State Attractions

Kentucky Attractions Guide

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Kentucky Attractions

With its Appalachian Mountain landscapes and rolling rural pasturelands, where horses run on acres and acres of bluegrass, Kentucky is easily one of the most picturesque states in the country. There is almost no way not to enjoy a vacation in Kentucky. No matter whether it's winter, spring, summer, or fall there's always plenty to do in the outdoors of Southern and Eastern Kentucky. The surrounding bluegrass-covered countryside is lined with hundreds of thoroughbred stud farms, where many Kentucky Derby winners are bred, reared, and trained. So, come see Kentucky and you will love it!


Bluegrass Heartlands | Eastern Highlands | Scenic Wonderlands | Western Waterlands
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Bluegrass Heartlands


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.

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, and a talking pirate will put you on the edge of your seat.

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.

arrowSpeed 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.

arrowShaker 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.

arrowKentucky Derby Museum - Take a guided tour or visit the museum exhibits on your own.

arrowBluegrass 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.

arrowBelle 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.

arrowToyota 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.

arrowCathedral Basilica Of The Assumption - With its arches & gargoyles, this basilica is a beatiful example of Gothic architecture.

arrowMain 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.

arrowKentucky 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.

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Eastern Highlands


The Highlands Museum And Discovery Center - Interactive exhibits, educational experiences and innovative programs, both cultural and historical, celebrate our past, explore our present, and enrich our future.

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.

arrowRenfro Valley Entertainment Center - Be entertained with great songs and wholesome family comedy. Headliner concerts feature such stars as Loretta Lynn, Patty Loveless, Randy Travis, Statler Brothers, Ricky Van Shelton, and more. Festivals are filled with old-time tradition. You'll want to be a part of the Old Joe Clark Bluegrass Festival, All Night Gospel Sing, Appalachian Harvest Festival and Fiddlers' Festival.

arrowBrush 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.

arrowBig 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.

arrowHarland 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.

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Scenic Wonderlands


Guntown Mountain - Guntown Mountain is an authentic re-creation of a wild west town from the days of the frontier. Step into the Haunted House, see a saloon show or gunfight, and ride the carnival attractions.

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.

arrowLost River Cave - Lost River Cave has one of the largest cave openings in the Eastern United States. A Tour of the Cave and Valley includes a 20-minute walking tour of the Valley and Cave opening emphasizing history, geology/hydrology, and folklore; followed by a 20 -to-25 minute boat tour into the cave.

arrowThe 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.

arrowRace 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.

arrowAmerican 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.

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

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Western Waterlands


Hardin Southern Railroad - Take a genuine, authentic train ride south through the captivating unspoiled beauty of the Clarks River Valley and witness the lush legendary forests of Kentucky's past and the timeless rich beauty of her farmlands.

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

Kentucky Opry - Live Country Music Variety Show! The Kentucky Opry Theatre offers tour groups and families the best in wholesome, clean, music, comedy and Grand Ole Opry Stars. Branson style shows year around. For some great fun and entertainment see the Kentucky Opry your next trip or vacation. We are located at Benton, just 5 miles south of Kentucky Dam on Kentucky Lake in Marshall County Kentucky.

arrowPattis 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.

arrowMuseum 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.

arrowCherokee 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 Park.

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