Tranquil Kentucky Trip Ideas
Kentucky is overflowing with rich stories, diverse cultures, serene nature spaces and a strong sense of community. Get away from it all on a peaceful retreat to the Bluegrass State.
Meet New Friends
Whether it’s enjoying a glass of wine at a countryside vineyard or riding into the mountains in an SUV to see wild horses roam, you’re likely to make a whole mess of new friends wherever you go in Kentucky — some might just come with a mane and tail.
Grab a glass of Malbec or Pinot Grigio at Grimes Mill Winery, where the Bluegrass meets Italian heritage. This family-owned winery offers a relaxing tasting-room experience just outside of Lexington. For only $10, sample your choice of three wines and take home a souvenir wine glass. Then, play a round of bocce or visit the animals on the winery’s farm. Be sure to peep the event calendar for exciting happenings year-round, including chocolate and wine pairings and cooking classes.
How about an estate wine or handcrafted beer paired with a cheese board or barbecue chicken flatbread? Gather in the rolling hills of Verona for sips, savors and community at Verona Vineyards. Unwind on the patio and enjoy the pastoral views or connect with friendly faces over a glass in the tasting room.
Hindman’s Appalachian Horse Project invites you to journey into the Appalachian Mountains to see herds of free-roaming horses. Jump into an SUV with your guide and head up the rugged mountain terrain to popular horsy hangouts. Some of the horses are even friendly enough to feed. Just be sure to take cues from your guide, as others are a bit uneasy around people. Have your camera ready — there are plenty of photo ops along this 2- to 3-hour tour.
Furry and feathered friends await you at Woodlands Nature Station in Cadiz. Located within Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, Woodlands Nature Station teaches guests about the native plants and wildlife of the region. See owls, bald eagles, red wolves, bobcats and more in the station’s Backyard Wildlife Habitat & Gardens. Then, take a guided wildlife tour with one of the station’s naturalists.
Get Out and Play
Nature escapes abound in Kentucky. From tranquil trails to quiet night skies aglow with thousands of twinkling stars, the Bluegrass is perfect for a peaceful lull in nature.
Spend a day exploring Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest, a 16,000-acre wildlife sanctuary in Clermont. Get a bird's-eye view from the Canopy Tree Walk. Learn about gardening practices in the Edible Garden. Relax and recharge in the Sensory Garden or along 40 miles of trails, including the Meditation Trail. Examine art installations that integrate with the surrounding nature, including Thomas Dambo’s famed Forest Giants.
Mammoth Cave National Park is home to the world’s longest-known cave system, Mammoth Cave. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve. The park draws nature lovers from near and far for camping, hiking, cave tours, cycling, paddling and a bevy of other adventures. But did you know that it’s also an International Dark Sky Park? The secluded, wide-open spaces of the park provide excellent stargazing opportunities, and you don’t even need a telescope. Check the park’s schedule to see if your visit aligns with the ranger-led night-sky program.
Want to learn more about the constellations you witnessed? Visit Golden Pond Planetarium. The 40-foot dome planetarium uses SkyExplorer astronomical software to deliver realistic recreations of the night sky from around the globe. Check the planetarium schedule and choose from 10 programs, like “Firefall” and the kid-friendly “Laser Legends of the Night Sky.” “Tonight’s Sky Live” is a special program that showcases the stars, planets and constellations visible above you that night. After your show, get a special look at the stars and sun through the telescopes at the observatory.
Go Glamping
Continue your nature tour with a luxury Kentucky camping experience. Stay in a treehouse at EarthJoy Village in Brooksville. Choose from three pet-friendly treehouses equipped with electricity, heat, air conditioning and stoves. Consider adding a guided tree-climbing course to your itinerary. The 285-acre property also features more than 20 miles of themed adventure trails.
With yurts, a treehouse, a creekside cabin, a bunkhouse, two retro campers and RV and primitive campsites, HomeGrown HideAways invites you to unplug your way in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Located in Berea, this 100-acre farm features firepits, a 1.5-mile hiking trail, pontoon-boat river cruises and the Community Farmhouse.
Dig into Regional Cuisine
Discover delicious local recipes and culinary traditions across the state. Sample the bounty of the Bluegrass from seasonal menus found at favorite farm-to-table eateries, like Barn8 Restaurant in Goshen or The Baker's Table in Newport.
Barn8 Restaurant at Hermitage Farms uses onsite produce and locally sourced goods to cook up mouthwatering Kentucky flavors and Southern specialties. The menu changes seasonally, but you can expect plates like pasture-raised pork loin, cast iron cornbread, Bolognese and decadent pound cake. Pair your meal with a drink from their extensive bourbon, beer, wine and spirits list.
Using the freshest local ingredients, The Baker’s Table swaps its menus monthly. Featured menu items have included handmade campanelle pasta, sweet-potato tempura, berry beef strip steak and strawberry-rhubarb sorbet for dessert. Guests often select the $85 five-course Chef’s Tasting Menu that includes a canapé, a starter, handmade pasta, an entrée and dessert.
Stop into Robards for dinner and a selection of 20 house wines at Farmer & the Frenchman Winery. Starters include parmesan fries with truffle aioli, charcuterie boards and garlic rolls, while mains feature artisanal pizza and pasta and a few French-inspired favorites, like beef bourguignon and chicken cordon bleu.