• Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Bowling Green ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Entertainment
Bowling Green
© tamu/stock.adobe.com

2. Lexington ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lexington
© jackienix/stock.adobe.com

3. Abraham Lincoln Birthplace Historical Park

Category: Activities
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace Historical Park
© Stephanie Frey/stock.adobe.com

4. Bardstown

Category: Food & Drink
Bardstown
© quasarphotos/stock.adobe.com

5. Big South Fork Scenic Railway

Category: Kids & Family
Big South Fork Scenic Railway
© Petr/stock.adobe.com

6. Cave City

Cave City
© Brian/stock.adobe.com

7. Cumberland Falls State Resort Park

Category: Accommodations
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
© Diane Johnson and Danita Delimont/stock.adobe.com

8. Elizabethtown

Elizabethtown
© taviphoto/stock.adobe.com

9. Frankfort

Frankfort
© David Davis/stock.adobe.com

10. Grand Rivers

Category: Activities
Grand Rivers
© Barry Fowler Photos/stock.adobe.com

11. Irvine

Irvine
© andi/stock.adobe.com

12. Kentucky Horse Park

Category: Activities
Kentucky Horse Park
© DarrenDwayne/stock.adobe.com

13. Lost River Cave

Category: Activities
Lost River Cave
© Leo Quintana/stock.adobe.com

14. Louisville

Louisville
© This Life In Trips/stock.adobe.com

15. Louisville Mega Cavern

Category: Attractions
Louisville Mega Cavern
© bjphotographs/stock.adobe.com

16. Mammoth Cave National Park

Category: Activities
Mammoth Cave National Park
© Brian/stock.adobe.com

17. Natural Bridge State Resort Park

Category: Accommodations
Natural Bridge State Resort Park
© ehrlif/stock.adobe.com

18. Paducah

Paducah
© Steve Wile Images/stock.adobe.com

19. Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park

Category: Accommodations
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park
© helgidinson/stock.adobe.com

20. Petersburg

Petersburg
© Nady/stock.adobe.com

21. Red River Gorge

Category: Activities
Red River Gorge
© oliclimb/stock.adobe.com

22. Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill

Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill
© Sherman Cahal/stock.adobe.com

Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:

Kentucky is a place filled with caves, mountains, roaring rivers, important historical sites, parks, bourbon, and a culture deeply rooted within the communities. The Appalachian Mountains cover eastern Kentucky, while forests and plains cover the rest of the state. There are hundreds of places to explore on a day trip that gives visitors a truly unique experience they will never forget.

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