Native American Heritage Festival). Beginning September, Hopkinsville
Kentucky Bourbon Festival. Mid September, Bardstown
World Chicken Festival. End of September, London
Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event. Late April, Lexington
The Kentucky Derby and Derby Festival. May, Louisville
American Quilter’s Society National Quilt Show. Late April, Paducah
Belle of Louisville streamboat. For fantastic views of the Ohio river, Louisville
Kentucky Motor Speedway. For incredible views of Nascar racing, Sparta
Floodwall Murals. Paducah
Mammoth Cave National Park
Cumberland Falls. Whitley County
Red River Gorge Geological Area. Stanton
Big Four Bridge. Louisville
More than $6 billion worth of gold is stored in underground vaults in the United States gold depository in Fort Knox, Kentucky, located on the Ft. Knox army base. This is the largest amount of gold stored anywhere in the world!
The Kentucky Derby is the longest-running horse race in the United States.
The opening ceremony of the Kentucky Derby is called “Thunder Over Louisville”, and it features the world’s largest fireworks show!
The fast food chain “Kentucky Fried Chicken” really did originate in Kentucky!
… and so did the classic birthday tune “Happy Birthday To You” in 1893!
It was Louisville where Thomas Edison first introduced one of his biggest inventions: the light bulb!