Every year is a great year to visit Kentucky, but 2024 is especially good timing. This year, Kentucky State Parks celebrates its 100th anniversary with a series of events that showcase the incredible (and very cool) beauty of the bluegrass state. It’s also the 25th anniversary of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, a legendary route covering historic sites, country towns, inviting eateries, and — of course — award-winning distilleries. Even in a quiet year, Kentucky is one of America’s coolest states. The home of blues, BBQ, and Bluegrass is bound to have a little swagger. Whether riding horseback on rustic trails, sipping Kentucky moonshine, or watching steamboats drift down the Ohio River, this is a vacation you’ll remember long after you’ve unpacked your suitcase.
Augusta
Aerial view of Augusta, Kentucky. By Predhead, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Augusta is a charming river town on the banks of the Ohio River. The town was first given its charter in 1797, making it one of the oldest in Kentucky. You can see echoes of Augusta’s long history almost everywhere you look in town, but sites of particular interest include the 1811 jail, Underground Railroad safehouses Payne House and White Hall, and Cemetery Hill, the site of the 1862 Battle of Augusta. Augusta is also home to one of the oldest ferry services on the Ohio River, operating since 1798. You can ride the Jenny Ann daily throughout the summer to catch the river’s cool breezes and gorgeous views. Augusta has plenty of Kentucky charm, but the town claims some Hollywood stardust, too. You can learn about its famous residents at the Rosemary Clooney Museum, the former home of the singer and movie star.
Slade
Mill Creek Lake, part of Daniel Boone National Forest in Slade, Kentucky.
Kentucky is home to over 2,000 natural arches — the most of any state east of the Mississippi River. See the most famous at the Natural Bridge State Park near the tiny town of Slade. The Natural Bridge is a jaw-dropping sandstone arch stretching more than 75 feet long and 65 feet high. Explore the arch from the sky courtesy of the Sky Lift which floats above the forest canopy to give incredible views of the ridge below. There’s another natural wonder near Slade that attracts outdoor adventurers to the town. The Red River Gorge is known for its world-class climbing, biking, and hiking. With zip lines, kayaking tours, and bird-watching, there’s something for everyone in the family at this hidden gem. You can even stay in a treehouse for the ultimate cool vacation. These aren’t your typical backwoods huts either. Choose from the Observatory treehouse, with sweeping views over the gorge and a hammock lounge, or the Tradewinds Treehouse, which boasts a slide to the ground and a hot tub.
Advertisement
Cave City
Dinosaur World in Cave City, Kentucky, USA. Editorial credit: Roig61 / Shutterstock.com
As you can probably guess from the name, the action in Cave City happens underground. This small town is the gateway to Mammoth Cave National Park, the world’s longest-known cave system. There are over 400 miles of underground passageways in the park which you can explore by bike, kayak, hiking, or on a ranger-led tour. Stay after dark for stunning stargazing. On a clear night, you might just see the International Space Station! There’s more to Cave City than caves, however. Take the kids to Dinosaur World for a very cool vacation experience — wandering among life-sized dinosaurs, riding mammoths, and panning for gemstones.
Maysville
Historic buildings in Maysville, Kentucky.
Maysville is a picturesque town in Northern Kentucky known for its history and hospitality. The town has two historic districts, downtown and a 1780s frontier village on the outskirts of town known as Old Washington. The latter traces the history of Kentucky from its rural beginnings in pioneer log cabins to grandiose brick homes and Georgian townhouses. Downtown Maysville is a hub of arts and entertainment with funky boutique shops, galleries, and charming eateries where you can sample the local specialty, goetta — a dish of sausage and steel-cut oats. While in town, be sure to visit the Old Pogue Distillery, one of the stops on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. The distillery is housed in the 1845 Pogue family home along with a gift shop and bourbon museum. Tours are available by appointment so you’ll need to reserve in advance.
Clermont
The historic Jim Beam Bourbon Distillery in Clermont, Kentucky. Editorial credit: Little Vignettes Photo / Shutterstock.com
Clermont, south of Louisville, is the only place in Kentucky where you can spend the day hanging out with forest giants. The Bernheim Arboretum and Forest near town contains three massive human-like structures made from repurposed and natural materials. The striking sculptures, named Mama Loumari, Little Nis, and Little Elina, are within walking distance of each other on a two-mile roundtrip loop through the forest. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the forest with a canopy tree walk, 75 feet above the forest floor. Visit Bernheim in August for the annual CONNECT festival, a stunning evening show of interactive art exhibits that light up the forest. After a day in the forest, slake your thirst at the Jim Beam American Stillhouse, where seven generations of the Beam family have honed their craft. Not a whiskey drinker? No worries! The Forest Edge Winery is also well worth a visit with regular tasting events of its award-winning vintages.
Rosine
Mil’s Dairy Drive In in Rosine, Kentucky, via Facebook.
Rosine is a tiny community famous for being the birthplace of ‘the father of bluegrass,’ legendary musician Bill Munroe. Every summer, the Rosine Barn Jamboree plays tribute to this local icon with unforgettable evenings under the stars as the historic barn comes alive every Friday night with jumping bluegrass, country, and gospel music. True fans can also make the pilgrimage to Bill Munroe’s Home Place and Museum, which dives into the history of the bluegrass genre, Rosine, and the musician himself. Nearby is Uncle Pen’s Cabin. Now a small museum, this rustic cabin was once home to Pendleton Vandiver, one of Kentucky’s best fiddle players and Munroe’s uncle and playing partner.
Dawson Springs
Buildings at the Main Street intersection on the northern side of Railroad Avenue in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, USA.
Dawson Springs in Western Kentucky is the state’s first certified Trail Town. This designation is given to communities with an abundance of natural trails and scenic features, perfect for outdoor adventurers. Located in the Pennyrile region, the town is close to Pennyrile State Forest, where you’ll find some of Kentucky’s best equine trails winding over sandstone bluffs and alongside glittering streams. This area also boasts the Tradewater River, one of the largest in the state, and beautiful Lake Beshear, both of which are perfect spots for lazy summer boating or a fun canoe trip. Back in town, learn the history of this scenic area, known as a wellness resort since the early 1900s, at the Dawson Springs Museum and Art Centre, which is housed in the Old Commercial Bank, built in 1907.
Cool Kentucky Communities
The Kentucky Heritage Council celebrates a landmark this year, the 45th anniversary of their Main Street program, an initiative launched to preserve the history and heritage of the state’s vibrant downtowns. Kentucky knows it has something special, and this is a state that’s happy to share, showing off its many natural and historic attractions to visitors. A blend of southern charm and midwestern grit, Kentucky contains plenty of cool small towns to match its cool landscape — places where you can soak up the spirit and style of this unique state.
The Kentucky Wildcats Baseball team has been on a roll, and last night they secured their second-ever SEC Regular Season Championship! Their first one was in 2006.
UK took down Vandy in impressive fashion by a score of 17-7 to win the series as they look for the sweep later today.
The Cats are ranked #2 overall, and while I don’t see them surpassing Tennessee to finish the regular season as the #1 ranked team if they win the SEC Tournament, they could absolutely secure the #1 overall seed for the regional.
Advertisement
Nick Mingione led the Cats to their best finish of his tenure last year, and this year has been even better, having arguably the best season Kentucky Baseball has ever seen.
With that said, it’s all about what happens next. Kentucky will host the regional and they’ll look to make a serious run at Omaha in a few weeks.
If you’re in the Lexington area, be sure to make it out to their last regular season game today!
Tweet of the Day
Headlines
CHAMPIONS! Kentucky Wins Second SEC Championship – UK Athletics Nick Mingione has been a part of the coaching staff on both title teams and both squads that have advanced to a Super Regional.
Police: Officer dragged trying to stop Scottie Scheffler’s car – ESPN
Advertisement
One the craziest sports stories of our lifetime, no doubt.
Now a college graduate, UK’s Antonio Reeves is out to prove that he belongs in the NBA – Herald Leader
Looking forward to seeing Antonio Reeves in the league!
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone plans to race 400m hurdles at Olympic Trials, coach Bobby Kersee says – NBC Sports
Go Sydney!
Advertisement
Caitlin Clark, Fever facing plenty of growing pains early after another blowout loss in home debut – Yahoo Sports
Turns out, Caitlin Clark is human.
Tua Tagovailoa has been mostly absent from Dolphins activities as Miami QB looks for big next contract – CBS Sports
Very interesting to see if Tua gets a long term deal.
Tyson Fury in better shape at weigh-in for Oleksandr Usyk fight – ESPN
Advertisement
Should be a fun one!
LeBron James reportedly won’t leave Lakers to join Bronny with another NBA team – Yahoo Sports
Does this mean he’s getting drafted by the Lakers?
Florida State petitions NCAA to rescind NIL-related penalties following court injunction, per report – CBS Sports
It’s really hard to sanction schools for anything NIL related, now.
Advertisement
Pirates’ Paul Skenes holds Cubs hitless before exit after 6 – ESPN
Amy Strassner named assistant principal at Kentucky School for the Deaf
Amy Strassner was named assistant principal at the Kentucky School for the Deaf on May 17. Submitted photo
Amy Strassner has been named assistant principal at the Kentucky School for the Deaf. With more than two decades of dedicated service in education, Strassner brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments.
Advertisement
Some highlights from Strassner’s resume include:
Strategic Leadership: She is currently pursuing her doctorate in education from Liberty University, with a specialization in educational leadership. Strassner possesses a strong foundation in strategic planning and school administration. She also has a proven track record of implementing innovative strategies to enhance school operations, budget development and public relations.
Community Engagement: As the former school principal at Pattison’s Academy in Charleston, S.C., Strassner spearheaded initiatives to strengthen community engagement and support for students with severe to profound disabilities. She enhanced communication channels within the school community.
Diversity and Inclusion: Strassner is a published author and co-author of books focused on the deaf experience, including “A Survival Guide for New Deafies” and “Don’t Just Sign… Communicate! A Student’s Guide to the Deaf Experience.” She brings a personal perspective to her work and has shown a deep commitment to promoting equity and accessibility in education.
Educational Excellence: During her tenure as school principal at the North Carolina School for the Deaf in Morganton, N.C., Strassner implemented initiatives to enhance academic achievement and student support services. Her accomplishments included facilitating accreditation processes and fostering a positive school culture resulting in a decrease in student suspensions.
“Amy’s leadership style is characterized by transparency, authenticity and collaboration,” said Interim Commissioner of Education Robin Fields Kinney, “She is dedicated to building positive workplace cultures, removing barriers to growth and fostering restorative practices within educational communities. We are so pleased to welcome her to the KSD community and we look forward to working with her.”
