Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit In Kentucky. #Top Attractions

Considering a trip to Kentucky? Check out the list of the best things to do in Kentucky and places to go in Kentucky below. As a Web 3.0 travel startup, Wondrous Drifter has big plans to shake things up in the field.

Kentucky Fried Chicken isn’t the only thing that comes to mind when people mention “Kentucky,” is it?

Well, there’s no doubting that exciting stuff to do in Kentucky begins with their various well-known destinations.

Kentucky, often recognized as the Bluegrass State, has a rich cultural and geographical past that attracts the attention of various tourists, including families and couples.

Experience all the attractions you know about and discover those you don’t.

Bourbon, country music, and horse racing are some of the most well-known aspects of the state’s culture.

Despite this, tourists to the Bluegrass State may be surprised by the state’s unique museums and stunning natural attractions.

In addition to the Kentucky Derby, held in May near Louisville, the state’s largest city, Louisville is also recognized as the birthplace of the Louisville Slugger bat.

Because of the karst geology, many of Kentucky’s parks are home to numerous natural springs, magnificent caverns, and other natural wonders that are welcome to view.

Another great place to spend a weekend is in a cozy Appalachian cabin or another of Kentucky’s well-known vacation spots.

Kentucky is a wonderful state with many interesting attractions, from exciting and intriguing places to tranquil and calm nature parks, making it a wonderful destination for a vacation or a getaway.

Even if you’re not looking for the famed Kentucky Bourbon Trail, the list below of must-do activities will make for a memorable trip to Kentucky.

Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs

Watching horse racing in Kentucky is one of the coolest things you’ll ever do in the state.

If you’d want to see the Kentucky Derby, head to Churchill Downs!

The first Sunday in May is Derby Day in Louisville, which attracts many visitors.

One of the most well-known and prominent events in the state; it’s a lot of fun to be a part of and watch.

Do not forget your headpiece and have a wonderful time in the lovely spring air of Kentucky at the event.

Whether you’re a gambler or not, you’ll love watching the racehorses zoom by as you watch the race.

It’s more than just a race to see which horse can get to the finish line; first, it’s also about style and enjoyment.

Don’t worry about visiting during the off-season; you can still see the grounds.

History and memorabilia from the event’s beginnings up to 1875 are displayed in this museum, including objects originally owned by the world’s greatest trainers.

Over 150,000 people come to the city for the event, and hotels fill up quickly. If you’re interested in going, make your plans now.

Address: 700 Central Ave, Louisville, KY 40208, United States

Daniel Boone National Forest

One of Kentucky’s premier national forests, Daniel Boone National Forest, offers various outdoor activities.

In the Daniel Boone National Forest, you’ll find some of the most challenging landscapes west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Throughout 21 counties in eastern Kentucky, the Daniel Boone National Forest encompasses more than 700,000 acres of land.

Prepare to be impressed by the forest’s more than 600 kilometers of paths excellent for day hikes, camping, and backpacking getaways.

Additionally, there are year-round bike-friendly routes and sandstone peaks that climbers fall in love with.

More than 3,400 kilometers of sandstone cliffs, canyons, and ravines carved by streams and rivers make up the park’s most striking feature, including the Natural Bridge, which is 65 feet high and 75 feet wide.

The park has numerous other strange rock formations, worn by wind and water.

Explore the park’s various paths, and you’ll come across the high lush rainforest, rocky cliffs, and tucked-away canyons.

By visiting Daniel Boone National Forest, you learn more about eastern Kentucky’s history, landscape, and culture.

Address: 1700 Bypass Rd, London, KY 40744, United States

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory

Louisville Slugger Attraction & Factory is a must-see museum for everyone interested in baseball bats.

A whole museum and factory are dedicated to creating MLB’s official bat.

Stroll into the factory where the world-famous Louisville Slugger baseball bats, used by MLB stars, are created and see history being made.

In addition, a museum linked to the factory covers the legacy of the Louisville Slugger and the achievements of some of the greatest players who handled it throughout the years.

Inside, tourists may see the factory where a basic piece of wood is transformed into a bat that professional baseball players have broken records with since 1884.

Furthermore, the museum includes a 700th home run bat used by Hank Aaron, a bat used by Joe DiMaggio for his 56-game hitting streak, and a bat used for 21 of Babe Ruth’s 1927 home runs with the etchings surrounding each of those runs.

Your favorite teams and players will be featured in an exclusive, intimate, and behind-the-scenes experience with their All-Star Experience.

The museum also features baseball-themed activities for both kids and adults, such as batting cages and a throwing simulator.

You’ll receive a little bat as a memento of your time here.

Visit the museum to learn more about the baseball batting technique!

Address: 800 West Main Street, Louisville, Kentucky

Preparing for a trip to Kentucky? Other states in the US should be on your bucket list. Check out the best things to do in Southwest USA

Louisville Mega Cavern

Known as the “MEGA” Cavern, Louisville’s Biggest Cavern is located right here in the city!

Louisville Mega Cavern, a 100-acre limestone quarry transformed into a remarkable tourist attraction, features the world’s only subterranean zip line course.

Caverns and underground tunnels that run 17 miles under Louisville are part of the underground network.

The caverns were formerly a limestone quarry, but mining ceased in the 1970s, and the area stood vacant for a long time before being converted to a storage facility.

It has since become a popular destination for travelers, particularly those on vacation with their families.

Numerous opportunities abound to learn about the cavern’s workings and fascinating past.

You can take a zipline tour with Mega Zips, the world’s only subterranean zip line course, or a Mega Tram experience.

During the Christmas season, the cavern will have a 30-minute light show!

Subterranean adventure park visitors will also discover a zip line course, but it’s not the only one.

A bike park, an aerial ropes course, and a tram trip are also available for a more laid-down subterranean experience.

This is a fantastic leisure activity if you’re traveling with kids or solo traveling!

Address: 1841 Taylor Ave, Louisville, KY 40213, United States

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park

To rise from nothingness to emergence as one of the world’s most important figures.

You may visit the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, where Lincoln spent his youth and how it influenced him to become the man who transformed the history of America.

On the location of Sinking Springs Farm, founded by Abraham Lincoln’s father, Thomas Lincoln, stands Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park.

It is a sight to behold the Neoclassical Memorial Building, created by architect John Russell Pope and made of Tennessee marble and Connecticut pink granite.

As a tribute to Abraham Lincoln’s administration, the staircase has 56 steps that signify his age when he died.

When the Memorial Building for Lincoln’s Birthplace was completed in 1911, it included a reproduction of the one-room cottage where Lincoln was born in 1809.

Also on the site is Sinking Spring, a natural water source so named because of how it vanishes into the ground.

Moreover, you may go to Knob Creek, where Lincoln and his family eventually relocated.

Like former President Abraham Lincoln said, “The best way to predict your future is to create it.”

Make memories, organize your trip, and you’ll be sure to learn a lot about the life of this remarkable man!

Address: 2995 Lincoln Farm Rd, Hodgenville, KY 42748, United States

Mammoth Cave National Park

How large were the mammoths? Obviously, if you guessed enormous, you are correct.

The Mammoth Cave National Park offers a huge variety of activities and attractions for you to choose from.

Not only is the park’s Mammoth Cave as massive as a real-life mammoth, but it also boasts the longest known cave system in the world.

One of the oldest tourist attractions in North America, with a total of more than 400 miles of the trail marked.

Located in the “Land of 10,000 Sinks,” the Caveland Corridor is about 80 miles south of Louisville in southwest Kentucky.

As you go through the Mammoth Cave National Park, look out for the Mammoth Dome. As the name implies from their gigantic limestone columns, the Ruins of Karnak soar to about 200 feet in height and give the appearance of an abandoned temple.

Further attractions are the Snowball Dining Room, the majestic Frozen Niagara, and the picturesque Crystal Lake.

Mammoth Cave National Park also offers camping, swimming, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking, bicycling, hiking, and various kid-friendly activities guided by park rangers.

Consider the Mammoth Cave Adventures, which includes a Tarzan Swing, two zipline routes, and a tower drop for a thrilling yet secure adventure in the cave.

Tickets for cave tours are required, and hikers should dress for the significantly lower temperatures they’ll encounter down in the cave.

Mammoth Cave National Park is one of those wonderful informative, entertaining, and breathtaking sites all at once.

Address: 1 Mammoth Cave Parkway, Mammoth Cave National Park, KY 42259, United States

Harland Sanders Café and Museum

Is anyone here unfamiliar with KFC or has never had one? There are KFCs worldwide, including in Egypt, with a view of the pyramids.

To be more specific, Colonel Harland Sanders’ famed fast-food restaurant company had its roots in Corbin, Kentucky.

After a fire in 1939, the Harland Sanders Café and Museum was renovated and reopened on July 4th, 1940.

When Sanders opened a café in 1940, he invented the KFC secret recipe and began franchising restaurants across the country in 1956.

The old café, now a museum on the National Register of Historic Places, still remains.

Moreover, a Green Lantern and Colonel Sanders crossover comic book are among the KFC memorabilia displayed at the motel room model.

Since you’re already at the café, you might as well taste the chicken and biscuits they serve in their own dining room.

Everyone enjoys a good piece of fried chicken. Thanks to KFC’s secret recipe, Colonel Harland Sanders’ chicken is one of the best in the world!

Check out the café and museum to learn where your favorite chicken is from!

Address: 688 U.S. Highway 25 W, Corbin, KY 40701

Creation Museum

In contrast to Big Bang Theory, there is a museum where the Bible’s descriptions of creation come to life!

Creation Museum, a world-class attraction, brings biblical history to life.

In fact, an estimated 48 percent of Kentucky’s adult population is evangelical Protestant, according to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life in the Bluegrass State.

Of those who participated, 67% said they thought people have always been in their current form or evolved because of God’s plan.

Regardless of your beliefs, the Creation Museum’s more than 140 exhibitions provide a unique viewpoint on the creation of the universe.

On your tour through biblical history, you’ll witness the genuine Garden of Eden, spectacular multimedia displays, and animated Noah and Flood replicas.

In addition to their main display, they have a life-size replica of Noah’s Ark located about 40 miles away.

Furthermore, you can join Adam and Eve in their gorgeous Garden of Eden. You’ll witness Adam naming the animals, the tree of life, the creation of Eve, and the snake cleverly wrapped in the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

Don’t ignore The Fearfully and Wonderfully Made! In this display, biblical and scientific realities about the unborn are discussed.

Explore the museum with an open mind! It’s a great way for both adults and children to learn more about the Bible while having fun.

Address: 2800 Bullittsburg Church Road, Petersburg, KY 41080

Newport Aquarium

Discovering the wonders of an underwater world is an experience you won’t want to miss out on!

The Newport Aquarium is located in Newport, Kentucky, only over the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati, Kentucky.

Newport Aquarium’s enormous acrylic tunnels allow tourists to see and learn about marine life in many different ways.

Thousands of aquatic species from throughout the world will be on display for your viewing pleasure.

While walking through an Amazon forest floor that is flooded, you come upon a gigantic Arapaima swimming in a nearby river, which you can see from your seat.

In addition, you’ll see additional coral reef tunnels, where you’ll see lifelike unicorn fish, honeycomb moray eels, and cownose rays swimming in their natural habitats.

Observe these amazing predators as they float past right in front of your face in the Surrounded by Sharks exhibit.

Enjoy the thrills of the Dangerous and Deadly display, which exhibits notable creatures like the piranha and Gila monster.

The alligator-filled enclave of Gator Alley is another well-liked destination for tourists to get more thrills!

They also have an exhibit called Shipwreck: Realm of the Eels, where you can explore a long-sunken ship and the species that call this accidental reef home.

When it comes to family fun in Kentucky, Newport Aquarium is one of the best options to tour.

Address: 1, Levee Way, Newport, Kentucky

Mary Todd Lincoln House

Along with Lincoln’s boyhood house, the former First Lady’s childhood home may also be found in Kentucky.

Meet one of the most intriguing first ladies of the United States! In the Mary Todd Lincoln House, first lady Mary Todd Lincoln lived for 16 years.

In 1832, it was bought by the Todd family, who used it as a bar and inn. At present, tourists are now welcome in the house.

Furthermore, the Mary Todd Lincoln House is the first historic property to be rebuilt to honor the First Lady.

It’s open all year long, from April to November, for both private and group tours, and you can explore the magnificent house, which is now a museum.

You can find personal items belonging to the Lincoln and Todd families on display, and furniture and decorations from that period.

In addition, the Todd and Lincoln families have given some of their belongings to the house through donations.

As sophisticated and educated as Mary Todd, this house offers tourists one of a kind experience with her husband and her personal life like no other place in Kentucky!

Address: 578 W Main St, Lexington, KY 40507, United States

The Galt House Hotel

Staying in Kentucky and looking for a spot to relax and have fun? Visit the only waterfront hotel in Louisville, The Galt House Hotel.

The Galt House Hotel features 1,310 guest rooms, apartments, suites, 130,000 square feet of adaptable convention space, and more than 50 conference rooms.

Tourists to Kentucky’s biggest hotel, which dates back to the early nineteenth century, should nevertheless pay a visit even if they don’t plan to spend any time there.

Dr. W.C. Galt built the Trademark Collection Hotel in the former Galt House, a private residence in the heart of downtown Louisville.

Since its opening in 1835, the Galt House Hotel’s East Tower has housed its original residence.

Explore neighboring sites, including the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, Museum Row, and the Muhammad Ali Center.

Downtown Louisville’s Only Waterfront Hotel includes seven restaurants and lounges offering a wide variety of cuisines and drinks to enjoy.

You can also walk to Whiskey Row, a museum dedicated to the local spirit.

Moreover, the hotel provides a salon and spa and a business center and UPS store, where you may rest or stay connected.

Additionally, The Galt House Hotel takes great pride in its role as the official hotel sponsor of Louisville Cardinals Athletics. For University of Louisville fans, tourists, and partners, they’ll be offering special deals.

Staying and touring at The Galt House Hotel will provide you the most genuine and greatest experience in Louisville, Kentucky!

Address: 140 N. Fourth St., Louisville, KY 40202

Great American Dollhouse Museum, Danville

Are you fascinated by seeing dolls, especially when they are doing doll things in their dollhouse? Here at The Great American Dollhouse Museum, you’ll see plenty of them!

Danville’s Great American Dollhouse Museum has the largest collection of miniature Kentucky dolls in the United States.

More than 200 dollhouses, miniature structures, and room boxes are displayed in the galleries, all meticulously decorated and filled with tiny people.

One of the museum’s most popular exhibits is a collection of historically accurate miniatures depicting various ages, places, and individuals in American history from the first inhabitants to the present.

Their exhibition hall has three key parts that you’ll view as you visit.

The first one depicts the development of the United States from the time of the Native Americans to the present day, covering the Old West and Colonial periods in between.

Another feature is a town that has been faithfully recreated from 1910, complete with stores, mansions, industries, a Shaker village, and other retail establishments.

Last but not least, the third one is about a fantasy forest country filled with elves and dragon-like creatures and a cave that you may wander into!

In general, the museum in Kentucky aims to portray the social history of the United States in a miniature way.

An absolute must-see attraction, the Great American Dollhouse Museum in Kentucky is always popular with children and adults alike.

Address: 344 Swope Dr, Danville, KY 40422, United States

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park

It’s time to head to Cumberland Falls State Resort Park in Kentucky and have some great experiences!

Whether you’re an explorer, a tourist, or just looking for a peaceful spot to relax, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is the perfect destination.

The Daniel Boone National Forest, home to Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, is one of Kentucky’s most beautiful vacation spots.

It’s one of the best in the state, with 1,657 acres, a campsite with 50 spots, a restaurant overlooking the river, a lodge, and a visitor’s center.

You can visit Cumberland Falls, which soars 68 feet into the sky, or even Eagle Falls, which is second at 44 feet.

In addition, the park has a variety of activities and attractions to view.

As a matter of fact, birdwatching is one of the popular activities you can try in the park. Riverview Restaurant and Dupont Lodge’s rear terrace provide a variety of bird species to watch.

While you’re in the area, you may pursue a variety of activities such as white water rafting, hiking, swimming, picnicking, fishing, biking, horseback riding, catching a moonbow, and more.

If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to attend one or more of the many events during the year in the park.

Bring your family and friends to Cumberland Falls State Resort Park to make the most of your vacation in Kentucky!

Address: 7351 Hwy 90, Corbin, KY 40701, United States

Kentucky State Capitol

Apart from being one of Kentucky’s landmarks, it is known to be one of the most beautiful Capitols in America.

In 1792, Kentucky became a state and built its first permanent Capitol building. Frankfort, Kentucky’s capital, is where you’ll find it.

The Kentucky State Capitol contains 70 ionic columns, dignitaries’ statues, and paintings on the outside.

Thanks to Frank Mills Andrews ‘ architecture it’s a massive and magnificent building.

In addition, the Capitol is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it is considered one of the most spectacular in the country.

Probably the most coveted luxury element is its enormous marble staircases.

Each stairway leading to the House and Senate chambers is marked by a pair of decorative lunettes. To put it simply, you’ll get the sensation of being somewhere else entirely.

Tours of the capital are available, and you’ll be amazed by the Opera Garnier-inspired architecture.

While you’re there, be sure to check out the First Lady Doll Collection.

If you’re in Frankfort, you should definitely make a stop at the Kentucky State Capitol!

Address: 700 Capital Ave, Frankfort, KY 40601, United States

Dinosaur World

Even though dinosaurs are extinct, you may still feel what it was like to live in a world where they were prevalent.

Tourists to Dinosaur World may roam among hundreds of life-size dinosaurs in a natural habitat.

An enormous Tyrannosaurus rex statue atop Interstate 65 marks Dinosaur World’s Kentucky entrance, just outside of Cave City.

Indeed, Dinosaur World is a must-see attraction in Kentucky, especially for families and children!

Christer Svensson, a Swedish businessman, has created a Dinosaur World franchise, which includes this one.

You’ll come across dinosaur statues that thread their way through a lush green forest scattered with raptor claws and prehistoric eggs as you go through the park.

There is a playground and a fossil excavation for kids to visit.

A picnic spot is close, so the whole family may eat together.

Their 5,000-square-foot gift store is a terrific place to buy ancient relics, geodes, and toys.

Dinosaur World is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the prehistoric period, and you won’t soon forget your experience there!

Address: 711 Mammoth Cave Rd, Cave City, KY 42127, United States

Big Four Bridge

A bridge that connects two states is like a portal to another universe, allowing you to traverse between them.

The Big Four Bridge was originally built in 1895 as a railroad bridge, allowing freight and people moving between Louisville and southern Indiana to cross across the Big Four River.

When the sun goes down, there’s no better place to be than top the Big Four Bridge, which is a beloved local landmark.

Its 2,525-foot span allows it to gracefully cross the beautiful Ohio River.

You may now go from Kentucky to Indiana on a bicycle and pedestrian bridge, making many holiday destinations easily accessible at once.

You may walk down the bridge and into Louisville Waterfront Park if you so want. This 85-acre park is ideal for picnics, jogging, walking, and cycling.

In addition to the amphitheater, tree groves, and a riverbank promenade, you may also visit to catch festivals, fairs, or concerts at the right time of year.

From dusk until 1 a.m. each day, the bridge’s lights are displayed for anyone who wishes to take a romantic or relaxing stroll.

At the foot of the Big Four Bridge, you’ll find a monument dedicated to the Vietnam War. You can see a 70-foot-tall American flag flying in the sky from the bridge.

Decide whether you want to stroll the bridge in the morning or at night, and then do it!

Address: 1101 River Rd, Louisville, KY 40202, United States

Kentucky Artisan Center

The Kentucky Artisan Center exhibits a wide variety of artisan works, although not in a typical museum-style display.

The Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea showcases the work of more than 800 Kentucky craftsmen in a variety of contemporary and traditional crafts.

Moreover, The Kentucky Artisan Center buys directly from artists for resale to help hundreds of Kentucky artists and companies thrive.

As a collector or admirer, the Kentucky Artisan Center is the ideal destination you can visit!

A shopping mall, exhibition area, and gallery are all housed in a single 25,000 square-foot space.

Furthermore, almost 800 local craftsmen offer their works here, ranging from steel and metal works, note cards, pastels, pictures, jewelry, ceramics, glass crafts, furniture, woodcraft, paper, fiber crafts, and paintings.

When you’re done shopping, stop by The Café & Grill, which serves Kentucky Proud vegetables and Kentucky Proud farm goods.

If you’re looking for somewhere to relax and get some knowledge, this is the place to go.

Address: 200 Artisan Way, Berea, KY 40403, United States

Muhammad Ali Center

A visit to the Center is more than simply an experience; it’s a trip inside the heart of a champion.

As one of the greatest athletes in sports history, Muhammad Ali’s life and times are commemorated in the Muhammad Ali Center.

The Center’s three levels of award-winning displays and galleries allow tourists to learn about Muhammad Ali’s remarkable life.

The legendary boxer Muhammad Ali is still a household name five decades after his Olympic gold-medal triumph in Rome in 1960.

When you first arrive at the Muhammad Ali Center, you’ll see an introduction video with Muhammad Ali in the spotlight.

Interactive displays will tell you about Ali’s life, faith, charity, and profession, educational exhibits about his symbolic importance throughout the Civil Rights movement, artifacts from his world, and other items from Ali’s own collection.

Return to the exhibit for some extra enjoyment and see a near-exact reproduction of Muhammad Ali’s actual practice room.

With that, you’ll be able to learn some exciting boxing movements and even throw a punch at a speed bag.

Furthermore, you can see Ali movies, shadowbox with him, and more at the Kentucky museum’s three galleries, where exhibits rotate frequently.

There is no better place to learn about Muhammad Ali’s life and career than the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

Address: 144 N 6th St, Louisville, KY 40202, United States

Kentucky Kingdom

Want a great destination to spend time with your family?

The Kentucky Kingdom provides something for everyone in the family to enjoy and a pleasant and inviting staff that aims to deliver the finest in customer service.

Visiting the Kentucky Kingdom theme park is a great way to spend the day.

Six roller coasters, dozens of thrill rides, and vintage favorites are part of the park’s more than 70 attractions.

Originally built in 1987, it has now been expanded to include even more attractions and roller coasters.

In addition, a 5D theater, a Ferris wheel, a playground, a river ride, water rides, and more have all been added to the amusement choices available to visitors.

As a perk, the park’s King Louie’s Playland, a children’s area with more than a dozen spectacular rides, is one of the largest in the country and many of which parents could ride together with their children.

Remember that some of these coasters are terrifying, yet there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

If you’re planning a family trip in Kentucky, make The Kentucky Kingdom your first destination!

Address: 937 Phillips Ln, Louisville, KY 40209, United States

Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area

The Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is one of the most amazing sights in Kentucky.

On the western Kentucky and Tennessee border, the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area spans 170,000 acres and is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

Located between Barkley and Kentucky Lakes, it was designated as a National Recreation Area in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy.

There’s a lot to see here, from modest hiking paths to a beautiful elk and bison prairie featuring the largest public herd of bison on this side of the Mississippi River.

In addition, there are attractions, animals, campgrounds, hiking, historical displays, and more to be found here!

With a total land area of 360 square miles, the peninsula is also the second-largest in the country.

Swimming, boating, skiing, fishing, and other water sports are available here.

There’s a good possibility you’ll see bobcats, deer, eagles, and ospreys while you’re out there exploring.

The Homeplace 1850s and The Woodlands Nature Station are a must-see in addition to all of the other educational and recreational options available.

Make preparations for your next trip, and visit Land Between The Lakes, Lake Barkley, and Kentucky Lake!

You haven’t made up your mind to go to Kentucky yet, have you? Click here for why visit Kentucky at least once in your lifetime here.

Address: 238 Visitor Center Dr, Golden Pond, KY 42211, United States