Top 5 Places to Visit in Kentucky
1. Louisville – Louisville is the largest city in the state of Kentucky and it is named after King Louis XVI. It is one of the oldest cities west of the Appalachians and mainly known as the home of the Kentucky Derby or the “greatest two minutes in sports”. Another great things to experience in Louisville besides the legendary annual derby is visiting the largest fireworks display in North America called Thunder over Louisville. The city’s historic district is also the largest one preserved in the US.
2. Mammoth Cave National Park – One of the most unique and interesting natural wonders you can visit in Kentucky is the longest cave system in the world known as the Mammoth Cave. The 652km of passageways make up for an out-of-this-world experience you will never forget. The cave was discovered by hunters back in the 18th century and mined for calcium nitrate in the War of 1912. Several caves are open to the public and toured with a guide.
3. Lexington – Lexington is the second largest city in Kentucky and the heart of the Bluegrass region. In addition, Lexington is often called the horse capital of the world because it is a center of thoroughbred racing for more than two centuries. Lexington will also impress you with a vibrant art scene, hosting a bunch of arts and music festivals throughout the year.
4. Natural Bridge State Resort Park – Outdoor enthusiasts simply cannot resist the breath-taking beauty of Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Kentucky. It is one of the first state parks of Kentucky and provides you with over 30 km of beautiful hiking trails and a small lake for fishing, padding, or just resting and enjoying the surrounding scenery. The Red River Gorge scenery is yet another spot in the state park worth visiting with its curious sandstone formations including a natural, 22-meters-high bridge.
5. Cumberland Gap – Cumberland Gap is a Kentucky trail based on buffalo trails. In its early years the settlement used to be a getaway to the west, while nowadays it is a major break in the Appalachian Mountains. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park not only preserves this area’s natural beauty but also its history of a major settlement center in the past, while the most popular and a large settlement in the region is the Hensley, an old mining village from the early 20th century.