I was born and raised in the backwoods of Kentucky hills, and these are my absolute favorite places I’ve been there!
Sections
3
Parks and rec
Sightseeing
Food
Parks and rec
Amazing state park! Beautiful, and they have actors throughout that demonstrate what life may have been like.
Explore | Fort Boonesborough State Park
Beautiful trails and cave tours! Also has a venue if you want to get married there!
Mammoth Cave National Park
A natural salt lick and literally has big bones! Has fossils on display!
Explore | Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
It’s exactly what it sounds like, a natural bridge! However, there are also other areas to hike and places to see!
Explore | Natural Bridge State Resort Park
The Cumberland Gap is where Daniel Boone crossed over into Kentucky. A beautiful park, wonderful scenery, and lots of hiking!
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
I had my honeymoon here! It’s home to Natural Bridge State Park! Has the BEST zip lines in Kentucky, plus lots of cute cabins for rent.
Red River Gorge
Short hike, but a gem nonetheless! Great view if you can make it up the rock!
Lockegee Rock, Kentucky - 226 Reviews, Map
Gear up for a long haul on this trail! It’s 343 miles through beautiful woodlands and Daniel Boone National Forest.
Sheltowee Trace
Awesome for kids or adults, and run by two athletes who actually competed in American Ninja Warrior!
Ninja Athletics
This historic state park was the site of the las battle of the Revolutionary War, a little known fact. I love hiking here, visiting the historic fort site, and the wonderful camping areas.
Explore | Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park
Sightseeing
Not only can you get a cave tour, but this zip lines/adventure obstacle course is like no other, and all underneath Louisville!
Louisville Mega Cavern
Noah’s Ark was bigger than you think! Awesome sights, good food nearby, and a great day trip for the family!
Ark Encounter
Awesome museum, filled with fossils, and talking about the world around us! Their Christmas festival is the best!
Creation Museum
See all kinds of horse shows, and learn about the horses that make the Kentucky Derby great! They also have a Trail of Lights at Christmas that can’t be beat!
Kentucky Horse Park
Really cool kayak tour of a flooded limestone mine! One of my favorite stops on my honeymoon! Loved it so much, I’ve done it 3x!
Gorge Underground
There’s more than just big rocks here; there’s also an awesome historical tour that details exploits during the Civil War.
Kentucky Stonehenge
A great place to bring your kids! So many fun science things to see and do! A great way to help them learn while having fun yourself!
Kentucky Science Center
A must-see for baseball lovers!
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
Fun fact: Ale-8 is only made in Winchester, KY, and if you want to see the process, they have an awesome tour!
Ale-8-One Bottling Co
A bed and breakfast, wedding venue, and restaurant all in one! It’s beautiful and a sight to see in the middle of KY!
The Kentucky Castle
The flood wall murals of Maysville and Paducah are must sees! They’re amazing works of art and pieces of history.
Object No. 24: Floodwall murals
Food
The best Mexican food in this area! Lots of other Mexican restaurants around, but you can’t beat their food!
Mi Camino Real | Maysville KY
My favorite Mexican restaurant ever! Their taco salad fajita Jalisco is my favorite thing to get! Their pina colada’s aren’t bad either! My husband proposed to me here
Don Señor
Yes, it looks like a hole in the wall; however, it has the most affordable and best tasting fried rice/lo mein I’ve ever tasted!
Hibachi Express
Kentucky classics right here, with good ol’ Southern hospitality!
Merrick Inn Restaurant
Delicious Italian food. Their cheesy spinach calzone is my favorite, and their tiramisu is to die for!
Melini Cucina Mt Sterling
A Kentucky classic. The Blue Mondays are famous here and their bon bons aren’t bad either!
Ruth Hunt Candy Co
If you come at the right time, you might see George Clooney! Even if you don’t, they have fantastic fried catfish and other delicious meals!
Capronis Restaurant & Bar
Origin place of the classic ‘Hot Brown’, a delicious open-faced turkey sandwich! The lodging itself is also absolutely gorgeous!
The Brown Hotel
Home of the famous Transparent Pie, a Maysville classic, and probably my favorite pie out there!
