Accessible Kentucky: Experiencing Kentucky as a Wheelchair User
As a person who uses a wheelchair, finding a destination to visit that offers multiple attractions and sights that are accessible can sometimes be challenging. But during my recent visit to Kentucky, I was ecstatic about all of the incredible things that I was able to see and do! I am so excited to share them all with you, so that you can enjoy this state and share in their love of bourbon, horses, caves, and so much more. Here are some of the highlights from my wheelchair accessible trip in Kentucky:
Stay at Tempo Hotel in Louisville
I began my trip by staying at the gorgeous Tempo Hotel in downtown Louisville. My wheelchair accessible room was absolutely perfect for my needs. My room was complete with a roll-in shower, including a handheld sprayer, a king-sized bed that was 27 inches tall and a Hoyer lift was easily able to roll underneath the bed. There were also two pull-under desks, grab bars behind and beside the toilet, a pull-under sink, a mini fridge, a large full-length mirror, and a 65 inch tv. Oh, and if this wasn’t enough, there was a bluetooth speaker in the bathroom mirror! My room, number 409, was very spacious with 310 square feet of space. This gave me plenty of room to both transfer into bed and maneuver around freely.
Sitting high atop the brand-new Tempo by Hilton is the delicious restaurant and bar, High Stakes Rooftop Grill. This hotel has an elevator inside the lobby area that you can take to the 6th floor, where you will find the restaurant. This rooftop dining spot is spacious, and the accessibility and food here is superb.
Old Louisville History and Architecture Tour
Wanting to learn the history of Louisville, I found the best accessible walking/rolling tour in Louisville with Louisville Historic Tours. The Old Louisville History and Architecture Tour started by meeting our tour guide, David, on the corner of South 4th Street and West Ormsby Avenue. Listening to him tell the stories about all of the interesting history of Louisville was very informative and rolling through the neighborhoods was easy, as it was all smoothly paved with curb cuts. This was a great tour with lots of historical homes and buildings in the area, and you can find wheelchair accessible street parking just around the corner from the meeting spot.
The Last Refuge
The Last Refuge, located in downtown Louisville, is one of the coolest looking bars that I’ve visited. It is known in the community as “The High Church of Bourbon”, and when you see it, you will understand why. This gorgeous place resides within an old historic church. The decor inside, the murals, the stained-glass windows, and the towering wall of liquors is quite breathtaking.
At the front and main entrance is a huge staircase, but on the side of the building is where you can find the accessible entrance. You can either choose to sit in the outdoor area or ride in their elevator to the next level and enter the building. Their drink menu is massive and they even offer sandwiches, small plates, and pizzas. I chose the “Lily of the West” drink, which included my first taste of Heavens Door Ascension Kentucky Bourbon, with vanilla bean infused maple syrup, orange and tobacco bitters, and orange twist.
Kentucky Derby Museum
For years, I’ve loved watching the Kentucky Derby on television and I’ve always dreamed of actually being there in person. So, during my visit, I knew that I desperately wanted to make my way to the Kentucky Derby Museum. Here, I was able to watch a movie of the history of the Kentucky Derby. It was so enthralling, I felt like I was actually there riding the horses myself! After the movie, the tour then took us to the horse track and I was able to roll into Churchill Downs. Our guide explained all of the happenings of Derby Day in full detail and I was able to take in the sights near the finish line. The tour was amazing and wheelchair accessible. By the time I visited the gift shop on my way out, I was ready to purchase tickets for a future race!
Tour of Evan Williams Distillery
Since Kentucky is the bourbon capital, I had to taste some of the finest bourbon offered. So, I booked an accessible tour of Evan Williams Distillery. This led me through the bourbon making process and the history of how the Evan Williams brand began. The best part of the tour was the tasting room. Inside here, you are given four samplings of bourbons and even a tasty bourbon chocolate treat to get your taste buds back on track. The pathways were easily accessed in my power wheelchair and I thoroughly enjoyed this tour.
Mammoth Cave National Park
A must-visit during your time in Kentucky is Mammoth Cave National Park. Mammoth Cave is home to the longest cave system in the world, so when I heard it is wheelchair accessible to visit here, I immediately wanted to see it. Located twenty-six stories beneath the ground’s surface, the cave is complete with an elevator in place to get people with disabilities into the cave. After booking accessible tour tickets, I met the guide at the Visitor’s Center about 15 minutes prior to my tour time. Next, everyone that was in the tour group was asked to follow him in their private vehicles down the road for a quick drive to the elevator building to enter the cave. Once the guide explained what to expect, we then rolled inside the elevator and began descending 26 stories. Once down there, we found wide, paved, well-lit pathways inside the cave. Our guide, Jackie, was such a great storyteller and explained what we were seeing along the path. I was also surprised to see restrooms available in the cave, but unfortunately, there wasn’t a larger stall to accommodate wheelchair users.
Also, while you are in the national park, don’t miss the Sand Cave Trail. It is a wheelchair accessible raised, wooden boardwalk that takes you through the park on a 0.3-mile journey. This is an easy route and takes you only about 10 minutes to enjoy.
Bernheim Forest and Arboretum
Open 7 days a week, Bernheim Forest and Arboretum is located just 30 minutes south of Louisville in Clermont, Kentucky. This gorgeous arboretum, forest, and nature preserve spans across 16,000 acres. It is the largest privately owned natural area in the state, so naturally I wanted to visit! While here, I was able to enjoy the Canopy Tree Walk. This is not just any raised wooden boardwalk, as this canopy sits 75 feet above the forest floor. It is fully wheelchair accessible and allows you to see eye to eye with some of the tallest tree tops. There’s a great panoramic photo-op from the end of this short path and you can fully enjoy it with a bird’s eye view! Don’t miss seeing the Forest Giants while visiting here as well. There are three of these amazing creations throughout the area and visitors are allowed to touch them, but are asked to be respectful of the artwork. They are made using only recycled wood from the region and were created by the Danish artist, Thomas Dambo.
North at Hotel Covington
As my time in Kentucky progressed, I wanted to explore more of the beautiful state, so we then drove north to Covington. My accessible room at North at Hotel Covington consisted of a two-bedroom suite with a roll-in shower. It also included a king sized, 27-inch-tall bed. Unfortunately, a Hoyer lift will not go underneath it, as it is a platform style bed. The other bedroom included two queen sized beds. I also had a full kitchen with an espresso machine, a full-sized refrigerator, and a microwave. My room also had a mini bar with drinks and snacks, a living room, three TV’s, a pull under sink, and a tub. There were grab bars beside and behind the toilet, and a handheld shower sprayer and fold down bench in the roll-in shower. There was also a washer and a dryer, a full-length mirror, and an iPad for information about the hotel, weather, etc.
Tour of New Riff Distilling
Located in Versailles, just a ten-minute drive from downtown Covington, New Riff Distillery is a gorgeous place. As soon as you drive up, you will be mesmerized by the towering display of bourbon. This distillery has its own private lot so finding an accessible spot was super easy. I was excited to start my tour and do a tasting on the third floor inside the Tower Room with Scott. He taught us about the process and background of what all goes in to making each spirit and allowed us to taste six different flavors of their bourbon and rye. There is also a gift shop in the lobby, so you can pick up some delicious souvenirs for those lucky drinkers back home.
Explore Mainstrasse Village
Mainstrasse Village is located in Covington and is a terrific area for shopping and dining. This eye-catchy district consists of a German inspired bell tower, so if you are there at the right time, it will beautifully chime a well-known tune. Here, you will find several bars, shops, and restaurants. Although most have stepped entrances, some of them have a side entrance that is smooth for you to roll into, so I found it a lovely area to spend some time and roll through seeing all of the sights. I also found a beautiful fountain here that is a great photo op!
Mama’s on Main
While rolling through Mainstrasse Village, I had to try the delicious Italian restaurant, Mama’s on Main. It has a side entry for people who use wheelchairs to easily be able to roll inside. You may also choose their cute outside dining tables that are located on the sidewalk out front. I enjoyed my appetizer of Foccacia bread with whipped ricotta cheese, olive oil and black pepper, but my main course of Lobster Ravioli was even more delightful! It was served with marsala cream sauce, mascarpone, basil, parsley, and breadcrumbs. My mouth is watering just reminiscing about it.
Hofbrauhaus
Did you know that you can grab a German beer and eat schnitzel without ever having to fly to Germany? Well, at Hofbrauhaus in Newport, you can! This German restaurant and bar is packed with all things Germany. From the moment you roll through the door, you can sense the authentic vibes of Munich. Although the restaurant offers both inside and outside dining, the indoor tables were a bit too short for my wheelchair to park under without hitting my knees. But all of the tables outside were much better and I was able to easily pull under one after a staff member offered to move the bench for me. I couldn’t resist trying the Giant Pretzel with bier cheese. It was so delicious and was coated in salt granules with just the right amount. Next, I chose the Jagerschnitzel. It was so tasty, fried crisp and golden brown and topped with a burgundy wine mushroom sauce. I also had the German Potato Salad and the Bier Cheese Spatzle. This meal took my taste buds all the way back to my visit to Germany from several years ago. Trust me, it is that good!
Newport Aquarium
The Newport Aquarium is one of the best aquariums that I have visited. The accessibility here is phenomenal and the aquarium is actively working to improve it even more. There is an elevator that takes you between floors and the museum is very spacious containing flat, smooth walkways. There are two companion care restrooms inside and a small snack and drink shop area with lots of dining tables. I loved that they offer an ADA touch opportunity, where you can touch a species of the day, for those who may be unable to lean over the railing and pet the different animals.
Newport on the Levee
Newport on the Levee is a massive complex of shops and eateries on the shoreline, sitting at the base of the Purple People Bridge. Here, you will find an AMC theatre, the Newport Aquarium, a candy shop, a rent-a-lego play place and restaurant, Cold Stone Creamery, and so much more, including boutiques. This area is completely wheelchair accessible and I loved being able to roll inside the various shops and eateries.
BB Riverboats Captain’s Dinner Cruise
Only about a five-minute roll from the aquarium, I was able to roll onboard the BB Riverboats Captain’s Dinner Cruise. I found a ramp that took me to the main level entrance and there is an elevator onboard to get you from level two, which is where you board the boat, to level 3. There is also a souvenir and snack bar onboard with ice cream, candy, and chips, and there is a companion care restroom on level 3. This boat ride was such a great way to see the area and I was able to find accessible parking, located on the lower level of the parking lot.
Buffalo Trace Distillery
I couldn’t continue my time in Kentucky without visiting another distillery, so off I drove to Frankfurt, KY. I booked one of their tasting tours and couldn’t believe how huge this distillery is. I was able to roll in my wheelchair on paved pathways the entire time, and was led by a guide around the property. The tour led me to the barrel rooms, and I also saw the workers placing the barrels on the rollers, and packaging the bottles into the boxes. This was quite the tour to see how it all is made and packaged, and arrives to the shelves of your favorite stores. During the tour, I was able to taste six bourbons, and I also enjoyed a bourbon ball. Before leaving out to explore more, I made a point to visit the gift shop and purchase some treats for my family and friends.
Kentucky Horse Park
Located just off I-75 in Lexington, the Kentucky Horse Park is the place to go to see all things horses! It spans across 1,200 acres and is the home to 70 horses. One of the most unique accessible things to do here is to ride the wheelchair accessible horse drawn carriages. This was my first time to ever be able to ride one, so I was so excited to see it and get onboard for the tour. They had a fold down ramp in the back of the carriage that wasn’t very steep at all and two small seats on each side of the wheelchair user for friends or family to sit next to you. They also have daily horse shows, so make sure to check the schedule and plan accordingly prior to your visit. The gift shop is at the entrance and is massive, so save enough time for this! You can find everything here from toys to Christmas ornaments, sweatshirts, t-shirts, snacks, and more. I also loved visiting the Hall of Champions, the many gravesites, chatting with the Horse Police, and rolling through the International Museum of the Horse. I was even able to see some real-life Triple Crown trophies, the Parade of Breeds show, and the retired Triple Crown Winner himself, Western Dreamer.
Cumberland Falls
As I was nearing the end of my amazing visit, I couldn’t leave this awesome state without driving down to Cumberland Falls in Corbin, Kentucky. Known as the Niagara of the South, Cumberland Falls is 68 feet tall and 125 feet wide. I was very impressed with the accessibility to the viewing platforms, as I easily rolled to them in my power wheelchair. As I sat there in awe, I could see and hear the rush of the water and feel the mist upon my face. It is massive and this area is the perfect photo opportunity to get a picture of yourself in the great outdoors. There is also a second viewing platform that takes you a little further down the path to view the falls from another angle. The pathway was a bit bumpy and steadily steep, but my chair easily made the trek to this amazing place.
I cannot even imagine all of the beauty that Kentucky holds, as I was only able to explore the state within the time period of about a week. The entire time that I spent here was relaxing and pleasant, and I never felt rushed or stressed at all. The people in Kentucky have a way of making you feel welcome and I hope to go back and enjoy this spectacular state over and over again. As you can see, Kentucky is a wonderful place to explore, no matter what your abilities are.