You may not yet realize how attractive Kentucky is to tourists. It was reported that more than 72 million people visited the state in 2018, spending $7.6 billion during their trips.
Why do so many people visit Kentucky and what do they do while they are here? Surely it does not sound the most exciting state in the US, but there are specially two passions that collide for Kentucky tourists: bourbon and horse racing.
The following are some of the best reasons for planning a visit to the Bluegrass state.
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail
This state is famed as being the home of bourbon whiskey. Indeed, you may be surprised at the number of different varieties of the drink that you can sample while you are here.
The best way to discover Kentucky’s great bourbon heritage is by traveling the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. This is a network of 9 distilleries that are located through the central region of the state and that can be explored on an exciting tour.
Of course, for many people this is simply a good excuse to visit some lovely parts of the country. Others savor the chance to samples lots of whiskey and to learn some interesting facts about its history here.
The Kentucky Derby and Festival
One of the greatest sporting events in America is also held here each year. The Kentucky Derby is a legendary horse race that is often called “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” and is part of the Triple Crown or races. It is run at Churchill Downs in Louisville each May, although the 2020 event was put back to early September.
The race itself is exciting even for someone who isn’t particularly a horse racing fan. The spectators dress up in their best clothes while they watch the horses’ race around the track.
If you want to add some extra spice to the occasion, you could go online to find the latest Kentucky Derby odds: https://www.twinspires.com/kentuckyderby/odds
A two-week festival before the race is equally appealing, with fireworks, balloon races, and other interesting events all adding up to something very special.
Visit the World’s Longest Cave Network
It is now generally accepted that Mammoth National Park in Kentucky is home to the planet’s biggest cave system. This immense network of limestone caves runs for over 400 miles but is believed to be even bigger, as new parts are still being discovered and it is thought that there may be 600 miles more to map.
Twisting passages, legions of bats, and thousands of stalactite formations make this place hugely impressive and other-worldly. You will probably want to spend hours exploring this magical area once you get here.
Two million people visit these caves every year, with half a million of them going on a cave tour to see all of the best parts. There is also an option of going on a wild cave tour, which takes you to the more difficult sections where you need to scramble and crawl through some unforgettable moments.
Visit Lexington
The state’s second biggest city is famed for its horse farms but there is a lot more to it than that. Lexington may be “The Horse Capital of the World”, yet the Festival of the Bluegrass is just one of several exciting events throughout the year that may be equally tempting for visitors.
Night markets, horse industry specials, and arts events are among the other attractions to be found here. Among the museums and historical buildings to look out for is the Mary Todd Lincoln House from 1832, where President Lincoln often visited.
There is a lot to look forward to if you are planning a trip to Kentucky. Whether you want some gentle sight-seeing or something a bit more lively, you won’t be left disappointed in the bluegrass state.
