Coming to Kentucky for vacation in August

[proud2BlibKansan]

What do you recommend are must sees? We have only driven through before but plan to spend several days this time. Other than Mammoth Cave, what are the best tourist attractions in your state?

Also, any casinos? We like to gamble.

Thanks.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

1. What part of Kentucky will you be staying? Many choices

to enjoy for a variety of interests.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. We haven't decided yet.

We want to end up in western NC so we will be crossing the state. We will maybe go through Louisville as we LOVE horse racing so will want pictures of Churchill Downs.

[yellowdoggess]

26. KY in August

Usually very hot & humid. I would encourage a short side trip off I64 to Frankfort, the capital city, to see one of the most beautiful state capitol buildings in the nation. KY received millions of federal dollars in the early 1900's as reparations from damages caused by the civil war (yes, we were a slave state. Much of that money was used to build the "new" state capitol. Italian marble, beautiful stained glass, and the rotunda is spectacular. While in Frankfort, located between Louisville and Lexington, also consider the Kentucky History Center, re-dedicated this past weekend to our historian laureate, Dr. Thomas Clark, who passed away about a week ago at the age of 101. I can only recommend a few restaurants in Frankfort - Serafini- downtown bistro-type across from the Old Capitol and near the History Center; Nema's = mid-east/Persian good food with wonderful live belly dancing on Fridays; and Rick's Cafe, on HWY 127 near I-64. Looks like an interesting dive but great food and beer. On most Friday nights there is a live band playing on the steps of the Old Capitol from 7-9.

[CherokeeDem]

3. If You Love Horse Racing...

Then you have to go to Lexington. Numerous well known horse farms, Gainesway, Calumet, etc and the Kentucky Horse Park. Man of War is buried there and they have a wonderful Parade of Breeds show. Beautiful area. I lived in Lexington for many years, my parents are still there. Also, near Lexington is Shakertown, a Shaker village; very worthwhile to visit there.

While there, don't forget to visit the University of Kentucky, my alma mater. Great school.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Sounds great

even the trip to UK, even though as a Kansas alum, we are long time rivals. :)

[CherokeeDem]

7. Be careful in Lexington...

they are pretty nice to most rivals but the blood does run blue there! Have a great trip, I think you will really like KY. Some other great suggestions here, Berea is full of wonderful crafts and Boone Tavern is really special. Also, don't forget the BBQ in western KY...Benton has a wonderful BBQ place, sorry can't think of the name. Moonlite BBQ in Owensboro on the Ohio River is world famous. Man, I am getting hungry for some real BBQ. Currently live in Miami, not the same!

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. OK, I won't wear my Jayhawk t-shirts

and we may have to try some bbq. We think we have the best here in KC so we always try the local bbq when we travel.

[Tux]

21. WTF?!

There are actually stuff in KY besides idiots? I lived in KY for 5 years and all I see are idiots trying to force CHristianity onto others. Hell, if an employer would let me attend grad school without requiring me to be a member of a certain church, I'd have a stroke. I live in Bowling Green which means if I want fun, I have to go to Nashville.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

9. I'd vote for the Horse Park in Lexington and Shaker Town, too.

Make sure and plan on eating lunch or supper at Shaker Town. You might want to consider calling ahead for reservations. And plan on buying one of their cookbooks!

Something off the beaten path is Berea College. Founded in 1855 as the first interracial and co-educational college in the South, Berea College promotes understanding and kinship among all people, service to communities in Appalachia and beyond, and sustainable living practices which set an example of new ways to conserve our limited natural resources. (taken from their web site) - http://www.berea.edu/

Very few people know anything about Berea. Berea is truly a liberal college. (It is a liberal arts college but it is Liberal with a capital L, too!) It awards ALL students a four year scholarship based on grades and family financial ability. The school accepts NO tuition and all students are required to work in the school's industries as payment. It was initially founded to provide an education to all children - with NO regard to sex of race - who could not afford to go to school. Many well-to-do alumni would love for their children to attend Berea but all spots are reserved for needy students.

The entire town of Berea is an excellent way to see and understand the rich mountain way of life. You can see exhibits of mountain crafts and music and you may buy products that are nationally recognized and appreciated.

Then you might want to consider the Red River Gorge and the Natural Bridge State Park. This park is centered around one of the many natural rock formations found in the area. Activities here include riding the skylift, hiking the trails, swimming, camping, picnicking, shopping at the many shops, and dancing at Hoedown Island (taken from web site) http://www.redrivergorge.com/

That is just stuff in central to eastern Kentucky. (Since you were headed toward North Carolina. There are wonderful lakes for camping, fishing and water sports.

In the middle of Kentucky you can visit Abraham Lincoln's birthplace in Hodgenville, KY - free with beautiful picnic grounds. You can go to My Old Kentucky Home - in Bardstown, Maker Marks Distillery, Perryville Battlefield.

You might want to check out Louisville Slugger Museum (a must for all baseball fans), Muhammad Ali Museum, Kentucky Derby Museum all in Louisville.

There are lots more and I hope this helps.

And you can do a search at the Kentucky Tourism site by zones. http://www.tourky.com/

Feel free to PM if you would like suggests for a particular area. And I hope you come to love my home state as much as I do (present freepervilleism aside!).

[ridgerunner]

16. These are good choices however

I really wouldn't waste my time at Abe Lincoln Birthplace, there's not much to see.

[eternalburn]

4. Boone Tavern hotel/restaurant......

......at Berea College (in Berea, KY.) is absolutely yummy.

http://www.boonetavernhotel.com/


Danville is full of beautiful historic old homes among other attractions.

http://www.danville-ky.com/BoyleCounty/tourism.htm



The Shaker Museum of South Union is quite interesting.

http://www.shakermuseum.com/



Daniel Boone National Forest is spectacular.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/boone/



Claudia Sander's Dinner House in Shelbyville for real Kentucky fried chicken.

http://www.shelbyvilleky.com/other_sites/claudia/claudia.htm


For Kentucky gambling/casinos~

http://kentucky.casinocity.com/

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. Thank you so much

exactly what I was looking for. :toast:

[eternalburn]

10. Glad to be able to help.....

.....my entire family is from or living in Kentucky :)

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. OK one more question

Are there no casinos in Kentucky?

[eternalburn]

13. Most Kentucky gamblers go to ......

....Southern Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee. Since Kentucky doesn't have casinos, most of the border towns do. Just depends on where you plan to visit.

Kentucky does have off track betting~

http://krc.ppr.ky.gov/OffTrackBetting.htm


Be warned, Kentucky has more than several "dry" counties.

[ridgerunner]

15. hey eternalburn

there are no casinos or horse tracks in Tennessee. They just got the lottery a couple of years ago.

[eternalburn]

17. Thanks for the correction....

....guess Tennessee sucks for gaming too.

[ridgerunner]

18. Well, if you're into cockfighting

there's lots of that. Tennessee has been trying to shut it down recently, but it's still pretty big.

[eternalburn]

20. Oh yuck,....

....I don't see how anyone could enjoy that :(

Then again, that's just me.

[tarkus]

12. Come to the Bardstown Rd. area of Louisville if you can

There are lots of awesome stores in that area. Coffee shops, independent music stores, used book stores, etc. Like a college area without a college. Well, Bellarmine University is near it...

Anyway, Bardstown Rd. (and 'the highlands', the area around bardstown road)is THE CENTER of liberal activity in Kentucky, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Ear X Tacy is probably one of the best music stores I have ever been to, with new and used music and movies of all kinds. Often is something can't be found at Best Buy, it can be found at Ear X Tacy

Heine Bros. Coffee is the best coffee shop ever. 5 liberal locations in louisville.

Highland Coffee is another great spot, some people prefer it to Heine Brothers.

[GiovanniC]

25. I Will Second the Bardstown Rd./Highlands Area

And Ear Xtacy as well.

[Roland99]

14. I'll have to second seeing Slugger Museum and the Derby Museum.

Shakertown would be neat but only if you like walking around outside for hours in Aug. heat/humidity.

Plenty of good places to eat in downtown Louisville, too. There's a GREAT sandwich shop a block from Slugger Museum on 7th called "Another Place Sandwich Shop". Bob's retired but Kay makes the best damned muffins in town!

[smurfygirl]

19. if coming to Louisville you must go to Fourth Street Live

It is alot of fun and there is a restaurant for every taste...
But really you should just check out the bowling alley...
Then head to Bardstown Rd for a real night out. Then you can cross the river and head to Caeser's Indiana...About 25 minutes away.. That should keep you up all night...Also, don't forget to check out waterfront park. And if you skate check out our skate park.
Lots of fun in Louisville...might want to plan for a couple of days.

[Roland99]

24. Violent Femmes just played 4th Street the other night

[ridgerunner]

22. The moonbow at Cumberland Falls is a great site

The moonbow can only be seen when the moon is full, the dates for August are the 17th through the 21st. If you want to stay at the park, it fills up fast, so you need to contact them as soon as you can. http://parks.ky.gov/resortparks/cf/

Corbin is the nearest city, so you can probably get a room there if nothing is open at the park.

Here's some pics of the falls.

http://members.tripod.com/thssite/stt3/cumb.html
http://www.2geton.net/martin/moonbow/cumberlandfalls_ky.html

And BTW, Kentucky is the only place in the Western Hemisphere to see a moonbow, and I think one of only two places in the world. The other is Victoria Falls.

[proReality]

23. Bowling Green

If you're into cars, we have the Corvette plant and museum.