Best Places to Visit in Kentucky
Searching for the best places to visit in Kentucky? Well, you are in the right place! I found this to be one of the most underrated states to explore in all of the U.S.! I loved the way The Bluegrass State was filled with rolling bluegrass hills, scenic drives, rich bourbon heritage, and a legendary horse-racing culture... Here are my favorite spots that I hope you'll love too.
1. Louisville
This is one of my favorite cities to return to because it blends Southern charm with history and a lively food scene. In addition, I love its riverfront energy since it's set on the banks of the Ohio River!
We flew in from Austin, TX and stayed at the Seelbach Hilton ($210) for three exciting days, a 1905 landmark where I could instantly feel that Old World charm atmosphere. Since it was late in the day, we had dinner right after dropping off our bags at In Season Harvest Kitchen, where I had the farm-to-table fried chicken with sorghum glaze, sweet potato mash, and collard greens - to me, it was comfort food elevated with care.
Next day, I loved exploring the grounds of the Kentucky Derby Museum, learned about the traditions of the race, and saw the track that so many horses had thundered across ($20 for adults, $10 for kids).
Next we strolled along the Historic Whiskey Row, walked through the Waterfront Park, amd visited the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory (my son is a baseball fan so this was a real treat!).
What I loved best:
Sunset view from the Riverfront were my personal highlight!
A downside? Kentucky Derby Museum’s popularity meant weekend crowds. At times, the line for the walking tour moved slowly, and I wished for more quiet moments to take in the history without jostling shoulders. This is one of my favorite capital cities to visit because it offers a little bit of everything—historic architecture, quiet river views, and that quintessential Kentucky charm.
Just an hour from Louisville, we spent a care-free week here in an affordable vacation rental touring the Kentucky State Capitol, walked along the Kentucky River at River View Park, and enjoyed views from the Capitol City Museum and nearby hillsides. I kept thinking that Frankfort would make a perfect day trip as well!
What I loved best:
Exploring downtown Frankfort, with its historic architecture, shops, and cafés was a standout for me.
Sitting at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers, this is one of the most distinctive small cities I’ve explored in Kentucky and I think it’s one of the best hidden-gem destinations in the region. Why? First off, Paducah’s riverfront gave us peaceful walking paths, sweeping water views, and a laid-back vibe far removed from busy tourist hubs. In addition, I thought that Paducah's UNESCO Creative City status was well deserved.
I toured the National Quilt Museum ($12 admission), the world’s largest quilt and fiber art museum, then strolled the Historic Riverfront, lined with 50+ murals depicting local history. We stayed at The 1857 Hotel ($185) for two amazing days, a boutique inn in a converted red-brick warehouse.
For me, Paducah is the kind of place that sparks something in you. Murals told stories on old floodwalls, and artists opened their studios with pride.
I loved wandering through the Lower Town Arts District with no agenda, just ducking into galleries and chatting with painters who had made Paducah their muse. Lunch at Gold Rush Café was a standout, a quirky and beloved downtown spot. I had the Kentucky pimento cheeseburger with hand-cut fries and lemonade. What I loved best:
Catching a performance at the Carson Center for a taste of local arts and culture!
In addition, touring River Discovery Center with my son was a great learning opportunity to learn about the region’s river heritage.
Resting in the heart of central Kentucky, this is one of the most pleasantly surprising destinations I’ve visited in the region and I think it’s one of the best getaways for a day near Louisville. Why? First off, Elizabethtown offers peaceful parks, a relaxed small-town vibe, and plenty of local spots without the crowds or the rush. I think it's perfect if you want simplicity with a little personality too.
Nicknamed “E-town” by locals, the city was settled in 1797 and saw skirmishes during the Civil War. I was curious about the past, so my son and I visited the Hardin County History Museum (free admission) and the Lincoln Heritage House in Freeman Lake Park, a pair of cabins dating to the early 1800s.
Downtown, I browsed antique shops and admired the restored 19th-century buildings. Dinner was Southern comfort food at Back Home Restaurant. We spent the night at Hilton Garden Inn Elizabethtown ($175), a comfortable modern stay with an indoor pool.
What I loved best:
Picnic in Freeman Lake Park with my husband and son was my personal highlight.
A downside? I noticed that restaurants close pretty early here (around 9pm). In addition, in many places like at Back Home Restaurant parking is limited so we circled a while before finding a spot.
Ready for a cozy, bourbon-country retreat? Check out Bardstown, a real standout in central Kentucky.
From Louisville, I drove about 45 minutes southeast (40 miles via I-65 and Bluegrass Parkway) to this a town of ~13,500 residents founded in 1780. Often called the “Most Beautiful Small Town in America” (by Rand McNally), Bardstown has a walkable downtown filled with historic buildings.
I toured the Old Bardstown Village Civil War Museum ($10 admission) and the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History (free), then admired the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral (1819, first Catholic cathedral west of the Alleghenies). Dinner was fried chicken and bourbon bread pudding ($24) at the Old Talbott Tavern, which has been serving travelers since 1779. We stayed at the Jailer’s Inn Bed & Breakfast ($185), a converted 1819 jail with cozy rooms behind stone walls.
What I loved best:
Riding the Bourbon Excursion Train (we had a scenic meal onboard), was my personal highllight.
I loved visiting this artsy college town when we lived nearby, usually arriving after an easy, low-stress drive. It’s the kind of place where I can spend a slow afternoon browsing studios and feel like I’ve truly unplugged.
From Lexington, I drove about 45 minutes south to this town of ~15,000 residents known as Kentucky’s “Folk Arts & Crafts Capital” and home to Berea College .
I strolled the Old Town Artisan Village, where studios sell handmade pottery, weaving, and woodworking, then toured the Kentucky Artisan Center (free entry), a showcase for 800+ local artists. We stayed right at Historic Boone Tavern Hotel ($165), listed on on th National Register of Historic Places.
What I loved best:
Shopping for handmade goods in Old Town Berea, from weaving to pottery.
Set among the iconic horse farms and winding backroads of the Bluegrass, this is one of the most scenic small cities I’ve explored in the U.S. I think it’s one of the best places to visit in Kentucky is you love countryside drives and wide-open views. Why? Lexington offers peaceful rural landscapes just minutes from downtown, giving you that rare blend of pastoral calm and vibrant city life.
We stayed at the 21c Museum Hotel Lexington ($225) for three days, set in a restored 1914 bank building and enjoyed lunch at Josie’s, a Lexington classic. I had the Kentucky Hot Brown, a decadent open-faced sandwich with turkey, bacon, tomato, and Mornay sauce, crisped under the broiler. What I loved best:
Walking through the University of Kentucky Arboretum was such a peaceful nature escape!
Catching sunset views over the rolling Bluegrass countryside was also a standout!
Ready for a getaway with a mix of nature, history, and small-city charm? Check out Bowling Green, a real standout in south-central Kentucky. I visited in late November and loved the quiet trails at Lost River Cave, colorful leaves on Western Kentucky University’s campus, and a calm atmosphere as winter approaches.
For me, this city definitely belongs on the list of best places... and here's why. Bowling Green has a lively, down-to-earth energy that blends college-town spirit with Kentucky history and innovation. Best known as the home of the Corvette, the city also surprises with caves (in Mammoth Cave National Park), rolling countryside, and a vibrant downtown filled with local eateries and shops. We stayed at the Kentucky Grand Hotel & Spa ($225), a boutique hotel near downtown. I had lunch at 440 Main, an elegant Southern eatery right downtown. I ordered the blackened catfish with Cajun cream sauce and garlic mashed potatoes. The flavors were bold, the setting refined, and the view of Fountain Square felt like the town was posing just for us. What I loved best:
Visiting the Aviation Heritage Park to see restored military aircraft with my son was my personal highlight!
Stretching along a scenic bend of the Ohio River, I think this is one of the best places in Kentucky. Why? First off, it's affordable and unique. In addition, I love Owensboro’s riverfront park, wide open promenades, and overlook points close to downtown.
From Louisville, I drove about 2 hours southwest (110 miles via US-60) to Kentucky’s fourth-largest city (population ~60,000), perched on the Ohio River.
If you can time it right, visiting during the International Bar-B-Q Festival in May is very fun.
I strolled through Smothers Park (free, with fountains and river views) and stopped at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum ($15 admission), which celebrates Kentucky’s musical roots. Dinner was a plate of mutton BBQ and burgoo stew ($20) at the iconic Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn. We stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites Owensboro Downtown ($195) for two days, right on the riverfront.
What I loved best:
For me, Owensboro is one of the best spots in Kentucky. It's romantic, peaceful, and a favorite escape I can’t wait to return to!
Relaxing by the Ohio River with an evening view of the bridges and passing boats was a standout.
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, buy the America the Beautiful Pass.
2. Frankfort - 50 minutes from Louisville
3. Paducah - 3 hours 15 minutes from Louisville
4. Elizabethtown - just 50 minutes from Louisville
5. Bardstown
6. Berea
7. Lexington - 1 hour 15 minutes from Louisville
8. Bowling Green - 2 hours from Louisville
9. Owensboro
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