Play and Stay in Captivating Kentucky
From museums and art galleries to family-friendly excursions, Kentucky is a dream come true. And with bustling metro areas, brilliant bourbon, and stunning sights, Kentucky claims a special place in every visitor’s heart.
Grand Adventures with the Family
Explore the world of science, taste delicious culinary confections, and play around prehistoric wonders at these Kentucky family-friendly attractions.
Kentucky Science Center
Louisville
Explore the world that surrounds us at the Kentucky Science Center. A beautifully curated collection, the Center invites families of all ages to discover the vastness of nature and the science behind the universe. In the Natural History Gallery, learn anthropology, archaeology, and paleontology while standing in awe of gems, fossils, mummies, and more. Interactive exhibits engage guests with investigation and engineering. Experience science in play while ascending to new heights in the towering Happy Climber, sharpen the senses in the Noodle Forest and explore the properties of water and harness the power of wind. Wander through galleries focusing on ecology and ecosystems and feel closer to nature. At Kentucky Science Center, the wonders of science are waiting to be explored.
kysciencecenter.org
Rebecca Ruth’s Candy Tour
Frankfort
Bite into something sweet at Rebecca Ruth Candy Tours and Museum. Featuring antique candy-making equipment, this family confectionary has been in operation since the year 1919. Known for the invention of Bourbon Balls, watch the magic of candy magic Monday through Thursday as delightful confections are handcrafted on the 12-foot curved marble slab. While on the guided tour, discover the gumption of two single women daring to start a business on their own, the tragedies of widowhood that befell one, the strength to survive through prohibition and the Great Depression, and the ingenuity of one woman to create the perfect bite of Kentucky.
rebeccaruthonline.com
Dinosaur World
Cave City
Wander among hundreds of life-like, full-size dinosaurs in the Kentucky woods at Dinosaur World in Cave City. Let your imagination run wild with interactive exhibits and enjoy dino-themed fun like playgrounds, slides, and swings. Bring your own healthy snacks and beverages and don’t forget to bring the pup for all-around family fun. Dig for shark teeth, gastropods, stingray barbs, Mosasaur teeth in the specially stocked pit from real minerals, arrowheads, and gems, discover what treasures await at the mining sluice. Uncover a 27-foot skeleton buried in the sand while learning the proper way to excavate. Discover the magical journey of exploration and wonder at the prehistoric playground – Dinosaur World.
dinosaurworld.com
Cultural Collections at Kentucky’s Greatest Museums
Experience the incredible culture and history that lies in the heart of Bourbon Country.
Frazier Museum
Louisville
Located on Museum Row in the West Main District of downtown Louisville, the Frazier is Kentucky’s prime history museum. Home to one of the largest collections of toy soldiers and historic miniatures on permanent public display in the world in The Stewart Collection, the Frazier Museum is also the official starting point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Savor the flavor of Kentucky at your leisure with Frazier's Tiny Tours and Tastings, small group guided tours and bourbon samplings. Celebrate the life and work of bourbon baron, Julian "Pappy" Van Winkle. A tasting experience unlike any other, the Frazier's Masters Series showcases Kentucky's booming bourbon and craft beer industries. With over 200 specialty beers, food trucks, live music, and Kentucky pride, the inaugural Summer Beer Fest at the Frazier is sure to be one of the largest beer tastings in Kentucky. Discover greatness at the Frazier Museum – where the world meets Kentucky.
fraziermuseum.org
Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame
Owensboro
Capturing the energy and excitement of the River of Sound, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame invites guests to revisit history and discover the creativity that shaped the music genre. Paying homage to its innovative all-stars, explore memorabilia not found anywhere else. Follow the stories of Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, and other musical pioneers of this great American art form. Explore the evolution of bluegrass through exciting interactive exhibits and dynamic displays. From the dawn of the Bluegrass Era to the artists who kept the flame burning of America's beloved homespun music.
bluegrasshall.org
Metropolitan Merriment
Explore the fun found in town throughout these bustling and vibrant communities. Savor the rich histories, entertaining attractions, and compelling flavors of Kentucky’s lesser-known metros.
Harlan County and the Tri-Cities
Eastern Kentucky
Resting along the Kentucky-Virginia state line, Harlan County overlooks the beautiful mountains of Southeastern Kentucky. With the Tri-Cities of Cumberland, Benham, and Lynch, Harlan County is a fantastic vacation destination. With a rich history and Appalachian culture, Cumberland is Harlan’s largest city nicknamed the Black Bear Capital of Kentucky. In Cumberland, the Kingdom Come State Park’s 1,283 acres is a popular attraction, while Lynch attracts thousands of visitors annually with the nation's best underground mine tour, Portal 31. Stroll through Benham's downtown and stand in awe of historic structures and one of the most picturesque town centers in the region. Climb Kentucky's highest mountains by ATV, soar through the treetops on zipline tours, or step back in time at the Kentucky Coal Mine Museum. Discover where the adventure begins – in the Tri-City area.
harlancountytrails.com
Bardstown
Central Kentucky
The place for the ultimate Bourbon getaway, Bardstown has been greeting travelers and visitors since 1780. Kentucky's second-oldest town, Bardstown features 11 distilleries – making it known far and wide as the Bourbon Capital of the World. At the Bardstown Bourbon Company step into one of the most sophisticated distilleries in the United States. Open spaces with large windows of clear glass, bring to light all the science, skill, and craftsmanship that goes into creating a perfect whiskey. Take the one-hour Bardstown Bourbon experience for unique tastings and one-of-a-kind sampling. Starting in the all-glass classroom overlooking 100 acres of active farmland, visitors enjoy the libation from the moment the tour begins. Led by a Certified Bourbon Steward the journey concludes by thieving bourbon straight from the barrel in the newly built rickhouse tasting room. Experience the warm and welcoming spirit of Kentucky – in Bardstown.
visitbardstown.com
Covington
Northern Kentucky
Located across the river from Cincinnati, Covington is a bustling urban oasis along the Ohio River. Explore the iconic neighborhoods, like the popular Mainstrasse Village, a thriving entertainment and dining district. The 19th-century German neighborhood is filled with unique shops, galleries, locally-owned restaurants in quaint historic buildings. Known for its Sixth Street Promenade and the Goose Girl Fountain, Mainstrasse Village hosts festivals and events all year long. Head over the Roebling Point and enjoy a romantic dinner with a spectacular view of the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, and iconic Ohio River landmark for the last 150 years. After dinner, cross over the Roebling Bridge to see the Roebling Murals – 18 panels depicting Covington’s history since 800 B.C., painted on the flood wall along the Ohio River. Tour Downtown Covington has never been easier – with the six convenient stations, the Red Bike bike-sharing program allows visitors and residents to rent bikes from any of the bike-sharing locations across Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati. Experience Covington and experience Kentucky like never before.
meetnky.com
With unparalleled natural beauty, perfectly aged bourbon, and relaxing resorts, the Bluegrass State invites visitors to bask in the bounty of America’s Bourbon Country.
Whether you prefer the convenience and culture of the big city or the down-home hospitality, Kentucky is calling.
