24 Best Bucket List Items in Kentucky
History, scenery, culture, and cuisine—add these items to your Kentucky bucket list and you’ll have no regrets.
Incredible natural wonders, tasty southern cooking, soulful music, and heart-pounding races all have a home in
Kentucky
—here’s the best of the best to add to your bucket list.What’s on your bucket list? Is it something challenging, like climbing a gorge? Is it something unforgettable, like fireworks over the river? Or is it something inexplicable that tugs at your heartstrings, like enjoying a passionate, home-cooked meal?
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The top natural wonders in Kentucky
1. Explore Mammoth Cave
Where:
Mammoth Cave National Park
Why: At 400 miles, the world's longest recorded cave system takes you past swooping abysses, glittering mineral formations, and echoing chambers. Return to the surface and you can hike, bike, picnic, camp, and more.
2. Ride the skylift to Natural Bridge
When: From the first weekend of April to the last weekend in October
Why: You won’t want to miss the gorgeous views and awe-inspiring rock formations. Ride the skylift all the way to the park’s namesake natural stone bridge and soak it all in.
How much? One way tickets start at $11, with discounts for children, seniors, and military members
3. See a moonbow at Cumberland Falls
When: Throughout the year on nights of the full moon
Why: On clear nights with a full moon, "the Niagara of the South" produces a stunning phenomenon—a colorful, shining moonbow hanging in the mist of the majestic falls. If that isn't magical, we don't know what is.
How much? Free
4. Climb the Red River Gorge
When: March to April and October to November
Why: One of the
top rock-climbing destinations in the world
, Red River Gorge thrills those who seek a physical challenge, superb views, and the satisfaction of conquering a National Natural Landmark.How much? Free, but make sure to budget for guides and equipment
The most interesting tours in Kentucky
5. Take a sip on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Where: Central Kentucky
When: Year-round; set aside four days to complete the tour
Why:
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail
pays homage to America’s only native spirit. Visit the historic distilleries that help to create 95% of the world’s supply of bourbon, some of which have been in the business for over two centuries. How much? Free but individual distillery fees vary; pick up an official
Bourbon Trail Passport & Field Guide
for $14.956. Get spooked on the Old Louisville Ghost Tour
Where: Historic Louisville, KY
When: Seven days a week, from March to November
Why: Some of the Victorian mansions in “America’s Most Haunted Neighborhood” date back to the 1800s; all of them have housed key figures in the state's biggest industries: tobacco, racing, and bourbon. The 40-square block historic district is covered by
Louisville Historic Tours
.How much? $25
7. Pat a horse at a Thoroughbred Horse Farm
Where: Lexington, KY
When: Year-round (rates and dates change with the seasons); set aside three hours for completion
Why:
Thoroughbred Heritage Horse Farm Tours
allow you to get up close and personal with the champions of the racetrack. Unlike other athletes, they'll also allow you to pat their noses and feed them carrots.How much? $40 for adults, $39 for seniors, and $29 for children
8. Indulge your sweet tooth with Rebecca Ruth Chocolates
When: Monday to Saturday from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM; set aside 30 minutes for the tour
Why: The inventors of Bourbon Balls made sweet, sweet history when they decided to create one of the first women-led business ventures in 1919.
How much? $6 for adults, $4 for children
The best food in Kentucky
9. Take a bite of Hot Brown
When: The English Grill is currently closed; the Cafe is open Tuesday to Friday from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with brunch on Saturday and Sunday
Why: A landmark hotel in its own right, its namesake dish is an open-faced turkey sandwich served with bacon and cheesy Mornay sauce. Not quite dinner and not quite breakfast, it was invented for patrons who danced the night away.
How much? $26 for the Original Hot Brown
10. Cut a slice of Derby-Pie
When: 24/7 online shopping
Why: You might find this chocolate-walnut pie on menus throughout the state, but there's only one place to get a slice made with the original, trademarked, secret recipe.
How much? $30 for the Original Chocolate Nut Derby-Pie®
11. Lick your fingers at the Claudia Sanders Dinner House
When: Tuesday to Thursday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM; Friday to Saturday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM; Sunday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Why: Colonel Sanders might have founded a Kentucky-fried empire, but he was a chef first. Located in
the original KFC headquarters
, here's your chance to sample classic country cooking and southern hospitality.How much? $10.99 for two pieces of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, bread, and your choice of side, all made from scratch
12. Savor the BBQ at the Moonlite Inn
When: Check the website for dine-in, carry-out, buffet, and holiday hours
Why: Established in 1963, this "Kentucky tradition" has remained under family management and recently was voted the best in the state by Kentucky Monthly and Kentucky Living.
How much? $19.59 for a beef, mutton, and pork platter
The best shopping in Kentucky
13. Scratch your itch for bargains at the Awesome Flea Market
When: Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, year-round
Why: Sure, it might be self-proclaimed, but “The Most Awesome Flea Market in the World” boasts over 500 vendors whose wares are browsed by 5,000 visitors every week.
How much? Free
14. Find something handmade in Berea
When: Year-round
Why: Named the Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky, Berea is home to many unique and insanely-talented artisans. Shop
Artisan Village
, College Square
, and the KY Artisan Center
for wares you just won’t find anywhere else.How much? Free
15. Save at The Outlet Shoppes
When: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM; Sunday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Why: The only outlet shopping center in Kentucky might not have much competition, but if it did, it’d still be a top pick. Save 25 to 60% on over 90 designer names like Coach, Banana Republic, Nike, North Face, Kate Spade, Under Armour, and more.
How much? Free
16. Bring home a little Taste of Kentucky
Where: A Taste of Kentucky, Louisville, KY
When: Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM; Saturday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM; Sunday from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Why: Dedicated to showcasing specialties of the state, their goods include bourbon, Derby-themed items, arts, crafts, foods, preserves, gifts, and—of course—the Original Derby-Pie.
How much? Free
Cultural highlights of Kentucky
17. Get behind the wheel of a Corvette
When: Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Why: You didn’t think we’d forget the hometown of the
‘Vette
, did you? The museum is home to all things past, present, and future to do with America’s sports car. You can tour the factory, see the hall of fame, take a stroll down nostalgia lane, and even pilot a C6 in a virtual race!How much? $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, $13 for youths
18. Put your name on a Louisville Slugger
When: Monday to Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Why: Marvel at the 120-foot Big Bat sculpture, take a swing with Babe Ruth’s bat, and see how the factory makes its signature products before
personalizing your very own slugger
.How much? Full-length bats start at $59.99
19. Sing along at a Bluegrass music festival
Where: Across Kentucky
When: Year-round
Why: It’s acoustic, it’s blues, it’s jazz, it’s European, it’s African-American, it’s Methodist/Holiness/Baptist and truly Appalachian—one thing is for sure, bluegrass “has a high and lonesome sound.” Appreciation for the bluegrass genre runs wide, which is why you can take your pick from the
many music festivals
around the state.How much? Most festivals are free
20. Get quilting at Paducah
When: Year-round
Why: One of only nine UNESCO Creative Cities in the US, Paducah is known for hosting galleries, shops, and festivals centered around the vibrant fabric arts. It’s also the home of
The National Quilt Museum
. How much? $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, $5 for students at The National Quilt Museum
Four steps to an iconic Kentucky Derby experience
21. Feel the Thunder Over Louisville
When: April 2023, 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Why: The month-long Kentucky Derby festival kicks off with a bang: the largest annual fireworks display in the nation! The very first show to air in 1988 featured 20,000 multi-colored balloons, a live stage, fireworks, and about 10,000 attendees—it’s only grown bigger from there.
How much? Free
22. Buy a fancy hat for the Derby
When: Some fashionistas plan their outfits as early as December
Why: If you want to turn heads (and hats) at the Kentucky Derby, you’ll need to go big, bigger, and then even bigger than that. Check out the
KDF Fashion Show
and past Derby fashion icons
for inspiration.How much? A custom hat can cost up to $1,000
23. Visit the Kentucky Derby Museum
Why: Dating back to 1875, the Kentucky Derby is the longest continuously-running sporting event in the nation. The Museum preserves the heritage of the “most exciting two minutes in sports” through walking tours, films, exhibits, and a resident thoroughbred!
24. Play the odds at the Kentucky Derby
When: May 6th, 2023
Why: If you’re wearing a fancy hat, sipping a
mint julep
, and watching thoroughbreds race down the track at the Derby, you can say you’ve had the definitive Kentucky Derby
experience.The best car insurance in Kentucky
The best car insurance for you is tailored to your vehicle and your needs—
Jerry
gets it! Whether you’re visiting Kentucky or a permanent resident, we can help match you with an affordable policy.Check out how easy it is to get free, competitive car insurance quotes on your smartphone! Just enter your information, and in 45 seconds, you’ll see rates from some of the top insurance companies across the country.
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