8+ Things to Do in and Around Kentucky
Living in Nashville, Kentucky is only about a 45-minute drive away. Even so, I still haven’t spent nearly enough time here to do all there is to do. So, I pretty much just included the main 5 things I have done so far plus some things that are right outside of Kentucky. And as I’m writing this, I’m realizing I’ve only spent real time in Kentucky twice!
Once I did an overnight trip to Louisville, and the other time I did a day trip up through the west side. I still really want to do so much more of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. More on that below. But, I also really need to go up through the east side of the state and see all the gorgeous greenery and mountain ranges!
I always like to remind people that I never write to try to say this is the perfect itinerary or that it makes up an itinerary at all. The purpose of my lists is to simply list things to do – with pictures as much as I remember to take them. This way, you can just see what there is to do, figure out if it sounds interesting to you, and add it to your itinerary if you want! So, with that being said, happy exploring.
1. Kentucky Bourbon Trail (All across KY)
Now, like I mentioned above, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is one of the most iconic things to do in Kentucky. And sadly, I have only been to 2 places on the passport! My sister and I went to these 2 places while on our day trip up through west Kentucky. We went to the Bard Distillery and Casey Jones Distillery – very different from each other!
You can pick up a passport at any location on the Bourbon Trail, and make sure to ask them to stamp it! Places like Louisville or other bigger cities will have a greater number of distilleries, but you can find the rest sprinkled out across the state. Make sure to look up a map of all the locations to plan the perfect trip. It would be super fun to split it into a few separate trips and complete it by region!
Bard Distillery
The Bard Distillery is located in Graham, Kentucky, and it was mine and my sister’s favorite. It is located in an old school building, and they have been working to fix it up and get it all safe to use. It is a large property, with lots of outdoor space where they have events and music, for example, when it gets warm. In the old gym, they do the tastings and have the bleachers and the stage still up. It’s a really unique distillery, and that’s what made it so cool for us.
This was our first distillery, so this is where we got our trail passport in their little store. For more information or to book a tour (although we were the only ones there), click here: The Bard Distillery.
Casey Jones Distillery
Casey Jones Distillery definitely looks more like your classic distillery than Bard. It is located on a large property with fields as you drive up, and they are definitely more established. Located in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and tours start every hour. There are also tastings for only $5 around a large circular bar. They have unique spirits, and souvenirs to take home if you want. Casey Jones also has regular events with food trucks on Fridays and Saturdays!
You can see all the events happening, with live music and food trucks on their website. And this is happening all summer! For more information, see pictures, or to schedule a tour/tasting, click here: Casey Jones Distillery.
2. Swizzle Dinner & Drinks (Louisville, KY)
Next up, we have Swizzle, which just sounds so ridiculous if you don’t know what it is. But, it is a restaurant on the 25th floor of a hotel right on the river. What makes it special is the revolving dining areas giving you views of the Ohio River at sunset or of the city lighting up at night.
Swizzle is located in the Galt House Hotel, which we booked super last minute. It is right on the water (with parking!) and it was pretty cheap with my Expedia points. All we had to do was cross over the bridge to the other side of the hotel and take the elevator to the 25th floor. It was very well marked!
I would suggest you make reservations! We didn’t, but we were just a group of two so they were able to accommodate us after a little bit. The food was DELISH. A fancy meal with fancy cocktails. It was definitely a little trippy spinning the whole meal, but you get used to it.
Also, all of the servers were so kind and fun. For more info or to see the menu, click here: Swizzle Restaurant.
3. Morning Fork (Louisville, KY)
After a fun night at Swizzle, we wanted a good ole brunch. After doing very little research, we ended up at Morning Fork in the Clifton area of Louisville. Honestly, it was super delicious and it was definitely packed. I mean, we had to sit at the bar and they were making sure to use every bit of space! I’m not complaining, because that meant we were able to get seated.
I got the classic Country Breakfast, and I got the chicken sausage patties. If you’re confused, so was I. And I live in Tennessee so you would think I would have heard of that. Nonetheless, I thought the whole meal was great. Eggs, hash browns, and meat – can’t ask for anything more.
I also got a big mimosa, and my friend and I got the cinnamon roll to share. Always order dessert, honestly. I’m that girl that needs a sweet after a meal, and I have a secret love of cinnamon rolls. To see more and to pick out your meal before you get there, click here: Morning Fork Louisville.
4. Churchill Downs & Kentucky Derby Museum (Louisville, KY)
Alright switching it up with the Kentucky Derby. While I’m not necessarily a fan of the derby, this is still an iconic spot. We didn’t stay long, but it is free to stop and park and take a picture in front. The area is huge!
If you want though, you can take a tour of the Kentucky Derby Museum. Definitely be wary of the race and events schedule, though. I’ve never been into the sport, so I don’t know much about it. But you can easily look up the calendar and attend if you want! It is an excuse to get dressed up and have fun, so I don’t see why not? The Kentucky Derby Museum will give you a history and more information if you need it.
Again, you could also make an entire weekend out of the whole racing and wagering thing. There is definitely a whole culture around this sport, so make sure to do your research and be prepared. They also have a dress code, so you want to make sure you check that out before visiting or attending an event there. For more information or to get tickets, click here: Churchill Downs and Kentucky Derby.
5. Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest (Clermont, KY)
I first decided to visit this park because of the “Forest Giants”. After arriving, I quickly realized this forest had so much more to offer than just the giants! While they definitely add a unique quality to the area, you can also enjoy plenty of other hiking trails, gardens, and opportunities for learning.
If you want to see all of the Forest Giants, you can easily start your hike at the large Visitor Center. The Visitor Center is full of information, a gift shop, and even a cafe. This is a great place to get a snack or a drink before you hike! Like I mentioned, there are tons of hiking trails you can do. They have over 40 miles of hiking!
But, for a quick trip, just head out on the Forest Giants Trail. It is only 2 miles, easy, and is mostly paved. This makes it easy for visitors of all kinds. Along the trail, you can see all 3 Giants and even take pictures with them. They each have different names, and if you get the pamphlet at the Visitor Center, you can read more about their stories. This is definitely a unique spot to stop if you have the time. Located conveniently between Bowling Green and Louisville, it is a great road trip stop.
For more information or to plan your visit, click here: Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest.
6. Falls of the Ohio State Park (Clarksville, IN – KY/IN Border)
Moving a tiny bit outside of Louisville, like literally across the river, is Falls of the Ohio State Park. Louisville is located right on the Ohio River, so Indiana is just a brisk walk across the bridge. This quaint park is more like a river walk if I had to say so myself.
We just drove across to get out, walk around a little, and take some beautiful pictures of Louisville. It really gives you a wide angle view of the city from across the river! They also have a small “Interpretive Center” to get more info if you want to do that too. Just make sure to check the hours!
Another thing you can do is go get some ice cream right next to the park! It’s called The Widow’s Walk Ice Creamery. We didn’t have enough time, but it has TONS of good reviews. Since it can get SO hot during the summer, this would really help you cool off. To check out more info on the park, click here: Falls of the Ohio.
7. Treasure Hunt (Evansville, IN)
Another spot just RIGHT outside the Kentucky border is Treasure Hunt. While I wouldn’t say this is cross country road trip worthy, it’s a fun stop if you’re not far or if you’re in the area! It’s basically what is says – a treasure hunt for good finds.
It’s essentially a lost package store, but it also feels like an overstock store. Many items you can’t see what’s in the package, so you’re just taking a leap. Other items may be more obvious and then you can make an educated decision on whether you want to buy it.
My sister and I went there pretty early on a Saturday morning, and it was definitely a little crowded already. I mean, some people mean business because they want to resell the heck out of certain items. But we just went for fun, which definitely made it a good adventure.
8. River Adventures (Adams, TN – Home of the Bell Witch)
While I’ve mostly just floated the river here, I do have some funny stories of visiting while in high school. Located only 10 minutes from the Kentucky border, Adams, TN can be its own day trip or road trip stop. If you’re into scary or haunted places, this is definitely the place for you. Home of the Bell Witch, you can still visit the old buildings or attend the Bell Witch festival.
In high school, when we had nothing better to do than drive around at night, we found ourselves out in Adams. Well, needless to say, the town is dark and creepy at night – or maybe that was just because we knew it should be. When we went to turn around on a dark path, our headlights shone in front of us and we saw what looked like a dog or wolf. We got terrified, looked away, and looked back, and it was gone. So, I haven’t gone back at night.
But, Adams is located on the Red River. If you like being on the water, you can head to River Adventures and rent a tube for the day. It’s fairly cheap, and you get to float down the river for a few hours until the pickup spot. This is such a nice lazy day activity. You get to bring your own drinks, a speaker, or whatever you don’t mind getting wet, and just float. For more information, click here: River Adventures Nashville.
Bonuses:
Mammoth Cave National Park (Bowling Green, KY)
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory (Louisville, KY)
Evan Williams Bourbon Experience (Louisville, KY)
Muhammad Ali Center (Louisville, KY)
Big Four Bridge (Louisville, KY)
For More:
To read more about where to go if you love nature, click here: 5 Underrated Cities to Visit If You Love Nature.
For more cities to visit around the United States, click here: Domestic Destinations.
To read more about things to do around Nashville, from a local, click here: Best of Nashville.
