Kentucky

Travel Guide

Newport on the Levee which includes modern architecture and street scenes
Belle of Louisville featuring a ferry, a river or creek and a sunset
Newport on the Levee featuring a bay or harbor, night scenes and a bridge
Creation Museum showing interior views
Louisville Science Center which includes outdoor art and a city

The derbies, liquor and tobacco commonly associated with Kentucky only partly define this southern state, which also includes elegant cities and vast plains under big skies.

The state of Kentucky combines the great plains of the Midwest with the homespun welcome and forested mountains of the Deep South. Like many of the states in this region, it is fiercely proud of its local culture, which includes making delicious bourbon and racing thoroughbred horses. Embrace the natural beauty and authentic American sights of the “Bluegrass State.”

Paleo-Indian peoples first lived in Kentucky in about 12,000 B.C. and tribes such as the Shawnee and Cherokee were still living here when the first white settlers arrived in the 1660s. Roam the landscapes of a state that has been shaped by wars and visit battle sites such as Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, near Carlisle.

Thousands of visitors flock to the state each year for the Kentucky Derby. Derby day in May includes a huge festival with balloon racing and fireworks. Visit Churchill Downs in other months of the year for low-cost seats watching other races. Explore the Kentucky Derby Museum for an informative celebration of this historic race.

Join the Kentucky Bourbon Trail to hop between sites that revolve around America’s most famous alcoholic export. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience and the Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center offer insights into the distilling process. Don’t miss Bardstown, an incredibly picturesque town known as the “Bourbon Capital of the World.”

Explore the welcoming cities of Kentucky, including Frankfort, home of the Old State Capitol and the Kentucky History Center. Visit Lexington for historic mansions such as the Headley-Whitney Museum and Hunt-Morgan House.

Embark on an adventure into Kentucky’s scenery. One of the best ways to explore is by joining the Sheltowee Trace National Recreational Trail, which runs for 319 miles (513 kilometers) through the heart of the state. To see Kentucky from a different angle, head underground at Mammoth Cave National Park, one of the longest cave labyrinths in the world.

Fly into Louisville International Airport, in the state’s capital city, for quick access to the state. Visit Kentucky in spring for warm days and to see the landscapes of the state in their brightest colors.

Where to stay in Kentucky

Louisville showing signage and street scenes as well as a small group of people

Downtown Louisville

4/5(1,812 area reviews)

Explore "Museum Row" in the West Main District, catch a game at Louisville Slugger Field, or stroll across the pedestrian-only Big Four Bridge. Enjoy diverse attractions, restaurants, and the Louie Link skywalk.

Downtown Louisville
Lexington showing tranquil scenes and farmland

Downtown Lexington

4.5/5(27 area reviews)

While visiting Downtown Lexington, you might make a stop by sights like Lexington Opera House and Rupp Arena.

Downtown Lexington
Orange Freeze

Jeffersontown

Jeffersontown is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Jeffersontown Commons Shopping Center and Bluegrass Indoor Karting while you're in town.

Jeffersontown
Ky Derby festival balloon glow.

Fairgrounds

While visiting Fairgrounds, you might make a stop by sights like Freedom Hall and Kentucky Kingdom.

Fairgrounds
Best Mojitos in the city with real sugar cane. And sweet plantains with the meal to top it off!

St. Matthews

Major shopping destination with the fifth-largest mall in Kentucky, Mall St. Matthews, and smaller centers along Shelbyville Road. Don't miss the historic St. Matthew's Episcopal Church and Holy Trinity.

St. Matthews
Conrad Caldwell House showing heritage elements and signage

Old Louisville

3.5/5(352 area reviews)

Boasting Victorian architecture and the highest concentration of stained glass windows in residential homes, Old Louisville offers a walkable neighborhood with pedestrian-only streets, diverse dining options, and attractions like Central Park and the Conrad-Caldwell House.

Old Louisville
Radisson Hotel Cincinnati Riverfront
Radisson Hotel Cincinnati Riverfront
3.5 out of 5
668 W 5th St, Covington, KY
$135 nightly
The price is $152 total per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
$152 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Covington. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
7/10 Good! (2,064 reviews)
"Great service ! Very clean!"

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Radisson Hotel Cincinnati Riverfront
Galt House Hotel Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Galt House Hotel Trademark Collection by Wyndham
4 out of 5
140 North Fourth Street, Louisville, KY
$142 nightly
The price is $167 total per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
$167 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Louisville. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,423 reviews)
"Great downtown location and friendly staff."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Galt House Hotel Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Expo Ctr by IHG
Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Expo Ctr by IHG
3.5 out of 5
830 Phillips Lane, Louisville, KY
$94 nightly
The price is $111 total per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
$111 total
Jul 21 - Jul 22
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Louisville. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (640 reviews)
"Right next to airport. Clean property. Friendly staff. Common location for events so there are times it is super busy. Have stayed here numerous times."

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Expo Ctr by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Natural Bridge State Resort Park
Natural Bridge State Resort Park
3.5 out of 5
2135 Natural Bridge Road, Slade, KY
Stay at this 3.5-star cabin in Slade. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,619 reviews)
"Great location, friendly staff. Rooms were clean, though smelled very musty."

Reviewed on Jul 5, 2025

Natural Bridge State Resort Park
Stellar Suites
Stellar Suites
4.5 out of 5
822 E Market St, Louisville, KY
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Louisville. Enjoy free WiFi, free bicycles on site, and in-room massages. Popular attractions KFC Yum Center and Fourth ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (99 reviews)
"Great spot a must stay"

Reviewed on Jun 21, 2025

Stellar Suites
Pickle Factory Hotel
Pickle Factory Hotel
2.5 out of 5
13 Tobacco Aly, Covington, KY
Stay at this apartment in Covington. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and Netflix. Popular attractions Paycor Stadium and Great American Ball Park are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (52 reviews)
"Great stay at the Pickle Factory Hotel in Covington KY. Very good value in that pricing included parking and the room had a small kitchen. I loved the quirky decor and felt safe there. It is close to an auto repair shop so there was some neighborhood noise but I also loved hearing the church bells ..."

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025

Pickle Factory Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Cities near Kentucky