Kentucky Tourist Attractions  

"Must See Tourist Attractions in Kentucky."

Home Page  

The southern hospitality and charm of Kentucky are found from the heights of the Highlands to the subterranean depths of Cave Country. The natural wonders of the Bluegrass State are punctuated with two metropolitan cities. Lexington, the heart of Bluegrass Country, is rich with state history and heritage. Louisville hosts the Kentucky Derby with two weeks of festivals and entertainment. Treasures such as grand mansions, historic sites and legendary horse farms are spread throughout the Bluegrass State. Experience sports and recreation in the natural settings of the Western part of the state. Hike, golf, bike, climb, sight see, explore underground caves, ride horses, canoe, raft, swim, or visit historical sights—the opportunities for adventure and relaxation are endless.

 

ATTRACTIONS

AL

AK

AZ

AR

CA

CO

CT

DE

FL

GA

HI

ID

IL

IN

IA

KS

KY

LA

ME

MD

MA

MI

MN

MS

MO

MT

NE

NV

NH

NJ

NM

NY

NC

ND

OH

OK

OR

PA

RI

SC

SD

TN

TX

UT

VT

VA

WA

WV

WI

WY

---

Western Waterlands   Bluegrass Heartland   Scenic Wonderlands   Eastern Highlands   National Parks

Western Waterlands  

Venture River Family Water Park - Wave pool, 7 exciting slides, large kiddie pool w/slide, lazy river w/action waves & sand volleyball.

John James Audubon State Park and Museum - Five and one half miles of trails wind through the nature preserve with variations in difficulty and length. Visit the world's largest gathering of John James Audubon memorabilia and one of the most extensive collections of his work in the world. Four galleries represent John James Audubon, his life, his work, and his legacy.

Yeiser Art Center - The Yeiser Art Center nurtures a community of artists and the Center's Permanent Collection of 450 pieces of 19th and 20th Century American, European, African, and Asian works is a regional attraction.

Pattis 1880s Settlement - Visit a recreated historical log cabin village tucked into the natural beauty of Western Kentucky. Fantastic Dining, Beautiful Gardens, Unique Gift Shops, Winding Streams, a Miniature Golf Course and Arcade, and the most fun Animal Park around.

Museum of the American Quilter's Society - A real world quilt museum with a collection, changing exhibits, workshops, festivals, a gift shop, and more--as well as a virtual center for this exciting art form.

Cherokee Trail Of Tears Park - This historic park is one of the few documented sites of actual trail and campsites used during the forced removal of the Cherokee people to ""Indian Territory"". One of the focal points of the Trail Of Tears Commemorative Park is the log cabin which serves as the Heritage Center For the

Bluegrass Heartland  

Bluegrass Railroad Museum - While traveling along the mainline of the old Louisville Southern Railroad, you will enjoy beautiful thoroughbred horse farms, herds of grazing cattle, and Kentucky wildflowers in bloom. After your ride, visit the display car and view the other static displays at the museum site.

Belle of Louisville and Spirit of Jefferson - Two historic riverboats still in operation. No other river steamboat in American history has lasted as long, been to as many places, or traveled as many miles as the Belle of Louisville. The Spirit of Jefferson, originally named the Huck Finn, offered dinner and sightseeing cruises for 25 years.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky - Take a tour of the facilities to learn about the Toyota production method. The state-of-the-art Visitor Center offers both visual and hands-on experiences to inform visitors about TMMK. Interactive computer activities, exhibits, TMMK model displays, and production and teamwork videos are designed to showcase the Toyota Production System.

Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption - With its arches & gargoyles, this basilica is a beatiful example of Gothic architecture.

Main Strasse Village - Covering approximately five blocks, the village is a restored 19th century German neighborhood. The shops and restaurants are housed in renovated buildings joined by cobblestone walkways. See the Carroll Chimes Bell Tower and the bronze Goose Girl Fountain.

Kentucky History Center - The new Kentucky History Center houses the Society’s popular permanent exhibit “A Kentucky Journey” and also hosts a variety of changing exhibits in the temporary gallery, as well as the Hall of Governors. Visitors can also see the Old State Capitol and the Kentucky Military History Museum.

American Saddlebred Museum - The American Saddlebred Museum offers a panorama of the exhilarating sights and sounds of the American Saddlebred world from the Saddlebred's role in American history to modern day horse. See the award winning multi-image show, "Saddlebred for America".

The Carnegie, Visual + Performing Arts Center - The Carnegie, with its four galleries and theater, serves the three counties that make up Northern Kentucky. One building houses four art galleries with 6,000 square feet of exhibition space, which is the largest in the Northern Kentucky/ Greater Cincinnati area. The other building houses The Carnegie Theater.

Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest - Within Bernheim's 14,000 acres you will find a nationally-recognized arboretum, beautiful gardens, tranquil lakes, a nature center, large expanses of scenic natural area, 30 miles of hiking trails and a 12,000-acre research forest. Enjoy a leisurely stroll, hike, bike, bring the family to the Visitors Center or just come to enjoy the ever-changing display of natural splendor.

Kentucky Horsepark and International Museum of the - The Kentucky Horse Park is a thousand and thirty acre educational theme park. The International Museum of the Horse is the largest and most comprehensive equestrian museum in the world.

Louisville Slugger Museum - Learn all kinds of baseball trivia in this museum dedicated to America's pastime and the company that makes the legendary bat.  A visit to the Museum also includes a tour through a working factory, where the bats are made!

The Newport Aquarium - Sixty state-of-the-art exhibits will immerse you in wonder. Glass floors will let you walk on water. Five specially designed underwater tunnels will have you diving with the sharks and through a colorful coral reef.

Louisville Science Center - There's a little scientist in all of us, and the Louisville Science Center strives to bring that out through a combination of engaging exhibits, programs and IMAX® films. No matter if you are a child, an adult, a teacher or a business professional, there is something here for you to see, hear, and touch!

Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom - With over 110 rides and attractions, Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom is the place for family fun and heart-pounding thrills.

Speed Art Museum - Discover the region's only interactive art environment for families – The Laramie L. Leatherman Art Learning Center and Art Sparks Interactive Gallery. Enter Art Sparks and explore an extraordinary, hands-on gallery featuring 30 activities, multi-media, and works of art.

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill - Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is the largest historic community of its kind in America. Visitors to this National Historic Landmark enjoy a wide variety of activities, including self-guided tours, riverboat excursions and special events. The village also offers two craft stores, meeting facilities, as well as fine dining and overnight accommodations in restored 19th-century buildings.

Scenic Wonderlands  

National Corvette Museum - Every Corvette made is produced in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Experience first hand the passion and the excitement of America's Sports Car, the Chevrolet Corvette. The National Corvette Museum was established with a mission of celebrating the invention of the Corvette and preserving its past, present and future.

Kentucky Action Park - Kentucky Action Park is your one stop for vacation fun in South Central Kentucky. We have the largest variety of amusement activities of any place around! Our major attractions are Jesse James Riding Stables and the Alpine Slide, but there’s so much more!

Kentucky Down Under - Kentucky Down Under is an Australian themed animal park. Visitors are invited to participate in various activities including hands on contact with Australian animals.

The Shaker Museum at South Union - This is a place to visit and learn firsthand about the Shaker way of life. Several of the original buildings have been restored and now house a fine museum of Shaker folklife and material culture, a unique museum shop, overnight lodgings, and the only remaining, operating Shaker post office.

The Kentucky Museum - The Kentucky Museum is one of the largest and most modern museums in Kentucky. To complement the Museum's collection of artifacts, the Kentucky Building also houses the Kentucky Library, Manuscripts and Folklife Archives and University Archives.

Race World - Race World is southern Kentucky's most fun action filled family fun center. Featuring two race tracks, a complete state of the art arcade, Naskart Deck Cafe, and Race World Collectible Gift Shop. Our adult Naskart oval features real mini NASCAR themed racecars and a fast slick banked oval track for a ride even real NASCAR drivers won't soon forget.

American Cave Museum - A journey through the museum is a step into an unknown terrain where nature sculpts enormous subterranean chambers out of limestone. Native Americans and early settlers used caves for shelter, food storage, mineral extraction and as a source of drinking water. Discover the history and science of caves and groundwater through a variety of educational and informative exhibits.

Beech Bend Raceway Park - Amusement park, pool, waterslides, an oval track and a dragstrip. Serving families for over 100 years.

Eastern Highlands  

Jenny Wiley Theatre - Nestled in the beautiful natural surroundings of the Appalachian Mountains within the boundaries of Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, the theatre remains one of the nations leading outdoor amphitheatres.

Kentucky Folk Art Center - The Kentucky Folk Art Center features the Lovena and William Richardson Gallery a museum installation of 115 pieces from the Center's 740 piece collection of folk art and the Garland & Minnie Adkins Gallery, which showcases the ever changing special exhibits.

Kentucky Reptile Zoo - See cobras, mambas, rattlesnakes, alligators, turtles and giant pythons. Come enjoy this unique blend of science and entertainment by visiting the educational reptile display, near Natural Bridge State Park.

Appalachian Center - The Center's mission is to promote the preservation of the Appalachian culture by stimulating artistic expression, to serve as a resource for the region's history and cultural traditions, to provide a forum for the arts through cross cultural experiences, and to promote the arts in education.

Brush Arbor Appalacian Pioneer Homestead - What started as the simple relocation and restoration of an 1860's Kentucky log cabin, has evolved into an authentic restoration of an Appalachian Pioneer Homestead and Village, currently consisting of eight log structures.

Big South Fork Scenic Railway - The Big South Fork Scenic Railway operates over the historic trackage of the Kentucky and Tennessee Railway and is situated in the heart of the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. Visit the Stearns Museum (admission included in train ticket) to see how the coal company towns operated and the lifestyle of their people.

Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum - Experience just what it was like in 1940 to dine at the Harland Sanders Cafe! The restaurant, where Kentucky Fried Chicken got its start, has been carefully restored, and features the original kitchen where the Colonel perfected his Original Recipe.

National Parks

Mammoth Cave National Park - Mammoth Cave National Park was established to preserve the cave system, including Mammoth Cave, the scenic river valleys of the Green and Nolin rivers, and a section of south central Kentucky. This is the longest recorded cave system in the world with more than 360 miles explored and mapped. click here for more information

Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail - In 1838, the United States government forcibly removed more than 16,000 Cherokee Indian people from their homelands in Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, and Georgia, and sent them to Indian Territory (today known as Oklahoma). The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail commemorates the removal of the Cherokee and the paths that 17 Cherokee detachments followed westward. Today the trail encompasses about 2,200 miles of land and water routes, and traverses portions of nine states.

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site - In the fall of 1808, Thomas and Nancy Lincoln settled on the 348 acre Sinking Spring Farm. Two months later on February 12, 1809, Abraham Lincoln was born in a one-room log cabin near the Sinking Spring. Here the Lincolns lived and farmed before moving to land a few miles away at Knob Creek. An early 19th century Kentucky cabin, symbolic of the one in which Lincoln was born, is preserved in a memorial building at the site of his birth.

Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area - The free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries pass through 90 miles of scenic gorges and valleys containing a wide range of natural and historic features. The area offers a broad range of recreational opportunities including camping, whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting and fishing.

Mammoth Cave National Park - Mammoth Cave National Park was established to preserve the cave system, including Mammoth Cave, the scenic river valleys of the Green and Nolin rivers, and a section of south central Kentucky. This is the longest recorded cave system in the world with more than 360 miles explored and mapped.

Cumberland Gap National Historic Park - The story of the first doorway to the west is commemorated at the national park, located where the borders of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia meet. Carved by wind and water, Cumberland Gap forms a major break in the formidable Appalachian Mountain chain. First used by large game animals in their migratory journeys, followed by Native Americans, the Cumberland Gap was the first and best avenue for the settlement of the interior of this nation.

This week's Kentucky article

Visit A Kentucky Resort Park For Your Next Family Vacation
by: Deanna Mascle

In today's hectic, keep-up-with-the-neighbors world, the family vacation has become another form of one-upsmanship which means exotic destinations and following commercial trends.

However it is important to remember that the family vacation should not be about the location, the gimmicks, or the amount of money you spend. A family vacation should be about spending time together as a family doing something you can all enjoy. A family vacation should be about cementing your bonds as a family rather than about splurging or plunging into debt.

When I was a child my family took several vacation and I have fond memories of every one. My family was not well-to-do so most of our get-aways meant camping trips but we still managed to visit several different locations in a number of states and Canada. We made friends, learned about history and different cultures, and spent time together.

While I am not a big fan of camping (after all, this is my vacation too) as a mother, my family has found a wonderful compromise that offers many of the advantages of camping while eliminating a good many of the disadvantages. Our compromise is the Kentucky State Resort Park.

We happen to live in Kentucky, but even if you do not this is a great state for vacationers. Kentucky offers a wonderfully mild climate with warm summers and temperate springs, falls and winters. Our friends and family love visiting Kentucky in the spring and fall as our spring arrives much sooner and fall lingers much longer than it does in the northern states where they live. Kentucky also offers beautiful scenery from rolling horse farms, forested mountains, and peaceful lakes and rivers.

The Kentucky State Parks system offers 18 resort parks throughout the state which is more than any other state. Each resort park offers a full-service lodge which includes guest rooms and dining. Plus many also offer cottages or cabins that can be rented by the night or week. The cottages include a fully-equipped kitchen so you can enjoy family-style meals although you can also eat at the lodge if you choose. Some of the resort parks located on lakes also offer houseboat rentals as well.

Each park also offers a variety of activities including hiking, swimming, play grounds, picnic areas, and appreciating nature. Most parks have a staffed nature center that provides programming for all ages. Usually you can enjoy the outdoors and water in a variety of ways from golf to horse back riding to tennis. Water sports are usually available with indoor and outdoor pools as well as beaches and marinas.

Kentucky State Resort Parks offer a great family vacation opportunity without the distractions, and extra costs, of a more commercial resort.

www.3Dflags.com